Warehouse Shuttle Foldable Shifting Fork for Storage Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
The height of traditional warehouse shuttle vehicle shifting forks limits the storage density in stereoscopic warehouse racks, as they need to be lower than the spacing between racks to allow for efficient storage and retrieval of goods.
Innovation Solution
A foldable shifting fork mechanism with a first and second blocking component that can switch between intersecting and overlapping positions, reducing the overall height when in the second state, allowing for more compact storage without increasing the vehicle body height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the shifting fork height is reduced to increase storage density, then the number of rack layers increases, but the shifting fork cannot effectively perform goods transfer operations
Solution Approach 1:
The shifting fork is designed with dynamic height adjustment capability through a telescopic structure comprising a first fork body and a second fork body that can extend and retract relative to each other. This allows the shifting fork to change its height dynamically: extending to sufficient height for effective goods transfer operations, and retracting to minimize vertical space when not in use, thereby resolving the contradiction between storage density and operational effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic shifting fork employs a nested structure where the second fork body is positioned within or alongside the first fork body, allowing one component to be contained within another. This nesting arrangement enables the shifting fork to reduce its overall height by collapsing the extended portion back into the main body, effectively minimizing vertical space occupation while maintaining full operational capability when extended
2Length of stationary object
If the shifting fork is made foldable to reduce vehicle height, then the vehicle height decreases, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shifting fork employs a telescopic mechanism with guide rails and movable plates that enable smooth extension and retraction movements. The guide rails provide directional guidance while the movable plates with connecting rods transmit the extension force efficiently. This dynamic structure allows the shifting fork to transform between extended and retracted states in a controlled manner, achieving height reduction without excessive mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shifting fork is divided into distinct modular segments: the first fork body, the second fork body, guide rails, movable plates, and connecting rods. Each segment performs a specific function and can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the overall design by breaking down the complex foldable structure into manageable components with clear functional boundaries, making the system easier to manufacture and maintain
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a warehouse shuttle vehicle, the warehouse shuttle vehicle comprising: a vehicle body (12); a pallet fork (15) movable relative to the vehicle body (12) to extend from or retract to the vehicle body, the pallet fork (15) comprising two plate-like components arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, the two plate-like components being spaced apart and arranged oppositely to clamp goods therebetween; and a foldable shifting fork (14) mounted on each plate-like component of the pallet fork (15) and movable relative to the plate-like component to switch between a first state and a second state, the shifting fork comprising a first blocking component and a second blocking component (1) connected to the first blocking component (2), wherein in the first state, the first blocking component (2) and the second blocking component (1) are in sequence in a first direction intersecting the plate-like component, and in the second state, the first blocking component (2) and the second blocking component (1) are stacked and both located at an inner side of the plate-like component, thus improving the problem that the height of a shifting fork influences the storage density of a warehouse in the related art.