JP5419110B2 - Slide fork - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slide fork, and more particularly to a multi-stage slide fork that slides in the front-rear direction to transfer a load or the like.

Conventionally, for example, a three-stage slide fork mounted on a stacker crane is known in a factory warehouse or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, this type of slide fork 10 includes a pair of base forks 20, a pair of middle forks (movable forks) 30, a first fork (driven fork) 40, two pinion gears 50a, 50b, intermediate gear mechanism 60 (61-63), rack gear 70, gear case 80, and drive device (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4A, the base fork 20 is formed of a plate member elongated in the front-rear direction, and a pair of base forks 20 are provided. The base forks 20 are connected to each other at a distance from each other via a connecting member 20f disposed on the lower side at one end and the other end.
The base fork 20 includes locking members 20a and 20b. The locking members 20 a and 20 b are respectively attached to the connecting member 20 f and are disposed between the base forks 20.

The middle fork 30 is disposed between the pair of base forks 20 and is formed of a plate member elongated in the front-rear direction, and a pair is provided. The middle forks 30 are connected to each other with a gap therebetween via a connecting member (not shown).
The middle fork 30 includes sprockets 30a and 30b and a rack gear 70 as shown in FIG. Each of the sprockets 30 a and 30 b is attached to a side wall between the pair of middle forks 20.

The first fork 40 is disposed between the pair of middle forks 30 and is composed of a plate member elongated in the front-rear direction.
The first fork 40 includes locking members 40a and 40b. One end of the chain 20d is connected to the locking member 40a, and the other end of the chain 20d is connected to the locking member 20a of the base fork 20 via the sprocket 30b of the middle fork 30. One end of the chain 20e is connected to the locking member 40b, and the other end of the chain 20e is connected to the locking member 20b of the base fork 20 via the sprocket 30a of the middle fork 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the pinion gears 50 a and 50 b are provided in the front-rear direction along the base fork 20, and the upper side is exposed between the pair of base forks 20.

  The intermediate gear mechanism 60 is provided along the base fork 20 and is connected to the pinion gears 50a and 50b, and includes a plurality of, in this example, three intermediate gears 61 to 63. The intermediate gears 61 to 63 are in mesh with each other, and are arranged so that the upper side is exposed between the pair of base forks 20.

  The rack gear 70 is attached downward to the lower surface of one middle fork 30 so as to mesh with the upper side of the pinion gears 50 a and 50 b exposed between the pair of base forks 20.

  The gear case 80 is a box-like case that accommodates the pinion gears 50a and 50b and the intermediate gears 61 to 63 so as to be pivotally supported. The gear case 80 is attached to one base fork 20 and opens to the rack gear 70 side.

  The drive device drives the intermediate gear mechanism 60 and slides the middle fork 30 along the base fork 20 and is composed of a rotational power source such as a known electric motor or hydraulic motor. An output shaft extending from the rotational power source is connected to the rotational shaft 64 of the intermediate gear 62.

In the slide fork 10, the pair of middle forks 30 slide in the front-rear direction along the base fork 20 as the drive device rotates the intermediate gears 61 to 63 and the pinion gears 50 a and 50 b.
When the drive device rotates the intermediate gears 61 to 63 and the pinion gears 50a and 50b in the forward direction, the first chain 20d (20e) is fastened via the sprocket 30b (30a) by the forward sliding of the pair of middle forks 30. The fork 40 is pulled forward, and the first fork 40 follows the middle fork 30 and slides in the same direction.
On the other hand, when the drive device reversely rotates the intermediate gears 61 to 63 and the pinion gears 50a and 50b, the other chain 20e (20d) is fastened via the pulley 30a (30b) by the backward sliding of the pair of middle forks 30. The fork 40 is pulled backward, and the first fork 40 follows the middle fork 30 and slides in the same direction.

JP 63-127908 A

However, in the conventional slide fork 10, when the middle fork 30 slides along the base fork 20, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a pair of pinion gears 50a and 50b and intermediate gears 61 to 63 are paired. Are exposed between the adjacent base forks 20, so that foreign matter D enters a meshing portion of adjacent gears (for example, between the pinion gear 50 a and the intermediate gear 61 in the figure), and the gears do not rotate. There was a problem that the sliding movement of 30 etc. stopped.
In addition, since a gap g having a predetermined width exists between the base fork 20 and the middle fork 30, there is a problem that foreign matter D is likely to be mixed into the gap g.
Furthermore, in the conventional slide fork 10, when removing the foreign matter mixed in the meshing portion of the gear, the gear case 80 must be disassembled and then the foreign matter D of the gear must be removed, which is very troublesome. was there.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a slide fork that can prevent foreign matters from entering a meshing portion of a gear and can easily remove foreign matters mixed in a gear.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a base fork, a plurality of pinion gears provided along the base fork, an intermediate gear mechanism provided along the base fork and connected to the pinion gear, A movable fork having a downward rack gear meshing with an upper side of a pinion gear, and a driving device that drives the intermediate gear mechanism and slides the movable fork along the base fork, the intermediate gear mechanism rotating A first intermediate gear coupled to each pinion gear via a shaft, and at least one second intermediate gear provided between the first intermediate gears, wherein the first intermediate gear and the second intermediate gear The gears are meshed with each other, and the upper part of the gears is covered with the base fork. Arranged, each pinion is obtained by a sliding fork, characterized in that it is spaced apart so as not to mesh with each other.
According to this configuration, the first intermediate gear connected to each pinion gear and the second intermediate gear provided between the first intermediate gears are covered with the base fork, and the meshing portion of the gear is not exposed. Foreign matter can be prevented from entering the meshing portion of the gear.

In the above configuration, the apparatus further includes a gear case attached to the base fork, opening to the rack gear side, and accommodating the pinion gear, the first intermediate gear, and the second intermediate gear so that they can be pivotally supported, respectively, Preferably, a foreign matter removing side hole for removing foreign matter from the meshing portion is provided at a position facing the meshing portion of the first intermediate gear and the second intermediate gear.
According to this configuration, when foreign matter enters the meshing portion of the gear, the foreign matter is removed by inserting a brush or the like into the foreign matter removal side hole or by blowing air or the like from the foreign matter removal side hole. Can be removed. As a result, the trouble of disassembling the gear case and removing foreign matters can be saved.

In the above configuration, the gear case further includes a gear case that is attached to the base fork, opens to the rack gear side, and accommodates the pinion gear, the first intermediate gear, and the second intermediate gear so that they can be pivotally supported. Preferably, a foreign matter removing bottom surface hole for removing foreign matter from the meshing portion is provided at a position facing the meshing portion of the first intermediate gear and the second intermediate gear.
According to this configuration, when foreign matter is mixed into the meshing portion of the gear, the foreign matter is removed by inserting a brush or the like into the foreign matter removal bottom hole or by blowing air or the like from the foreign matter removal bottom hole. Can be removed. As a result, the trouble of disassembling the gear case and removing foreign matters can be saved. Further, the foreign matter falling from the meshing portion can be removed to the outside through the foreign matter removing bottom hole.

In the above-described configuration, it is preferable to further include a foreign matter mixing prevention cover member that is attached to the base fork and closes a gap between the base fork and the movable fork.
According to this configuration, foreign matter can be prevented from being mixed into the gap between the base fork and the movable fork by the foreign matter mixing prevention cover member.

  The slide fork having the above configuration can be mounted on a stacker crane, a forklift, or an automatic guided vehicle.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while preventing the mixing of the foreign material to the meshing part of a gear, the slide fork which can remove the foreign material mixed in a gear easily can be provided.

(A) is a top view of the slide fork which concerns on this invention, (B) is the side view seen from X-X 'of (A). (A) is a partially enlarged top view of FIG. 1 (A), (B) is a side view seen from BB ′ of FIG. 1 (A), and (C) is C of FIG. 1 (B). It is the bottom view seen from -C '. It is the front view seen from Y-Y 'of Drawing 1 (B). (A) is the top view of the conventional slide fork, (B) is the side view seen from X-X 'of (A). 4A is a partially enlarged top view of FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged side view of FIG. It is the front view seen from Y-Y 'of Drawing 4 (B).

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a slide fork 1 according to the present invention includes a base fork 2, a middle fork (movable fork) 3, a first fork (driven fork) 4, two pinion gears 5a and 5b, and an intermediate A gear mechanism 6, a rack gear 7, a gear case 8, and a drive device 9 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base fork 2 is composed of a plate member that is elongated in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, a pair of base forks 2 are provided. The base forks 2 are connected to each other at a distance from each other via a connecting member 2f disposed on the lower side at one end and the other end.
The base fork 2 includes locking members 2a and 2b and a plurality of guide rollers 2c. The locking members 2a and 2b are respectively attached to the connecting member 2f and disposed between the base forks 2. A plurality of (for example, four) guide rollers 2c are attached in the front-rear direction to the upper portions of the opposing side walls of the base fork 2.
Further, in the gap between the base fork 2 and the middle fork 3, a foreign matter mixing prevention cover member 2g for closing the gap is attached to the base fork 2. The foreign matter mixing prevention cover member 2g is made of an elastic member such as rubber.

The middle fork 3 is disposed between a pair of base forks 2 and is formed of a plate member elongated in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, a pair is provided. The middle forks 3 are connected to each other with a gap therebetween via a connecting member (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 3, the middle fork 3 has a groove portion formed in the front-rear direction on the side wall facing each base fork 2, and the guide roller 2 c of the base fork 2 is fitted into the groove portion and slides.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the middle fork 3 includes sprockets 3a and 3b, a guide roller 3c, and a rack gear 7. The sprockets 3a and 3b are attached to the side walls between the middle forks 2, respectively. A plurality of (for example, four) guide rollers 3c are attached to the upper part of each side wall between the middle forks 3 in the front-rear direction.

The first fork 4 is disposed between the pair of middle forks 3 and is composed of a plate member elongated in the front-rear direction.
As shown in FIG. 3, the first fork 4 has a groove portion formed in the front-rear direction on a side wall facing each middle fork 3, and the guide roller 3 c of the middle fork 3 is fitted into the groove portion and slides.
The first fork 4 includes locking members 4a and 4b. One end of the chain 2d is connected to the locking member 4a, and the other end of the chain 2d is connected to the locking member 2a of the base fork 2 via the sprocket 3b of the middle fork 3. One end of the chain 2e is connected to the locking member 4b, and the other end of the chain 2e is connected to the locking member 2b of the base fork 2 via the sprocket 3a of the middle fork 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the pinion gears 5 a and 5 b are provided in the front-rear direction along the base fork 2, and the upper side is exposed between the pair of base forks 2. The diameters of the pinion gears 5a and 5b are the same.

  The intermediate gear mechanism 6 is provided along the base fork 2 and is connected to the pinion gears 5a and 5b. In this embodiment, the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b disposed on both sides, And at least one second intermediate gear 6c disposed between the intermediate gears 6a and 6b. The first intermediate gears 6a and 6b are connected to the pinion gears 5a and 5b via rotary shafts 56a and 56b, respectively. The second intermediate gear 6c is provided between the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b. The first intermediate gears 6 a and 6 b and the second intermediate gear 6 c are meshed with each other, and are disposed below the base fork 2 so that the upper part thereof is covered with one base fork 2. In this embodiment, the diameters of the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b and the second intermediate gear 6c are all the same, and are smaller than the diameters of the pinion gears 5a and 5b. The pinion gears 5a and 5b are spaced apart so as not to mesh with each other.

  The rack gear 7 is attached downward to the lower surface of one middle fork 3 so as to mesh with the upper side of the pinion gears 5 a and 5 b exposed between the pair of base forks 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the gear case 8 includes a box-shaped case that accommodates the pinion gears 5a and 5b, the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b, and the second intermediate gear 6c so as to be pivotally supported. It is attached to one base fork 2 and is open to the rack gear 7 side.
The gear case 8 includes foreign matter removing side holes 8a and 8b, foreign matter removing bottom holes 8c and 8d, and bearing members 8e and 8f.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the foreign matter removing side holes 8a and 8b are provided at positions facing the meshing portions of the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b and the second intermediate gear 6c on the side surface of the gear case 8. . The foreign matter removing side holes 8a and 8b are formed as openings of appropriate sizes in which a brush or the like can be inserted into the holes or air or the like can be blown from the holes.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the foreign matter removing bottom surface holes 8c and 8d are provided at positions facing the meshing portions of the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b and the second intermediate gear 6c on the bottom surface of the gear case 8. ing. The foreign matter removing bottom surface holes 8c and 8d are formed in openings having appropriate sizes, similarly to the foreign matter removing side surface holes 8a and 8b.

The drive device 9 drives the intermediate gear mechanism 6 to slide the middle fork 3 and the first fork 4 along the base fork 2 and is composed of a known electric motor. The drive device 9 includes an electric motor main body, an output shaft 9a, sprockets 9b and 9c, and a chain 9d. The drive device 9 is disposed below the gear case 8.
The output shaft 9a is provided so as to extend from the electric motor main body in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the base fork 2, and is connected to the sprocket 9b. The sprocket 9c is connected to one end of the rotating shaft 6d of the second intermediate gear 6c extending from one side surface of the gear case 8 via the bearing member 8e. An annular chain 9d is stretched between the sprockets 9b and 9c. The other end of the rotating shaft 6d of the second intermediate gear 6c extending from the other side surface of the gear case 8 via the bearing member 8f is connected to the second intermediate gear of another gear case (not shown) via the coupling CP. Yes.

In the slide fork 1, the drive device 9 rotates a pair of middle forks by rotating the sprockets 9b and 9c, the second intermediate gear 6c, the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b, and the pinion gears 5a and 5b via the chain 9d. 3 slides back and forth along the base fork 2.
When the drive device 9 rotates the second intermediate gear 6c, the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b, and the pinion gears 5a and 5b in the forward direction, one chain 2d (2e) is caused by the forward sliding of the pair of middle forks 3. Pulls the first fork 4 forward through the sprocket 3b (3a), and the first fork 4 follows the middle fork 3 and slides in the same direction.
On the other hand, when the driving device 9 reversely rotates the second intermediate gear 6c, the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b, and the pinion gears 5a and 5b, the other chain 2e (2d) is moved by the rearward sliding of the pair of middle forks 3. Pulls the first fork 4 backward via the pulley 3a (3b), and the first fork 4 follows the middle fork 3 and slides in the same direction.

  In this slide fork 1, when the middle fork 3 slides along the base fork 2, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, only the pinion gears 5a and 5b that do not mesh with each other are exposed and mesh with each other. The first intermediate gears 6a and 6b and the second intermediate gear 6c that are to be covered are covered with the base fork 2 and the foreign matter mixing prevention cover member 2g, so that foreign matter may be mixed into the meshing portions of the gears of the intermediate gear mechanism 6. This prevents the slide operation stop of the middle fork 3 and the like caused by the foreign matter.

Further, in this slide fork 1, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the side surface and the bottom surface of the gear case 8 are respectively provided with foreign matter removing side holes 8a and 8b and foreign matter removing bottom surface holes 8c and 8d. Is formed.
For this reason, when foreign matter is mixed into the meshing portions of the first intermediate gears 6a, 6b and the second intermediate gear 6c, first, a brush is inserted into the foreign matter removal side holes 8a, 8b, or the foreign matter removal side surface. Foreign matter can be removed by blowing air from the holes 8a and 8b. Thereby, the trouble of disassembling the gear case 8 and removing foreign matters can be saved.
Also, when foreign matter is mixed into the meshing portions of the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b and the second intermediate gear 6c, a brush is inserted into the foreign matter removal bottom holes 8c and 8d in the same manner as the foreign matter removal side holes 8a and 8b. Alternatively, the foreign matter can be removed by blowing air from the bottom holes 8c and 8d for removing the foreign matter. Further, the foreign matter falling from the meshing portion can be removed outside through the foreign matter removing bottom holes 8c and 8d.

Further, in the slide fork 1, a foreign matter mixing prevention cover member 2 g is attached to the base fork 2 so as to close a gap between the base fork 2 and the middle fork 3.
For this reason, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the gap between the base fork 2 and the middle fork 3 by the foreign matter mixing prevention cover member 2g.

  The slide fork 1 according to the present invention is preferably mounted on a stacker crane, a forklift, an automatic guided vehicle (AGV), or the like.

As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, the structure of this invention is not limited to these embodiment.
For example, the number and types of the base fork 2, the middle fork 3, the first fork 4, the pinion gears 5a and 5b, the first intermediate gears 6a and 6b, and the second intermediate gear 6c are not limited at all. Further, the front-rear direction in the sentence may be a direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body such as a stacker crane, a forklift or an automated guided vehicle on which the slide fork of the present invention is mounted, or along the left-right direction of the vehicle body. It may be a direction, and does not limit the mounting direction with respect to the vehicle body.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the drive device 9 is disposed below the gear case 8, but the drive device 9 is not limited to this, and a slide fork may be used as long as the intermediate gear mechanism 6 can be driven. 1 can be arranged at any position. Further, the drive device 9 is not limited to a known electric motor, and any driving power source such as a hydraulic motor can be applied.

Further, the size and number of the foreign matter removing side holes 8a and 8b and the foreign matter removing bottom holes 8c and 8d are not limited.
Furthermore, the foreign matter mixing prevention cover member 2g is preferably made of rubber, but is not limited thereto, and may be made of various materials.

1, 10 Slide fork 2, 20 Base fork 2a, 2b, 20a, 20b Locking member 2c Guide roller 2d, 2e, 20d, 20e Chain 2f, 20f Connecting member 2g Foreign matter prevention cover member 3, 30 Middle fork (movable fork)
3a, 3b, 30a, 30b Sprocket 3c Guide roller 4, 40 First fork 4a, 4b, 40a, 40b Locking member 5a, 5b, 50a, 50b Pinion gear 6, 60 Intermediate gear mechanism 6a, 6b First intermediate gear 6c Second Intermediate gear 6d Rotating shaft 7, 70 Rack gear 8, 80 Gear case 8a, 8b Foreign matter removing side hole 8c, 8d Foreign matter removing bottom hole 8e, 8f Bearing member 9 Drive device 9a Output shaft 9b, 9c Sprocket 9d Chain 56a, 56b Rotation Shaft 61 to 63 Intermediate gear 64 Rotating shaft CP Coupling D Foreign matter g Clearance

Claims (5)

A base fork,
A plurality of pinion gears provided along the base fork;
An intermediate gear mechanism provided along the base fork and coupled to the pinion gear;
A movable fork having a downward rack gear meshing with the upper side of the pinion gear;
A driving device that drives the intermediate gear mechanism to slide the movable fork along the base fork,
The intermediate gear mechanism is
A first intermediate gear connected to each of the pinion gears via a rotating shaft;
And at least one second intermediate gear provided between the first intermediate gears,
The first intermediate gear and the second intermediate gear are meshed with each other, and are disposed below the base fork so that their upper part is covered with the base fork,
The slide forks, wherein the pinion gears are spaced apart so as not to mesh with each other. A gear case that is attached to the base fork and that opens to the rack gear side and that accommodates the pinion gear, the first intermediate gear, and the second intermediate gear so that they can be pivotally supported;
The side surface of the gear case is provided with a foreign matter removing side hole for removing foreign matter from the meshing portion at a position facing the meshing portion of the first intermediate gear and the second intermediate gear. The slide fork according to claim 1. A gear case that is attached to the base fork and that opens to the rack gear side and that accommodates the pinion gear, the first intermediate gear, and the second intermediate gear so that they can be pivotally supported;
The bottom surface of the gear case is provided with a foreign matter removing bottom hole for removing foreign matter at the meshing portion at a position facing the meshing portion of the first intermediate gear and the second intermediate gear. The slide fork according to claim 1 or 2.   The slide fork according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a foreign matter mixing prevention cover member that is attached to the base fork and closes a gap between the base fork and the movable fork.   A stacker crane, a forklift or an automatic guided vehicle on which the slide fork according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is mounted.

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