FORK TINE AND LOGISTICS VEHICLE

Abstract

A fork tine for preferably automated logistics vehicles include at least a shank, a heel and a blade. Fastening elements for attachment to a logistics vehicle are arranged on the shank. To form a cavity, the fork blade is made from a top layer and a rear layer which are joined, in particular screwed together, by fasteners, in particular screws.

Claims

1. A fork tine for preferably automated logistics vehicles, comprising at least a shank, a heel and a blade, wherein fastening elements are arranged on the shank for attachment to a logistics vehicle, wherein, in order to form a cavity, the blade is formed from a top layer and a rear layer which are joined, in particular screwed together, via fasteners, in particular screws.

2. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein the shank is likewise formed by a top layer and a rear layer, which are joined, in particular screwed together, via the fasteners, in particular screws.

3. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein the top layer is formed from a sheet folded into U-shape and the rear layer is formed from a flat sheet.

4. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein the top layer and the rear layer are formed from a plate, in particular a steel plate, folded into U-shape.

5. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein reinforcing elements are arranged in the cavity between the top layer and the rear layer.

6. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing elements accommodate the fasteners.

7. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein the top layer of the shank and of the blade has recesses to accommodate the fasteners, in particular the screw head, to form a flat surface.

8. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein the top layer of the shank and of the blade comprises further bores for attachment of additional auxiliary elements.

9. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein the heel is designed to correspond to the cavity and can be inserted over a partial region of the cavity of the shank and the blade.

10. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein the heel has bores to accommodate the fasteners.

11. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein the heel has a joint for folding up the blade, wherein the joint is preferably hydraulically or electrically controllable.

12. The fork tine according to claim 1, wherein sensors, lines and electronic control units are arranged in the cavity of the blade and of the shank, which can preferably be connected to a logistics vehicle via a connecting plug on the shank.

13. A logistics vehicle, comprising at least a base vehicle with a lifting device for transporting loads preferably onto a load carrier or on a pallet, in particular a Euro pallet, wherein a fork tine according to claim 1 is attached to the lifting device.

Description

[0031] The figures show:

[0032] FIG. 1—a schematic representation of a fork tine for logistics vehicles or forklifts, simplified, for illustrative purposes only;

[0033] FIG. 2—a lateral view of the fork tine, simplified, for illustrative purposes only;

[0034] FIG. 3—a sectional view of the fork tine, simplified, for illustrative purposes only;

[0035] FIG. 4—a sectional view of the blade, simplified, for illustrative purposes only.

[0036] FIG. 5—another exemplary embodiment of the structure of the fork tine in cross-sectional view; simplified, for illustrative purposes only;

[0037] FIG. 6—another exemplary embodiment of the structure of the fork tine in cross-sectional view; simplified, for illustrative purposes only;

[0038] FIG. 7—an exemplary embodiment of a logistics vehicle with fork tine mounted thereon, simplified, for illustrative purposes only;

[0039] It should be stated by way of introduction that, in the individual embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numbers or same component designations, respectively, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can, by analogy, be transferred to identical parts with identical reference numbers or identical component designations, respectively. The position details selected in the description, such as, e.g., top, bottom, lateral, etc., likewise relate to the figure described, and in the event of a change of position, they are to be transferred to the new position by analogy. Individual features or feature combinations from the exemplary embodiments shown and described may also represent independent inventive solutions.

[0040] FIGS. 1 to 7 show a fork tine 1 and an exemplary embodiment on a logistics vehicle 2.

[0041] Such fork tines 1 usually have an L-shaped design and consist of three distinct sections, namely shank 3, heel 4 and blade 5. In this case, the fork shank 3 is used for fastening to logistics vehicles or forklifts, so that corresponding fastening elements 6 are provided. A load 7 to be transported, which is preferably positioned on a pallet 8, in particular a Euro pallet 8, is picked up with the fork blade and then transported by the logistics vehicle 2 or forklift truck to a defined storage location.

[0042] It is thus essential that such fork tines 1 have an optimum ratio between their own weight and load capacity in order, on the one hand, to be able to use a smaller logistics vehicle 2 and, on the other hand, to be able to carry a higher load 7. Which results in a smaller footprint, in particular turning circle, and improved energy efficiency.

[0043] According to the present invention, it is envisioned to this end that at least the fork blade 5 is of modular design, wherein the fork blade 5 is formed from a top layer 10 and a rear layer 11 to form a cavity 9, which are joined, in particular screwed together, via fastening means 12, in particular screws 12a. Preferably, for further weight saving, the fork shank 3 is also modularly built from a top layer 10 and a rear layer, which are joined or screwed together, respectively, by fastening means 12, in particular screws 12a.

[0044] The shank 3 and the fork blade 5 are made from thin-walled straight sheets, preferably formed by a cold bending process, wherein one or several reinforcing elements 13, in particular metal spacers, which may also be made of metal alloy, are arranged in the vertical fork blade 5 and in the horizontal fork shank. Preferably, the reinforcing elements have bores through which the fastening means 12, in particular screws 12a, extend.

[0045] This creates the cavity 9 in the blade 5 and in the shank 3, which contributes greatly to the weight saving of the fork tine 1 and provides space for electronics and/or sensor systems 14 and cabling. This makes optimum use of the stress profile with tension and compression zones and the neutral fiber in the fork tine 1. The compact fork heel 4 also further favors the ratio of deflection to stresses that occur. In this case, the compact heel 4 is preferably made from quenched and tempered cast steel of high strength, including subsequent mechanical processing, or alternatively cut from a rolled steel part including mechanical finishing. A plasma, laser or waterjet process can be used as the cutting process. Alternatively, the heel can also be manufactured using previously known and common manufacturing options and then joined to the fork shank and the fork blade via the fastening means 12, in particular a screw connection. This means that the individual sheets, i.e. the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11, for the fork blade 5 and the fork shank 3, are joined to the fork heel 4 via the fastening means 12, for which corresponding bores are previously made on the fork heel 4. However, it is also possible to use a manufacturing method in which first the top layers 10 and rear layers 11 are lightly screwed together using the reinforcing elements, and then the heel is inserted into the cavity 9 and screwed together with the fastening means 12, whereupon all the fastening means 12 are screwed tight with a predetermined torque.

[0046] Preferably, the reinforcing elements 13, in particular the bore arranged therein, are threaded so that the fastening means 12, in particular the screws 12a, are directly screwed together with the reinforcing elements 13, as can be seen in FIG. 3. This makes it easy, for example, for the reinforcing elements 13 to be connected to the rear layer 11 via the fastening means 12, whereupon only the top layer 10 then has to be placed on top and these are screwed together with the reinforcing elements 13 via fastening means 12. For this purpose, the top layer 10 as well as the rear layer have so-called countersunk bores in which the head, in particular the screw head, of the fastening means 12 is accommodated so there are no obstructive protrusions above the surface of the top layer 10 or rear layer 11. Likewise, it is possible that threads corresponding to the fastening means 12 are provided in the bores in the fork heel 4, so that the fastening of the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11 is carried out independently of each other directly on the fork heel 4.

[0047] When dimensioning the fork tine 1, it is possible that the heel 4, the blade 5 and the shank 3 can be designed for the respective locally occurring maximum stress amplitude and thus allow use of differing sheet materials and material thicknesses optimized for the respective load capacity, without having to consider the weldability of the materials, i.e., that the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11 as well as the heel 4 are formed from different materials, wherein a material composition can be used which does not need to be weldable, since the fork tine 1 is constructed completely without welded joints.

[0048] In applications subject to wear, it is advantageous if the fork blade 5, in particular the top layer 10 of the fork blade 5, is formed from wear-resistant sheet metal. It is possible to replace the individual parts, in particular the wear parts, easily and at low cost in the event of repair. Due to the complete absence of welds, all joints are designed as bolted connections, whereby use of any combination of materials is enabled. On the one hand, this saves a time-consuming manufacturing step and, on the other hand, no additional heat is introduced, so that no structural change can take place in the fork material and subsequent heat treatment is necessary. Another major advantage is that the elimination of weld seams means that thermal distortion can no longer occur, hence the need for subsequent straightening of the fork tines 1 is obviated.

[0049] Basically, thus, the fork blade 5 and/or the fork shank 3 is constructed in such a way that at least one element, in particular the top layer 10, is U-shaped, wherein the lateral parts 15 are produced by means of a bending process, as can be seen more clearly from FIG. 4. From this it can be seen that the rear layer 11 is accommodated between the lateral parts 15, wherein the cavity 9 is formed between the top layer 10 and the rear layer. Of course, it is possible for the rear layer to butt against the end faces of the lateral parts 15, whereby in turn the cavity 9 is formed.

[0050] In order to increase the load capacity of the fork tine 5 and/or the shank 3, reinforcing elements 13 are arranged between the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11 so that when the load acts on the top layer 10, it cannot be pressed, in particular deformed, in the direction of the rear layer 11. The reinforcing elements 13 are preferably provided with a bore designed in such a way that the fastening means 12 can be accommodated therein, i.e. that the fastening means 12 pass through the reinforcing elements 13, whereby a space-saving arrangement is achieved so that sufficient space is left for the electronics and/or sensor systems 14 in the cavity 9. The use of reinforcing elements 13 has the advantage that they are arranged distributed over the surface of the top layer 10 or rear layer 11, respectively, in such a way as to achieve the highest possible load capacity with the lowest possible weight of the fork tine 1.

[0051] Of course, a different modular design is also possible, in which the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11 of the fork blade 5 and/or the fork shank 3 have a U-shaped design, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, the two elements, i.e. the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11, are designed in such a way that one part, preferably the rear layer 11, is inserted between the lateral parts 15 of the top layer 10 and reinforcing elements 13 with fastening means 12 running in the center are used in turn to increase the load capacity. In this context, it is also possible for the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11 to be connected, in particular screwed together, by means of fastening means 12 via the lateral parts 15, which are produced on the basis of a bending process.

[0052] In the embodiment in FIG. 6, by contrast, the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11 are formed so as to be of the same width, so that the end faces of the lateral parts 15 of the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11 butt on top of each other, wherein the reinforcing elements 13 are preferably in turn inserted in the cavity 9 with fastening means 12 running therein in order to increase the load capacity.

[0053] Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the fork tine 1 on a logistics vehicle 2, which is, however, shown only schematically, since all logistics vehicles 2 and/or forklifts available on the market can be used with the fork tine 1 according to the present invention.

[0054] It can be seen that one or several fastening elements 6 are arranged on the shank 3, in particular on the rear layer 11 of the shank 3. These fastening elements 6 can be inserted into bores provided for this purpose in the rear layer 11, for which purpose bores with a thread are preferably provided so that the fastening elements, for example hooks or eyelets, can be screwed in. For the sake of completeness, it is mentioned that, of course, a wide variety of systems from the prior art can be used and fastened for attachment of a fork tine 1 to a logistics vehicle 2, wherein corresponding attachment points or bores, respectively, or even adapter plates are provided for this purpose.

[0055] Due to the special modular design of the fork tine 1, it is now easily possible to arrange electronics and/or sensors 14 in the shank 3 as well as in the blade 5, for which purpose the cable harness 16 can be laid in the cavity 9. Corresponding recesses can be provided in the top layers 10 and/or rear layers 11 for the sensors 14. For example, weight sensors can be arranged in the top layer 10 of the fork blade 5, which determines the load capacity and stores it, for example, in a database in the electronics or a control unit 17, respectively, in the logistics vehicle 2, so that analyses of the transported loads 7 can be made at any time.

[0056] For the sake of completeness, it is mentioned that the heel 4 may have a joint (not shown), whereby the fork blade 5 is folded up when the latter does not have to carry a load 7. In addition, since the horizontal and vertical area are realized by means of sheets, it is possible that lugs are included into the manufacture at low cost, which can be used as lifting and assembly aids for the fork tines 1. Furthermore, it is possible for the compact fork heel to be manufactured primarily from a process-monitored and fatigue-resistant quenched and tempered cast steel, so that the manufacturing process can produce a stress-optimized geometry with relevant cable bushings and outlets. By manufacturing the fork heel as a separate component, another advantage is that all other components are no longer thermally stressed, as is the case with the forging or upsetting forging process from the prior art. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that a fork tip 18 or other end pieces can be attached to the illustrated modular fork blade 3 on the opposite sides to the attached heel 4.

[0057] It can thus be said that the fork tine 1 according to the present invention is designed in such a way that a compact fork heel 4, which is predominantly made of quenched and tempered cast steel of high strength, including subsequent mechanical processing or alternatively cut (using plasma, laser or water jet) from a rolled steel part including mechanical finishing, is joined to the shank 3 and the blade 4 by means of screw connections 12, so that production is possible entirely without weld seams. Of course, additional auxiliary means 19, such as eyelets, lugs, etc., which cannot be attached via a screw connection 12, can also be welded to the fork tine 1.

[0058] It is further mentioned that not in all bores of the top layer 10 and/or the rear layer 11 a fastening means 12 is arranged, but that, depending on the required load capacity, corresponding reinforcing elements 13, with which the top layer 10 and the rear layer 11 are screwed together, are arranged. In this way, a standardized cut or production, respectively, can be created for a wide variety of fork tines 1 with differing load capacities.

[0059] Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the fork tine 1 according to the present invention, in which a base vehicle 20 is shown with a lifting device 21 for transporting loads 7 preferably on a load carrier or pallet, in particular Euro pallet 8, wherein the fork tine 1 according to the invention is mounted on the lifting device 21, as previously described.

[0060] It is pointed out that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but may comprise further embodiments. In particular, the embodiments or individual features of the embodiments can also be combined with each other.