MXPA00001830A - Materials handling vehicle having an expanded operator's compartment - Google Patents

Abstract

The motor compartment (400) of a fork lift truck (10) is modified so that the operator's feet extend into the space normally required by the motor compartment. A motor support structure (430) is installed between the traction motor (410) and the gear box (440) which is connected to the steerable, powered wheel (25). The motor support structure occupies a smaller space than the traction motor itself, thus increasing the space available to the operator's compartment (70), at least in a limited vertical location adjacent to the support. With the traction motor out of the way, sufficient space for elevated pedals (130, 135, 140) is provided, thus providing the operator (200) ample space to operate the truck while seated. A battery compartment (20) and hydraulic system (500, 505, 510, 515) of the truck are positioned adjacent to one another and ahead of theoperator's compartment/motor compartment. In this way, the battery compartment and hydraulic system are positioned such that they are clear of the operator's compartment.

Description

VEHICLE FOR HANDLING OF MATERIALS THAT HAS AN EXTENDED COMPARTMENT FOR THE OPERATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to vehicles for handling materials and, more particularly, to an extended compartment for the operator, for such vehicles which facilitates the operation of the vehicles, particularly in a sitting position. Although the present invention is generally applicable to vehicles for material handling, it is described herein with reference to a forklift truck, specifically a reach truck, for which it is particularly applicable and used initially. An important consideration in the design of forklift trucks, such as the reach truck, is that the width of the truck which is greatly limited by the width of the existing aisles in the holds. Generally speaking, forklift trucks are preferably no wider than approximately 122 cm (48 inches) in order to provide ample space for the rotation of the trucks, and in some cases, for two trucks to pass in a aisle. However, when the operator is provided with an option *? - « - i - ~ open the seat while operating the truck, the operator compartment should be made wide enough to allow the operator to sit comfortably inside the compartment. For example, in the case of a reach truck where the operator can stand, stand or sit, the operator compartment should be made wide enough to allow the operator's feet to be placed on elevated foot pedals when the operator sits in such a way that the operator's eyes can be kept substantially at the same level as when the operator is standing or when he is standing. Such reach trucks are described in U.S. patent applications number 60 / 057,375 filed August 28, 1997 and entitled THREE POSITION SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR LIFT TRUCK; and the number 60 / 058,101 filed on September 5, 1997 and entitled THREE POSITION SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR LIFT TRUCK which are incorporated herein by reference. Since the total width of the truck in the sum of the engine compartment and the operator's compartment, it follows that the operator compartment can not expand without invading the space occupied by the engine compartment, and particularly the space occupied by the engine. of the truck. Accordingly, there is a need for an extended 3 r compartment for the operator, for a forklift truck, such as a reach truck, which comfortably accommodates a centered operator and which is still compatible with the truck compartment. trolley motor. Preferably, a battery compartment and a hydraulic system of the truck should be placed so that they do not invade such an extended operator compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This need is met by the invention of the present application wherein the engine compartment for a forklift truck is modified so that the feet of the operator extend within the space normally required by the engine compartment. This is accomplished by installing a motor support structure between the traction motor and the gearbox which is connected to an addressable driven wheel. The motor support structure occupies a smaller space than the traction motor itself, whereby the space available for the operator compartment is increased, at least in a limited vertical position adjacent to the support. With the traction motor out of the way, sufficient space is provided for raised pedals, and in this way the operator is provided with ample space to operate the truck while seated. I also know * w ff * - - you prefer to place a battery compartment and a hydraulic system of the truck one adjacent to the other, in front of the operator's compartment and the engine compartment. In this way, the battery compartment and the hydraulic system are positioned so that they can be free of the operator's compartment. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a material handling vehicle which has an expanded operator compartment so that the operator can sit comfortably in addition to perching or standing while operating the vehicle. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a reach conveyor that incorporates an expanded operator compartment, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the power unit of the reach truck of Figure 1, showing the various components included in the extended operator compartment, - Figure 3 is?% * € jta perspective view of an enlarged operator compartment showing raised foot pedals which extend into the engine compartment of the power unit of the reach truck of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an elevational end view of the operator's compartment in an engine compartment, partially taken in cross section, showing the operator in a stopped position; Figure 5 is an end elevation view of the operator compartment and motor compartment, partially in cross section, showing the operator in a supported position; Figure 6 is an elevational end view of the operator compartment and engine compartment, partially in cross section, showing the operator in a sitting position, - Figure 7 is a perspective view of the operator's compartment with the housing for a removed control console and showing the raised foot pedals, - Figure 8 is a perspective view of the engine compartment with the housing for the motor compartment and the steerable motor removed; Figure 9 is a plan view, partly in cross section, taken along a horizontal plane passing through the section line 9-9 of Figure 8, showing the relationship between a traction motor, a Traction motor support and elevated foot pedals; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a battery and a hydraulic system of the reach truck of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference will now be made to Figures 1-3, which show a reach truck 10, including a power unit 15 including an operator compartment 70, a compartment 20 for the battery and a compartment 400 for the engine . A battery in the battery compartment 20 (Figure 10) supplies power to the traction motor 410 (Figures 4-9) which is located in a motor compartment 400 and which is connected to an addressable wheel 25 which is located in the corner. rear left of the power unit 15 and to hydraulic motors, for example the motor of a motor-pump assembly (figure 10), which supplies power to several different systems inside the truck 10. A steerable wheel 30 is mounted on the right rear corner of the power unit 15. A pair of projections 35 support the forward end of the truck 10. A pole assembly 40 mounted on the front of the truck 10 includes a guard 45 over the head. A pair of forks 50 are transported on a fork carriage mechanism 55 which is supported on the extendable pole elements 60. The fork carriage mechanism 55 may include an extension mechanism to allow the forks 50 to extend forward of the pole assembly 40, a side shift mechanism to allow the forks 50 to move from one side to the other in relation to the pole assembly 40, and a tilting mechanism to allow the forks 50 to tilt relative to the horizontal. In the operator compartment 70, an addressable control lever 75 is mounted to control the direction of travel of the truck and a control handle 80 for controlling the speed of travel and the direction, forward or reverse, of the truck 10, as well as the height of the fork, the extension of the fork and the inclination and lateral displacement of the fork. Also located within the operator compartment 70 is a seat assembly 90 which is attached to the right side 92 of the power unit 15, as shown. The seat assembly 90 includes a back support 95, a seat 100 and a hanger or shelf 105. The seat assembly is vertically adjustable for operator comfort. A armrest 110 is also supported on the seat assembly 90 for movement therewith. The control handle 80 is mounted on an arm 115 extending from the armrest 110. On the floor of the operator compartment 70 are two pedals 120 and 125. The left pedal 120 operates an electric switch to control the braking of the truck. while the right pedal 125 operates a power switch that indicates the presence of the operator's foot therein. Three additional pedals are also located within the operator's compartment: a pedal 130 corresponding to the pedal 120; a pedal 135 corresponding to the pedal 125; and a pedal 140, which is an additional brake pedal. The operator must have one foot in position and press pedal 120 or 130 5 in order to move the vehicle; otherwise, the vehicle's brakes will be applied completely. The operator must also press any of the 125 or 135 pedals in order to move the vehicle, if it stops; if in motion, the removal of the feet of the 125 or 135 0 pedals will cause the vehicle to idle. The switches controlled by the pedals 125 and 135 are known as "presence", "support cut" or "energy" switches and indicate the presence of an operator within the operator's compartment 70. The pedal 140 is an auxiliary brake switch; at any time when the operator presses the pedal 140, the brakes of the truck 10 are applied immediately. The operator console 150 provides the operator with information regarding the battery voltage status and can provide additional information regarding the height of the battery. the fork, the weight of the load on the forks and other information to assist the operator of the truck 10. Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate several positions that an operator 200 can assume during the operation of the truck 10. Figure 4 illustrates the stopped operation mode, Figure 5 illustrates the supported operation mode and Figure 6 illustrates the seated operation mode. In the stopped mode, Figure 4, the operator 200 is shown standing on his feet, the seat 100 is folded down and the shelf 105 is elevated. In this mode of operation, the operator 200 is essentially presented with a contoured and oscillating surface to support the rear side of the operator's body providing a fifth point of stability for the operator in addition to the hands and foot controls. The operator's feet are usually placed on the 120 and 125 floor pedals, as shown. In the support mode of figure 5, the shelf 105 is lowered to the position shown. This allows the operator 200 to lean backwards with his buttocks resting on or against the shelf partially to support the body weight. In this mode of operation, the feet normally move slightly forward, and therefore, the operator's heels are usually placed on the floor mounted 120 and 125 pedals. The seat assembly 90 is vertically adjustable in order to position the seat assembly 90 at a vertical height which ensures an appropriate and consistent level of the eyes in relation to the truck and the floor for each operator of the truck as long as the operator stand, supported or seated. The discontinuous horizontal lines 204 and 206 in Figures 4-6 show the limited extent of vertical movement of the operator's eyes, with the condition that the seat assembly 90 fits properly. If desired, the operator 200 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can rest one foot on the pedals 120, 125 mounted on the floor, and the other foot on the raised pedals 130, 135 and thus continue to operate the vehicle. while changing the position from time to time for variety and comfort. Additional details regarding the seat assembly can be obtained from the applications for US provisional patents. number 60 / 057,375 filed on August 28, 1997 and entitled THREE POSITION SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR LIFT TRUCK; and the number 60 / 058,101 filed on September 5, 1997 and entitled THREE POSITION SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR LIFT TRUCK which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to Figures 4-9, the engine compartment 400 includes an addressable motor 420, a motor support or support structure 430 and the tractor motor 410 on which a brake 415 is mounted. The motor 420 5 addressable has been removed in figure 8 in order to better observe the structure 430 of the support. In a conventional conveyor truck, the traction motor 410 is mounted directly on a gearbox 440 which is rotated by the addressable motor 420 to control the direction of displacement of the truck. The traction motor 410 is of relatively large diameter in order to supply the energy necessary to move the loaded truck. Therefore, the space available for expansion of the operator compartment is limited. 15 A primary consideration in the design of forklift trucks, such as the reach truck, is the width of the truck, which is largely limited by the width of existing aisles in warehouses. Generally speaking, forklift trucks , such as those of the type shown in the drawings, are limited to one width, see Figures 1 and 4 of approximately 122 cm (48 inches). However, when the operator is provided with the option to sit while operating the truck, the operator's compartment should be sufficiently elaborated. width to allow the operator to sit comfortably inside - * »*.» «& 4i ~ g of the compartment. For example, in the case of a reach truck where the operator may be standing, supported or seated as described previously, the operator's compartment must be made wide enough to allow the operator's feet to be placed on the pedals Auxiliary raised when the operator sits so that the operator's eyes can be maintained substantially at the same level as when the operator is standing or leaning. Since the total width of the truck is the sum of the engine compartment and the operator's compartment, it follows that the operator compartment can not expand without invading the space occupied by the engine compartment, and particularly the space occupied by the engine. of traction. As shown in the truck 10 of Figures 4-9 which includes the invention of the present application, the feet of the operator extend into the space occupied by the engine compartment 70. This is enabled by the present invention when installing a motor support structure 430 which occupies a smaller space than the motor itself. The motor support structure 430 is of square cross-section and is strong enough to support the motor and the torque applied thereto when the motor is supplied with power to the wheel 25 or when it brakes the truck 10. Preferably , as illustrated, a corner of the motor support structure 430 is directed towards the operator compartment 70 to expand the space available for extension of the operator compartment 70 within the engine compartment 400. Of course, other geometric cross sections or cross sections having at least one extension which tapers to the terminal end can be used for engine support. For such alternative forms, the terminal end of the extension is directed towards the operator's compartment. An axle 435 connects the engine 410 to the gearbox 440. An angled wall 450 of the operator's compartment is recessed within the engine compartment 70 in a recessed bent wall section 460. In Figure 9 the outline of the motor 410 is shown, as seen in the cross section of the motor support structure 430. The recessed bent wall section 460 is shown extending within the engine compartment 70 to approximately the centerline of the engine 410 in the center of the pedals 130., 135. Figure 10 shows the position of the hydraulic system of the truck 10. Included in the hydraulic system is a motor-pump assembly 500, a hydraulic tank 505, a manifold 510 and hydraulic lines 515. The hydraulic system is placed on the right side of the truck adjacent to the battery compartment 20 and below the armrest 110. This position provides several advantages, which eliminate heat and noise from the pump and the engine away from the operator, an access improved for service and the addition of a V-cut for a battery compartment 20. Furthermore, as is evident from the drawings, this positioning of the battery compartment and the hydraulic system, ie adjacent to each other across the width of the truck and forward of the operator's compartment and the engine compartment, ensures that there is no invasion in the operator compartment which would otherwise interfere with its expansion. Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. A material handling vehicle having an energy unit, and comprising: an operator compartment; a compartment of an engine, the operator compartment and the engine compartment are placed adjacent to each other across the width of the vehicle; and an extension in the engine compartment to expand the operator compartment so that the operator's feet can extend into the space normally required by the engine compartment.

2. The material handling vehicle, as described in claim 1, wherein the engine compartment and the operator's compartment are placed in the rear of the vehicle, which further comprises: a battery compartment; and a hydraulic system, the battery compartment and the hydraulic system are placed adjacent to each other across the width of the vehicle and substantially completely forward of the operator compartment and the engine compartment, the battery compartment and the hydraulic system are therefore placed to be free of the operator's compartment.

3. The material handling vehicle, as described in claim 1, wherein the extension of the engine compartment provides space for raised pedals to control the vehicle.

4. The material handling vehicle, as described in claim 1, further comprising: a gearbox mounted within the engine compartment; a traction motor mounted inside the engine compartment; and a motor support mounted within the engine compartment and which is interposed between the gearbox and the traction motor, the motor support has a smaller cross section than the traction motor to thereby provide space within the engine compartment. motor for the extension of the operator's compartment inside the engine compartment.

5. The vehicle for handling materials, as described in claim 4, further comprising an axle mounted within the motor support for coupling the traction motor to the gearbox.

6. The material handling vehicle, as described in claim 4, wherein the extension of the operator compartment within the engine compartment comprises two extensions adjacent to, and on opposite sides of, the engine support to provide space within the engine compartment. motor for elevated pedals, for vehicle control.

7. The vehicle for material handling, as described in claim 6, wherein the material section of the motor support is square and the motor support is placed inside the engine compartment so that the corner of the motor support is directed towards the operator's compartment.

8. The material handling vehicle, as described in claim 6, wherein the cross section of the motor support includes at least one extension which tapers to the terminal end of the extension, the motor support is placed inside of the engine compartment so that the terminal end of the extension is directed towards the operator's compartment.

9. The material handling vehicle, as described in claim 6, wherein the cross section of the motor support comprises at least one corner, corner in which the motor support is directed towards the operator's compartment.

10. A vehicle for handling materials, having a power unit and comprising: an operator compartment; an engine compartment, the operator compartment and the engine compartment are placed adjacent to each other across the vehicle and at the rear of the vehicle, - a battery compartment; and a hydraulic system, the battery compartment and the hydraulic system are located adjacent to each other across the width of the vehicle and substantially completely in front of the operator compartment and the engine compartment, the battery compartment and the hydraulic system are thus place so that they are free of the operator's compartment.

11. A method for making a material handling vehicle, which includes an operator compartment, an engine compartment and a gearbox mounted behind the engine compartment, the operator compartment and the operator compartment are placed adjacent to each other as required. width of the vehicle, the method comprises the steps of: providing a motor support; mount the motor support inside the engine compartment adjacent to the gearbox; * - * ~? SL mount the traction motor inside the engine compartment on the motor support; and coupling the motor * ^ traction to the gearbox through the motor support which has a cross section which is smaller than the cross section of the traction motor to thereby provide space within the engine compartment for an extension of the operator compartment within the engine compartment adjacent to the engine support.

12. A method for making a material handling vehicle, as described in claim 11, wherein the motor support is square cross section and the method further comprises the step of placing the motor support within the engine compartment of the engine. so that a corner of the motor support is directed towards the operator's compartment.

13. A method of making a vehicle for handling materials, as described in claim 11, wherein the motor support has a cross section comprising at least one corner and the method further comprises the step of placing the motor support inside the engine compartment so that at least one corner of the motor support is directed towards the operator's compartment.

14. A method for making a material handling vehicle, as described in claim 11, wherein the motor support has a cross section comprising at least one extension which tapers to a terminal end of the extension and the method further comprises the step of placing the motor support within the engine compartment so that at least one extension of the motor support is directed towards the operator's compartment.

15. A method for making a vehicle for handling materials, as described in claim 11, wherein the vehicle further comprises a battery compartment and a hydraulic system, the method further comprising the step of placing the battery compartment and the system Hydraulic adjacent to each other across the width of the vehicle and substantially completely forward of the operator compartment and the engine compartment, the battery compartment and the hydraulic system are thus positioned so that they are clear of the operator's compartment.

16. A method for making a material handling vehicle, including an operator compartment, an engine compartment, a battery compartment and a hydraulic system, the method comprises the steps of: - 2? - place the operator compartment and the engine compartment adjacent to each other across the width of the vehicle; and placing the battery compartment and hydraulic system adjacent to each other across the width of the vehicle and substantially completely in front of the operator's compartment and the engine compartment, the battery compartment and the hydraulic system are thus positioned in such a way that they are free from the operator compartment.