EP4778875A1 - Battery-powered lift truck - Google Patents

Battery-powered lift truck

Info

Publication number
EP4778875A1
EP4778875A1 EP26151294.1A EP26151294A EP4778875A1 EP 4778875 A1 EP4778875 A1 EP 4778875A1 EP 26151294 A EP26151294 A EP 26151294A EP 4778875 A1 EP4778875 A1 EP 4778875A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
battery
lift truck
powered lift
forks
truck according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP26151294.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Tomasz Kunc
Adam MYSZKOWSKI
Marcin Pelic
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ppuh Zrembud W Cieszynie Sp Z O O
Original Assignee
Ppuh Zrembud W Cieszynie Sp Z O O
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ppuh Zrembud W Cieszynie Sp Z O O filed Critical Ppuh Zrembud W Cieszynie Sp Z O O
Publication of EP4778875A1 publication Critical patent/EP4778875A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F11/00—Lifting devices specially adapted for particular uses not otherwise provided for
    • B66F11/04—Lifting devices specially adapted for particular uses not otherwise provided for for movable platforms or cabins, e.g. on vehicles, permitting workmen to place themselves in any desired position for carrying out required operations
    • B66F11/042—Lifting devices specially adapted for particular uses not otherwise provided for for movable platforms or cabins, e.g. on vehicles, permitting workmen to place themselves in any desired position for carrying out required operations actuated by lazy-tongs mechanisms or articulated levers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
    • B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
    • B66F9/063—Automatically guided
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
    • B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
    • B66F9/061—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks characterised by having a lifting jib
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
    • B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
    • B66F9/065—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks non-masted
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
    • B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
    • B66F9/075—Constructional features or details
    • B66F9/07568—Steering arrangements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
    • B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
    • B66F9/075—Constructional features or details
    • B66F9/07586—Suspension or mounting of wheels on chassis

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

The object of the invention is a battery-powered lift truck comprising a body 1 and a drive system and at least one pair of forks 2 disposed therein, characterised in that the drive system comprises at least three motion elements located in the base of the body 1 of which at least one is a motion driving and turning element, furthermore, the battery-powered lift truck includes an articulated mechanism 3 connecting at least one pair of forks 2 and the body 1 and allowing lifting, movement and tilting relative to the body 1 of at least one pair of forks 2 and includes a drive for the articulated mechanism of the forks 2.

Description

  • The object of the invention is a battery-powered lift truck used in logistics.
  • The forklift trucks known in the state of the art, depending on their intended use, vary in design and technical solutions. Forklift trucks designed for heavy loads are counterbalanced and transport the load in front of the axle of the front wheels and this in turn eliminates the possibility of such a forklift truck entering the means of transport. In contrast, non-counterbalanced trucks have wheels built into the forks or directly underneath them, which in turn significantly limits their diameter and makes it impossible to use them as drive wheels and for turning.
  • An example of a forklift known in the state of the art is the device disclosed in invention description P.373662 for handling objects that can be lifted, comprising a fork member provided with tines for lifting objects, conveying means connected to the fork member, means for moving the fork member vertically and regulating means for conveying and shifting means. The device has at least one pair of adjacent tines of the fork member which is provided with one movable carrier fixed on each of the tines and movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the tines. When the pots are set up, the carrier can transmit a specific speed to the pots such that the distance between two rows of set pots standing perpendicular to the direction of the tines can be variably adjusted by setting the carrier speed.
  • Counterbalanced forklifts are known in the state of the art. A high-stability forklift is known from Chinese patent specification CN201777828 (U ). It includes a forklift body, a rear part of the forklift body and two counterbalance guides arranged in a front-to-back direction of the forklift body. The plane formed by the two counterbalance guides is horizontally distributed, the balancing weight is arranged on the counterweight guides, the balancing weight drive mechanism is arranged on the forklift body and the balancing weight is connected to the balancing weight drive mechanism by a drive screw-nut mechanism. According to the technical scheme adopted, a sliding-type balancing weight and control system were used; and by detecting the stability of the front and rear loading, the executive mechanism is controlled to push the balancing weight forward or pull the balancing weight backward. Stability can therefore be maintained when lifting and unloading the forklift.
  • The forklift trucks known from the state of the art usually use a linear drive to lift the load. If a counterbalance is used in forklifts or extendable forks, separate drives are necessary. This increases the risk of failure of individual systems. The counterbalance, on the other hand, increases the overall weight of the truck which, in turn, limits the use of these trucks in different modes of transport. In order to further increase the stability of state-of-the-art forklifts, support wheels are used on the underside of the forks, which limits the manoeuvrability of such a forklift.
  • The aim of the invention was to provide a forklift design that reduced the failure rate of the forklift's drives and at the same time increased its mobility and manoeuvrability in different directions.
  • The essence of the invention is an battery-powered lift truck comprising a body and a drive system and at least one pair of forks disposed therein, characterised in that the drive system comprises at least three motion elements positioned in the base of the body of which at least one is a motion driving and turning element, furthermore the accumulator lift truck further comprises an articulated mechanism connecting at least one pair of forks and the body for lifting, longitudinal movement and tilt of at least one pair of forks and comprises a drive for the articulated mechanism of the forks.
  • The drive system of the forklift is controlled manually and/or autonomously and/or remotely.
  • The drive system is connected to a drawbar or steering wheel or joystick.
  • The battery-powered lift truck contains preferably three or four motion elements.
  • The motion elements are the wheels placed at the base of the body of the battery-powered lift truck and the battery-powered lift truck is equipped with wheel steering bearings integrated with a cable steering system.
  • The articulated mechanism of the fork movement drive is in the form of a double-wishbone system forming an articulated quadrilateral system with the fork body and forks. The drive of the fork articulated mechanism for movement of the fork pair is hydraulic and/or electric and/or pneumatic. The drive of the fork articulated mechanism is provided by an electric geared motor through a crank mechanism.
  • Optionally, the pair of forks is suspended from an articulated system consisting of at least two links connecting the pair of forks to the body.
  • The battery-powered lift truck is preferably provided with a mast located at the top of the truck, equipped with cameras and sensors to observe the environment around the truck where the load is placed.
  • The battery-powered lift truck incorporates preferably an omni-directional drive system that allows the truck to travel in any direction without rotating (changing its angular orientation) relative to its surroundings.
  • The forklift trucks known from the state of the art usually use a linear drive to lift the pallet, while separate drives are used to move the load along the forklift or tilt the lift forks. By using an articulated fork lifting mechanism with simultaneous longitudinal travel and simultaneous fork tilting in the battery-powered lift truck according to the invention, it was possible to reduce the number of drives to one. The articulated mechanism, in the form of a double-wishbone system, allows the forks to be lifted simultaneously, moved towards the rear of the truck and, as the forks are lifted and moved, their simultaneous tilt. Through this arrangement, an improvement in the driving stability of the truck with its limited curb weight was achieved.
  • Optionally, the truck is controlled manually by an operator in the immediate vicinity, or controlled remotely using cameras and sensors on the truck or completely autonomously.
  • The aim of the invention has been achieved by using an articulated fork suspension system that allows the load to be moved over the front wheels of a relatively lightweight forklift truck and by eliminating the need to place additional support point, as, in the known state of the art, wheels located on each pair of forks or directly under them.
  • The lift trucks known from the state of the art required support wheels located in the forks, directly underneath or on the sides of the load in order to lift the pallet, solutions are also known where the wheels are located directly behind the load, however, to ensure stability during travel, the high weight and length of the forklifts were necessary, which increased the weight of the forklift and its dimensions considerably, which in turn limited the entry of the forklift with the load onto the means of transport and its manoeuvrability. By using an articulated fork lift mechanism in the battery-powered forklift truck according to the invention, which simultaneously provides longitudinal movement of the forks over the front wheels and tilting, an improvement in load and truck stability during travel was achieved with a significant reduction in truck length. Moving the load over the front wheels of the truck made it possible to balance the truck without the need for a counterbalance of significant weight. This also ensures that the load, which is placed on a pair of forks above the front wheels, balances the forklift in the absence of support wheels in or under the forks, allowing the battery-powered forklift to pass freely over architectural barriers, pavement cavities or the gap between the loading platform and the means of transport.
  • By using forks moved above the front wheels of the forklift according to the invention, a lightweight forklift design was achieved with limited dimensions in length and width, not achievable with known state-of-the-art designs.
  • The use of lifted and moved forks, which have no support wheels, makes it possible to transport pallets gripped from either side, which is impossible with known designs, given the limited weight of the forklift.
  • The drive system of the battery-powered lift truck according to the invention is known from the state of the art and is used in pallet/hand pallet trucks, the alternative omni-directional system is used in autonomous transport platforms with low lifting capacity.
  • The use of a preferably large number of cooperating trucks according to the invention results in a significant reduction in the time required for loading and unloading cars with goods stacked on pallet carriers, e.g. of the euro type, by enabling several trucks to enter the vehicle loading space more evenly while transferring the pallet carriers in the storage space by successive cooperating trucks.
  • The design of the battery-powered lift truck with longitudinally moved forks, without the need for its high weight, makes it possible to load and unload onto all standard semi-trailers, i.e.: platforms, tarpaulins, isotherms, refrigerated trucks - without having to adapt their design to the forklift according to the invention. The weight of the battery-powered lift truck according to the invention is similar to the used lightweight unloading and loading devices known from the state of the art (having a number of previously described limitations). This has a significant impact on the safety of the process and the elimination of damage to trucks, trailers and other vehicles on which goods are loaded or unloaded.
  • There is also no need to modify the infrastructure of warehouse buildings, halls in which battery-powered lifting trucks as invented, are used.
  • The process of driving, moving a pair of forks with longitudinal travel of a battery-powered lift truck according to the invention can be done manually by the operator of the device, or remotely with the possibility of operator intervention in the event of an electronic failure or other circumstances in which the control system cannot complete the process. According to the invention, a fully autonomous process of driving and operating the forks of the battery-powered lift truck is also possible.
  • The battery-powered lift truck according to the invention is shown in the embodiments in the drawing in which:
    • fig. 1 shows a battery-powered lift truck according to the invention with the forks raised and tilted in perspective view;
    • fig. 2 shows the articulated mechanism of the battery-powered lift truck according to the invention with the forks in their highest position in perspective view;
    • fig. 3 shows the articulated mechanism of a battery-powered lift truck with extended forks in perspective view;
    • fig. 4 shows a battery-powered lift truck according to the invention with a mast;
  • Fig.1 shows a manually operated battery-powered forklift truck according to the invention. The battery-powered lift truck includes a body 1 in which a drive system is positioned in the form of four wheels (not visible in the figure) placed near the corners of the base of the body 1, the two rear wheels being drive, turning wheels. The drive system is connected to drawbar 5. The battery-powered lift truck contains one pair of forks 2 which is connected to the body via an articulated mechanism 3. The articulated mechanism 3 is in the form of a double-wishbone system forming a quadrilateral articulated system with the truck body and forks. When taking a load (e.g. a pallet) the wishbones of the articulated quadrilateral are set at a slight angle to the body of the truck and the forks 2 are extended - as shown in fig. 2. In contrast, when lifting a load, the double-wishbone system allows simultaneous lifting, movement of the forks 2 towards the body 1 of the forklift truck and tilting of the forks 2 so that they are at an angle to the body 1. The forks 2 slide over the front wheels of the battery-powered lift truck positioned in the body 1 - fig. 3.
  • Another example of the invention is shown in fig. 4 a battery-powered lift truck further comprising a mast 4 on which sensors and enabling cameras are positioned. The battery-powered lift truck comprising a mast 4 with cameras can be controlled remotely and also autonomously. With the autonomous control of a battery-powered lift truck according to the invention, it is possible to achieve a system of trucks controlled by a single system.
    In all of the above embodiments of the invention, the battery-powered lift truck can incorporate an omni-directional motion system, which significantly improves the manoeuvrability of the truck.
  • Thanks to the significant reduction in the length and width of the entire battery-powered lift truck according to the invention, it can be easily maneuvered on truck trailers. The necessary handling space is obtained, with a safe distance from the side maintained, which enables the simultaneous entry of several trucks and their passing.
  • The invention can be used in all areas of both warehousing and production, speeding up the movement of loads within plants as well as loading and unloading. This is done by increasing the number of cooperating trucks. In addition, the system allows for the installation of technical components that enable full autonomisation of processes.

Claims (14)

  1. A battery-powered lift truck comprising a body (1) and a drive train therein, and at least one pair of forks (2), characterised in that the drive train comprises at least three motion elements located in the base of the body (1) of which at least one is a motion driving and turning element, furthermore, the battery-powered lift truck comprises an articulated mechanism (3) linking at least one pair of forks (2) and the body (1) and allowing lifting, movement and tilting relative to the body (1) of at least one pair of forks (2) and includes a drive for the articulated mechanism of the forks (2).
  2. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive system of the forklift is controlled manually and/or autonomously and/or remotely.
  3. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive system is connected to the drawbar (5) or to the steering wheel or to the joystick.
  4. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises three motion elements.
  5. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises four motion elements.
  6. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises motion elements in the form of wheels.
  7. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 5, characterised in that it is equipped with wheel steering bearings combined with a cable steering system.
  8. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that a pair of forks (2) is suspended from an articulated system comprising at least two links connecting the pair of forks to the body (1).
  9. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that the articulated fork movement drive mechanism is in the form of a double-wishbone system (3) forming a quadrilateral articulated system with the forklift body and forks.
  10. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive for the movement of the fork pair is hydraulic and/or electric and/or pneumatic.
  11. Battery-powered lifting truck according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive of the articulated mechanism is provided by an electric geared motor via a crank mechanism.
  12. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that it is equipped with an omnidirectional drive system.
  13. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that it is equipped with a mast (4) comprising sensors and/or cameras for observing a 360-degree space.
  14. Battery-powered lift truck according to claim 1, characterised in that the control can be performed autonomously.
EP26151294.1A 2025-01-20 2026-01-12 Battery-powered lift truck Pending EP4778875A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL450993A PL450993A1 (en) 2025-01-20 2025-01-20 Battery-powered pallet stacker

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4778875A1 true EP4778875A1 (en) 2026-07-22

Family

ID=100303916

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP26151294.1A Pending EP4778875A1 (en) 2025-01-20 2026-01-12 Battery-powered lift truck

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4778875A1 (en)
PL (1) PL450993A1 (en)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB857655A (en) * 1957-12-03 1961-01-04 Yale & Towne Mfg Co Industrial lift truck
DE1114713B (en) * 1957-12-03 1961-10-05 Yale & Towne Mfg Co Transport vehicle with trailer coupling
US3403801A (en) * 1966-07-21 1968-10-01 Eaton Yale & Towne Universal lift truck
CN201777828U (en) 2010-04-30 2011-03-30 芜湖瑞创投资股份有限公司 Forklift with high stability
CN110294438A (en) * 2019-07-15 2019-10-01 江苏盛誉动力科技有限公司 Walk type fork truck
CN115071859A (en) * 2021-03-15 2022-09-20 福特全球技术公司 System and method for self-loading modular robots into delivery vehicles
CN115072624A (en) * 2022-06-17 2022-09-20 长春市深蓝软件有限责任公司 Tray transport AGV capable of switching automatic control modes
CN108773793B (en) * 2018-07-11 2024-03-15 深圳市井智高科机器人有限公司 Unmanned floor truck
US12103833B2 (en) * 2020-08-25 2024-10-01 Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. De C.V. Automatic guided vehicle (AGV)

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116395600A (en) * 2023-04-28 2023-07-07 浙江事倍达物流设备有限公司 An all-electric stacker

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB857655A (en) * 1957-12-03 1961-01-04 Yale & Towne Mfg Co Industrial lift truck
DE1114713B (en) * 1957-12-03 1961-10-05 Yale & Towne Mfg Co Transport vehicle with trailer coupling
US3403801A (en) * 1966-07-21 1968-10-01 Eaton Yale & Towne Universal lift truck
CN201777828U (en) 2010-04-30 2011-03-30 芜湖瑞创投资股份有限公司 Forklift with high stability
CN108773793B (en) * 2018-07-11 2024-03-15 深圳市井智高科机器人有限公司 Unmanned floor truck
CN110294438A (en) * 2019-07-15 2019-10-01 江苏盛誉动力科技有限公司 Walk type fork truck
US12103833B2 (en) * 2020-08-25 2024-10-01 Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. De C.V. Automatic guided vehicle (AGV)
CN115071859A (en) * 2021-03-15 2022-09-20 福特全球技术公司 System and method for self-loading modular robots into delivery vehicles
CN115072624A (en) * 2022-06-17 2022-09-20 长春市深蓝软件有限责任公司 Tray transport AGV capable of switching automatic control modes

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