GB2165926A - Fork lift trucks and remote control - Google Patents
Fork lift trucks and remote control Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2165926A GB2165926A GB08424459A GB8424459A GB2165926A GB 2165926 A GB2165926 A GB 2165926A GB 08424459 A GB08424459 A GB 08424459A GB 8424459 A GB8424459 A GB 8424459A GB 2165926 A GB2165926 A GB 2165926A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- linkage
- fork lift
- lift truck
- actuator
- switch
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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
- 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
- B66F9/20—Means for actuating or controlling masts, platforms, or forks
-
- 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
- B66F9/07581—Remote controls
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A fork lift truck 1 has a hand control lever 2 in the driver's compartment for lowering or raising the forks. On the roof of the driver's compartment is an electrical linear actuator 6 having a drive electrical motor 6a, whose extendible ram is coupled to a push/pull linkage rod 8 with a cam 9. A Bowden cable 23 connects the ram of the actuator to lever 2. Actuator switch 10 remote from actuator 6 contains up switch 11 and down switch 12 as press buttons. Depression of switch button 11 enables operation of actuator 6 in an extension or first mode. Cancellation of depression of switch button 11 enables actuator 6 to undergo corresponding reverse operation thereof so as to return actuator 6 to the condition just before start of said first mode thereof. Depression of switch button 12 will enable operation of actuator 6 in a retraction or second mode. Cancellation of depression of switch button 12 enables actuator 6 to undergo corresponding reverse operation thereof so as to return actuator 6 to the condition just before start of said second mode thereof. The condition of actuator 6 just before start of its first or second mode corresponds to a neutral or parked position of hand control lever 2. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Fork lift trucks and remote control
A work platform of a fork lift truck can be provided with control means (e.g. dead man controls) for preventing operation of raising or lowering of the forks of the fork lift truck unless said control means is/are in an appropriate mode (e.g. the dead man controls are depressed). Reference should be made to our
UK patent specification 2060555B in that respect. Direction of motion (i.e. raising or lowering of the forks) is controlled by motion of a hand control lever in the driver's compartment of the truck. The control lever actuates a hydraulic valve in hydraulic circuitry for lowering or raising the forks.
It has now been found in accordance with the present invention that said hand control lever can be moved by remote control means outside the driver's compartment. Any suitable coupling means can enable intercoupling between said remote control means and said hand control lever, so that said remote control means can enable moving of that lever in any direction appropriate to raising or lowering of said forks. It has also been found in accordance with the present invention that said remote control means can be embodied for any suitable application other than a fork lift truck.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a fork lift truck, comprising: a said hand control lever; at least one said remote control means located outside the driver's compartment of said truck; and coupling means coupling said at least one remote control means to said hand control lever, so that said at least one remote control means can enable moving of that lever in any direction appropriate to raising or lowering of said forks.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a said remote control means suitable for use in said first aspect of the present invention or in any other suitable application.
A third aspect of the present invention provides remotely controllable actuation means, comprising: at least one said remote control means; and said coupling means coupled to said at least one remote control means, whether or not said coupling means is coupled to said hand control lever.
The present invention can be embodied in any suitable manner having regard to any suitable application of the present invention.
Said remote control means can be embodied in any suitable manner. Preferably, said at least one remote control means is adapted such that at any required time said hand control lever can return to a neutral mode. Preferably, said at least one remote control means is adapted to enable said coupling means to return, or allow to return, said hand control lever to a location corresponding to said neutral mode, when said at least one remote control means is not operative. Preferably, said at least one remote control means comprises at least one actuator switch (e.g. comprising at least one control button) that in a first mode of use will render said at least one remote control means operative, but in a second mode of use will render said at least one remote control means not operative.Preferably, said remote control means comprises at least one electrical linear actuator, e.g. one available from Warner Electric Limited, UK, suitable for use in the present invention. Such an actuator can comprise: an actuator ram for providing push-pull force; coupling mechanism comprising gearing; and an electrical motor coupled by said coupling mechanism to said actuator ram. That coupling mechanism can comprise; spur gearing; and an acme or ball screw drive; etc. Preferably, said at least one actuator switch is adapted to cut current to said at least one electrical linear actuator when at least one said electrical linear actuator has provided predetermined limits of extension or retraction thereof; and/or said at least one actuator switch is preferably adapted to reverse automatically extension or retraction of at least one said electrical linear actuator.Preferably, said actuator switch comprises at least one switch button that when pressed will enable at least one said electrical linear actuator to provide extension or retraction of the ram thereof, the stroke of the ram being any suitable value; and when not pressed will enable reversal of that extension or retraction, preferably to enable said coupling means to return, or allow to return, said hand control lever to a location corresponding to said neutral mode thereof. Said electrical linear actuator can comprise an electrical motor (see above) whose motor directions are reversible in accordance with said change of mode of said at least one actuator switch, which can be an electronic limit switch available from Warner
Electric Limited, UK.
Said coupling means can be embodied in any suitable manner. Said coupling means can act directly or indirectly on said hand control lever. Preferably, said coupling means is linked to said hand control lever, e.g. by joint means having at least one degree of directional freedom, for instance provided by a crank, fork, yoke, or universal joint. Said coupling means can comprise action(s) chosen from any of: electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical action(s).
Preferably, said coupling means comprises: linkage means interconnecting at least one said electrical linear actuator and said hand control lever, said linkage means being actuatable in response to corresponding action of said at least one electrical linear actuator; and at least one switch means (herein called "linkage switch means") operable by action of said linkage means, so as to enable reversing of motor directions of said electrical motor of said electrical linear actuator, this reversing preferably occurring when at least one said actuator switch is released. Said at least one linkage switch means can enable a schedule of switching operations to occur, e.g. as described later below.Said linkage means preferably comprises: a first linkage, having first and second ends, said first end being movable by extension or retraction of said at least one electrical linear actuator, said first linkage also comprising a first portion of said at least one linkage switch means, that portion preferably comprising cam means movable in response to longitudinal or other suitable motion of said first linkage, a second portion of said at least one linkage switch means being statically located relative to and at at least one side of the path of motion of said cam means such that motion of said cam means will enable said at least one linkage switch means to perform at least one switch operation, e.g. in accordance with said schedule; a second linkage, having first and second ends, said first end of said second linkage being movable by extension or retraction of said first linkage, said second end of said second linkage being in direct or indirect communication with said hand control lever, e.g. said indirect communication can comprise crank means for changing the direction of the line of action of said second end of said second linkage. Said first linkage can be at least partly rigid, e.g. a rigid push/pull rod. Said second linkage can be at least partly flexible, e.g. a push/pull cable.
Said second end of said second linkage can be coupled e.g. by said crank means to said hand control lever, or said crank means can be coupled to e.g. an optional third linkage coupled to said hand control lever. Said third linkage can be at least partly rigid, e.g. a rigid push/puil rod having suitable joint means (see above) for providing linking with said hand control lever.
The present invention enables at least one degree of said remote control. For example, the location of said electrical linear actuator will be a first degree of remote control, relative to the interior of the driver's compartment, for instance when said at least one electrical linear actuator is on the exterior of the top of a roof or roof portion of the driver's compartment. A second degree of remote control is provided by the location of said at least one actuator switch relative to said at least one electrical linear actuator. In general, said remote control means and said coupling means can be regarded as a substitute for manual push or pull actions, e.g. manual push or pull of said hand control lever.
In the accompanying schematic drawings which are by way of example of the present invention:
Figure 1 shows a fork lift truck having on the exterior of the roof of the driver's compartment an assembly containing an electrical linear actuator.
Figure 2 shows electro-mechanical circuitry containing said electrical linear actuator of Fig.
1.
Figure 3 is a detail of a portion of linkage comprised by the circuitry of Fig. 2, this linkage portion containing a bell crank for providing a change of direction of the line of action of a push/pull linkage cable whose action is to be transmitted via said crank to a push/pull linkage rod, this rod being connected to the hand control lever of the fork lift truck of Fig.
1.
Figure 4 is electrical circuitry for cam operated linkage switch means of Fig. 2.
In the drawings, fork lift truck 1 has a hand control lever 2 in the driver's compartment.
Lever 2 is movable for actuating a hydraulic valve (not shown) in hydraulic circuitry (not shown) for lowering or raising the forks 3 of truck 1. On the exterior of the top of roof 4 of the driver's compartment is a housing 5 containing an electrical linear actuator 6 having a drive electrical motor 6a which can be an
AC or DC motor, whose extendible ram is coupled to a push/pull linkage rod 8 having thereon actuator cam 9 longitudinally movable with rod 8 in response to extension or retraction of actuator 6. Actuator switch 10 remote from actuator 6 and outside truck 1 contains up switch 11 and down switch 12 as press buttons. Depression of switch button 11 enables operation of actuator 6 in an extension or first mode.Cancellation of depression of switch button 11 enables actuator 6 to undergo corresponding reverse operation thereof so as to return actuator 6 to the condition just before start of said first mode thereof.
Depression of switch button 12 will enable operation of actuator 6 in a retraction or second mode. Cancellation of depression of switch button 12 enables actuator 6 to undergo corresponding reverse operation thereof so as to return actuator 6 to the condition just before start of said second mode thereof.
The condition of actuator 6 just before start of its first or second mode corresponds to a neutral or parked position of hand control lever 2. Cam 9 is a longitudinally movable switch portion, by virtue of being mounted on linakge rod 8 and being adapted to actuate microswitches 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 according to the schedule given later below, with relays 18, 19, 20, 21. Linkage rod 8 is coupled to push/pull linkage cable 22 passing down guide sleeve 23 so as to enable cable 22's working end 22a to be connected to bell crank 24 (Fig. 3) which is coupled to push/pull linkage rod 25 that is joined by joint 26 to hand control lever 2. Thus, suitable actuation of electrical linear actuator 6 will enable corresponding motion of lever 2, and thereby remotely control raising or lowering of forks 3.
The schedule below refers to Figs. 2 to 4, and describes various operational procedures.
Rest state
Microswitch 16's circuit open.
Microswitches 15's, 17's circuits open.
Microswitches 13,'s, 14's circuits made
When "Up" switch button 11 is pressed
1. Relay 18 is energised.
1.1. Relay 18 disconnects microswitch 17
from the "down" circuit".
1.2. Relay 18 supplies a negative feed to
relay 20.
1.3. Relay 18 supplies a positive feed to
relay 20.
2. Relay 20 energises electrical motor 6a,
which enables rod 8 to move forward to
operate cable 22.
2.1 Forks 3 then rise.
2.2. Microswitch 16, when actuated, sup
plies a negative feed to relays 20, 21.
2.3. Microswitch 17, when actuated, sup
plies a positive feed to relay 21 via relay
18.
2.4. Actuator 6 moves rod 8 forward until
microswitch 14 is actuated. Microswitch 4
then disconnects the positive feed to relay
20.
2.5 Motor 6a stops.
When "Up" switch button 11 is released
3. Relay 18 is de-energized.
3.1. The positive and negative supply from
relay 18 and relay 20 is disconnected.
3.2. Via microswitch 17 is positive feed is
supplied to relay 21.
3.3. Via microswitch 16 a negative feed is
supplied to relay 21.
3.4. Relay 21 enegises motor 6a, which en
ables return of hand control lever 2 to its
neutral mode or position.
3.5. When actuator 6 corresponds to the
neutral position of lever 2, microswitches
16, 17 switch off motor 6a.
When "Down" switch button 12 is pressed
4. Relay 19 is energised.
4. 1 Relay 19 disconnects microswitch 15
from the "down" circuit.
4.2 Relay 19 supplies a negative feed to
relay 21.
4.3 Relay 19 supplies a positive feed to
relay 21.
5. Relay 21 energises electrical motor 6a,
which enables rod 8 to move forward to
operate cable 22.
5.1 Forks 3 then lower.
6.2 Microswitch 16, when actuated, sup
plies a negative feed to relays 20, 21.
5.3 Microswitch 15, when actuated, sup
plies a positive feed to relay 20 via relay
18.
5.4 Actuator 6 moves rod 8 forward until
microswitch 13 is actuated. Microswitch 13
then disconnects the positive feed to relay
21.
5.5. Motor 6a stops.
When "Down" switch button 12 is released
6. Relay 19 is de-energised.
6.1. The positive and negative supply from
relay 19 and relay 21 is disconnected.
6.2 Via microswitch 15 a positive feed is
supplied to relay 20.
6.3 Via microswith 16 a negative feed is
supplied to relay 20.
6.4 Relay 20 energises motor 6a, which en
ables return of hand control lever 2 to its
neutral mode or position.
6.5 When actuator 6 corresponds to the
neutral position of lever 2, microswitchs 15,
16 switch off motor 6a.
The present invention extends to equivalents of the above description of the accompanying drawings and of their representation. In general, the present invention can be embodied in any suitable manner for any suitable application of the present invention. The present invention extends also to equivalents of the various possibilities thereof disclosed by the description given hereinabove before the description of the accompanying drawings.
Claims (26)
1. A fork lift truck having a driver's compartment, said truck comprising: a hand control lever in said compartment; at least one remote control means outside said compartment, said at least one remote control means being for moving said hand control lever; and coupling means coupling said at least one remote control means to said hand control lever, so that said at least one remote control means can enable moving of said hand control lever in any direction appropriate to raising or lowering of the fork(s) of said truck.
2. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one remote control means is adapted such that at any required time said hand control lever will return to a neutral mode.
3. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one remote control means is adapted to enable said coupling means to return, or allow to return, said hand control lever to a location corresponding to said neutral mode, when said at least one remote control means is not operative.
4. A fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one remote control means comprises at least one actuator switch that in a first mode of use will render said at least one remote control means operative, but in a second mode of use will render said at least one remote control means not operative.
5. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one actuator switch comprises at least one control button.
6. A fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one remote control means comprises at least one electrical linear actuator.
7. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least one electrical linear actuator is on the top of an optional roof, or optional roof portion, of the driver's compartment.
8. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one said electrical linear actuator comprises: an actuator ram for providing push-pull force; coupling mechanism comprising gearing; and an electric motor coupled by said coupling mechanism to said actuator ram.
9. A fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, when according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said at least one actuator switch is adapted to cut current to said at least one electrical linear actuator when at least one said electrical linear actuator has provided predetermined limits of extension or retraction thereof.
10. A fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, when according to claim 4 or 5, or as claimed in claim 9, wherein said at least one actuator switch is adapted to reverse automatically extension or retraction of at least one said electrical linear actuator.
11. A fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, when according to claim 5, or as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein at least one said actuator switch comprises at least one control button that when pressed will enable at least one said electrical linear actuator to provide extension or retraction thereof; and when not pressed will enable reversal of that extension or retraction, optionally to enable said coupling means to return, or allow to return, said hand control lever to a location corresponding to said neutral mode recited in claim 2 or 3.
12. A fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, when according to claim 4 or 5, wherein at least one said electrical linear actuator comprises an electrical motor whose motor directions are reversible in accordance with change of mode of said at least one actuator switch.
13. A fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said coupling means is linked to said hand control lever by joint means having at least one degree of directional freedom.
14. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein said coupling means comprises: linkage means interconnecting at least one said electrical linear actuator and said hand control lever, said linkage means being actuable in response to corresponding actuation of said at least one electrical linear actuator; and at least one linkage switch means operable by action of said linkage means, so as to enable reversing of motor directions of said electrical motor, this reversing optionally occurring when at least one said actuator switch is released.
15. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 14, wherein said at least one linkage switch means is adapted to enable a predetermined schedule of switching operations to occur.
16. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein said linkage means comprises: a first linkage, having first and second ends, said first end being movable by extension or retraction of said at least one electrical linear actuator, said said first linkage also comprising a first portion of said at least one linkage switch means, that portion optionally comprising cam means movable in response to longitudinal or other suitable motion of said first linkage, a second portion of said at least one linkage switch means being statically located relative to and at at least one side of the path of motion of said cam means such that motion of said cam means will enable said at least one linkage switch means to perform at least one switch operation, optionally in accordance with said schedule; and a second linkage, having first and second ends, said first end of said second linkage being movable by extension or retraction of said first linkage, said second end of said second linkage being in direct or indirect communication with said hand control lever, said indirect communication optionally comprising crank means for changing the direction of the line of action of said second end of said second linkage.
17. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first linkage is at least partly rigid.
18. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein said first linkage comprises a rigid push/pull rod.
19. A fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein said second linkage is at least partly flexible.
20. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second linkage comprises a push/pull cable.
21. A fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein said second end or said second linkage is coupled by said optional crank means to said hand control lever, or said crank means is coupled to an optional third linkage coupled to said hand control lever.
22. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 21, wherein said third linkage is at least partly rigid.
23. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 22, wherein said third linkage comprises a rigid push/pull rod having joint means for providing linking with said hand control lever.
24. A fork lift truck as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
25. A method of controlling motion of a hand control lever of a fork lift truck, said method comprising utilising at least one remote control means of a fork lift truck as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24.
26. A method as claimed in claim 25, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08424459A GB2165926A (en) | 1984-09-27 | 1984-09-27 | Fork lift trucks and remote control |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08424459A GB2165926A (en) | 1984-09-27 | 1984-09-27 | Fork lift trucks and remote control |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8424459D0 GB8424459D0 (en) | 1984-10-31 |
| GB2165926A true GB2165926A (en) | 1986-04-23 |
Family
ID=10567366
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08424459A Withdrawn GB2165926A (en) | 1984-09-27 | 1984-09-27 | Fork lift trucks and remote control |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2165926A (en) |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1002825A (en) * | 1962-02-07 | 1965-09-02 | Lansing Bagnall Ltd | Improvements in or relating to industrial trucks |
-
1984
- 1984-09-27 GB GB08424459A patent/GB2165926A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1002825A (en) * | 1962-02-07 | 1965-09-02 | Lansing Bagnall Ltd | Improvements in or relating to industrial trucks |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8424459D0 (en) | 1984-10-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |