GB2325211A - An operating arrangement for a load supporting device on a lift truck - Google Patents
An operating arrangement for a load supporting device on a lift truck Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2325211A GB2325211A GB9709887A GB9709887A GB2325211A GB 2325211 A GB2325211 A GB 2325211A GB 9709887 A GB9709887 A GB 9709887A GB 9709887 A GB9709887 A GB 9709887A GB 2325211 A GB2325211 A GB 2325211A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- supporting device
- truck
- load supporting
- control lever
- assigned
- 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- Withdrawn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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
- G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
- G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
- G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B66F9/24—Electrical devices or systems
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
An operating arrangement for a load supporting device (3, Figs. 1 and 2) on a lift truck comprising at least one control lever 7 movable in at least two main actuating directions 9. A movement function of the load supporting device (3, Figs. 1 and 2) is assigned to each main lever actuating direction 9 and at least one main lever actuating direction 9 is aligned in its functional logic with its assigned movement function of the load supporting device; e.g. lever actuation for longitudinal movement of the load supporting device (3, Fig. 1) is along the longitudinal axis of the truck or lever actuation for transverse movement of the load supporting device (3, Fig. 2) is along the transverse axis of the truck. If the control lever 7 is moved in a direction between two main actuating directions 9 then the load supporting device (3, Figs. 1 and 2) may move according to both movement functions assigned to the two main actuating directions 9. The control lever 7 may comprise a joystick adapted to generate electrical control signals and the truck may be a reach truck.
Description
OPERATING ARRANGEMENT FOR A LOAD SUPPORTING DEVICE
ON A LIFTING TRUCK
The present invention relates to an operating arrangement for a load supporting device on a lifting truck.
Lifting trucks are known which incorporate a first movement function in which the load supporting device is movable upwardly and downwardly on a lifting mast and which incorporate at least one additional movement function in which the load supporting device is movable in the longitudinal direction of the truck and/or movable in the transverse direction of the truck and/or tiltable relative to the truck.
Known operating arrangements for such lifting trucks generally incorporate a plurality of control levers and each movement function of the load supporting device is provided with its own control lever which can be moved in a single actuating direction. The control levers are generally each connected directly to an hydraulic valve and are disposed adjacent to each other such that the actuating directions of the different control levers are parallel to each other.
This operating arrangement necessitates constant switching between the different control levers when handling loads. In addition, the parallel arrangement of the usual four control levers requires a high level of concentration from an operator at all times in order to avoid operator errors due to confusion between the different control levers and/or due to actuation of the correct control lever but in the wrong direction.
Thus the object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomically favourable operating arrangement with which the danger of incorrect operation by the operator is reduced, yet the speed of operation is potentially increased.
According to the present invention there is provided an operating arrangement for a load supporting device on a lifting truck, the truck incorporating a first movement function in which the load supporting device is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to a lifting mast and the truck incorporating at least one additional movement function in the load supporting device is movable substantially in the longitudinal direction of the truck and/or movable substantially in the transverse direction the truck and/or tiltable relative to the truck, wherein the operating arrangement comprises at least one control lever movable at least in two main actuating directions, a movement function of the load supporting device being assigned to each main actuating direction and at least one main actuating direction of the at least one control lever being aligned in its functional logic with a movement function of the load supporting device assigned thereto.
With this arrangement two different movement functions of the load supporting device can be controlled with a single control lever with a different movement function being assigned to each of the two main actuating directions, for example in mutually perpendicular directions.
The main actuating directions are thus able to correspond to the actuating directions of the control lever with precisely one movement function of the load supporting device being actuated in each case.
Depending on the design of the at least one control lever, the main actuating direction may be, for example, a straight line or a part-circular arc which is described by a handle of the control lever during actuation of the corresponding movement function. According to the invention, at least one main actuating direction of the at least one control lever is aligned in its functional logic to the movement function of the load supporting device assigned to it. This means that from the operator's viewpoint the at least one control lever is moved in the same direction as the load supporting device by the corresponding movement function.
In one embodiment of the invention the main actuating direction of the at least one control lever to which is assigned the movement of the load supporting device in the longitudinal direction of the truck is disposed parallel, at least along part of the length thereof, to the longitudinal direction of the truck.
Alternatively or additionally, the main actuating direction of the at least one control lever to which is assigned the movement of the load supporting device in the transverse direction relative to the truck may be disposed parallel, at least along part of the length thereof, to the transverse direction of the truck.
Alternatively or additionally, the main actuating direction of the at least one control lever to which is assigned the tilting of the load supporting device may be disposed generally parallel to a plane in which the load supporting device is moved during the tilting. In this case, the functionally logical alignment of the tilting movement of the load supporting device to the main actuating direction of the control lever is particularly striking when the main actuating direction is in the form of a part-circular arc. The direction of rotation of the control lever along the part-circular arc is then aligned with the direction of rotation of the load supporting device during the tilting movement.
The main actuating direction of the at least one control lever to which is assigned the upward and downward movement of the load supporting device may be disposed parallel, at least along part of the length thereof, to a frontal body axis of an operator as defined by the arrangement of a driver's seat. In this case, the load supporting device is lowered when the operator moves the control lever away from himself, and raised when the operator moves the control lever toward himself. The arrangement of this main actuating direction corresponds to the operating arrangement for the upward and downward movement of the load supporting device which is customary for known lifting trucks.
The at least one control lever may be provided according to which the upward and downward movement of the load supporting device is assigned to a first main actuating direction of the control lever and the movement of the load supporting device in the longitudinal direction is assigned to a second main actuating direction of the control lever.
The at least one control lever, for example a second control lever, may be provided such that the movement of the load supporting device in the transverse direction of the truck is assigned to a first main actuating direction of the control lever and the tilting of the load supporting device of the truck is assigned to a second main actuating direction of the control lever. In this way, the number of control levers for the load supporting device can be reduced from four, as in the prior art trucks, to two. This reduces the frequency with which it necessary to switch between the control levers.
The at least one control lever may be adapted such that, when the control lever is moved in a direction intermediate two main actuating directions, the load supporting device is moved according to both movement functions assigned to the main actuating directions. This means that two movement functions of the load supporting device can be controlled simultaneously with one control lever.
It is particularly convenient if the at least one control lever comprises a joystick adapted to generate electrical control signals.
The described arrangement of the at least one control lever is particularly convenient when a driver's seat of the truck is disposed such that the frontal body axis of an operator defined by the driver's seat is disposed in the transverse direction of the truck. With this arrangement of the driver's seat, all the movement functions of the load supporting device can be actuated in a favourable self-explanatory way with just two control levers. As far as the lifting and lowering is concerned, this is effected according to the customary arrangement, while the other movement functions are effected in a functionally logical actuating direction.
One particularly expedient application of the operating arrangement according to the invention is obtained when the truck comprises a reach truck.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a lifting truck with a movable load supporting device;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the load supporting device of the lifting truck shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side view of an operating arrangement according to the invention for use with the lifting truck shown in Figures 1 and 2; and
Figure 4 is a plan view of the operating arrangement shown in
Figure 3.
Figure 1 shows a typical lifting truck in the form of a reach truck. The truck incorporates a lifting mast 1 with a load supporting device 3 mounted on the lifting mast 1. The lifting mast 1, together with the load supporting device 3, can be moved relative to a frame 2 of the truck in the longitudinal direction of the truck. In Figure 1 this movement function is denoted "Reach Out/Reach Back".
The load supporting device 3, a load fork in the illustrated embodiment, is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the lifting mast 1. This second movement function is denoted "Lift/Lower" in Figure 1.
In addition, the load supporting device 3 can be tilted about a horizontal axis which extends transversely of the truck. This third movement function is denoted "Tilt Back/Illt Forward" in Figure 1. In the illustrated embodiment the tilting of the load supporting device 3 is effected by tilting the entire lifting mast 1 about a substantially horizontal axis 4 which extends transversely of the truck.
Alternatively, however, it is also possible to tilt the load supporting device 3 relative to a lifting mast which is not itself tiltable.
A fourth movement function of the load supporting device 3 is illustrated with reference to Figure 2 which shows a plan view of the load supporting device 3. As shown in Figure 2, the load supporting device can be moved to the left or the right relative to the lifting mast 1 in the transverse direction of the truck. This fourth movement function is denoted "Shift L/Shift R" in Figure 2.
As a rule, the four movement functions are effected by means of hydraulic cylinders (not shown). A seat for a driver or operator, the backrest 6 of which seat can be seen in Figure 1, is disposed in a driving position 5 of the truck. In the illustrated embodiment, the driver's seat is arranged such that the body axis of an operator is aligned in the transverse direction of the truck, that is the viewing direction of the operator is in the plane of the drawing as shown in Figure 1.
An operating arrangement according to the invention comprises two control levers 7 and 8 mounted one next to the other as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The operating arrangement is positioned to the right of the operator so as to be within the reach of the operator from the driving position 5.
As regards the viewing direction, Figure 1 corresponds to Figure 3 and Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 4.
The main actuating directions of each of the control levers 7 and 8 is marked in Figure 4 by a cross 9 and 10 respectively, the cross in each case incorporating arrowheads. It can clearly be seen from Figure 4 that the main actuating directions for the "Reach", "Shift' and "Tilt" functions are aligned with their functional logic corresponding to the movement functions shown in Figures 1 and 2. That is, "Reach Out" involves moving the control lever 7 in the longitudinal direction of the truck away from the operator, while "Reach Back" involves moving the control lever 7 in the longitudinal direction of the truck towards the operator.
Similarly, "Tilt Forward" involves moving the control lever 8 in the longitudinal direction of the truck away from the operator, while "Tilt
Back" involves moving the control lever 8 in the longitudinal direction of the truck towards the operator. "Shift L(eft)" in the illustrated embodiment involves moving the control lever 8 in the transverse direction of the truck away from the operator, while "Shift R(ight)" involves moving the control lever 8 in the transverse direction of the truck towards the operator.
For the "Tilt" function this movement is achieved in particular in that the control lever 8 describes a part-circular arc 11 during movement thereof (see Figure 3), such that the direction of rotation of the control lever along the arc 11 corresponds to the direction of rotation of the tilting movement of the load supporting device 3.
The main actuating direction of the control lever 7 for the "Lift/Lower" function corresponds to the convention customary with lifting trucks. In this respect, the control lever 7 is moved in the transverse direction of the truck towards the operator to lift and away from the operator to lower.
Claims (13)
1. An operating arrangement for a load supporting device on a lifting truck, the truck incorporating a first movement function in which the load supporting device is movable upwardly and downwardly relative to a lifting mast and the truck incorporating at least one additional movement function in which the load supporting device is movable substantially in the longitudinal direction of the truck and/or movable substantially in the transverse direction the truck and/or tiltable relative to the truck, wherein the operating arrangement comprises at least one control lever movable at least in two main actuating directions, a movement function of the load supporting device being assigned to each main actuating direction and at least one main actuating direction of the at least one control lever being aligned in its functional logic with a movement function of the load supporting device assigned thereto.
2. An operating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the main actuating direction of the at least one control lever to which is assigned the movement of the load supporting device in the longitudinal direction of the truck is disposed parallel, at least along part of the length thereof, to the longitudinal direction of the truck.
3. An operating arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main actuating direction of the at least one control lever to which is assigned the movement of the load supporting device in the transverse direction relative to the truck is disposed parallel, at least along part of the length thereof, to the transverse direction of the truck.
4. An operating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main actuating direction of the at least one control lever to which is assigned the tilting of the load supporting device is disposed generally parallel to a plane in which the load supporting device is moved during the tilting.
5. An operating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main actuating direction of the at least one control lever to which is assigned the upward and downward movement of the load supporting device is disposed parallel, at least along part of the length thereof, to a frontal body axis of an operator as defined by the arrangement of a driver's seat.
6. An operating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one control lever is provided according to which the upward and downward movement of the load supporting device is assigned to a first main actuating direction of the control lever and the movement of the load supporting device in the longitudinal direction is assigned to a second main actuating direction of the control lever.
7. An operating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one control lever is provided such that the movement of the load supporting device in the transverse direction of the truck is assigned to a first main actuating direction of the control lever and the tilting of the load supporting device of the truck is assigned to a second main actuating direction of the control lever.
8. An operating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one control lever is adapted such that, when the control lever is moved in a direction intermediate two main actuating directions, the load supporting device is moved according to both movement functions assigned to the main actuating directions.
9. An operating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one control lever comprises a joystick adapted to generate electrical control signals.
10. An operating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a driver's seat of the truck is disposed such that the frontal body axis of an operator defined by a driver's seat is disposed in the transverse direction of the truck.
11. An operating arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the truck comprises a reach truck.
12. An operating arrangement for a load supporting device on a lifting truck substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
13. A lifting truck incorporating a load supporting device and an operating arrangement according to any preceding claim.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9709887A GB2325211A (en) | 1997-05-16 | 1997-05-16 | An operating arrangement for a load supporting device on a lift truck |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9709887A GB2325211A (en) | 1997-05-16 | 1997-05-16 | An operating arrangement for a load supporting device on a lift truck |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9709887D0 GB9709887D0 (en) | 1997-07-09 |
| GB2325211A true GB2325211A (en) | 1998-11-18 |
Family
ID=10812374
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9709887A Withdrawn GB2325211A (en) | 1997-05-16 | 1997-05-16 | An operating arrangement for a load supporting device on a lift truck |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2325211A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6564906B1 (en) * | 1997-11-10 | 2003-05-20 | Steinbock Boss Gmbh Fordertechnik | Industrial delivery truck, in particular pickup-and-delivery device |
| EP1518819A2 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2005-03-30 | Still Gmbh | Multifunction lever and operating unit for an industrial truck |
| EP1594026A2 (en) * | 2004-05-04 | 2005-11-09 | Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH | Telehandler, in particular reachstacker, with steering control |
| DE102013012176A1 (en) * | 2013-07-22 | 2015-01-22 | Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft | Operating element for an industrial truck |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4742468A (en) * | 1986-06-16 | 1988-05-03 | Yamate Industrial Co., Ltd. | Lift truck control system |
| US5115720A (en) * | 1990-04-02 | 1992-05-26 | Baker Material Handling Corporation | Hydraulic valve bank |
| EP0712062A2 (en) * | 1994-11-08 | 1996-05-15 | Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft | Manually-actuated control device for an operator stand or seat |
| GB2299154A (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 1996-09-25 | Still Gmbh | Control arrangement for actuation of control devices through a common control lever |
| US5562119A (en) * | 1993-05-28 | 1996-10-08 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Mounting arrangement for control lever on an industrial truck |
-
1997
- 1997-05-16 GB GB9709887A patent/GB2325211A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4742468A (en) * | 1986-06-16 | 1988-05-03 | Yamate Industrial Co., Ltd. | Lift truck control system |
| US5115720A (en) * | 1990-04-02 | 1992-05-26 | Baker Material Handling Corporation | Hydraulic valve bank |
| US5562119A (en) * | 1993-05-28 | 1996-10-08 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Mounting arrangement for control lever on an industrial truck |
| EP0712062A2 (en) * | 1994-11-08 | 1996-05-15 | Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft | Manually-actuated control device for an operator stand or seat |
| GB2299154A (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 1996-09-25 | Still Gmbh | Control arrangement for actuation of control devices through a common control lever |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6564906B1 (en) * | 1997-11-10 | 2003-05-20 | Steinbock Boss Gmbh Fordertechnik | Industrial delivery truck, in particular pickup-and-delivery device |
| EP1518819A2 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2005-03-30 | Still Gmbh | Multifunction lever and operating unit for an industrial truck |
| EP1518819A3 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2006-02-08 | Still Gmbh | Multifunction lever and operating unit for an industrial truck |
| EP1594026A2 (en) * | 2004-05-04 | 2005-11-09 | Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH | Telehandler, in particular reachstacker, with steering control |
| EP1594026A3 (en) * | 2004-05-04 | 2007-01-17 | Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH | Telehandler, in particular reachstacker, with steering control |
| US7516813B2 (en) | 2004-05-04 | 2009-04-14 | Liebherr-Werk Nenzing Gmbh | Telescopic loader, in particular a reach stacker |
| DE102013012176A1 (en) * | 2013-07-22 | 2015-01-22 | Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft | Operating element for an industrial truck |
| EP2829503A1 (en) * | 2013-07-22 | 2015-01-28 | Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft | Operating element for an industrial truck |
| EP2829503B1 (en) | 2013-07-22 | 2016-01-20 | Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft | Operating element for an industrial truck |
| EP2829503B2 (en) † | 2013-07-22 | 2024-08-28 | Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft | Operating element for an industrial truck |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9709887D0 (en) | 1997-07-09 |
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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) |