JP2024021177A - industrial vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an industrial vehicle such as a forklift that can improve noticeability and operability of a back and forth progress changing switch or a direction indicator switch.SOLUTION: A forklift provided with a handle 13 configured to steer steering wheels; a direction indicator switch 15 configured to selectively turn on one of a left-right pair of direction indicators disposed on a vehicle body; and a back and forth changing switch 14 configured to change the traveling direction of the vehicle body between forward movement and backward movement. The handle 13 includes a handle center portion 13a fixed to the vehicle body and a handle spoke 13b disposed to be rotatable with respect to the handle center portion 13a. The direction indicator switch 15 and the back and forth changing switch 14 are disposed on the side of the handle center portion 13a above the handle spoke 13b, and one of the switches is disposed on the left side of the handle center portion 13a and the other of the switches is disposed on the right side of the handle center portion 13a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to industrial vehicles such as forklifts.

Forklifts include forklifts that are operated by an operator while sitting (for example, counterbalance type forklifts) and forklifts that are operated by an operator while standing (for example, reach-type forklifts and picking lifts).

FIG. 4(A) shows the configuration around the dashboard of a counterbalance type forklift. A handle 23 for steering the steering wheels (rear wheels) is provided on the dashboard. The handle 23 includes a handle center portion 23a fixed to the body frame of the forklift, a handle spoke 23b rotatably provided on the handle center portion 23a, and a handle knob 23c provided on the upper surface side of one end of the handle spoke 23b. , and a handle rim 23d connected to one end of a handle spoke 23b and the other end such that the handle center portion 23a is the center of rotation.

As shown in FIG. 4(B), a forward/reverse changeover switch 24 and a direction indicator switch 25 are provided below the handle spoke 23b and the handle rim 23d. The forward/reverse switching switch 24 is a switch for switching the traveling direction of the vehicle body of the forklift between forward and reverse. The direction indicator switch 25 is a switch for selecting and lighting one of a pair of left and right direction indicators (for example, a pair of left and right turn signal lamps) provided on the vehicle body.

When viewed from the operator sitting in the driver's seat, the forward/reverse selector switch 24 and the direction indicator switch 25 are hidden under the handle spokes 23b and the handle rim 23d. The operator cannot tell at a glance which of the left and right switches is the forward/reverse selector switch 24 and which is the direction indicator switch 25. There is a risk of it happening.

In addition, the operator cannot see at a glance the state of the forward/reverse selector switch 24 (e.g., forward, neutral, reverse) and the direction indicator switch 25 (e.g., left on, off, right on). , there is a risk of performing unnecessary operations. Furthermore, when the operator operates the forward/reverse changeover switch 24 or the direction indicator switch 25, the presence of the handle spokes 23b and the handle rim 23d becomes an obstacle.

As a result, with conventional forklifts, operators may feel stressed during cargo handling operations and work efficiency may decrease. For this reason, in conventional forklifts, it is required to improve the visibility and operability of the forward/reverse changeover switch 24 and direction indicator switch 25.

Furthermore, conventional forklifts are also required to ensure visibility of the toes, which is important during cargo handling operations. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a part of the fork 6 (the tip of the left fork 6 in FIG. 5A) is hidden by the handle rim 23d when viewed from the operator sitting in the driver's seat. Toe visibility A is impaired. Some picking lifts use lever-type handles that do not have a handle rim (for example, see Patent Document 1), but counterbalance-type forklifts that are operated by an operator while seated are ring-type forklifts that have a handle rim. Handles are common.

In the counterbalance type forklift shown in FIG. 5(A), the meter panel 26 is provided below and in front of the handle 23, so the display section of the meter panel 26 is difficult to see and the operation section of the meter panel 26 is difficult to operate. The problem arises that it is difficult. Further, the meter panel 26 impairs the toe visibility A.

In the counterbalance type forklift shown in FIG. 5(B), the meter panel 27 is provided at the right end of the dashboard, so although the toe visibility A is partially improved, it is impaired by the handle rim 23d. Toe visibility A has not improved. Also, due to the change in the position of the meter panel 27, compared to FIG. becomes larger, and the distance traveled by the operator's finger also becomes larger.

Patent No. 3714521

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an industrial vehicle such as a forklift that can improve the visibility and operability of the forward/reverse changeover switch and direction indicator switch. It is about providing.

In order to solve the above problems, an industrial vehicle according to the present invention includes:
A vehicle body provided with steering wheels;
a handle for steering the steering wheel;
a pair of left and right direction indicators provided on the vehicle body;
a direction indicator switch that selects and lights one of the pair of left and right direction indicators;
a forward/reverse selector switch for switching the traveling direction of the vehicle body between forward and reverse;
An industrial vehicle comprising:
The handle is
a center portion of the handle fixed to the vehicle body;
a handle spoke rotatably provided with respect to the center of the handle;
Equipped with
The direction indicator switch and the forward/reverse changeover switch are provided on the side of the center of the handle above the handle spokes, and one is provided on the left side of the center of the handle, and the other is provided on the left side of the center of the handle. It is characterized by being provided on the right side.

With this configuration, the operator of the industrial vehicle can easily know which of the left and right switches is the forward/reverse selector switch and which is the turn signal switch, and also the state of the forward/reverse selector switch and the direction indicator switch. It can be easily understood. Furthermore, the presence of the handle does not get in the way when the operator operates the forward/reverse selector switch or the direction indicator switch. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to improve the visibility and operability of the forward/reverse selector switch and the direction indicator switch.

In the industrial vehicle,
The vehicle body is provided with a driver's seat for an operator to sit in,
It is preferable that the handle is a lever-type handle that has a handle knob on the top side of the tip of the handle spoke, but does not have a handle rim.

In the industrial vehicle,
On the top side of the center of the handle,
a first display area indicating the state of the forward/reverse selector switch;
a second display area indicating the state of the direction indicator switch;
A panel section configured to be operable by an operator,
It can be configured so that it is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an industrial vehicle that can improve the visibility and operability of a forward/reverse changeover switch and a direction indicator switch.

1 is a perspective view of a forklift truck according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is a figure showing the composition around the dashboard of the forklift concerning one embodiment of the present invention. (B) It is a figure showing the forward/backward movement changeover switch and direction indicator switch of the forklift concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration around a dashboard of a forklift according to a modification of the present invention. (A) is a diagram showing the configuration around the dashboard of a conventional forklift. (B) It is a figure which shows the forward/backward movement changeover switch and direction indicator switch of the conventional forklift. (A) It is a diagram showing the toe field of view of a conventional forklift. (B) It is a figure showing the toe visibility of the conventional forklift truck with a different position of the meter panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an industrial vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a forklift 1 (corresponding to the "industrial vehicle" of the present invention) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The forklift 1 is a counterbalance type forklift, and includes a vehicle body 2 including a body frame, and steering wheels 3 (rear wheels) and drive wheels 4 (front wheels) provided at a lower portion of the vehicle body 2. The drive wheels 4 are driven by a drive device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle body 2.

The forklift 1 includes a mast device 5 provided at the front of the vehicle body 2, a fork 6 that moves up and down along the mast device 5, a driver's seat 7 provided at the top of the vehicle body 2, and an area above the driver's seat 7. and a head guard 8 provided on the vehicle body 2 so as to cover the vehicle body 2.

The head guard 8 includes a pair of left and right front pillars, a pair of left and right rear pillars, and a roof. A headlight (for example, an LED lamp) 9 and a direction indicator 9L are attached to the left front pillar. Similarly, a headlight (for example, an LED lamp) 9 and a direction indicator 9R are attached to the right front pillar.

A pair of left and right combination lamps 10 are attached to the rear of the roof. The left combination lamp 10 includes a back lamp, a tail lamp, a brake lamp, and a direction indicator 10L (blinker lamp). Similarly, the right combination lamp 10 includes a back lamp, a tail lamp, a brake lamp, and a direction indicator 10R (blinker lamp).

FIG. 2(A) shows the configuration around the dashboard of the forklift 1. The dashboard is provided in front of the driver's seat 7 of the vehicle body 2. A lift lever 11 and a tilt lever 12 are provided on the dashboard.

In this embodiment, when the operator tilts the lift lever 11 forward, the fork 6 descends, and when the operator tilts the lift lever 11 backward, the fork 6 rises. When the lift lever 11 is in the neutral position, the fork 6 stops (does not move up or down). When the operator tilts the tilt lever 12 forward, the mast device 5 tilts forward (tilts forward), and when the operator tilts the tilt lever 12 backward, the mast device 5 tilts backward (tilts backward). When the tilt lever 12 is in the neutral position, the mast device 5 stops (does not tilt).

A handle 13 for steering the steering wheels 3 is provided on the dashboard. The handle 13 is a lever-type handle that includes a handle center portion 13a, handle spokes 13b, and a handle knob 13c. A lever-type handle has no handle rim.

The handle center portion 13a is fixed to the vehicle body 2. For example, the handle center portion 13a is fixed to the vehicle body 2 via a cylindrical support portion that supports the handle center portion 13a from below, a fixing member attached to the lower end of the support portion, and the like. The handle center portion 13a does not rotate even when the handle spokes 13b rotate. A meter panel 16 (corresponding to the "panel section" of the present invention) is provided on the upper surface side of the handle center portion 13a. The meter panel 16 will be described later.

The handle spokes 13b are rotatably provided with respect to the handle center portion 13a. For example, the handle spokes 13b are connected to a cylindrical connecting part fitted to the outside of the support part below the handle center part 13a. The connecting portion is configured to be rotatable relative to the support portion, rotates together with the handle spoke 13b, and transmits the rotational movement of the handle spoke 13b to the steering device (device for steering the steering wheel 3).

The handle spokes 13b rotate 360 degrees with respect to the handle center portion 13a, with the handle center portion 13a as the rotation center. The handle spoke 13b is composed of only one side of the handle spoke of the ring-shaped handle.

The handle knob 13c is provided on the upper surface side of the tip of the handle spoke 13b. The handle knob 13c is configured to have a shape that is easy for an operator sitting in the driver's seat 7 to grip.

When the operator sitting in the driver's seat 7 rotates the handle spoke 13b together with the handle knob 13c while holding the handle knob 13c, the steering wheel 3 is steered by the above-mentioned steering device according to the rotation angle of the handle spoke 13b. .

A forward/reverse selector switch 14 and a direction indicator switch 15 are provided on the side of the handle center portion 13a. The forward/reverse selector switch 14 is a switch that switches the traveling direction of the vehicle body 2 between forward and reverse. The direction indicator switch 15 is a switch that selects one of the left direction indicators 9L, 10L and the right direction indicators 9R, 10R to turn on (blink in this embodiment). Note that "lighting up" in the present invention includes "blinking".

The forward/reverse switching switch 14 is provided on the left side of the handle center portion 13a above the handle spokes 13b. The forward/reverse changeover switch 14 does not rotate even when the handle spoke 13b rotates, and is maintained at the position shown in FIG. 2(A) (to the left of the handle center portion 13a). The forward/reverse switching switch 14 is configured to have a length shorter than the handle spoke 13b, and is configured to have a length such that it does not come into contact with the handle knob 13c even if the handle spoke 13b is rotated 360 degrees. In addition, the forward/reverse selector switch 14 is arranged at approximately the same height as the handle knob 13c and extends parallel to the handle spokes 13b so that the operator can operate the forward/reverse selector switch 14 while holding the handle knob 13c. It is provided on the left side of the handle center portion 13a.

The forward/reverse selector switch 14 has forward, neutral, and reverse states. In this embodiment, when the forward/reverse selector switch 14 is tilted forward, the forward drive state is entered, when the forward/reverse selector switch 14 is tilted rearward, the reverse drive state is entered, and when the forward/reverse selector switch 14 is not tilted forward or backward. (neutral position) to enter the neutral state. When the operator depresses the accelerator pedal while the forward/reverse switch 14 is in the forward position, the forklift 1 moves forward. When the operator depresses the accelerator pedal while the forward/reverse selector switch 14 is in the reverse state, the forklift 1 moves backward.

As shown in FIG. 2(B), a first display area D1 indicating the state of the forward/reverse changeover switch 14 is provided at the left end of the upper surface of the handle center portion 13a. In this embodiment, F stamped in the first display area D1 indicates a forward state, R indicates a reverse state, and N indicates a neutral state. The operator can grasp the state of the forward/reverse changeover switch 14 at a glance by checking the straight line engraved on the base end of the forward/reverse changeover switch 14 and the first display area D1.

The direction indicator switch 15 is provided on the right side of the handle center portion 13a above the handle spokes 13b. The direction indicator switch 15 does not rotate even when the handle spoke 13b rotates, and is maintained at the position shown in FIG. 2 (on the right side of the handle center portion 13a). The direction indicator switch 15 is configured to have a length shorter than the handle spoke 13b, and is configured to have a length such that it does not come into contact with the handle knob 13c even if the handle spoke 13b is rotated 360 degrees. Further, the direction indicator switch 15 is provided on the right side of the handle center portion 13a so as to be at approximately the same height as the handle knob 13c and to extend parallel to the handle spokes 13b.

The states of the direction indicator switch 15 include a first state in which the left direction indicators 9L and 10L are lit, a second state in which the right direction indicators 9R and 10R are lit, and a second state in which the direction indicators 9L and 10L and the direction indicators are lit. There is a third state in which 9R and 10R are turned off. In this embodiment, when the turn signal switch 15 is tilted forward, the first state is entered, when the turn signal switch 15 is tilted rearward, the second state is entered, and when the direction signal switch 15 is not tilted forward or backward. (neutral position), it becomes the third state.

As shown in FIG. 2(B), a second display area D2 indicating the state of the direction indicator switch 15 is provided at the right end of the upper surface of the handle center portion 13a. In this embodiment, a leftward arrow stamped in the second display area D2 indicates the first state, a rightward arrow indicates the second state, and no arrow (only .) indicates the third state. The operator can grasp the state of the direction indicator switch 15 at a glance by checking the straight line engraved on the base end of the direction indicator switch 15 and the second display area D2.

The direction indicator switch 15 is configured to turn on/off the headlight 9 by a different operation from the operation of turning on/off the direction indicators 9L, 10L and the direction indicators 9R, 10R. That is, the states of the direction indicator switch 15 include a fourth state in which the headlight 9 is turned on (continuously turned on in this embodiment) and a fifth state in which the headlight 9 is turned off.

The meter panel 16 is provided between the first display area D1 and the second display area D2 on the upper surface side of the handle center portion 13a. The exterior case on the side of the handle center portion 13a also serves as the exterior case of the meter panel 16. The meter panel 16 includes a display section that is configured to be visible to the operator, and an operation section that is configured to be operable by the operator. The display unit is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays a screen showing the remaining battery power (if the forklift 1 is equipped with a battery), the traveling speed, etc., or a setting screen for making various settings for the forklift 1. or The operation unit includes a plurality of operation buttons. The operator can perform various settings displayed on the setting screen by operating a plurality of operation buttons.

In the forklift 1 according to the present embodiment, the operator sitting in the driver's seat 7 can see at a glance which of the left and right switches provided on the side of the handle center portion 13a is the forward/reverse selector switch 14 and which is the direction indicator switch 15. The state of the forward/reverse selector switch 14 and the direction indicator switch 15 can also be grasped at a glance. Furthermore, in the forklift 1 according to the present embodiment, the presence of the handle 13 does not get in the way when the operator operates the forward/reverse changeover switch 14 or the direction indicator switch 15, so the operator can move forward/backward along the shortest route. The changeover switch 14 or the direction indicator switch 15 can be contacted.

Therefore, according to the forklift 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the visibility and operability of the forward/reverse changeover switch 14 and the direction indicator switch 15. As a result, the operator is less likely to feel stressed during cargo handling work, and it is possible to suppress a decline in work efficiency.

Furthermore, in the forklift 1 according to the present embodiment, the handle 13 is a lever-type handle without a handle rim, so that the toe visibility A is not impaired by the handle rim, as shown in FIG. 2(A). .

In the forklift 1 according to the present embodiment, the meter panel 16 is provided on the upper surface side of the handle center portion 13a, so that the toe visibility A is not impaired by the meter panel 16. Furthermore, since the distance from the operator sitting in the driver's seat 7 to the meter panel 16 is shortened, the visibility and operability of the meter panel 16 can be improved.

[Modified example]
Although the embodiments of the industrial vehicle according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration around a dashboard of a forklift according to a modification of the present invention. The forklift according to this modification is common to the forklift 1 according to the above embodiment except for the handle 23 and the meter panel 27.

Handle 23 is a conventional ring-shaped handle with a handle rim 23d. The meter panel 27 has the same configuration as the meter panel 16 of the embodiment described above, except that it is provided at the right end of the dashboard. That is, a forklift according to a modification of the present invention is the conventional forklift shown in FIG.

In the forklift according to this modification, similarly to the forklift 1 according to the above embodiment, the forward/reverse switching switch 14 and the direction indicator switch 15 are provided on the left and right sides of the handle center portion 23a above the handle spokes 23b. It is being The forward/reverse changeover switch 14 and the direction indicator switch 15 are configured to have a length shorter than the radius of the handle rim 23d and have a length such that they do not come into contact with the handle knob 23c and the handle rim 23d.

According to the forklift according to this modification, it is possible to improve the visibility and operability of the forward/reverse changeover switch 14 and the direction indicator switch 15. As a result, the operator is less likely to feel stressed during cargo handling work, and it is possible to suppress a decline in work efficiency.

[Other variations]
The industrial vehicle according to the present invention includes a vehicle body provided with a steering wheel, a handle for steering the steering wheel, a pair of left and right direction indicators provided on the vehicle body, and a selection of one of the pair of left and right direction indicators. An industrial vehicle is provided with a turn signal switch that turns on and lights up, and a forward/reverse switch that switches the traveling direction of the vehicle body between forward and reverse, the steering wheel having a center portion fixed to the vehicle body; A steering wheel spoke rotatably provided with respect to the center of the steering wheel, and a turn signal switch and a forward/reverse selector switch are provided on a side of the center of the steering wheel above the steering wheel spoke, and one of the steering wheel spokes is rotatable with respect to the center of the steering wheel. As long as one is provided on the left side of the center part and the other on the right side of the center part of the handle, the configuration can be changed as appropriate.

For example, contrary to the above embodiment, the forward/reverse selector switch 14 may be provided on the right side of the handle center portion 13a, and the direction indicator switch 15 may be provided on the left side of the handle center portion 13a. The shapes of the forward/reverse selector switch 14 and/or the direction indicator switch 15 can be changed arbitrarily as long as they do not interfere with the operation of the handle 13.

In the above embodiment, the direction indicators 9L and 9R provided on the front side of the head guard 8 and the direction indicators 10L and 10R provided on the rear side of the head guard 8 are used as the pair of left and right direction indicators. However, only one of the front and rear direction indicators may be used, or another direction indicator may be used.

Although the industrial vehicle of the present invention has been described as a counterbalance type forklift in the above embodiment, it may be a reach type battery forklift or another type of forklift. Further, the industrial vehicle of the present invention may be other than a forklift, and may be, for example, a transport vehicle, a construction machine, or an agricultural machine.

1 Forklift 2 Vehicle body 3 Steering wheel 4 Drive wheel 5 Mast device 6 Fork 7 Driver's seat 8 Head guard 9 Headlights 9L, 9R Direction indicator 10 Combination lamps 10L, 10R Direction indicator 11 Lift lever 12 Tilt lever 13, 23 Handle 13a, 23a Handle center 13b, 23b Handle spoke 13c, 23c Handle knob 23d Handle rim 14, 24 Forward/forward changeover switch 15, 25 Turn signal switch 16, 26, 27 Meter panel

Claims (3)

A vehicle body provided with steering wheels;
a handle for steering the steering wheel;
a pair of left and right direction indicators provided on the vehicle body;
a direction indicator switch that selects and lights one of the pair of left and right direction indicators;
a forward/reverse selector switch for switching the traveling direction of the vehicle body between forward and reverse;
An industrial vehicle comprising:
The handle is
a center portion of the handle fixed to the vehicle body;
a handle spoke rotatably provided with respect to the center of the handle;
Equipped with
The direction indicator switch and the forward/reverse changeover switch are provided on the side of the center of the handle above the handle spokes, and one is provided on the left side of the center of the handle, and the other is provided on the left side of the center of the handle. An industrial vehicle characterized by being installed on the right side. The vehicle body is provided with a driver's seat for an operator to sit in,
The industrial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the handle is a lever-type handle that has a handle knob on the top side of the tip of the handle spoke, but does not have a handle rim. On the top side of the center of the handle,
a first display area indicating the state of the forward/reverse selector switch;
a second display area indicating the state of the direction indicator switch;
A panel section configured to be operable by an operator,
The industrial vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:.

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