MX2008006107A - A materials handling vehicle with a manifold apparatus including a valve structure mounted on the mast assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A materials handling vehicle (10) is provided comprising a power unit (12), a mast assembly (100) and a fluid supply system (300). The mast assembly is coupled to the power unit. The mast assembly comprises a weldment, a movable element and a ram/cylinder assembly coupled to the movable element to effect movement of the element. The fluid supply system (300) includes manifold apparatus (500) and at least one fluid line coupled to the manifold apparatus and the ram/cylinder assembly. The manifold apparatus provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the ram/cylinder assembly via the fluid line to raise the movable element. The manifold apparatus is mounted to the mast assembly.

Description

VEHICLES FOR THE HANDLING OF MATERIALS WITH IMPROVED VISIBILITY TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vehicle for material handling comprising a manifold apparatus mounted on a mast assembly and further including a frame provided with a depression to improve operator visibility. BACKGROUND ART Vehicles for handling prior art materials comprising a power unit and a mast assembly are known. The mast assembly can comprise first, second and third sets of welded parts, wherein the second set of welded parts of the mast is able to move relative to the first set of welded parts and the third set of welded parts is able to move with relation to the second set of welded parts. First and second ram / lift cylinder assemblies are coupled between the first and second sets of welded portions of the mast to effect movement of the second and third sets of welded parts of the mast relative to the first set of welded portions of the mast. Attached to the third set of welded parts of the mast is a carriage assembly with movable fork. An additional ram / cylinder unit is provided to effect movement of the fork carriage assembly relative to the third set of welded parts of the mast. The power unit includes a manifold apparatus mounted on a front portion of a frame of the power unit. The manifold apparatus includes a valve structure for controlling the flow of fluid to the first and second ram / cylinder assemblies coupled between the first and second assemblies of welded parts and the ram / cylinder assembly engaged between the third welded portions assembly. and the carriage assembly with fork. The manifold apparatus further includes a valve structure for controlling the flow of fluid to the ram / cylinder assemblies to tilt the mast assembly relative to the power unit and at least one auxiliary device, such as a mechanism of fork side change, a clamp for cardboard boxes, a fork lift mechanism, a paper roll clamp or a sheet sliding device. The truck may further include a manifold in the forklift assembly that includes one or two mechanical override relief valves to divide the hydraulic fluid from an auxiliary device corresponding to a fluid storage tank if the fluid pressure provided. The corresponding auxiliary device exceeds a threshold value. One or more mechanical valves for limiting the maximum rate of descent of the fork carriage assembly and the second and third sets of welded portions of the mast can also be provided in the manifold provided in the fork carriage assembly.

It is also known, in another prior art material handling vehicle, to provide a manifold apparatus mounted on a fork carriage assembly having first and second select auxiliary valves, said valves being electronically controlled ON / OFF valves for selecting the operation of a desired auxiliary unit. It is noted that the fluid flow to the selected auxiliary device is controlled by a valve mounted on a manifold apparatus in a power unit. It is also known to provide a manifold apparatus in a truck of a lift truck. The manifold apparatus includes a structure for functions such as tilt, side shift and elevation. The fluid flow rate is not controlled by the valve structure contained in the manifold apparatus in the carriage. Instead, valves are provided in a manifold mounted on a power unit to control the fluid flow for these functions. It is further known, in a prior art material handling vehicle, to provide a manifold apparatus in a first set of welded portions of a mast assembly, wherein the first welded part assembly does not move vertically. The manifold or manifold apparatus comprises one or more mechanical valves for limiting the maximum rate of descent of a fork carriage assembly and second and third sets of welded portions of the pole.

It would be desirable to mount a manifold or manifold apparatus in a mast assembly, said manifold apparatus performs functions typically performed by multiple assemblies in a power unit to reduce the volume or size of the power unit. Description of the Invention According to a first aspect, there is provided a material handling vehicle comprising a power unit, a mast assembly and a fluid supply system. The mast assembly is coupled to the power unit. The mast assembly comprises a set of welded parts, a movable member and a ram / cylinder assembly coupled to the movable member to effect movement of the member. The fluid supply system includes a manifold apparatus and at least one fluid line coupled to the manifold apparatus and the ram / cylinder assembly. The manifold apparatus includes a valve structure for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid to the ram / cylinder assembly via the fluid line to lift the movable member. The manifold apparatus is mounted on the mast assembly. In one embodiment, the set of welded parts can comprise a first set of welded parts and the movable element can comprise a second set of welded parts relative to the first set of welded parts. The set of welded parts may comprise a first set of welded parts that is not capable of moving vertically relative to the power unit and where the manifold apparatus may be mounted on the first set of welded parts. The mast assembly may further comprise a second set of welded parts moving relative to the first set of welded parts, a third set of welded parts moving relative to the second set of welded parts, and first and second assemblies of the ram. / lifting cylinder to effect the movement of the second and third sets of welded parts. The fluid supply system may further comprise at least one fluid line coupled to each of the first and second lift ram / cylinder assemblies and the manifold apparatus to define trajectories for the pressurized fluid to move from the apparatus from multiple to the first and second lifting assemblies. In this embodiment, the movable member may comprise a fork carriage assembly. According to a second aspect, there is provided a material handling vehicle comprising a power unit, a mast assembly that includes at least a set of welded parts, an auxiliary device associated with the mast assembly, a structure of ram tilt cylinder coupled to the mast assembly and a fluid supply system. The fluid supply system includes a manifold apparatus and fluid lines coupled to the manifold apparatus and the auxiliary device and the ram cylinder ram structure. The manifold apparatus includes a valve structure for controlling the rate of fluid flow to one of the auxiliary device and the ram structure of the tilt cylinder. The manifold apparatus is mounted on the mast assembly. According to a third aspect, there is provided a material handling vehicle comprising a power unit comprising a frame including an operator compartment, a mast assembly coupled to the frame and wherein the frame includes a front depression for Allow an operator to see an end portion of the frame when the vehicle is driven. The power unit further comprises a hood front plate which may have a maximum height from the ground of less than or equal to about 1124 mm. The hood front plate can be tilted down at an angle of approximately 18 degrees. Depression can be located in a corner of the frame. The frame can include only a single depression. The end portion of the frame may comprise a front end portion of the frame. The front end portion may comprise an end portion of a fender or fender provided on a front wheel of the vehicle. The material handling vehicle may further include a guard or upper guard and first and second pillars or posts for attaching the upper guard to the power unit. Preferably, at least one of the pillars or posts is placed substantially in line with the mast assembly. The mast assembly can include at least one set of welded parts having first and second vertical rails. Preferably, a pillar is substantially in line with one of the vertical rails of the set of welded parts. More preferably, each of the first and second pillars is substantially in line with a corresponding one of the vertical rails of the set of welded portions. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a truck comprising a power unit including a frame with a depression in a front portion; Figure 1A is an enlarged view of a portion of the truck illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 1B is a perspective view of a portion of the truck illustrated in Figure 1 and taken from an opposite side to that illustrated in Figure 1A; Figure 1C is a view of the truck illustrating a cover plate and a cover of the manifold apparatus; Figure 1D is a perspective view of a top guard of the truck illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 1E is a top view of a top guard of the truck illustrated in the Figural; Figure 1F is a top view of the truck illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the mast assembly of Figure 1 and illustrating a manifold apparatus; Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the mast assembly, the manifold assembly and the fork lift assembly of the truck illustrated in Figure 1, with the fork carriage assembly removed; Figure 4 is a rear view of the mast assembly, the manifold apparatus and the lifting unit of the fork carriage assembly; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic fluid supply system of the truck illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a diagram of the hydraulic circuit of the manifold apparatus; Figures 6A, 6B are perspective views of the manifold apparatus; Figures 7 to 10 are views illustrating holes, cavities and internal passages of the manifold apparatus block; Figure 11 is a top view of a portion of the frame of the truck power unit; and Figure 11A is a side view of a truck embodiment illustrating the increased visibility provided to an operator.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Reference is now made to Figures 1 and 1 A to 1 C, which illustrate a lift truck 10 with three-wheel vertical counter-balanced fork. A mast assembly 100, a fork truck assembly 50, a fork lift assembly unit 200, and a hydraulic fluid supply system 300 including a manifold appliance 500 are incorporated in the truck 1 0, see also Figures 2 and 5. Although the present invention is described herein with reference to the vertical counter-balanced truck 1 0, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention and variations of the invention can be applied more generally to A variety of other vehicles for material handling including an extension truck. The fork lift truck 1 0 further includes a main body or power unit 1 2 including a frame 1 4, first and second driven wheels coupled to a front portion of the frame 1 4, and a third steering wheel (not shown) ) coupled to a rear portion of the frame 14. The first, second and third wheels allow the truck 10 to move across a floor surface. A crew compartment 30 is placed within the frame 14 of the main body to receive an operator. The speed and direction of movement (forward or reverse) of truck 10 can be controlled by the operator via an MFC multifunction controller. The steering is effected via a rudder rod 116A. The truck 10 further includes a top guard 17 coupled to the power unit 12 by first and second pillars A 19A and 19B and a rear support bar 21, see Figures 1 and 1A through 1E. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pillars A 19A and 19B has a generally rectangular shape. For example, each pillar A 19A, 19B may have side walls 190 having a length LG of approximately 10.16 centimeters and end walls 191 having a width WG of approximately 5.08 centimeters. When an operator is in the operator compartment 30, he usually rests on his back against a support backrest 31, see Figure 1. The first pillar A 19A is located angularly relative to the power unit 12 so that the walls 190 opposite sides of the pillar A are generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of a pair of forks 152A of the fork carriage assembly 150. When an operator O, shown schematically in Figure 1E, is looking in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the forks 152A, for example along a first line of vision SLT of the operator, the operator sees only one end wall 191 from pillar A 19A, that is, operator O sees little or nothing from a portion of any side wall 190 of pillar A 19A. In a similar manner, when an operator turns his head to see along a second line of sight SL2, such a line of sight extends through the second pillar A 1 9B, the operator O sees only one end wall 91 from pillar A 19B. This is because the pillar A 1 9B is rotated or angled relative to the position of the first pillar A 1 9A so that the end wall 91 is generally perpendicular to the second line of vision SL 2 passing through the pillar A 1 9A. Because the operator O sees only one end wall 191 of any pillar A 19A, 19B during the operation of vehicle 1 0, and sees little or no portion of any lateral wall 1 90 of any pillar A 19A, 1 9B, its visibility is increased. The mast assembly 1 00 includes first, second and third sets 1 10, 120 and 1 30 of welded mast parts, see Figure 3, where the second set 1 20 of welded parts is nested within the first set 1 10 of parts welded and the third set 1 30 of welded parts is nested within the second set 1 20 of welded parts. The first set 1 1 0 of welded parts is coupled to the frame 1 4 of the main body of the truck. The second set 120 or intermediate of welded parts is capable of vertical movement relative to the first set 1 of welded parts. The third set 1 30 or internal is capable of vertical movement relative to the first and second sets 1 1 0 and 1 20 of welded parts. The first set of welded parts includes first and second vertical rails 1 10A and 1 10B, the second set 1 20 of welded parts includes first and second vertical rails 1 20A and 120B and the third set 1 30 of welded parts includes first and second rails verticals 1 30B and 1 30C, see Figure 2. In the embodiment illustrated, the first pillar A 19A is positioned to be substantially in line with the vertical rail 1 10B of the first set 1 1 0 of welded parts and the second pillar A 1 9B it is positioned to be substantially in line with the vertical rail 1 1 0A of the first set 1 10 of welded parts to improve the visibility of the operator, see Figure 1 F. The first and second assemblies 1 40 and 142 of ram / lifting cylinder they are fixed in their cylinders 140B and 142B of the first set 1 1 0 of welded parts, see Figure 3. The rams 1 40A and 1 42A extending from the cylinders 140B and 142B are fixed to an upper strut 1 22 of the sec. undo set 1 20 of welded parts, see Figure 3. The first and second hydraulic tubes 140C and 142C are coupled to the cylinders 140B and 142B and the manifold apparatus 500, see Figures 4 and 5, and define trajectories for the fluid to pass through. between the manifold apparatus 500 and the cylinders 1 40B and 1 42B. A mechanical speed fuse 1440 is coupled to a base of the cylinder 140B and closes if the second and third sets 1 20 and 1 30 of the welded parts of the fork descend relative to the first set 1 10 of welded parts in excess of a redefined speed. . A first chain 21 1 is fixed to the cylinder 140B of the first ram / cylinder assembly 140 and the second chain 21 3 is fixed to the cylinder 142B of the second ram / cylinder assembly 142, see Figure 3. The first chain 21 1 extends over a first pulley 31 2 and is coupled to a lower portion 1 32 of the third set 1 of welded parts, see Figure 2. A second chain 21 3 extends over a second pulley 332 and is also coupled to the lower portion 132 of the third set of welded parts. The lower portion 1 32 of the third set of welded portions may comprise lower portions of the vertical rails 1 30B and 1 30C, see Figure 2, or a lower plate 1 30A extending between the lower portions of the rails 1 30B and 1 30C verticals of the third set 1 30 of welded parts. When rams 140A and 142A of assemblies 140 and 142 extend, the rams 140A and 142A elevate the second set 1 20 of parts welded vertically relative to the first set 1 1 0 of fixed welded parts. In addition, the first and second pulleys 312 and 332 fixed to the upper strut 122 of the second set 1 of welded parts apply upward forces on the chains 21 1 and 21 3 causing the third set 1 of welded parts to move vertically in relation to the first and second 1 1 0 and 120 sets of welded parts. For each unit of vertical movement of the second set 120 of welded parts, the third set 1 of welded parts moves two units vertically. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second units 1 12 and 1 14 of ram / tilt cylinder are coupled between the main body frame 14 of the truck and the first set 1 10 of welded portions for pivoting the mast assembly 100 approximately 5 degrees from the vertical back towards the frame 14 of the main body and between about 2 to about 5 degrees from the vertical away from the frame 14 of the main body, see Figure 2. First and second hoses 1 1 3A and 1 1 3B hydraulic they are coupled to the first and second units 1 1 2 and 1 14 of ram / tilt cylinder and the multiplex apparatus 500, see Figure 5, and define trajectories for the fluid to pass between the manifold apparatus 500 and the units 1 1 2 and 1 14 inclination. The fork carriage assembly 1 50 comprises the pair of forks 1 52A and a carriage 1 54A with forks on which the forks 1 52A are mounted, see Figures 1, 1 A and 1 B (the carriage assembly 1 50 hairpins is not illustrated in Figures 2 and 3). The fork carriage 1 54A is provided with pairs of rollers (not shown), which are received in internal rails 1 34 of the third set 1 30 of welded parts, see Figure 3. The pairs of rollers allow the carriage 1 54A of Forks move vertically up and down relative to the third set 1 of welded parts. The lifting unit 200 of the fork carriage assembly is coupled to the third set 1 of welded parts and the fork carriage assembly 1 50 for effecting vertical movement of the fork carriage assembly 1 50 relative to the third set 1. of welded parts. The lifting unit 200 includes a ram / cylinder assembly 210 comprising a cylinder 212 fixed to a bracket 1 35, which, in turn, is fixed to the plate 1 30A of the third set 1 of welded parts, so that it moves with the third set 1 of welded parts, see Figure 2. A ram 214 is associated with the cylinder 21 2 and is capable of extending from the cylinder 212 when pressurized fluid is provided to the cylinder 212, see Figure 3 A mechanical pressure compensated flow regulator 1 21 0 is coupled to a base of the cylinder 212 and functions to limit the rate at which the fork carriage assembly 50 is lowered during unintentional descent, see Figure 5. first and second pulleys 216 and 218 are coupled to an upper end of ram 214, see Figures 2 and 3. A pair of lifting chains 220 are fixed to one end of cylinder 212, extend over first pulley 21 6 and are coupled to one per lower section (not shown) of fork carriage 1 54A. When pressurized fluid is provided to the cylinder 212, the ram 214 extends causing the pulley 216 to move vertically relative to the third set 1 of welded parts. The vertical movement of the pulley 216 causes the lifting chains 220 to lift the fork carriage assembly 1 50 relative to the third set 1 of welded parts. The ram / cylinder assembly 21 0 may include the coupling structure 260,, see Figure 2, for coupling a hydraulic fluid supply hose 400, see Figures 4 and 5., the cylinder 21 2. The coupling structure 260 is more explicitly described in the patent application of US No. 11 / 236,081, entitled "STRUCTURE OF COUPLING OF FLUID SUPPLY HOSE FOR A MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE", filed on September 27, 2005, said application is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The hose 400 is coupled to the manifold apparatus 500 to supply hydraulic fluid to the ram / cylinder assembly 210. The fork carriage assembly 150 may further comprise one or two conventional auxiliary devices 152 and 154, shown schematically in Figure 5, which may comprise a fork lift mechanism, a cardboard clamp, a fork reach mechanism. , a clamp for rolls of paper or a device for sliding sheets. The operator commands to control each auxiliary device 152, 154 are powered via the MFC multifunction controller. Each auxiliary device 152, 154 may be coupled to a pair of hydraulic fluid hoses (supply / return). In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second pairs of hydraulic fluid hoses 160 and 170 are provided to respectively provide hydraulic fluid to the two separate auxiliary devices 152 and 154, Figure 5. It is noted that none or an auxiliary device can be provided. as part of the fork truck assembly 150 instead of two auxiliary devices. As indicated above, the operation is carried out via pillar 1 16A. The rotation of the pillar 1 16A controls the operation of a control unit 1 16B, comprising a rotary valve 1 16C and a hydraulic motor, see Figure 5. The valve 1 16C is coupled to the pillar 1 16A and functions to control the direction and magnitude of fluid flow to engine 1 16D based on the movement of pillar 1 16A. The steering of the third wheel of the truck is carried out via a hydraulic motor 1 16E, which is coupled to the third wheel, and receives hydraulic fluid from the engine 1 16D. The 1 16D motor operates to control the hydraulic fluid volume per unit turn of the 1 16A pillar sent to the 1 16E hydraulic motor. The steering control unit 1 16B and the engine 1 16E are part of the hydraulic fluid supply system 300 and are mounted on the frame 14 of the main body of the truck. The hydraulic fluid supply system 300 further comprises a variable speed motor 600, which drives a positive displacement pump 61 0. The pump 61 0 has a wide speed range, for example, from about 1 00 rpm to about 4000 rpm, and is commercially available from Eckerle I ndustrie Elektronik GmbH under the designation EI PS2. The motor 600 is controlled via a controller (not shown). A dynamic load sensing priority dynamic flow divider valve 620, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is incorporated into the pump 610, functions as a priority valve so that the address control unit 1 16B receives priority from hydraulic fluid flow over all other hydraulic functions, see Figure 5. That is, a given fluid flow required by the steering control unit 116B is provided to allow proper operation of the steering unit 116B by the valve 620 before of the fluid flow passing through the valve 620 to the manifold apparatus 500. The manifold apparatus 500 includes an aluminum manifold block 502, see Figures 6A and 6B. In the illustrated embodiment, manifold block 502 has a height of approximately 10.16 centimeters and a width of approximately 5.08 centimeters. In the illustrated embodiment, manifold block 502 is coupled to a U-shaped support 118 of the first set 110 of welded portions via a T-shaped bracket 504 riveted or otherwise coupled to manifold block 502 and bracket 118. U-shaped, see Figures 2 to 4. It is noted that the first set 110 of welded parts can be moved or tilted about an axis A via the first and second units 112 and 114 of ram / tilt cylinder, but does not move vertically with respect to to the frame 114 of the main body of the truck, see Figure 2. The manifold block 502 is sized to accommodate the support 118, although it does not contact any moving elements of the mast assembly 100 or the hood plate 19 coupled to the frame 14 when the mast assembly 100 is positioned in any of its angular positions relative to the frame 14 of the main body. A line 620A for fluid extends from the valve 620 to the manifold block 502, see Figure 5, and is connected via an accessory (not shown) to an orifice 560 in the manifold block 502, see Figures 6A and 7 a 9. Line 620A for fluid may comprise one or more metal hoses or tubes. The manifold apparatus 500 further includes a mechanical main relief valve 51 0, one of which is commercially available from Hydraforce, I nc. , Under the product designation or "RV10-22A", see Figures 5, 6 and 6A. The valve 510 is received in a cavity 562 provided in the manifold block 502, see Figures 8 and 9, and functions to divide the hydraulic fluid from manifold block 502 to a hydraulic fluid storage reservoir 2 2 mounted in the frame 14 of the main body of the truck if the pressure within block 502 of the manifold exceeds a first pressure threshold value. The cavity 562 communicates with the passages 564 in the manifold block 502, see Figure 9, which drains to an outlet 564A, see Figures 6A and 9, coupled via a line for fluid (not shown in Figures 6A and 9) to the reservoir 51 2. The cavity 562 also communicates with the hole 560 and the cavity via the passages 566, see Figure 9. The manifold apparatus 500 further includes a mechanical valve 520 flow divider of static charge sensitivity priority, a of which is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc., under the product designation "EC1 0-42" and a 522 proportional vertical operated disc valve operated at a normally closed solenoid, one of which is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc. ., under the product designation "SP10-20", see figures 5, 6 and 6A. The valve 520 is received in the cavity 566 in the manifold block 502 while the valve 522 is received in a cavity 568 in the manifold block 502. As noted above, the cavity 566 communicates with the hole 560 and the cavity 562 via the passages 567. The cavity 566 also communicates with the cavity 568 via the passages 569, and the cavities 720 and 572 via the passages 573, where the passages 569 and 573 are in block 502 of the manifold, see Figures 7, 8 and 10. The cavity 568 further communicates with the cavity 578 via the passages 579, see Figure 7, and the cavities 570 and 574 via the passages 575. and 579 within the manifold block 502 and a line 804 for hydraulic fluid connected outside the manifold block 502 via the fittings to the holes 800 and 802, see Figures 6A, 7 and 10. The valve 522 is electronically controlled via a controller (not shown) in response to commands input via the MFC multifunction controller and functions to provide the required fluid flow to the first and second units 112 and 114 of ram / tilt cylinder or one of auxiliary devices 152 and 154, is say, the valve 522 controls the flow of fluid to the tilt cylinder / ram units 112, 114 or an auxiliary device 152, 154. The valve 520 functions as a priority valve to provide a constant pressure drop across the valve 522 before providing the fluid flow to the ram / cylinder assembly 210 and the first and second ram / cylinder assemblies 140 and 142. elevation. A constant pressure drop is provided through valve 522 by means of valve 520 independently of whether valve 522 is open or closed. An orifice 524 having a diameter of approximately 0.381 centimeters is received in the cavity 570 in the manifold block 502, see Figures 5 to 7. The cavity 570 communicates with the passages 564 in the manifold block, see Figures 7 and 8 The cavity 570 also communicates with the cavity 574 via the passages 575, see Figures 8 and 10, and the cavities 568 and 578 via the passages 575 and 579 and the line 804 for hydraulic fluid connected outside the block 502 of multiple pathways. accessories to the holes 800 and 802, see Figures 6A, 7 and 10. The orifice 524 functions to drain the fluid from a passage 521, which is part of the passages 579, see Figure 7, to the reservoir 512 so that the pressure in passage 521 it is close to 0 when valve 522 is closed. With the pressure in the passage 521 close to 0 when the valve 522 is closed, the valve 520 is capable of passing fluid to the ram / cylinder assembly 21 and the first and second ram assemblies 140 and 142 more efficiently, i.e. at a pressure value less than a supply to the valve 520. The manifold apparatus 500 also comprises a disc valve 530 with normally open vertical movement operated with electronically controlled solenoid, one of which is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc., under the product designation "SV08-21", see Figures 5, 6 and 6A. The valve 530 is received in the cavity 572 provided in the manifold block 502. The cavity 572 communicates with the passages 564 in the manifold block 502, see Figure 7. As noted above, the cavity 572 also communicates with the cavities 566 and 720 via the passages 573, see Figure 8. The valve 530 it closes by the controller when fluid flow to the ram / cylinder assembly 210 and the first and second ram / lift cylinder assemblies 140 and 142 is required. The valve 530 is allowed to return to its normally open state by the controller when a lifting operation is not being performed. Hence, the fluid passing from the valve 520 in a passage 573 to the valve 530 passes through the open valve 530 to the reservoir 512. The manifold apparatus 500 further includes a secondary relief valve 531, one of the which is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc., under the product designation "RV08-20A", which is received in cavity 574 provided in manifold block 502, see Figures 5, 6, 6A and 7 through 10. cavity 574 communicates with passages 564 in manifold block 502, see Figure 10. As noted above, cavity 574 also communicates with cavity 570 via passages 575, see Figure 8, and cavities 568 and 578 via the passages 575 and 579 and the line 804 for hydraulic fluid connected outside the manifold block 502 via the fittings to the holes 800 and 802, see Figures 6A, 7 and 10. The valve 531 operates to limit the maximum pressure of the fluid provided to the first and second units 112 and 114 of ram / tilt cylinder or auxiliary device 152, 154 to a value below a second pressure threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is less than the first threshold value. The manifold apparatus 500 further comprises first and second valves 532 and 534 operated with 4-way solenoid 3 electronically controlled positions, each of which is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc., under the product designation "SV08-47C", see Figures 5, 6 and 6A (only valve 532 is illustrated in Figure 6A). For a high fluid flow auxiliary device, the valve 532, 534 operated with 3-way solenoid 3 positions may comprise a valve that is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc., under the product designation "SV10-47C". The valve 532 is received in a cavity 578 provided in the manifold block 502. The cavity 578 communicates with the passages 564 in the manifold block 500, see Figure 7. The cavity 578 also communicates with the holes 580 and 582 via the passages 584, the cavity 568 via the passages 579, and the cavities 570 and 574 tracks passages 575 and 579 and line 804 for hydraulic fluid connected outside block 502 of multiple track fittings to holes 800 and 802, see Figures 6A, 7 and 10. The first pair of hoses 160 for hydraulic fluid is coupled to holes 580 and 582 via accessories (not shown). The valve 534 is received in a cavity, not shown in the drawings 6A, and 7 to 10, placed at an opposite end of the manifold block 502 of the cavity 578. The second pair of hoses 1 70 for hydraulic fluid is coupled to holes (not shown) positioned at an opposite end of manifold block 502 from holes 580 and 582. The orifices receiving hoses 1 70 are coupled to the cavity receiving valve 534. The cavity receiving valve 534 is coupled also to cavity 578 which receives valve 532 via passages 575 and 579 and line 804 for fluid. The cavity receiving the valve 534 is further coupled to a cavity 588. In response to a command generated by the MFC multifunction controller to effect the operation of the auxiliary device 1 52, the controller opens the valve 522 and operates the valve 532 so that the valve 532 provides hydraulic fluid flow in one of the first two hoses 160 for hydraulic fluid coupled to the auxiliary device 1 52 and the manifold block 502. For example, if the auxiliary device 1 52 comprises a ram / cylinder assembly for fork side shifting, a first of the two hoses 160 for fluid receives pressurized fluid corresponding to the lateral shifting movement to the right. If lateral shift movement is required to the left, a second of the two hoses 160 for fluid receives pressurized fluid. Similarly, in response to a command generated by the MFC multifunction controller to effect the operation of the auxiliary device 1 54, the controller opens the valve 522 and operates the valve 534 so that the valve 534 provides hydraulic fluid flow in one of the the two second hoses 170 for hydraulic fluid coupled to the auxiliary device 154 and the manifold block 502. The first and second arc-crossing relief valves 536 and 538 can be mounted on the fork carriage 154A, see Figure 5. The first relief valve 536 functions to divide the hydraulic fluid from its corresponding auxiliary device 152 back through. from valve 532 to fluid storage reservoir 512 if the fluid pressure provided to auxiliary device 152 exceeds a third threshold value, wherein the third threshold value is less than the first and second threshold values. The second relief valve 538 functions to divide the hydraulic fluid from its corresponding auxiliary device 154 back through the valve 534 to the fluid storage tank 512 if the fluid pressure provided to the auxiliary device 154 exceeds a third threshold value. The manifold apparatus 500 further comprises a third valve 540 operated with electronically controlled 4-way solenoid 3 positions., which is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc., under the product designation "SV08-47C". The valve 540 is received in a cavity 588 provided in the manifold block 502. The cavity 588 communicates with the passages 564 in the manifold block 502, see Figure 8, as well as the cavity receiving the valve 534. The cavity 588 also communicates with the cavity 700 via the passages 591, see Figure 10, and the cavity 702 via the passages 594, see Figure 8. In response to a command generated by the MFC multifunction controller to tilt the mast assembly 100 in a direction toward or away from the main body frame 14 of the truck by the first and second units 112 and 114 of ram / tilt cylinder, the controller opens the valve 522 and drives the valve 540 so that the valve 540 provides fluid flow to either the fluid hose 113A or the fluid hose 113B. When fluid flow is provided to the first hose 113A, hydraulic fluid is provided to a first end 113C of each of the cylinders 112A and 114A of the first and second tilt units 112 and 114 to effect movement of the mast assembly 100. in a direction away from the main body frame 14 of the truck. When fluid flow is provided to the second hose 113B, hydraulic fluid is provided to a second end 113D of each of the cylinders 112A and 114A of the first and second tilt units 112 and 114 to effect movement of the mast assembly 100. in a direction towards the frame 14 of the main body of the truck. The first and second counterbalancing valves 542 and 544 which are coupled to the manifold block 502, see figures 6A and 6B. The first valve 542 is received in the cavity 700, while the second valve 544 is provided in the cavity 702, see Figures 7 to 1 0. As noted above, the cavity 700 communicates with the cavity 588 via the passages 591, see Figure 10, and the cavity 702 communicates with the cavity 588 via the passages 594, see Figure 8. The cavity 700 communicates with a hole 704 via the passages 706, see Figure 8. The cavity 702 communicates with a hole 708 via a passage 709, see Figure 8. The hydraulic hose 1 1 3B is coupled to the hole 704 via an accessory (not shown). Similarly, the hydraulic hose 1 1 3A is coupled to the hole 708 via an accessory (not shown). The cavity 700 communicates with the cavity 702 via the passages 591, 594 and the cavity 588. The valves 542 and 544 are commercially available from Sun Hydraulics Corporation under the product designation "CBBY-LHN". The valves 542 and 544 function to prevent the rate of tilt of the mast assembly 1 00 from exceeding a desired value. That is, once the mast assembly crosses over the vertical when moving from a position close to the main body frame 1 4 to a position away from the main body frame 14 or vice versa, a counter-balance valve 542, 544 corresponding prevents the mast assembly 1 00 from moving at an accelerated rate, ie at an undesired rate. To control the movement of the fork carriage assembly 1 50 relative to the third set 1 1 0 of welded parts as well as the movement of the second and third sets 1 20 and 1 30 of welded parts relative to the first set 1 10 of welded parts, the manifold apparatus 500 includes a two-way vertical motion disc type valve 550 operated with a normally closed solenoid, one of which is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc., under the product designation "SV1 0- twenty"; a mechanical pressure compensating valve 552, one of which is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc., under the product designation "EC1 2-34"; a two-way vertical motion disc valve 554 operated with a normally closed proportional solenoid, one of which is commercially available from Hydraforce, Inc., under the product designation "SP1 2-20J"; and a check valve 555, one of which is commercially available from Hydraforce, I nc. , under the product designation "CV10-20", see Figures 5, 6, 6A and 6B (valve 552 is not shown in Figures 6A and 6B). The valve 550 is received in the cavity 720, the valve 552 is received in the cavity 740, the valve 554 is received in the cavity 742 and the check valve 555 is received in the cavity 744. As noted above, the cavity 720 communicates with the cavity 566 via the passages 573, see Figures 7 and 8. The cavity 720 also communicates with the cavity 744 via the passage 721, see Figure 7. The cavity 740 is comone with the cavity 742 via the passage 743 , see Figure 9. The cavity 740 also communicates with the cavity 744 and the holes 746, 748 and 749 via the passages 1 749, see Figure 7. The cavities 740 and 742 also communicate with the passages 564 in the block 502 of multiple, see Figure 7.

The hydraulic fluid supply hose 400 is coupled via an accessory (not shown) to the orifice 749. The first hydraulic tube 140C is coupled via an accessory (not shown) to the orifice 746, while the second hydraulic tube 142C is coupled via a accessory (not shown) to the orifice 748. In response to a command generated by the MFC multifunction controller to raise the fork carriage assembly 1 50, the controller closes the valve 530 and drives the valve 550 to provide fluid flow to the assembly 210 of ram / cylinder and the first and second assemblies 140 and 142 of ram / lifting cylinder. It is noted that the projected area at the base of the ram of the ram / cylinder assembly 210 is approximately equal to the combined base areas projected from the rams of the first and second lift assemblies. Because the load experienced by the ram / cylinder assembly 210 is less than the load experienced by the first and second ram / lift cylinder assemblies 140 and 142, the fork carriage assembly 1 50 moves relative to the third. 1 set of welded parts before the second and third sets 1 20 and 130 of welded parts move relative to the first set 1 1 0 of welded parts. Once the fork carriage assembly 1 50 has moved to its uppermost position relative to the third set 1 30 of welded parts, the rams 1 40A and 142A extend from their corresponding cylinders 1 40B and 1 42B to effect the movement of the second and third sets 1 20 and 1 30 of welded parts relative to the first set 1 10 of welded parts, such movement is discussed above. Valve 552 operates to maintain a pressure drop across constant valve 554. The valve 554 opens when the fork carriage assembly 1 50 and the second and third sets 1 20 and 1 30 of welded parts are to be lowered from a raised state. The check valve 555 functions to prevent a load displacement, ie, to prevent the carriage assembly 50 and the second and third sets 120, 1 30 from welded parts from moving downward after being lifted. The cavities, holes or openings in manifold block 502 that do not receive an element such as a valve, tube, hose or coupling are closed by plugs 900 (shown only in Figures 6A and 6B). Typically, a manifold apparatus may be mounted on a front portion of the main body frame of the truck. In the illustrated embodiment, in part because the manifold apparatus 500 which is positioned in the first set 1 1 0 of welded parts, the main body frame 14 of the truck is formed to include a depression 14A in the right front corner of the truck. frame 14, see Figures 1, 1 A and Figure 1 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the left corner of the frame 14 does not include such a depression, see Figure 1 B. However, it is contemplated that such a depression could be provided only in the left corner of the frame, in the corners both left and right or inward from a corner. In the illustrated embodiment, the depression 14A is defined by an indented side wall 1400, a front plate 1 402 and a front fender 1404, all of which define portions of the frame 14. The indented side wall 1400 is substantially parallel to a side wall 1406 rear. A base side wall 1 407 is positioned below and substantially in the same vertical plane as the rear side wall 1406, is integral with the rear side wall 1406 and has an end point 1407A. The base side wall 1407 is also placed next to an apron plate 1 410, which defines an external surface of the bottom of the frame 14. The apron plate 141 0 bottom terminates at an end point 1 410A near point 1 407A of end of the base side wall. An intermediate side wall 1408 extends between and is integral with the side walls 1400 and 1406 indented and rear. The intermediate side wall 1408 extends at an angle TR of approximately 19.8 degrees with a vertical plane containing the base side wall 1407. The rear side wall 1406 is tioned above and slightly behind the apron plate 1410 in the background. The front plate 1 402 has first and second outer edges 1402A and 1 402B, respectively. The indented side wall 1400 extends inward from the second outer edge 1 402B of the front plate 1 402 by a distance DR equal to approximately 87 mm. The first edge 1402A of the front plate 1402 extends at an angle TB of about 4.5 degrees with the vertical plane containing the base side wall 1407. The indented side wall 1400 is welded to the front plate 1402 in a vertical seam 1412 and the splash guard 1404 in a seam 1414, see Figure 11. The splash guard 1404 is welded to the front plate 1402 in a seam 1416. The depression 14A provides an operator with improved visibility so that an operator having a height that falls within a range of typical operator heights may see an outermost or front end portion of the front fender 1404. As illustrated in Figure 1A, the wheel 16 is positioned just below the splash guard 1404. A reflector 1404B is provided in the spout end portion 1404A. Being able to see the front end portion 1404A of the fender, it is believed that an operator can anticipate better when the wheel just below the splash will pass over a stop or a hole and anticipate better when starting and turning. As noted above, the first pillar A 19A is positioned to be substantially in line with the vertical rail 110B of the first set 110 of welded parts. Hence, the first pillar A 19A does not block the view of an operator when the operator sees to the right of the mast assembly 100, including when an operator looks down on the front end portion 1404A of the splash, see Figure 1F. The improved downward visibility to the right side of the mast assembly 100 provided by the depression 14A and the position of the first pillar A 19A relative to the mast assembly 100 is illustrated by the vision area V ^ in Figure 11 A. It is believed that a conventional truck provides an operator with a visibility that corresponds only to the viewing areas V2 and V3. Hence, in the truck 10 of the illustrated embodiment, an operator has a vision area that is equal to the areas V ,, V2 and V3. The improved visibility is believed to result in improved maneuverability of the truck 10. As noted above, the truck 10 also includes a plate 19 of vault or hood coupled to the frame 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the highest point 19C on the plate 19 has a maximum height from the floor of approximately 1124 mm, which is less than the highest point in the most of the front vault plates of conventional materials handling vehicles. In addition, the vault plate 19 slopes downward at a steep angle, i.e. at an angle TP equal to approximately 18 degrees, see Figure 11A. It is believed that the low maximum height and steep slope of the vault plate 19 increases visibility through the mast assembly 100, ie, between the vertical rails 130B and 130C of the third set 130 of welded parts, see Figure 2, and at least the side (the left side in the illustrated embodiment) of the mast assembly 100 opposite the side (the right side in the illustrated embodiment) having the depression 14A.

A cover 506 is provided for the manifold apparatus 500 on the manifold apparatus 500 to provide protection to the manifold apparatus 500, see Figure 1C. The controller controls the speed of the motor 600 so that the pump 610 generates a given fluid flow required by the steering control unit 116B to allow proper operation of the steering unit 116B in response to the movement of the tiller 116A along with a small amount of excess fluid flow. The controller also controls the speed of the motor 600 so that the pump 610 generates a given fluid flow required by the first and second units 112 and 114 of ram / tilt cylinder or one of the auxiliary devices 152 and 154 in response to commands generated by the MFC multifunction controller together with a small amount of excess fluid flow. The controller also controls the speed of the engine 600 so that the pump 610 generates a given fluid flow required by the ram / cylinder assembly 210 and the first and second ram / lift cylinder assemblies 140 and 142 to lift the assembly 150. of carriage and the second and third sets 120 and 130 of welded parts at a desired rate in response to commands generated by the MFC multifunction controller generating little or no excess fluid flow. The speed with which the ram / cylinder assembly 210 and the first and second ram / lift cylinder assemblies 140 and 142 are driven, i.e. the speed at which the carriage assembly 150 is lifted with forks relative to the third set 1 30 of welded parts and subsequently the speed at which the second and third sets 1 20 and 1 30 of welded parts are raised relative to the first set 1 10 of welded parts, is directly controlled by controlling the speed of the motor 600. It is further contemplated that the manifold apparatus 500 could be used in combination with a four stage mast apparatus (not shown). The first and second lift ram / cylinder assemblies 140 and 142 and / or the ram / cylinder assembly 21 0 may comprise a ram / cylinder assembly where a seal is provided at one end of the cylinder opposite the cylinder base. Thus, the ram extends when hydraulic fluid is pressurized to the cylinder at a location between the base of the cylinder and the cylinder seal. Such a ram / cylinder assembly is described in the US patent application Serial No. 1 1 / 236,081, entitled "HOSE COUPLING STRUCTURE FOR HANDLE FOR FLUID DOOR FOR A VEHICLE FOR MATERIAL HANDLING. ", which has been previously incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, the first and second ram ram / lift cylinder assemblies 140 and 142 and / or the ram / cylinder assembly 210 may comprise a ram / cylinder assembly where a ram seal is provided at the lower end of the ram so that the hydraulic fluid enters the cylinder at a location below the position of the seal when the ram is in its lowest position in the cylinder. Such a ram / cylinder assembly is also described in the patent application '081 entitled "STRUCTURE OF MANUFACTURING COUPLING FOR FLUID SUPPLY FOR A VEHICLE FOR MATERIAL HANDLING", which has been previously incorporated by reference herein. The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims will include not only the combination of elements that are literally exposed, but any structure, material or equivalent acts to perform substantially the same function in substantially the same manner to obtain substantially the same result. In this regard, it is contemplated, therefore, that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made by any of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be replaced by two or more elements in a claim. Non-substantial changes of the claimed subject matter as seen by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or conceived later, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of the claims. The claims are to be understood as including what is specifically illustrated and described above, which is conceptually equivalent, which can be obviously substituted and also which essentially embodies the essential idea of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS 1. A vehicle (10) for handling materials, comprising: One unit (12) of power; A mast assembly (100) coupled to said power unit, said mast assembly comprising a set of welded parts, a movable element and a ram / cylinder assembly (1 40, 142, 210) coupled to said element. movable to effect the movement of said element; and A fluid supply system (300) including a manifold apparatus (500) and at least one fluid line coupled to said manifold apparatus and said ram / cylinder assembly, said manifold apparatus including a manifold structure. valve for providing pressurized fluid to said ram / cylinder assembly via the line for fluid to lift said movable element, wherein said manifold apparatus is mounted on said mast assembly.
2. 2. A vehicle (1 0) for material handling as set forth in claim 1, wherein said set of welded parts comprises a first set (1 1 0) of welded part and said movable member comprises a second set (1 0). ) of movable welded parts relative to said first set of welded parts.
3. 3. A vehicle (1 0) for handling materials as set forth in claim 1, wherein said set of welded parts comprises a first welded part assembly (110) that is not capable of moving vertically relative to said unit ( 12) of power and said manifold apparatus (500) is mounted on said first set of welded parts.
4. 4. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 3, wherein said mast assembly (100) further comprises a second set (120) of welded portions moving relative to said first assembly (110). ) of welded parts, a third set (130) of welded parts moving relative to said set of welded parts, and first and second assemblies (140, 142) of ram / lifting cylinder to effect the movement of said second and third sets of welded parts, and said first fluid supply system (300) further comprising at least one fluid line (140C, 142C) coupled to each of said first and second ram / lift cylinder assemblies and said multiply apparatus (500) for defining trajectories for the pressurized fluid to move from said manifold apparatus to said first and second lift assemblies.
5. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 4, wherein said movable member comprises a carriage assembly (150) with forks.
6. 6. A vehicle (10) for material handling comprising: A power unit (12); A mast assembly (100) coupled to said power unit, said mast assembly comprising at least one set of welded parts; At least one auxiliary device (152, 154) associated with said mast assembly and a tilt cylinder ram structure (112, 114) coupled to said mast assembly; A fluid supply system (300) including a manifold apparatus (500) and at least one line (160, 170, 113A, 113B) for fluid coupled to said manifold apparatus (500) and said at least one auxiliary device (152, 154) and said tilt cylinder ram structure (112, 114), said manifold apparatus including a valve structure for controlling the rate of fluid flow to said at least one said auxiliary device and said tilt cylinder ram structure, wherein said manifold apparatus is mounted on said mast assembly.
7. 7. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 6, wherein both an auxiliary device (152, 154) and a ram structure (112, 114) and said valve structure are provided. controls the fluid flow rate provided to each of said auxiliary device and said ram cylinder ram structure.
8. 8. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 6, wherein said set of welded parts comprises a first set (110) of welded parts not capable of moving vertically relative to said power unit and said manifold apparatus (500) is mounted on said first set of welded portions.
9. 9. A vehicle (10) for handling materials, comprising: A power unit (12) comprising a frame (14) including a compartment (30) for operator; A mast assembly (100) coupled to said frame; and wherein said frame includes a front depression (14A) to allow an operator (O) to see an end portion of the frame when operating said vehicle.
10. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 9, wherein said power unit (12) further comprises a front hood plate (19) having a maximum floor height of less than or equal to at approximately 1124 mm.
11. 11. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 10, wherein said front hood plate (19) is tilted down at an angle of about 18 degrees.
12. 12. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 9, wherein said depression (14A) is located in a corner of said frame (114).
13. 13. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 9, wherein said frame (14) includes only a single depression (14A).
14. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 9, wherein said end portion of the frame comprises an end portion of a fender (1404A) provided on a front wheel (16) of the vehicle.
15. 15. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 9, further including an upper guard (17) and first and second pillars (19A, 19B) for coupling said upper guard to said unit (12) of power, wherein at least one of said pillars is positioned substantially in line with said mast assembly (100).
16. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 15, wherein said mast assembly (100) includes at least one set (110) of welded parts having first and second rails (110A, 110B ) vertical, said a pillar (19A, 19B) that is substantially in line with one of said vertical rails of said a set of welded parts.
17. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 16, wherein each of said first and second pillars (19A, 19B) is substantially in line with a corresponding one of said vertical rails (110A, 110B). of said set of welded parts.
18. 18. A vehicle (10) for handling materials as set forth in claim 9, wherein said end portion of said frame (14) comprises a front end portion of said frame.