Industrial vehicles

Abstract

The present application provides an industrial vehicle, which has a structure that can well maintain the reception sensitivity of the satellite positioning antenna to radio wave signals from satellites through simple assembly operations even if the satellite positioning antenna is arranged in the cabin. By simply installing a communication device (41) with a bracket (50) on the side of the cab (20) of the top plate (31), the satellite positioning antenna (40) arranged in the cabin (30) can be made to protrude from the communication device (41) via the bracket (50) to a position facing the skylight (37). As a result, the radio wave signals from the satellite are received by the satellite positioning antenna (40) through the skylight (37). Therefore, even if the satellite positioning antenna (40) is arranged in the cabin (30), the reception sensitivity of the satellite positioning antenna (40) to radio wave signals from the satellite can be well maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to industrial vehicles. Background Art

[0002] For example, a forklift, a type of industrial vehicle, may be equipped with a satellite positioning antenna that receives radio signals from satellites and a communication device that wirelessly communicates with the outside world based on the radio signals received by the satellite positioning antenna. If the satellite positioning antenna is attached to the forklift so that it protrudes from the vehicle body, there is a risk that the antenna could collide with surrounding objects while the forklift is in motion.

[0003] Therefore, to prevent the satellite positioning antenna from colliding with surrounding objects, one approach is to place the satellite positioning antenna inside the cab, rather than protruding from the vehicle body. However, if the forklift body includes a cabin forming the cab, the cabin's ceiling may obstruct the satellite positioning antenna from receiving radio signals from the satellite, thereby degrading the satellite positioning antenna's sensitivity to receiving radio signals from the satellite.

[0004] Therefore, to ensure a clear view outside the cabin for the operator inside the cabin, a skylight is sometimes provided in the cabin's ceiling. In such cases, for example, in Patent Document 1, a bracket to which a satellite positioning antenna is mounted is fixed to the cabin-side portion of the ceiling. The satellite positioning antenna protrudes from the cabin-side portion of the ceiling via the bracket toward a position facing the skylight. This allows radio signals from satellites to be received by the satellite positioning antenna through the skylight. Therefore, even when the satellite positioning antenna is located inside the cabin, its sensitivity to receiving radio signals from satellites can be maintained.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-87466 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, since the communication device is mounted on the bottom of the cabin, it is necessary to separately assemble the bracket to the cabin and the communication device to the cabin, which complicates the assembly work.

[0007] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and provides an industrial vehicle having a structure that can maintain good reception sensitivity of the satellite positioning antenna to radio wave signals from satellites through simple assembly work even if the satellite positioning antenna is arranged in the cabin.

[0008] An industrial vehicle that solves the above-mentioned problem comprises: a vehicle body having a cabin constituting a cab; a satellite positioning antenna that receives radio wave signals from a satellite; and a communication device that performs wireless communication with the outside based on the radio wave signals received by the satellite positioning antenna, wherein the cabin has a top plate and a skylight arranged on the top plate, wherein the industrial vehicle comprises: a bracket that connects the communication device to the satellite positioning antenna and is integrally arranged with the communication device, the communication device is mounted on the cab-side surface of the top plate, and the satellite positioning antenna protrudes from the communication device via the bracket to a position facing the skylight.

[0009] Thus, simply by mounting a communication device integrally provided with a bracket on the cab-side surface of the roof panel, the satellite positioning antenna disposed in the cockpit can be caused to protrude from the communication device via the bracket to a position facing the sunroof. Furthermore, since the satellite positioning antenna protrudes from the communication device via the bracket to a position facing the sunroof, radio signals from the satellite are received by the satellite positioning antenna through the sunroof. Therefore, even if the satellite positioning antenna is disposed in the cockpit, the satellite positioning antenna's reception sensitivity to radio signals from the satellite can be well maintained. Thus, even if the satellite positioning antenna is disposed in the cockpit, a structure that maintains the satellite positioning antenna's reception sensitivity to radio signals from the satellite can be achieved through simple assembly work.

[0010] In the above-mentioned industrial vehicle, the communication device is arranged on a surface of the roof panel on the cab side so as to be close to an end portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] This can prevent the communication device from interfering with the work of the operator in the cabin, compared to, for example, a case where the communication device is arranged on the cab-side surface of the roof panel near the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] In the above industrial vehicle, the bracket extends from the communication device toward an end portion of the sunroof that is close to the vehicle width direction.

[0013] Thus, for example, compared to a case where the bracket extends from the communication device to the central portion of the sunroof in the vehicle width direction close to the vehicle body, when the operator in the cabin visually observes the outside of the cabin through the sunroof, it is possible to easily avoid the satellite positioning antenna interfering with the operator in the cabin's visual observation of the outside of the cabin through the sunroof.

[0014] In the above industrial vehicle, the bracket has a thin flat plate shape and extends along the top plate in a state in which a thickness direction of the bracket coincides with a thickness direction of the top plate.

[0015] As a result, the amount of protrusion of the bracket toward the cab can be minimized, and thus, it is possible to prevent the bracket from interfering with the work of the operator in the cabin.

[0016] According to the present invention, even when the satellite positioning antenna is arranged in a cabin, a structure that maintains good reception sensitivity of the satellite positioning antenna to radio wave signals from satellites can be realized through a simple assembly operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a side view showing the forklift according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a state where the communication device is mounted on a ceiling.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of the satellite positioning antenna, bracket, and communication device.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the bracket is attached to the communication device.

[0021] Description of reference numerals:

[0022] 10: Forklifts as industrial vehicles

[0023] 11: Car body

[0024] 20: Cab

[0025] 30: Cockpit

[0026] 31: Top plate

[0027] 37: Skylight

[0028] 40: Satellite positioning antenna

[0029] 41: Communication device

[0030] 50: Bracket DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following, according to Figures 1 to 4 An embodiment in which an industrial vehicle is embodied as a forklift will be described. In the following description, "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" refer to the situation in which the operator driving the forklift is facing the front (forward direction) of the vehicle.

[0032] like Figure 1As shown, the forklift 10 includes a vehicle body 11, drive wheels 12 disposed at the front lower portion of the vehicle body 11, and steering wheels 13 disposed at the rear lower portion of the vehicle body 11. The forklift 10 also includes a loading and unloading device 14. The loading and unloading device 14 includes a mast 15 erected at the front portion of the vehicle body 11, a lifting bracket 16 fixed to the mast 15, and a pair of forks 17 mounted on the lifting brackets 16. The forks 17 carry cargo.

[0033] The loading and unloading device 14 includes a lift cylinder 18 that raises and lowers the lift bracket 16. The operation of the lift cylinder 18 raises and lowers the fork 17 along with the lift bracket 16. The mast 15 supports the lift bracket 16 so that it can be raised and lowered. Furthermore, the loading and unloading device 14 includes a swing hydraulic cylinder 19 that tilts the mast 15. The operation of the swing hydraulic cylinder 19 tilts the fork 17 along with the mast 15. The lift cylinder 18 and the swing hydraulic cylinder 19 are hydraulic cylinders.

[0034] The vehicle body 11 has a cabin 30 that constitutes the driver's cab 20. The cabin 30 includes a roof panel 31, a front panel 32, a rear panel 33, and a pair of side panels 34. The cabin 30 is a square box-shaped structure extending upward from the lower portion of the vehicle body 11. The roof panel 31, the front panel 32, the rear panel 33, and the pair of side panels 34 are made of metal. A transparent front window (not shown) is provided on the front panel 32. A transparent rear window (not shown) is provided on the rear panel 33. The pair of side panels 34 are located on both sides of the vehicle body 11 in the vehicle width direction. A door 35 is provided on each side panel 34. Each door 35 can be opened and closed relative to the side panel 34. Each door 35 is provided with a transparent side window 36.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, a skylight 37 is provided on the top panel 31. Therefore, the cabin 30 has a skylight 37 provided on the top panel 31. The skylight 37 is provided in a portion of the top panel 31 near the front. The skylight 37 is, for example, a transparent plate made of glass or resin. An operator in the cabin 30 can visually observe the exterior of the cabin 30 through the skylight 37. The skylight 37 is provided on the top panel 31, for example, to allow an operator in the cabin 30 to visually observe the status of the cargo loaded on the forks 17 raised relative to the mast 15.

[0036] The cab 20 is divided by a roof panel 31, a front panel 32, a rear panel 33, and a pair of side panels 34. The cab 20 is opened to the outside by opening a door 35 relative to the side panels 34, and is closed to the outside by closing the door 35 relative to the side panels 34.

[0037] like Figure 1As shown, a driver's seat 21 is provided in the operator's cab 20. Furthermore, the operator's cab 20 is provided with a plurality of loading and unloading levers 22 for performing various operations such as raising and lowering and tilting the loading and unloading device 14, and a steering wheel 23 for steering the forklift 10. Furthermore, an accelerator pedal 24 is provided on the floor of the operator's cab 20.

[0038] The forklift 10 includes a travel motor M1 and a battery B1 that drives the drive wheels 12. The forklift 10 travels at a vehicle speed corresponding to the accelerator opening of the accelerator pedal 24 by controlling the drive of the travel motor M1 in accordance with the accelerator opening of the accelerator pedal 24. Therefore, the forklift 10 of this embodiment is a battery-powered forklift that drives the travel motor M1 by supplying electric power from the battery B1 to the travel motor M1. This driving of the travel motor M1 then rotates the drive wheels 12, thereby driving the forklift 10.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the forklift 10 includes a satellite positioning antenna 40, a communication device 41, and a bracket 50. The satellite positioning antenna 40 receives radio signals from satellites. The satellite positioning antenna 40 is a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna. The satellite positioning antenna 40 receives radio signals related to position information from satellites.

[0040] The communication device 41 includes a cover member 42, a control unit 43 housed within the cover member 42, and a portable communication antenna 44. The control unit 43 is electrically connected to the satellite positioning antenna 40 via wiring (not shown). Furthermore, the control unit 43 is electrically connected to the portable communication antenna 44. The portable communication antenna 44 wirelessly communicates with an external management server, which is located outside the forklift 10.

[0041] The radio wave signal received by the satellite positioning antenna 40 is then transmitted to the control unit 43 via wiring. The control unit 43 receives the radio wave signal transmitted from the satellite positioning antenna 40 and obtains location information based on the radio wave signal. The control unit 43 then transmits the obtained location information to the portable communication antenna 44. The portable communication antenna 44 wirelessly communicates with the management server and transmits the location information transmitted from the control unit 43 to the management server. Thus, the communication device 41 wirelessly communicates with the outside world based on the radio wave signal received by the satellite positioning antenna 40. The management server receives the location information transmitted from the control unit 43 and, based on the location information, manages the operation of the forklift 10 or manages information related to the cargo loaded on the forks 17 of the forklift 10.

[0042] like Figure 3As shown, the cover member 42 includes an end wall 42a that is shaped like a rectangular plate when viewed from above, and a peripheral wall 42b that extends from the outer periphery of the end wall 42a in the shape of a rectangular tube. Furthermore, the cover member 42 includes a flange wall 42f. The flange wall 42f is a plate-shaped wall that extends outward in an annular shape from the opening edge of the peripheral wall 42b on the side opposite to the end wall 42a.

[0043] The flange wall 42f has a plurality of first bolt insertion holes 42c through which the first bolts 51 are inserted. Each first bolt insertion hole 42c extends through the flange wall 42f in the thickness direction. Each first bolt insertion hole 42c is located in a portion of the flange wall 42f that is continuous with a portion of the peripheral wall 42b located on one side in the direction in which the long sides of the peripheral wall 42b extend. The first bolt insertion holes 42c are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction in which the short sides of the peripheral wall 42b extend.

[0044] The flange wall 42f has a plurality of second bolt insertion holes 42d through which the second bolts 52 are inserted. Each second bolt insertion hole 42d extends through the flange wall 42f in the thickness direction. Each second bolt insertion hole 42d is located at two diagonal locations of the four corners of the flange wall 42f.

[0045] The bracket 50 is in the shape of a long square flat plate. The bracket 50 is in the shape of a thin flat plate. One end of the bracket 50, along the direction in which its long sides extend, is designated as a first end 501, and the other end of the bracket 50, along the direction in which its long sides extend, is designated as a second end 502. The first end 501 of the bracket 50 is formed with bracket holes 50h through which the first bolts 51 can be inserted. Each bracket hole 50h extends through the thickness of the bracket 50. The bracket holes 50h are arranged adjacent to each other along the direction in which the short sides of the bracket 50 extend.

[0046] One surface of the bracket 50 in the thickness direction is designated as a first surface 50a, and the other surface of the bracket 50 in the thickness direction is designated as a second surface 50b. The portion of the first surface 50a of the bracket 50 on the second end 502 side serves as a mounting portion 50c for mounting the satellite positioning antenna 40. The satellite positioning antenna 40 is mounted to the mounting portion 50c using, for example, a magnet.

[0047] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the bracket 50 is positioned on the cover member 42 such that the portion of the second surface 50b of the bracket 50 on the first end 501 side overlaps the surface of the flange wall 42f opposite the peripheral wall 42b. At this point, the thickness direction of the bracket 50 coincides with the thickness direction of the flange wall 42f, and the direction in which the long sides of the bracket 50 extend coincides with the direction in which the long sides of the peripheral wall 42b extend. Then, each first bolt insertion hole 42c overlaps with each bracket hole 50h in the thickness direction of the bracket 50 and the thickness direction of the flange wall 42f. Therefore, when viewing each first bolt insertion hole 42c and each bracket hole 50h from the thickness direction of the bracket 50 and the thickness direction of the flange wall 42f, each first bolt insertion hole 42c communicates with each bracket hole 50h.

[0048] Next, the first bolts 51 are sequentially passed through the first bolt insertion holes 42c and the bracket holes 50h, and the nuts 53 are screwed onto the first bolts 51 from the first surface 50a of the bracket 50. The flange wall 42f and the bracket 50 are then clamped together by the heads of the first bolts 51 and the nuts 53, thereby attaching the bracket 50 to the flange wall 42f. In this manner, the bracket 50 and the communication device 41 are integrated. The bracket 50 then connects the communication device 41 to the satellite positioning antenna 40.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the communication device 41 is arranged on the top plate 31 such that the direction in which the long sides of the peripheral wall 42b of the cover member 42 extend coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 11, and the bracket 50 extends from the communication device 41 toward the front of the vehicle body 11. The bracket 50 extends along the top plate 31 such that the thickness direction of the bracket 50 coincides with the thickness direction of the top plate 31.

[0050] Two bosses 54 are provided on the cab 20-side surface of the roof panel 31 at one end in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 11. Each boss 54 is arranged so that the direction in which the long sides of the peripheral wall 42b of the cover member 42 extend coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 11, and so that the bracket 50 extends from the communication device 41 toward the front of the vehicle body 11. When the communication device 41 is mounted on the roof panel 31, the bosses 54 are positioned so as to overlap with the second bolt insertion holes 42d in the vertical direction of the vehicle body 11.

[0051] The communication device 41 is then attached to the cab 20-side surface of the roof panel 31 via the bosses 54 by threading the second bolts 52 through the second bolt insertion holes 42d and into the bosses 54. The communication device 41 is positioned on the cab 20-side surface of the roof panel 31, near the vehicle widthwise end of the vehicle body 11. The bracket 50 extends from the communication device 41 toward one end of the sunroof 37 in the vehicle widthwise direction. The satellite positioning antenna 40 then protrudes from the communication device 41 through the bracket 50 toward a position facing the sunroof 37.

[0052] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0053] Since the satellite positioning antenna 40 protrudes from the communication device 41 via the bracket 50 toward the position facing the skylight 37, radio signals from satellites are received by the satellite positioning antenna 40 through the skylight 37. Therefore, the reception sensitivity of the satellite positioning antenna 40 to radio signals from satellites can be maintained well.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0055] (1) Simply by attaching the communication device 41 integrally provided with the bracket 50 to the surface of the roof panel 31 on the cab 20 side, the satellite positioning antenna 40 disposed in the cockpit 30 can be made to protrude from the communication device 41 via the bracket 50 to a position facing the skylight 37. Furthermore, since the satellite positioning antenna 40 protrudes from the communication device 41 via the bracket 50 to a position facing the skylight 37, radio wave signals from the satellite are received by the satellite positioning antenna 40 through the skylight 37. Therefore, even if the satellite positioning antenna 40 is disposed in the cockpit 30, the reception sensitivity of the satellite positioning antenna 40 to radio wave signals from the satellite can be well maintained. Thus, even if the satellite positioning antenna 40 is disposed in the cockpit 30, a structure can be realized that maintains the reception sensitivity of the satellite positioning antenna 40 to radio wave signals from the satellite through a simple assembly operation.

[0056] (2) The communication device 41 is disposed on the cab 20-side surface of the roof panel 31 so as to be close to the end portion in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 11. Thus, for example, compared to a case where the communication device 41 is disposed on the cab 20-side surface of the roof panel 31 so as to be close to the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 11, it is possible to prevent the communication device 41 from interfering with the work of the operator in the cabin 30.

[0057] (3) The bracket 50 extends from the communication device 41 toward the end portion of the sunroof 37 in the vehicle width direction that is close to the vehicle body 11. For example, consider a case where the bracket 50 extends from the communication device 41 toward the center portion of the sunroof 37 in the vehicle width direction that is close to the vehicle body 11. Compared to this case, when an operator in the cabin 30 visually observes the exterior of the cabin 30 through the sunroof 37, it is easier to prevent the satellite positioning antenna 40 from obstructing the operator in the cabin 30 from visually observing the exterior of the cabin 30 through the sunroof 37.

[0058] (4) The bracket 50 is in the shape of a thin flat plate and extends along the top plate 31 with the thickness direction of the bracket 50 aligned with the thickness direction of the top plate 31. Thus, since the amount of protrusion of the bracket 50 toward the cab 20 can be minimized, the bracket 50 can be prevented from interfering with the work of the operator in the cabin 30.

[0059] (5) The satellite positioning antenna 40 and the communication device 41 are disposed inside the cabin 30. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as the satellite positioning antenna 40 or the communication device 41 colliding with objects around the forklift 10 while the forklift 10 is traveling, as would be the case if the satellite positioning antenna 40 and the communication device 41 were disposed outside the cabin 30.

[0060] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows: The above-described embodiment and the following modified examples can be combined and implemented within a range that does not technically contradict each other.

[0061] In the embodiment, for example, the communication device 41 may be disposed on the cab 20-side surface of the roof panel 31 near the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 11. In short, the communication device 41 only needs to be mounted on the cab 20-side surface of the roof panel 31, and the location of the mounting position on the cab 20-side surface of the roof panel 31 is not particularly limited.

[0062] In the embodiment, for example, the bracket 50 may extend from the communication device 41 toward the center portion of the sunroof 37 in the vehicle width direction near the vehicle body 11. In short, as long as the satellite positioning antenna 40 protrudes from the communication device 41 via the bracket 50 toward a position facing the sunroof 37, the direction in which the bracket 50 extends from the communication device 41 is not particularly limited.

[0063] In the embodiment, the thickness direction of the bracket 50 may not coincide with the thickness direction of the top plate 31 .

[0064] In the embodiment, the bracket 50 may not be in the shape of a thin plate. In short, as long as the bracket 50 connects the communication device 41 and the satellite positioning antenna 40 and is provided integrally with the communication device 41, the shape is not particularly limited.

[0065] In the embodiment, the method of fixing the communication device 41 to the top plate 31 is not particularly limited.

[0066] In the embodiment, the method of fixing the bracket 50 to the communication device 41 is not particularly limited.

[0067] In the embodiment, the forklift 10 is not limited to a battery-type forklift, and may be, for example, an engine-type forklift or a hybrid-type forklift including an engine in addition to the battery B1.

[0068] In the embodiment, the forklift 10 is embodied as the industrial vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied as an industrial vehicle other than the forklift 10. For example, it may be embodied as a fork loader.

Claims

1. An industrial vehicle having: a vehicle body having a cabin constituting a driver's cab; Satellite positioning antennas, which receive radio signals from satellites; and a communication device for performing wireless communication with the outside based on the radio wave signal received by the satellite positioning antenna, The cabin has a roof and a skylight arranged on the roof. in, The industrial vehicle is characterized in that A bracket is provided, which connects the communication device to the satellite positioning antenna and is integrally arranged with the communication device, The communication device is mounted on the cab-side surface of the top plate via a boss portion protruding from the top plate. The satellite positioning antenna protrudes from the communication device via the bracket to a position facing the sunroof.

2. The industrial vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The communication device is disposed on a surface of the roof panel on the cab side so as to be close to an end portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction.

3. The industrial vehicle of claim 2, wherein: The bracket extends from the communication device toward an end portion of the sunroof in the vehicle width direction.

4. The industrial vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The bracket is in the shape of a thin plate and extends along the top plate with the thickness direction of the bracket coinciding with the thickness direction of the top plate.

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