Control method and system of dual-purpose pallet truck

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of forklifts, in particular to a control method and system of a dual-purpose pallet truck, and the control method comprises the steps that a key switch is switched on, and a control system of the truck is electrified to work; the handle is pressed down to a working area, and the interlocking switch K1 is switched on; then the handle accelerator is rotated, and the vehicle begins to advance or retreat; when goods are picked, the locking switch K4 is switched on, and signals of the accelerator are cut off; after the goods are sorted, the inching switch is pressed down, and the vehicle starts to run; slowly stopping after loosening; during carrying, an operator stands on a standing plate of the vehicle, so that a pedal switch K5 on the standing plate is switched on; the handle is pressed down to a working area, and the interlocking switch K1 is switched on; then the handle accelerator is rotated, and the vehicle begins to advance or retreat; and the vehicle runs at a high speed by clicking the mode switch K6. Sorting work and carrying work are combined, multiple purposes are achieved through one vehicle, and high-speed driving safety is guaranteed through high-speed driving; and low-speed sorting is carried out in a parking state, so that the operation is convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of forklifts, and in particular to a control method and system for a dual-purpose pallet truck. Background Art

[0002] Currently, goods are handled in warehouses primarily using pedestrian pallet trucks and stand-on pallet trucks. The main structure of a pedestrian pallet truck includes forks, a handle, and front and rear wheels. The handle controls its direction and speed, and the forks are raised via a hydraulic system. The operator then manually pushes or pulls the forks to move them. These trucks are suitable for small and medium-sized warehouses that handle short distances, light loads, and frequent handling. Stand-on pallet trucks, developed from pedestrian-type trucks, are generally equipped with a folding or fixed stand and protective structures (such as arm guards). The operator stands on the stand and controls the vehicle's movement using the handle, while the hydraulic system raises and lowers the forks. These trucks are suitable for handling goods that require stacking or short to medium distances.

[0003] While stand-on pallet trucks improve operational efficiency, the station and protective structure make the entire vehicle bulky, making it difficult to operate in confined spaces. Walk-behind pallet trucks are lightweight and easy to operate, but they require more effort and are less safe. Therefore, dual-use pallet trucks are now available that combine both stand-on and walk-behind pallet trucks into one, offering a fixed-station platform that can accommodate both pedestrian and stand-on operations.

[0004] The existing fixed stand trucks require the arm guards and stand board to be folded when walking, and the handle needs to be pressed down when picking at low speeds. Pressing the handle for a long time can easily make people tired. When transporting at high speeds, the operator stands on the pedal and needs to operate the handle to make the vehicle enter high-speed operation mode, which can easily lead to safety risks due to misoperation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a safety control system and method for a dual-purpose pallet truck, which can protect the vehicle during high-speed operation and prevent personnel from making incorrect operations when the use conditions are not met; and when picking at low speeds, the handle can be locked to reduce labor intensity.

[0006] The technical solutions of the present invention are as follows: A control method for a dual-purpose pallet truck comprises the following steps: S1. Turn on the key switch and the vehicle's control system is powered on; S2. Press the handle down to the working area, and the interlock switch K1 is turned on. Then turn the handle accelerator, and the vehicle starts to move forward or backward. S3. When picking goods, turn on the lock switch K4 and cut off the handle accelerator signal; turn the handle accelerator and the vehicle remains stationary; S4. After picking the goods, press the inching switch and the vehicle starts to move; release the inching switch and the vehicle will slowly stop; S5. During transport, the operator stands on the platform of the vehicle, and the pedal switch K5 on the platform is turned on; S6. Press the handle down to the working area, and the interlock switch K1 is turned on. Then turn the handle accelerator, and the vehicle starts to move forward or backward. S7. Press the mode switch K6, and the traction drive controller controls the traction motor to drive the vehicle at high speed.

[0007] In a further solution, in step S7, when the handle accelerator is released, the vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction, the interlock switch K1 is disconnected, the pedal switch K5 is disconnected, or the vehicle stops, the high-speed driving of the vehicle is immediately switched to the low-speed driving.

[0008] In a further solution, when the vehicle is driving, the handle is turned, the angle sensor collects the angle signal of the handle and transmits it to the steering drive controller, and the steering drive controller controls the rotation of the steering motor to drive the vehicle to steer.

[0009] In a further solution, the angle sensor is a damping type angle sensor, which is mounted on a handle mounting bracket and has a signal end connected to a steering drive controller; the angle sensor outputs resistance according to the vehicle's speed and feeds it back to the handle through the steering drive controller.

[0010] A further solution is that when an emergency occurs while the vehicle is driving, the emergency return switch is turned on. When the vehicle is driving towards the fork, the vehicle will stop urgently; when the vehicle is driving towards the handle, the vehicle will stop urgently and drive in the opposite direction for a distance.

[0011] According to a further solution, when the handle accelerator is rotated toward the handle, the vehicle moves forward; and when the handle accelerator is rotated toward the fork, the vehicle moves backward.

[0012] In a further solution, the output ends of the interlock switch K1, the lock switch K4, the pedal switch K5, and the mode switch K6 are all connected to the traction drive controller, and the output end of the traction drive controller is connected to the traction motor.

[0013] In a further solution, the interlock switch K1 is installed at the rotation axis of the handle, and when the handle is pressed down to a fixed angle range, the interlock switch K1 is turned on; The locking switch K4 is installed on the outside of the handle. Pressing the locking switch K4 will cut off the signal of the handle accelerator, and the handle accelerator will become invalid. The foot switch K5 is installed at the foot of the station board. When the operator stands on the station board, the foot switch K5 is turned on. The mode switch K6 is installed on the back of the armrest switch to switch the vehicle between high-speed driving and low-speed driving.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the handle is further provided with a lifting button K2 and a lowering button K3 for controlling the lifting and lowering movement of the fork; A lifting prohibition switch K8 is installed at the lifting limit position of the fork. When the fork is lifted to a certain height, it makes mechanical contact with the lifting prohibition switch K8, and the lifting prohibition switch K8 is turned on, prohibiting the fork from continuing to lift.

[0015] In this application, the battery, traction motor, traction drive controller, instrument, handle, steering drive controller, angle sensor, horn, steering motor, etc. are all components that come with the pallet truck. In addition, all switches, etc. are also commonly used components in this field.

[0016] The function of the inching switch in the present invention is to control the movement of the vehicle by briefly pressing the switch, and may be used to control the driving distance of the vehicle.

[0017] The present application ensures that the vehicle will only move when the handle accelerator is rotated by pressing the handle down and connecting the interlock switch K1; then the handle accelerator is disabled by locking the switch K4, thereby preventing false triggering.

[0018] That is, the interlock switch in this application is to prevent the vehicle from moving without pressing the handle; that is, the vehicle can only move when the handle is pressed.

[0019] When the dual-purpose pallet truck of the present invention is picking at a low speed, the locking switch locks the handle accelerator and makes it ineffective; after picking is completed, the inching switch can be pressed to control the vehicle to travel; after releasing the inching switch, the vehicle stops.

[0020] When the vehicle is transporting at high speed, the operator stands on the pedal, turns on the pedal switch K5, and presses the handle to turn on the interlock switch K1, allowing the vehicle to move. Then, by triggering the mode switch K6 once, the vehicle switches to high-speed mode, allowing it to travel at high speed. When the handle accelerator returns to its original position, the forward and backward directions are switched, or the vehicle stops, the high-speed mode automatically switches to low-speed mode. This allows high-speed travel during transport and ensures high-speed driving safety. Low-speed picking is carried out in the parked state, making it easy to operate. Therefore, this application combines picking and transporting tasks, achieving multiple uses for one vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the circuit of the present invention.

[0022] In the figure: 1-battery, 2-traction motor, 3-traction drive controller, 4-instrument, 5-handle, 6-steering drive controller, 7-angle sensor, 8-horn, 9-steering motor, 10-armrest, 11-fork; K1-interlock switch, K2-lift button, K3-lower button, K4-lock switch, K5-foot switch, K6-mode switch, K7-horn button, K8-lift inhibit switch; J11-main contactor coil, J12-main contactor contact, J21-horn contactor coil, J22-horn contactor contact. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] A control method for a dual-purpose pallet truck comprises the following steps: S1. Turn on the key switch and the vehicle's control system is powered on; That is Figure 1 As shown, the 24V current of battery 1 passes through the fuse F10, the emergency stop switch FM, and the key switch KEY and returns to the battery BMS. After the circuit is connected, the battery 1 is awakened; the controller controls the main relay coil J11 and the speaker contactor coil J21 to be energized, and the main relay contact J12 and the speaker contactor contact J22 are attracted, the power circuit works, the speaker 8 is energized, and the speaker switch K7 is pressed, and the speaker 8 starts to work.

[0025] S2. Press the handle down to the working area, and the interlock switch K1 is turned on. Then turn the handle accelerator, and the vehicle starts to move forward or backward. Specifically: when the handle accelerator is rotated toward the handle, the vehicle moves forward; when the handle accelerator is rotated toward the fork, the vehicle moves backward.

[0026] The interlock switch K1 is to prevent the vehicle from moving when the handle is not pressed down, that is, the vehicle can only move after the handle is pressed down. This avoids operational errors; S3: When picking goods, the operation is done on foot. The lock switch K4 is turned on, and the handle accelerator signal is cut off, that is, it is invalid. When the vehicle is stopped, the handle accelerator is turned and the vehicle remains stationary. S4. After the goods are picked, press the inching switch and the vehicle will start to travel at the default speed. In this embodiment, the default speed of the vehicle can be set to 5.6 km / h. The inching switch is known and its function is to control the movement of the vehicle by briefly pressing the switch, which may be used to control its travel distance.

[0027] When approaching the next picking point, release the inching switch and the vehicle will slowly stop; the operator can start picking goods again; S5: During transport and driving, the operator stands on the vehicle's platform and turns on the pedal switch K5. The operator holds the handrail with one hand and the accelerator with the other hand. S6. Press the handle down to the working area, and the interlock switch K1 is turned on. Then turn the handle accelerator, and the vehicle starts to move forward or backward. S7 . Press the mode switch K6 , and the traction drive controller 3 controls the traction motor 2 to drive the vehicle to travel at high speed.

[0028] When the vehicle is traveling at high speed in step S7, when the handle accelerator is released, the vehicle travels in the opposite direction, the interlock switch K1 is disconnected, the pedal switch K5 is disconnected (i.e. the operator gets off the vehicle) or the vehicle stops, the vehicle's high speed travel is immediately switched to low speed travel.

[0029] That is, the present application ensures that when the vehicle is operated on foot, if the pedal switch K5 is not triggered, the vehicle cannot be switched to the high-speed mode when the mode switch K6 is pressed, thereby preventing misoperation.

[0030] In another embodiment, an angle sensor 7 is installed on the handle 5. That is, when the vehicle is driving, the handle is rotated, and the angle sensor 7 collects the angle signal of the handle and transmits it to the steering drive controller 6. The steering drive controller 6 controls the steering motor 9 to rotate and drive the vehicle to steer.

[0031] In a further solution, the angle sensor 7 is a damping type angle sensor, which is installed on the handle mounting bracket and its signal end is connected to the steering drive controller 6; the angle sensor 7 outputs resistance according to the vehicle's driving speed and feeds it back to the handle through the steering drive controller 6, thereby improving the driving experience and avoiding large shaking.

[0032] In another embodiment, when the vehicle is traveling, when an emergency occurs, the emergency return switch is turned on, and when the vehicle is traveling toward the fork, the vehicle stops urgently; when the vehicle is traveling toward the handle, the vehicle stops urgently and travels in the opposite direction for a distance.

[0033] In the present application, the output ends of the interlock switch K1 , the lock switch K4 , the pedal switch K5 , and the mode switch K6 are all connected to the traction drive controller 3 , and the output end of the traction drive controller 3 is connected to the traction motor 2 for driving.

[0034] The interlock switch K1 is installed at the rotary axis of the handle. When the handle is pressed down to a fixed angle range, the interlock switch K1 is turned on. The locking switch K4 is installed on the outside of the handle. Pressing the locking switch K4 will cut off the signal of the handle accelerator, and the handle accelerator will become invalid. The foot switch K5 is installed at the foot of the station board. When the operator stands on the station board, the foot switch K5 is turned on. The mode switch K6 is installed on the back of the armrest switch to switch the vehicle between high-speed driving and low-speed driving.

[0035] The handle is also equipped with a lifting button K2 and a lowering button K3 for controlling the lifting and lowering movement of the fork; A lifting prohibition switch K8 is installed at the lifting limit position of the fork. When the fork is lifted to a certain height, it makes mechanical contact with the lifting prohibition switch K8, and the lifting prohibition switch K8 is turned on, prohibiting the fork from continuing to lift.

[0036] Therefore, when the dual-purpose pallet truck of the present invention is picking at a low speed, the locking switch locks the handle accelerator and makes it ineffective; after picking is completed, the inching switch can be pressed to control the vehicle to travel; after releasing the inching switch, the vehicle stops.

[0037] When the vehicle is transporting at high speed, the operator stands on the pedal, turns on the pedal switch K5, and presses the handle to turn on the interlock switch K1, allowing the vehicle to move. Then, by triggering the mode switch K6 once, the vehicle switches to high-speed mode, allowing it to travel at high speed. When the handle accelerator returns to its original position, the forward and backward directions are switched, or the vehicle stops, the high-speed mode automatically switches to low-speed mode. This allows high-speed travel during transport and ensures high-speed driving safety. Low-speed picking is carried out in the parked state, making it easy to operate. Therefore, this application combines picking and transporting tasks, achieving multiple uses for one vehicle.

[0038] A control system for a dual-purpose pallet truck Figure 1-2 , including a battery 1, the battery 1 is connected to the traction drive controller 3 and the steering drive controller 6 via CAN lines, the traction drive controller is connected to the traction motor 2, and the steering drive controller is connected to the steering motor 9, and also includes a handle 5, the handle 5 is equipped with an interlock switch K1, a locking switch K4, a handle accelerator, an emergency return switch, and an inching switch, and the interlock switch K1, the locking switch K4, the handle accelerator, the emergency return switch, and the inching switch are all connected to the traction drive controller 3; The pallet truck includes a fork 11, an armrest 10, and a meter 4. The armrest 10 is mounted with a mode switch K6 and a horn switch K7, both of which are connected to the traction drive controller 3. The meter 4 is connected to the battery 1 via a CAN line.

[0039] Although this specification is described according to implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0040] Therefore, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of implementation of the present application; that is, all equivalent modifications made according to the scope of the claims of the present application are within the scope of protection of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A control method for a dual-purpose pallet truck, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1. Turn on the key switch and the vehicle's control system is powered on; S2, press the handle down to the working area, and the interlock switch K1 is turned on; Turn the handle accelerator again and the vehicle starts moving forward or backward; S3. When picking goods, turn on the lock switch K4 and cut off the handle accelerator signal; S4. After picking the goods, press the inching switch and the vehicle starts to move; release the inching switch and the vehicle will slowly stop; S5. During transport, the operator stands on the platform of the vehicle, and the pedal switch K5 on the platform is turned on; S6, press the handle down to the working area, and the interlock switch K1 is turned on; Turn the handle accelerator again and the vehicle starts moving forward or backward; S7, press the mode switch K6, the traction drive controller (3) controls the traction motor (2) to drive the vehicle to travel at high speed.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: In step S7, when the handle accelerator is released, the vehicle travels in the opposite direction, the interlock switch K1 is disconnected, the pedal switch K5 is disconnected, or the vehicle stops, the high-speed driving of the vehicle is immediately switched to the low-speed driving.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: When the vehicle is driving, the handle is turned, and the angle sensor (7) collects the angle signal of the handle and transmits it to the steering drive controller (6). The steering drive controller (6) controls the steering motor (9) to rotate, thereby driving the vehicle to steer.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein: The angle sensor (7) is a damping type angle sensor, which is mounted on the handle mounting support, and a signal end thereof is connected to the steering drive controller (6).

5. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: When the vehicle is driving, if an emergency occurs, turn on the emergency return switch. When the vehicle is driving toward the fork, the vehicle will stop urgently; when the vehicle is driving toward the handle, the vehicle will stop urgently and drive in the opposite direction for a distance.

6. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: When the handle accelerator is rotated toward the handle, the vehicle moves forward; when the handle accelerator is rotated toward the fork, the vehicle moves backward.

7. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The output ends of the interlock switch K1, the locking switch K4, the pedal switch K5, and the mode switch K6 are all connected to the traction drive controller (3), and the output end of the traction drive controller (3) is connected to the traction motor (2).

8. The control method according to claim 7, wherein: The interlock switch K1 is installed at the rotary axis of the handle. When the handle is pressed down to a fixed angle range, the interlock switch K1 is turned on. The locking switch K4 is installed on the outside of the handle. Pressing the locking switch K4 will cut off the signal of the handle accelerator, and the handle accelerator will become invalid. The foot switch K5 is installed at the foot of the station board. When the operator stands on the station board, the foot switch K5 is turned on. The mode switch K6 is installed on the back of the armrest switch to switch the vehicle between high-speed driving and low-speed driving.

9. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The handle is also equipped with a lifting button K2 and a lowering button K3 for controlling the lifting and lowering movement of the fork; A lifting prohibition switch K8 is installed at the lifting limit position of the fork. When the fork is lifted to a certain height, it makes mechanical contact with the lifting prohibition switch K8, and the lifting prohibition switch K8 is turned on, prohibiting the fork from continuing to lift.

10. A control system for implementing the dual-purpose pallet truck according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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