Mobile work machine, especially industrial truck

Abstract

Industrial truck (1) with a vehicle body (2), with a lifting frame (8) arranged on the vehicle body (2), on which a load-handling means (9) is arranged such that it can be raised and lowered, and with an electrical vehicle electrical system (24) which contains a battery (13) as an energy source, and with at least one LED lighting system (15; 15a; 15b), characterized in that the LED lighting system (15; 15a, 15b) is arranged in the region of the vehicle body (2) of the industrial truck (1) and the LED lighting system (15; 15a, 15b) arranged in the region of the vehicle body (2) of the industrial truck (1) is assigned an energy storage device (22) which enables operation of the LED lighting system (15; 15a, 15b) independently of the electrical vehicle electrical system (24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an industrial truck with a vehicle body, with a lifting frame arranged on the vehicle body, on which a load-handling device is arranged so as to be able to be raised and lowered, and with an electrical vehicle electrical system which contains a battery as an energy source, and with at least one LED lighting system.

[0002] Luminaires used as lighting devices for mobile work machines are known as incandescent filament lamps using incandescent lamp technology. Since such lighting devices have high energy consumption, which is particularly disadvantageous for battery-powered machines, LED lighting with LED elements has recently been used as lighting devices for mobile work machines. These lamps offer lower power consumption and a longer service life than incandescent filament lamps.

[0003] To supply power to the lighting system, it is connected to the vehicle's electrical system, which is supplied with electrical energy by a battery on the vehicle.

[0004] A particular disadvantage of battery-powered work machines with an electric drive system is that operation of the lighting system is only possible if the battery supplying the electric drive system with electrical energy is present in the vehicle and connected to the vehicle's electrical system via a battery connector. Such batteries must be charged at regular intervals for normal operation of the work machine. For this purpose, the battery can remain in the vehicle, disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system, and the battery connector connected to a charger to charge the battery.Alternatively, the battery can be removed from the vehicle by disconnecting the battery connector and replaced with a charged battery. The discharged battery to be removed must also be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system by disconnecting the battery connector, and the charged battery to be installed must be connected to the vehicle's electrical system by connecting the battery connector. The disadvantage of this is that such lighting devices, which are connected to the vehicle's electrical system, are not functional during the battery replacement or charging process if the battery connector, and thus the battery, is disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system.

[0005] The subsequently published DE 10 2010 027 284 A1 discloses an industrial truck with a vehicle body, with a lifting frame arranged on the vehicle body, on which a load-handling device is arranged so as to be able to be raised and lowered, and with an electrical vehicle electrical system, wherein LED lighting elements are arranged on the lifting frame.

[0006] DE 10 2008 049 114 A1 discloses an illuminated decorative strip for a motor vehicle designed as a passenger car (PV). The decorative strip comprises a lighting device with LEDs and a power source that supplies the lighting device with electrical energy, which can be a battery or accumulator. The decorative strip is designed as a door sill, which is arranged on a sill of the PV below a vehicle door.

[0007] EP 2 125 427 B1 discloses a tail lift of a truck equipped with lighting devices. The lighting devices comprise light-emitting diodes as lighting elements and their own power source, which can be a battery or accumulator.

[0008] JP 2002-179 396 A discloses an industrial truck with a mast and a lifting carriage arranged on the mast, which can be raised and lowered, and on which forks are mounted. Lighting devices comprising an LED are arranged on the horizontal sections of the forks. The LEDs are connected to a solar cell and a battery arranged on the lifting carriage for power supply.

[0009] JP 2000-177 479 A discloses an excavator equipped with several lights illuminating the driver's entry area. The lights can be switched on and off via a remote control.

[0010] US 2010 / 0141153 A1 discloses a lighting element comprising LEDs and a battery that can be used, among other things, in vehicles.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide an industrial truck of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the lighting device can be operated with little construction effort when the battery is disconnected from the vehicle's on-board power supply.

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the LED lighting is arranged in the region of a vehicle body of the industrial truck and the LED lighting arranged in the region of the vehicle body of the industrial truck is assigned an energy storage device which enables operation of the LED lighting independently of the vehicle's on-board electrical system. LED lighting with LED lighting elements has low energy consumption. In conjunction with an energy storage device assigned to the LED lighting, long operation of the LED lighting can thus be achieved even when the battery is disconnected from the vehicle's on-board electrical system. An energy storage device with a low capacity, i.e. electrical charge stored in the battery, can therefore be used as the energy storage device, which has a correspondingly small installation space requirement and incurs low manufacturing costs.The supply according to the invention of an LED lighting system which has a low power consumption with an energy source which is independent of the vehicle electrical system thus enables the LED lighting to be operated independently of the vehicle electrical system and independently of the battery which supplies the vehicle electrical system by using an energy storage device which is inexpensive in terms of manufacturing costs and requires little construction effort.

[0013] The inventive combination of an LED lighting with an energy storage device that is independent and separate from the vehicle electrical system can be designed as a small-sized unit due to the low power consumption and the small dimensions of the energy storage device, which can be easily installed on or in the vehicle body as lighting.

[0014] A mechanically operated switch can be provided for switching the LED lighting according to the invention with integrated energy storage on and off.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the LED lighting is provided with an integrated electronic control system and is provided with a sensor device connected to the electronic control system of the LED lighting and / or a wireless receiver device connected to the electronic control system of the LED lighting, by means of which the LED lighting can be switched on and off. An LED lighting requires an electronic control system for operation. This electronic control system required for the operation of the LED lighting allows a sensor device and / or a wireless receiver device to be easily installed on the LED lighting in order to achieve automatic switching of the LED lighting on and off.The invention takes advantage of the realization that the electronic control system already present in the LED lighting can be easily modified and altered, allowing the LED lighting to be equipped with the energy storage device and a sensor device and / or a receiver device. The LED lighting according to the invention thus forms a component independent of the vehicle's electrical system, which can be switched on and off and thus operated even when the vehicle's electrical system is not supplied with electrical energy due to a disconnected battery, or when a vehicle control system or an electrical system of the industrial truck that evaluates sensors is not in operation.

[0016] The construction cost of such an LED lighting system can be further reduced if, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the LED lighting system is designed as a structural unit with the sensor device and / or the receiver device. Such a structural unit, formed from the LED lighting system with an integrated energy storage device and an integrated sensor device and / or receiver device, can also be easily installed on or in the vehicle body as a lighting system.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor device is designed as a motion detector, in particular as a proximity sensor or infrared sensor. A motion detector can be used to easily create LED lighting that automatically switches on when an operator approaches the industrial truck.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device can be designed as a twilight sensor, which enables the LED lighting according to the invention to be switched on or off automatically depending on the brightness conditions in the surroundings of the industrial truck.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wireless receiver device is designed as a wireless, radio-based receiver device, in particular a high-frequency receiver antenna or Bluetooth receiver. In conjunction with a corresponding transmitter device or a remote control worn or carried by an operator of the industrial truck, the LED lighting can therefore be easily switched on and off in the manner of a remote control using the receiver device built into the LED lighting.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the energy storage device is designed as a battery, in particular a double-layer capacitor or a lithium-ion accumulator. A double-layer capacitor, for example a so-called ultracap, or a lithium-ion accumulator, can provide the capacity required to operate an LED lighting system while requiring minimal space, thus enabling the energy storage device to be easily integrated into the LED lighting system as a single unit.

[0021] Particular advantages can be achieved if the energy storage device is designed as a rechargeable energy storage device that is connected to the vehicle's on-board power supply for charging. In conjunction with the electronic control of the LED lighting, connecting the LED lighting to the vehicle's on-board power supply allows the energy storage device built into the LED lighting to be easily charged while the battery is present in the industrial truck and connected to the vehicle's on-board power supply. This enables the LED lighting to operate independently of the battery, which is disconnected from the vehicle's on-board power supply, over a long service life without replacing the energy storage device in the LED lighting.

[0022] The LED lighting according to the invention, which is a self-sufficient component and can be operated independently of the vehicle's electrical system and power supply, can cover a variety of applications in industrial trucks. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the LED lighting according to the invention is designed as driver's workplace lighting, in particular cabin lighting, or apron lighting. With LED lighting according to the invention, which can be operated independently of the vehicle's electrical system, even when the electrical system of the industrial truck is switched off or the battery is disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system, a so-called "coming home function" can be easily implemented. The LED lighting switches on when the operator approaches in order to illuminate the driver's workplace or the entry area in front of the industrial truck.In addition, the LED lighting according to the invention can be switched on and off by the operator using a remote control in order to enable illumination of the driver's workplace or the apron area when the industrial truck is switched off or the battery is disconnected.

[0023] An alternative or additional application is the design of an LED lighting system according to the invention as lighting for an assembly compartment, in particular a battery compartment, of the industrial truck. The LED lighting system according to the invention makes it possible to illuminate the assembly compartment, which is designed, for example, as a battery compartment, during battery replacement or during connection of the battery to a charger. The work processes for changing the battery or connecting the battery to a charger, in particular disconnecting and connecting the battery connector from or to the vehicle's electrical system or disconnecting and connecting the battery connector from or to the charger during which the vehicle's electrical system is not supplied with electrical energy from the battery, can therefore be improved and facilitated.

[0024] In addition, the LED lighting according to the invention enables illumination of the power pack compartment during service work, when the vehicle's electrical system is disconnected from the battery or the vehicle's electrical system is switched off, so that servicing the industrial truck can be facilitated by illuminating the power pack compartment. The LED lighting according to the invention can be used by a service technician.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the industrial truck is designed as a battery-powered industrial truck with an electric drive system and with a battery designed as a traction battery as an energy source for supplying the vehicle's electrical system. With the LED lighting according to the invention, in such industrial trucks, in which operation of the electrical system of the industrial truck is not possible when the battery is disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system, the work process of disconnecting the battery plug from the vehicle's electrical system or connecting it to the vehicle's electrical system and the work process of connecting the battery plug to a charger or disconnecting it from the charger can be easily illuminated in order to facilitate the battery changing or charging process.In addition, the LED lighting according to the invention can be operated during service to facilitate the work of a service technician by illuminating the relevant work areas if the battery is disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system. The LED lighting according to the invention also enables cabin lighting or apron lighting when the electrical system is switched off, making it easier for the operator to enter and start up the industrial truck.

[0026] Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the schematic figures. Fig. 1 an industrial truck with an LED lighting according to the invention and Fig. 2 an LED lighting according to the invention in a schematic structure.

[0027] In the Fig. 1 shows an industrial truck 1 designed as a counterbalance forklift.

[0028] The industrial truck 1 comprises a driver's overhead guard 3 arranged on a vehicle body 2, for example, an open or closed driver's cab, within which a driver's workstation 4 is located. In the present exemplary embodiment, the driver's workstation 4 comprises a driver's seat 5, a steering device 6, and at least one pedal arranged in the footwell for controlling a travel drive (not shown in detail). Furthermore, several control elements 7 for a working hydraulic system are arranged in the driver's workstation 4, which includes a lifting drive and a tilt drive of a mast 8, as well as, if necessary, an additional consumer, for example, a sideshift drive for a load-handling device 9 arranged on the mast 8 and capable of being raised and lowered.

[0029] The industrial truck 1 is provided with a lifting frame 8 arranged on the vehicle body 2 in the front area of ​​the vehicle body for picking up loads and with a counterweight 10 in the rear area.

[0030] The illustrated industrial truck 1 is preferably designed as a battery-powered industrial truck with an electric drive system. In a central section of the vehicle body 2 of the industrial truck 1, formed by a vehicle frame 11, the counterweight 10, and the overhead guard 3, there is an aggregate compartment 12 designed as a battery compartment for accommodating a traction battery 13, for example, designed as a battery block. The battery 13 designed as a traction battery supplies one or more electric drive motors of a drive system and an electric pump motor, which supplies the working hydraulics and / or a hydraulic steering system, as well as all other electrical consumers with electrical energy. For this purpose, the battery 13 can be connected to the on-board electrical system of the industrial truck 1 using a battery connector.

[0031] The unit compartment 12 is covered at the top by a fixed or removable, for example foldable, hood 14, on which the driver's seat 5 is arranged.

[0032] The industrial truck 1 is provided in the area of ​​the vehicle body 2 with at least one LED lighting unit 15 according to the invention, for example, an LED lighting unit 15a arranged in the area of ​​the driver's overhead guard 3, with which the driver's workstation 4 located in the driver's overhead guard 3 and / or apron lighting of the entry area of ​​the industrial truck 1 can be achieved. Alternatively or additionally, an LED lighting unit 15b can be provided for the power pack compartment 12 to enable illumination of the power pack compartment 12.

[0033] In the Fig. 2 schematically shows the structure of an LED illumination 15 or 15a, 15b according to the invention.

[0034] The LED lighting 15 comprises one or more LED lighting elements 20 and an electronic control 21 and, according to the invention, is provided with an integrated energy storage device 22 to enable operation of the LED lighting 20 independently of the vehicle electrical system supplied by the battery 13. The energy storage device 22 can be designed as a rechargeable energy storage device and, for example, be formed by a double-layer capacitor, such as an ultracap, or a lithium-ion battery. To charge an energy storage device designed as a rechargeable energy storage device 22, the LED lighting 15 can be connected to the vehicle electrical system 24 and thus to the battery 13 of the industrial truck 1 by means of a connection 23.

[0035] To switch the LED lighting 15 on and off, the LED lighting 15 is provided with a sensor device 25 that is connected to the electronic control 21. The sensor device 25 is preferably formed by a motion detector, for example a proximity sensor or infrared sensor, or a twilight sensor.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the LED lighting 15 can be provided with a wireless receiver device 26 connected to the electronic control 21 to achieve switching of the LED lighting 15 on and off. The receiver device 26 is preferably designed as a radio-based receiver device, in particular a high-frequency receiver antenna or Bluetooth receiver, which, in conjunction with a corresponding transmitter device, enables wireless remote control of the LED lighting for switching on and off.

[0037] The LED lighting element 20 and the electronic control 21 are designed as an integral unit with the energy storage device 22 and the sensor device 25 and / or the receiver device 26, so that the LED lighting 15 according to the invention forms a self-sufficient component that can be operated independently of the vehicle electrical system 24.

[0038] The LED lighting 15 according to the invention can be switched on in a simple manner in conjunction with the sensor device 25 or the receiver device 26 when the operator approaches the LED lighting 15 or can be switched on or off by means of a remote control.

[0039] With the LED lighting 15 according to the invention, for example, work spaces can be illuminated without the battery 13 being connected to the vehicle's electrical system 24. In a battery-powered industrial truck 1, the LED lighting 15 according to the invention can preferably be used to illuminate the power pack compartment 12, for example, when disconnecting the battery plug and connecting the battery 13 to a charger, or to enable illumination of the work space formed by the power pack compartment 12 during servicing.

[0040] The LED lighting 15 according to the invention can also be coupled to switches or sensors arranged in the industrial truck 1, for example a door contact of a cabin door of the driver's overhead guard 3.

[0041] The use of an LED lighting 15 according to the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment of an industrial truck with a battery-powered drive system. The LED lighting 15 according to the invention can also be used in an industrial truck with an internal combustion engine drive system arranged in the power pack compartment 12 in order to achieve illumination, for example, of the driver's workplace, the apron area, and / or a work area, in particular the power pack compartment, when the battery, for example, a starter battery of an internal combustion engine, is disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system or the electrical system of the industrial truck is switched off.

Claims

[1] Industrial truck (1) with a vehicle body (2), with a lifting frame (8) arranged on the vehicle body (2), on which a load-carrying means (9) is arranged such that it can be raised and lowered, and with an electrical vehicle electrical system (24) which contains a battery (13) as an energy source, and with at least one LED lighting system (15; 15a; 15b), characterized by that the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) is arranged in the region of the vehicle body (2) of the industrial truck (1) and the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) arranged in the region of the vehicle body (2) of the industrial truck (1) is assigned an energy storage device (22) which enables operation of the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) independently of the vehicle's electrical system (24). [2] Industrial truck (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) is designed as a structural unit with the energy storage device (22). [3] Industrial truck (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) is provided with an integrated electronic control (21) and the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) is provided with a sensor device (25) connected to the electronic control (21) of the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) and / or a wireless receiver device (26) connected to the electronic control (21) of the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b), by means of which the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) can be switched on and off. [4] Industrial truck (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) is designed as a structural unit with the sensor device (25) and / or the receiver device (26). [5] Industrial truck (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the sensor device (25) is designed as a motion detector, in particular as a proximity sensor or infrared sensor. [6] Industrial truck (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized bythat the sensor device (25) is designed as a twilight sensor. [7] Industrial truck (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by that the receiver device (26) is designed as a wireless, radio-based receiver device, in particular a high-frequency receiver antenna or Bluetooth receiver. [8] Industrial truck (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the energy store (22) is designed as a battery, in particular a double-layer capacitor or lithium-ion accumulator. [9] Industrial truck (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the energy store (22) is designed as a rechargeable energy store which is connected to the vehicle electrical system (24) for charging. [10] Industrial truck (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) is designed as driver's workplace lighting, in particular cabin lighting, or apron lighting. [11] Industrial truck (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the LED lighting (15; 15a, 15b) is designed as lighting for an aggregate compartment (12), in particular a battery compartment, of the working machine. [12] Industrial truck (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the industrial truck is designed as a battery-electrically operated industrial truck with an electric drive system and with a battery (13) designed as a traction battery as an energy source for supplying the vehicle's on-board network (24).

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