Industrial truck with data acquisition device

Abstract

Industrial truck (1) with data acquisition device (3), wherein the data acquisition device (3) is configured to acquire operating data of the industrial truck (1) and is provided with a vehicle interface (4) for data exchange, wherein the vehicle interface (4) is configured to support a contactless connection, wherein the vehicle interface (4) is configured to exchange the operating data with a vehicle-external data acquisition device (6; 9), characterized in that the vehicle interface (4) is an LED-based interface, wherein the vehicle interface is configured to output the status of the industrial truck (1) after rental or leasing upon return.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a forklift truck with a data acquisition device, wherein the data acquisition device is configured to acquire operating data of the forklift truck and is provided with a vehicle interface for data exchange, wherein the vehicle interface is configured to support a contactless connection, and wherein the vehicle interface is configured to exchange the operating data with a vehicle-external data acquisition device.

[0002] Internal goods transport and material flow, in particular the supply of materials to production lines in production plants, is usually carried out using industrial trucks, with which the goods to be transported, especially on pallets, are transported within the production plant.

[0003] Especially with industrial trucks used in large numbers within a company, it is desirable to record the actual level of wear and tear on each individual truck. This allows for targeted maintenance and the determination of the maximum service life of each truck before replacement or acquisition. Furthermore, it is also desirable to record the performance data of each truck to optimize its use within a monitoring and control system for a warehouse and a fleet of trucks. Finally, recording performance and operational data also enables a more precise detection of excessive wear and tear, improper use of the trucks, and accidents.Examples of suitable industrial trucks include counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, stacker cranes, and pallet trucks, powered by either batteries or internal combustion engines. If industrial trucks are used as rental or leased equipment, it is also recommended to retrieve the truck's operating data during operation and / or after its return.

[0004] Modern industrial trucks are equipped with electronic control units that, in addition to controlling the truck's operation, can also record operating states, fault conditions, and performance characteristics, and perform self-diagnostics. The vehicle's electronic control unit thus contains data on various parameters that describe the truck's current state and its past operation. This data can be accessed via a contact connector. In automotive technology, the so-called On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) interface is commonly used.

[0005] To access stored or current operating data of the forklift truck in the vehicle's electronic control system, a connection to the electronic control system's data storage must be established. Mechanical plug connections are prone to failure, as contact problems can be caused by corrosion, contamination, or mechanical damage. Furthermore, mechanical plug connections are subject to wear and tear. A contactless connection, such as between a card reader and a data card, requires minimal distance. Ideally, to access operating data from forklift trucks, the operator of these trucks should not require any additional infrastructure.

[0006] US patent 2011 / 0022442A1 discloses a generic industrial truck with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a reliable way to read operating data from industrial trucks.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by providing a forklift truck with a data acquisition device, wherein the data acquisition device is configured to acquire operating data of the forklift truck and is provided with a vehicle interface for data exchange, wherein the vehicle interface is configured to support a contactless connection, wherein the vehicle interface is configured to exchange the operating data with a vehicle-external data acquisition device, characterized in that the vehicle interface is an LED-based interface, wherein the vehicle interface is configured to output the status of the forklift truck (1) after rental or lease after return.

[0009] It is possible to configure the vehicle interface so that information about the current state and history of the vehicle can be read via a contactless connection. This eliminates the need for a physical connector. Preferably, data can also be read from a locked vehicle, for example, through windows and / or a closed driver's cab. The reading process is preferably possible both when the vehicle is stationary and when it is in motion. According to the invention, the condition of rental or leased vehicles can be determined quickly and efficiently both during operation and after return.

[0010] Industrial trucks are means of transport for the horizontal movement of goods, mostly used internally at ground level. Examples of industrial trucks include counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, storage and retrieval machines, pallet trucks, tractors, and trailers.

[0011] A data acquisition device is a device designed to record operating data of a forklift truck. The data acquisition device is preferably located on or inside the forklift truck. Advantageously, the data acquisition device is designed to store data in a data storage device over an extended period.

[0012] Operating data that can be recorded and stored includes, for example, data on mileage, operating hours, distances traveled, loads transported, lifting heights, number of load cycles, battery changes, battery charging processes, collisions, service intervals, operating states, fault states, performance characteristics, tank contents, lighting status, tire pressure and brake pad condition.

[0013] A vehicle interface is an interface that is set up to output operational data from the data acquisition device and make it available to another device located outside the industrial truck.

[0014] During data exchange, data is transferred from the vehicle interface to another device and / or data is transferred from another device to the vehicle interface.

[0015] A contactless connection is a connection that can be operated without wiring, preferably without touching.

[0016] According to the invention, the vehicle interface is an LED-based interface. This allows data to be exchanged easily and without physical contact. Access to the operating data is preferably also possible through a closed vehicle cabin or through the windows of the driver's cabin.

[0017] An LED-based interface is an interface designed to transmit signals using light generated by LEDs. When using an LED interface, there are no limitations due to protocol overhead or address space.

[0018] The vehicle interface is configured to exchange operating data with an external data acquisition device, in particular a laptop, mobile phone, smartphone, or PDA. For example, the vehicle interface can be configured to exchange data with a smartphone, such as an iPhone. This allows a technician to read the data using a standard, commercially available device, without requiring additional infrastructure. It is not necessary to manufacture a special device for data retrieval, nor is it necessary for the technician to carry a special device. Preferably, additional software can be installed on a laptop, mobile phone, smartphone, or PDA to facilitate data exchange with the vehicle interface. The external data acquisition device can be mobile or stationary.

[0019] A smartphone is a mobile phone that offers more computer functionality and connectivity than a conventional mobile phone. Smartphones can usually be individually upgraded with new functions by the user via additional software.

[0020] A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a compact, portable computer. A PDA is preferably set up for personal calendar, address book, and task management.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle interface is configured to send data when the industrial truck is at a predetermined location. Such a location could be, for example, a charging station or a battery exchange site. This allows for a systematic, automated reading process of the operating data, for example, at a stationary data acquisition device.

[0022] Such a predetermined location is preferably a location that the industrial truck typically visits at preferably regular intervals. A charging station or battery exchange station is a location equipped to charge or replace the battery of the industrial truck.

[0023] Advantages arise when the vehicle interface is configured to communicate with internal components of the industrial truck. This allows the vehicle interface, for example, to retrieve data from internal components of the industrial truck at specific intervals or upon request from a service technician.

[0024] Examples of vehicle-internal components include odometers or operating hour counters, tire pressure sensors, sensors for the condition of the brake pads, and impact sensors.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle interface is bidirectional. This allows, for example, a service technician to issue a command to output specific data to the vehicle interface. This can trigger self-diagnosis and subsequent recording of operating data via the vehicle interface.

[0026] A bidirectional interface is an interface that can both send and receive data.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle interface is configured to receive a command for performing a self-diagnosis and forward it to a vehicle control unit. This allows particularly up-to-date data to be acquired and output.

[0028] Self-diagnosis includes the recording of predefined operating data, such as mileage, operating hours, distances traveled, loads transported, lifting heights, number of load cycles, battery changes, battery charging processes, collisions, service intervals, operating states, fault states, performance characteristics, tank contents, lighting status, tire pressure and brake pad condition.

[0029] The above-mentioned task is also solved by a data acquisition device comprising a recording interface, wherein the recording interface is configured to record the operating data of a forklift truck and to support a contactless connection to the vehicle interface, wherein the recording interface is an LED-based interface.

[0030] A data acquisition device is a device configured to receive data from the vehicle interface. Preferably, the data acquisition device includes a memory for storing the received data. Preferably, the data acquisition device is configured to be located outside the industrial truck. The data acquisition device can be stationary at a specific location. Preferably, the data acquisition device is a mobile device that can be taken, for example, by a service technician to different customers, in particular a notebook, a PDA, or a mobile phone / smartphone.

[0031] The data acquisition device is preferably configured to initiate a current self-diagnosis and then to perform data acquisition.

[0032] A recording interface is an interface configured to receive data. The recording interface is preferably also configured to send data.

[0033] The recording interface is an LED-based interface.

[0034] The invention further relates to a system consisting of a forklift truck with a previously described vehicle interface and at least one mobile and / or stationary data acquisition device with a previously described acquisition interface. Through the contactless interfaces, LED interfaces according to the invention, the operating data can be read and transmitted easily and quickly to a mobile or stationary data acquisition device, for example a notebook, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a PDA, whether the forklift truck is stationary, moving, or locked.

[0035] Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the schematic figure.

[0036] The figure shows a system consisting of a forklift truck with a contactless data interface and data acquisition devices with contactless acquisition interfaces.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 shows a forklift truck 1, which has a vehicle control unit 2. The forklift truck 1 is equipped with a data acquisition device 3, which has a Bluetooth vehicle interface 4.

[0038] Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 1 shows a service technician 5 holding a mobile data recording device 6 in the form of a notebook, a PDA or a mobile phone or a smartphone, which is equipped with a Bluetooth recording interface 7.

[0039] Outside the industrial truck 1, a stationary data recording device 9 is attached, which is also equipped with a Bluetooth recording interface 10.

[0040] The stationary data acquisition device 9 can, for example, be installed under a roof 8 or in a warehouse, for example at a battery charging or exchange station.

[0041] The data acquisition device 3 is set up to receive and store operating data from the vehicle control unit 2.

[0042] If the service technician 5 wants to read the operating data using the mobile data acquisition device 6, he instructs the mobile data acquisition device 6 to send a command to read operating data from the vehicle control unit 2 to the vehicle interface 4 via the Bluetooth recording interface 7. The vehicle control unit 2 is then instructed by the data acquisition device 3 to transmit current operating data to the data acquisition device 3. The data acquisition device 3 receives this operating data from the vehicle control unit 2 via the Bluetooth vehicle interface 4 and also transmits it via the Bluetooth vehicle interface 4 to the Bluetooth recording interface 7 of the data acquisition device 6. The received operating data can then be evaluated in the mobile data acquisition device 6.

[0043] The stationary data acquisition device 9 sends a command to read operating data from the vehicle control unit 2 to the Bluetooth vehicle interface 4 via the Bluetooth recording interface 10 whenever the industrial truck 1 is within radio range. As described above for the mobile data acquisition device 6, the vehicle control unit 2 is then instructed by the data acquisition device 3 to transmit current operating data to the data acquisition device 3. The data acquisition device 3 receives this operating data from the vehicle control unit 2 via the Bluetooth vehicle interface 4 and also transmits it via the Bluetooth vehicle interface 4 to the Bluetooth recording interface 10 of the stationary data acquisition device 9.

[0044] Instead of Bluetooth interfaces 4, 7, 10, LED interfaces can also be used.

[0045] In this way, operating data of the industrial truck 1 can be quickly and reliably recorded and read without additional infrastructure, both via the mobile data acquisition device 6 and via the stationary data acquisition device 9.

Claims

[1] Industrial truck (1) with data acquisition device (3), wherein the data acquisition device (3) is configured to acquire operating data of the industrial truck (1) and is provided with a vehicle interface (4) for data exchange, wherein the vehicle interface (4) is configured to support a contactless connection, wherein the vehicle interface (4) is configured to exchange the operating data with a vehicle-external data acquisition device (6; 9), characterized by , that the vehicle interface (4) is an LED-based interface, wherein the vehicle interface is configured to output the status of the industrial truck (1) from rental or leasing upon return. [2] Industrial truck (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle-external data acquisition device (6; 9) is a notebook and / or a mobile phone and / or a smartphone and / or a PDA. [3] Industrial truck (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle interface (4) is set up to send data when the industrial truck (1) is at a predetermined location. [4] Industrial truck (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle interface (4) is set up to communicate with internal floor vehicle components. [5] Industrial truck (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the vehicle interface (4) is a bidirectional interface. [6] Industrial truck (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the vehicle interface (4) is set up to receive a command to perform a self-diagnosis and forward it to a vehicle control unit (2). [7] Data acquisition device (6, 9) comprising a recording interface (7, 10), wherein the recording interface (7, 10) is configured to record the operating data of a forklift truck (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and to support a contactless connection to the vehicle interface (4), wherein the recording interface (7, 10) is an LED-based interface. [8] System comprising a forklift truck (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and at least one mobile and / or stationary data acquisition device (6; 9) according to claim 7.

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