System consisting of a forklift truck and a radio remote control unit

Abstract

System comprising a forklift truck (1) with a vehicle-mounted handle unit (2) that can be grasped by a user of the forklift truck, a receiver (20) for wirelessly transmitted control signals, and a radio remote control unit (22) to be worn by an operator for generating the control signals, wherein the radio remote control unit (22) has a rechargeable electrical storage device, characterized in that an electrical charging device is provided in or adjacent to the handle unit (2), wherein the charging device and the radio remote control unit (22) are designed for contactless inductive or capacitive energy transfer when the operator grasps the handle unit (2) with the worn radio remote control unit (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system comprising an industrial truck and a radio remote control unit.

[0002] The use of radio remote control units on industrial trucks is known, for example, from DE 10 2008 025 632 A1 or DE 198 55 605 A1. Radio remote control units are used, for example, in order-picking operations with industrial trucks to move the vehicle to a pick-up point or to change a height setting while the operator is outside the vehicle. Other applications for radio remote control units on industrial trucks are also known.

[0003] EP 1 155 939 A2 discloses a handlebar for an industrial truck that is operated by a driver standing in a driver's cab. The handlebar has a first section that is mounted in a vehicle-fixed bearing for actuating a steering sensor about an upright axis and has a flattened upper surface inclined toward the driver. Furthermore, the handlebar has lateral projections that extend approximately coaxially on opposite sides from the first section to the side and each have an elongated gripping section at the end of the associated projection. The gripping sections extend away from the driver's cab such that the driver, standing on the driver's cab, grasps the gripping sections from the outside with approximately upright fists, and a force generated by pushing or pulling causes essentially no rotational force about the axis.

[0004] Radio remote control units typically have a transmitter radio module and an electrical energy storage device to supply power to the radio module. The energy storage device, for example in the form of a rechargeable battery, is periodically charged by a charging device. An external charging cradle is commonly used for this purpose. During charging, the radio remote control unit cannot be used productively by a vehicle operator. Therefore, one radio remote control unit per industrial truck is not sufficient for multi-shift operations.

[0005] WO 2008 / 039 649 A2 discloses a portable wireless radio remote control unit for a material handling device. The radio remote control unit is worn by an operator like a glove or other piece of clothing and is carried by the user without requiring any special holding or gripping. The radio remote control unit consists of a transmitter and an operating device coupled to the transmitter via a cable, to which the user can issue travel commands. By actuating the radio control unit, the wireless transmitter transmits a signal of a first type indicating a command to advance the vehicle in a first direction. The receiver is supported by the vehicle and serves to receive transmissions from the wireless transmitter. A traction control system of the vehicle responds to the receiver receiving a signal of the first type to cause the vehicle to move forward.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of creating a system comprising an industrial truck and a radio remote control unit in which the charging process does not result in any times during which the radio remote control unit cannot be used productively on the industrial truck.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of patent claim 1.

[0008] The invention is based on industrial trucks that have a vehicle-mounted handle unit; this can be a manually operated control unit or a handle. Any handle on the industrial truck that is regularly grasped and held for a period of time by an operator during operation of the vehicle can be provided as a vehicle-mounted handle unit. An example of such a control unit is a tiller or a tiller arm with a tiller head. Steering is achieved by pivoting the tiller, and control elements for the vehicle's functions, such as controlling the drive, are arranged on the tiller head. It is understood that control elements for operating a lifting device, a horn, an emergency stop, and the like can be provided. It is also known to design a control unit in the form of a joystick that is grasped and operated by the operator's hand.The joystick, which is itself pivotally mounted, contains controls for the individual functions of the industrial truck. A steering wheel can also be provided as the control unit, which operates the steering of the industrial truck by rotating around its steering axis and can be equipped with additional control elements.

[0009] According to the invention, an electrical charging device is integrated into the control unit. The charging device and remote control unit are designed for contactless, inductive, or capacitive energy transfer. According to the invention, the charging device and handle unit are arranged in such a way that contactless energy transfer can occur when the operator grasps the handle unit while wearing the wireless remote control unit. By grasping the handle unit, the wireless control unit to be charged is brought into close proximity to the charging device, where it can be charged contactlessly.

[0010] The invention is based on the fact that the aforementioned industrial trucks can be operated either from the on-board control unit or from the radio remote control unit. This is the case, for example, in order-picking operations, where the operator repeatedly leaves the truck and can use the radio remote control unit to move the truck to a specific location. For the latter case, assistance systems can be installed in the truck, for example, ensuring parallel travel along a racking arrangement.

[0011] The invention ensures that the radio remote control unit is supplied with sufficient energy for smooth operation, even while the operator is using it. This energy supply occurs without the operator having to place the radio remote control unit in a designated external charging cradle and takes place on the industrial truck without the operator having to take any special precautions. The electrical storage of the radio remote control unit can be charged each time the operator grasps the handle unit of the industrial truck and is in close proximity to the handle unit with the radio remote control unit. This is regularly the case during industrial truck operation, for example, during order picking.

[0012] The power supply of the radio remote control unit according to the invention allows the energy storage unit to be compact, since the operator regularly operates the vehicle manually during the work process, thereby ensuring automatic charging of the electrical storage unit, for example, an accumulator, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The smaller dimensions of the electrical storage unit result in a compact design, which ensures optimal ergonomics and comfortable carrying of the radio remote control unit according to the invention.

[0013] Due to the way the radio remote control unit is charged, only one device needs to be present per industrial truck, even if multi-shift operation is planned.

[0014] In an industrial truck which has a tiller with a tiller head as its operating unit, one embodiment of the invention provides for the loading device to be integrated into the tiller head. In a further embodiment of the invention, the tiller head has handles on both sides of a horn extending as an extension of the tiller shaft, and a loading device is integrated into the handles. Each handle preferably has a loading device so that it does not matter which hand is used to hold which handle when operating the operating unit. Alternatively or additionally, a loading device can be provided in a central area between the handles. A very similar situation for the arrangement of the loading unit can exist with a steering wheel, where steering is achieved by rotating the steering wheel about a steering axis.The steering wheel is also mounted on a steering arm protruding from the vehicle and has two handles arranged on the sides as an extension of the steering arm. A charging device can be integrated into one or both handles; it is also possible to position the charging device in an area between the handles.

[0015] If the industrial truck has a so-called joystick as an operating unit, via which the various functions of the industrial truck are controlled, including the drive, one embodiment of the invention provides that the loading device is integrated into the joystick.

[0016] In a further embodiment, it is also possible to integrate the charging device into a handle on the industrial truck. Such a vehicle-mounted handle can, for example, be designed at a driver's position and be provided so that the vehicle operator can hold onto the handle with one hand while driving. The charging device can be located directly in the handle or in close proximity so that the electrical storage device of the radio remote control unit can be charged contactlessly.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the radio remote control unit can be designed to be worn by hand, for example, on the back of the hand or wrist. Alternatively, the radio remote control unit can be ring-shaped for attachment to the forearm of an operator. A design that can be worn on one or more fingers, such as a ring or finger cuff, can also be provided here.

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a low-lift vehicle and a schematic of a radio remote control unit. Fig. 2 shows a plan view of a front view of the steering wheel of the industrial truck according to Fig. 1 in the direction away from the steering arm. Fig. 3 shows the steering wheel in perspective Fig. 2 towards the steering arm. Fig. 4 shows a side view of an industrial truck with a driver's position.

[0019] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a plan view of a low-lift vehicle 10, which has a load section 12 and a drive section 14. The load section 12 has two load arms 14a. The drive section 14 has an operating unit in the form of a steering system 2. The steering system 2 has a steering arm 16 and a steering wheel 18. The low-lift vehicle 10 is steered by rotating the steering wheel 18 about an axis defined by the steering arm 16. The steering wheel 18 has a series of operating elements for the individual functions of the vehicle.

[0020] A receiving unit 20 is also provided on the drive part 14, which receives radio control signals in the form of radio signals, via which the functions of the vehicle 10 can be controlled, in particular its drive system, which is not shown here. Remote control is carried out using a radio remote control unit 22, which is Fig. 1 is shown only very schematically and is designed in a suitable manner so that the operator moving away from the vehicle can easily hold it in his hand without being unduly restricted in his other activities. Such radio remote control units are known.

[0021] The design of the steering wheel 18 is also already known, for example from EP 1 155 939 A1. It has an approximately triangular horn 24 connected to the steering arm 16. The horn tapers upwards and, in the upper section, holds a toggle switch 26 for raising and lowering the load section 12. Furthermore, a stop button 28a is provided in the wider section. Horn buttons are located to the left and right of the stop button. Curved handle sections 28, 29 adjoin both sides of the horn 24. These end at rotary switches 30, 32 for controlling the driving speed. A connecting section 34 adjoins the rotary switches 30, 32, so that the individual sections form a stable, approximately triangular frame.

[0022] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the handles 28, 29 and the connecting section 34 are enclosed in dashed lines, as indicated at 36, 38, 40. This is intended to indicate that these sections of the steering wheel 18 have a charging device inside them. These charging devices are not shown and consist of known electrical or electronic components. They are capable of transmitting energy by induction. It is possible to accommodate only one charging device in one of the sections 28, 29, or 34, or in all of them. Preferably, both handles 28, 29 contain such a charging device. The charging devices are connected to the power supply of the industrial truck 1.If the radio remote control unit 22 is brought close to the tiller head 18, for example, by the operator grasping one handle 28, 29, or both handles, the memory of the radio remote control unit 22 is automatically charged because the radio remote control unit is permanently carried by the operator, for example, in their hand. As an alternative to the automatic charging process, the charging process can also be initiated only after confirmation by the driver and / or when the battery falls below a certain minimum charge level.

[0023] For the installation of the charging device in the connecting section 34, the latter is provided with a removable cover 42, beneath which the charging device is arranged. It is conceivable to also provide the handles 28, 29 with removable cover sections for the purpose of installing or repairing the charging device arranged underneath.

[0024] It is understood that, for example, a charging device can also be provided in the horn section 24.

[0025] Fig.4 shows a side view of an industrial truck 44 with a schematically illustrated operator 46. The industrial truck 44 has a drive section 48 and a load section 50 with two load arms 52. A driver's platform 54 is provided on the drive section 48 and is separated from the load section 50 and the load arms by a rear wall 56. The rear wall has a structure 58 that provides an armrest and a handle for the operator. In the position of the operator 46 shown, the operator supports themselves with their left arm 60 on the structure 58 and grasps the provided handle. A charger (not shown) integrated into the structure allows a radio remote control unit to be electrically charged without contact. At the same time, the operator can steer the vehicle a with their right hand 62 via the steering wheel 64. The steering wheel 64 is arranged on the steering arm 66.

Claims

[1] System comprising an industrial truck (1) with a vehicle-mounted handle unit (2) which can be grasped by a user of the industrial truck and with a receiving device (20) for wirelessly transmitted control signals and a radio remote control unit (22) to be carried by an operator for generating the control signals, wherein the radio remote control unit (22) has a rechargeable electrical storage device, characterized by that an electrical charging device is provided in or adjacent to the handle unit (2), wherein the charging device and radio remote control unit (22) are designed for contactless inductive or capacitive energy transmission when the operator grasps the handle unit (2) with the worn radio remote control unit (22). [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by that an operating unit (2) for the industrial truck (1) with the vehicle-fixed handle unit (2) is provided. [3] System according to claim 2, characterized bythat the vehicle-mounted control unit (2) has a drawbar with a drawbar head and at least one loading device is integrated into the drawbar head. [4] System according to claim 3, characterized by that the drawbar head has handles (28, 29) and the loading device is integrated into one or both handles. [5] System according to claim 2, characterized by that the vehicle-mounted operating unit (2) has a steering wheel (18, 64) and at least one charging device (36, 38, 40) is integrated into the steering wheel. [6] System according to claim 5, characterized by that the steering wheel (18, 64) has handles (28, 29) on both sides and the at least one charging device is integrated into one or both handles (28, 29). [7] System according to claim 2, characterized by that the control unit is designed as a joystick and the charging device is integrated into the joystick. [8] System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the radio remote control unit (22) is designed to be portable on one hand of the operator. [9] System according to claim 8, characterized by that the radio remote control unit is designed to be worn on the operator's finger. [10] System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the radio remote control unit is ring-shaped and can be worn on the operator's forearm. [11] System according to claim 1, characterized by that the vehicle-mounted handle unit is designed as a handle at a driver's position.

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