Interface system for a forklift truck

Abstract

Interface system for a forklift truck (10) with a load part (12) and a drive part (14) which has a one-piece hood cover (28) with a storage area, characterized by the fact that the interface system i. an interface adapter (30), - which can be detachably attached to the hood cover (28) by means of at least one fastening means and - which has a rotary / sliding connection unit (32) on a side of the interface adapter (30) that, in the fixed state, points away from the hood cover (28), and ii. has at least one functional element (34) which has a corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit (32) for detachable connection with the rotary / sliding connection unit of the interface adapter, furthermore, a set of different functional elements (34) is provided, from which the functional elements (34) each have the corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit (32) and can optionally be connected to the interface adapter (30) on the hood cover (28), and the set of functional elements (34) includes a pen holder, a scanner holder (36) and / or a writing plate (38).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an interface system for a forklift truck, the drive part of which has a one-piece hood cover with a storage surface.

[0002] On conventional industrial trucks, the drive unit is often designed with a hood cover. A control element, such as a short tiller, protrudes from the hood cover, allowing a user, for example, standing on a driver's platform, to control the vehicle. The hood cover also features ergonomically designed handles, operating elements, storage trays, and the like.

[0003] A disadvantage so far has been that once a hood cover has been designed, it cannot be subsequently adapted to the needs of the user of the industrial truck.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2009 032 470 A1 discloses an operating arrangement for a forklift truck. This arrangement includes a recess in the hood cover designed as a beverage holder. It also features a writing surface on which documents can be held by a spring-loaded retaining clip attached to the cover.

[0005] From DE 10 2011 113 176 A1 a forklift truck with a driver's seat for one operator has become known, in which a basket for holding objects is provided behind the driver's seat.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing an interface system that, in conjunction with a hood cover on a forklift truck, allows functional elements to be attached selectively.

[0007] According to the invention, the problem is solved by an interface system with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] The interface system according to the invention is designed and intended for use with a forklift truck equipped with a load unit and a drive unit. The drive unit has a one-piece hood cover with at least one storage area for items carried on the forklift truck. The interface system according to the invention comprises an interface adapter and at least one functional element. The interface adapter can be detachably attached to the hood cover by at least one fastening element. The interface adapter also has a rotary / sliding connection unit. The rotary / sliding connection unit is arranged on a side of the interface adapter that, when attached, faces away from the hood cover and forms a universal connection.The interface adapter can thus be attached to the hood cover and, with its rotary / sliding connection unit, provides a connection point for a desired functional element. The interface system according to the invention has at least one functional element that has a corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit for detachable connection with the rotary / sliding connection unit of the interface adapter. The interface system according to the invention provides an interface adapter for the hood cover of the industrial truck that can be attached to the hood cover and which provides the "first" rotary / sliding connection unit. At least one functional element with a corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit can thus be attached to the interface adapter and ultimately to the hood cover of the industrial truck. A particular advantage of the interface system according to the invention is its retrofit capability.Due to the two-part design with interface adapter and at least one functional element, the interface adapter only needs to be attached to the hood cover once, in order to then connect the desired functional element here.

[0009] The interface system according to the invention comprises a set of various functional elements, each of which has a corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit and can be optionally connected to the interface adapter on the hood cover. Depending on the application and use of the industrial truck, the set of various functional elements allows the operator to select a suitable element and connect them to each other in just a few steps using the corresponding rotary / sliding connection units. In a preferred embodiment, the set of functional elements includes a pen holder, a scanner holder, and / or a writing tablet. The pen holder is preferably cup-shaped, while the scanner holder can accommodate a handheld scanner, typically pistol-shaped, or hold it ergonomically.

[0010] In a preferred design, the interface adapter can be screwed to the hood cover with at least one screw. Screwing the interface adapter to the hood cover is a step that can easily be carried out when retrofitting the interface system to an existing industrial truck. Screw fastening is particularly advantageous when the hood cover already has recesses for the screws.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the interface adapter has a flat plate that is supported on the hood cover on two opposite sides. Depending on the design, for example, one side can be clamped to the hood cover, while the opposite side is screwed on.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the rotary / sliding connection unit of the interface adapter has several slots arranged in a circle, and the corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit of the functional element has at least circularly arranged projections that are inserted into the slots to connect the functional element and the interface adapter and can be rotated within them. In the preferred embodiment of the interface system, the rotary / sliding connection units of the interface adapter and the functional element can be placed on top of each other and detachably connected by a rotation in one direction.

[0013] In a further development, at least one of the slots of the rotary / sliding connection unit is designed to taper in width in one direction of rotation. Likewise, at least one of the projections can have a clamping projection that wedges the projection in the slot during rotation. The basic principle of connecting the rotary / sliding connection units is that they are placed on top of each other and twisted against each other to form a connection, similar to a bayonet fitting. The slot clamps an incoming projection, due to its tapered width and / or the clamping projection.

[0014] In an alternative or additional suitable embodiment, the rotary / sliding connection units can have a receptacle with several spring-loaded projections that extend radially and bear against at least one contact surface of the corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit. In these embodiments equipped with spring-loaded projections, the functional element to be fastened can be inserted and held clamped against its contact surfaces.

[0015] A particular advantage of the interface system according to the invention lies in the fact that at least one functional element can be manufactured using a rapid prototyping method. The functional element manufactured in this way then has a corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit. Functional elements manufactured using the rapid prototyping principle have the particular advantage that they can be customized to customer specifications and ergonomically designed without significant effort. In the interface according to the invention, the individually adapted functional element is equipped with the corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit so that it can be connected directly to the interface adapter without further modifications.

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the interface system according to the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1. A forklift truck with the driver's platform folded down, in a perspective view. Fig. 2 a second industrial truck with a permanently installed driver's platform and an attached pen holder in a perspective view, Fig. 3 the forklift truck Fig. 1 with a scanner holder, Fig. 4 the forklift truck Fig. 1 with a writing tablet, Fig. 5 Detailed view of the hood cover with an interface adapter before its installation, Fig. 6 of the interface adapters from Fig. 5 in its assembled form, Fig. 7. Detailed view of the assembly of a pen holder, and Fig. 8. Cut along line BB. Fig. 7.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a forklift truck 10 with a load section 12 and a drive section 14. The load section 12 has a pair of load arms 16, which are supported at their front ends by load rollers 18. The drive section 14 has a swiveling operator platform 20, which is laterally secured by swiveling side arms 22. The drive section 14 also has a steering wheel 24, which is arranged on a steering arm 26. The position of the drive wheel (not shown) can be set via the steering wheel 24. Additional controls on the steering wheel 24 can also be used, for example, to adjust the travel speed and to raise and lower the load arms 16. The steering arm 26 protrudes from a hood 28. An interface adapter 30, which has a circular rotary / sliding connection unit 32, can be seen on the hood 28.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 shows an alternative industrial truck in which a driver's platform 20' is integrated into the drive unit 14 and the swiveling side arms 22 can be omitted. The in Fig. The industrial truck 10' shown in Figure 2 is equipped with a functional element 34, which is designed as a cylindrical cup and can, for example, hold pins or elongated tools. Fig. Figure 3 shows a scanner holder 36 as an additional functional element for a forklift truck. Fig. Figure 4 shows a DIN A4 writing tablet 38 as a functional element, which is equipped with a clamping strip 40 at its upper end. The industrial trucks in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 makes it clear that the interface adapter 30 with its rotary / sliding connection unit 32 can be used as a universal connection for a variety of different functional elements. Its arrangement on the hood cover 28 provides an ergonomically advantageous position for placing various functional elements in close proximity to the steering wheel 24.

[0019] Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the mounting of the interface adapter 30 on the hood cover 28. The hood cover 28 is in the Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the interface adapter 30 detached from the industrial truck for clarity. The interface adapter 30 is plate-shaped and has an approximately rectangular contour. In its central area, the interface adapter 30 has two protrusions 42a and 42b. A circular rotary / sliding unit 44 is provided in the area of ​​the protrusions 42a and 42b. The rotary / sliding unit 44 is part of the one-piece interface adapter 30. The rotary / sliding connection unit 44 has a circular body with circumferentially extending slots 48. The rotary / sliding connection unit 44 has four slots 48 evenly distributed around its circumference, each with an angle of 30° to 50°.

[0020] To secure the interface adapter 30, its first edge 50 is positioned in a recess 52. By sliding it in the direction of arrow S, the interface adapter is secured to the cover 28 at its edge 50. Two screw receptacles 56a, 56b are provided at the opposite end 54 of the interface adapter 30. The interface adapter 30 is fastened to the cover 28 by means of screws 58a, 58b, which are inserted from the underside of the cover 28 through corresponding bores 60 in the cover. Fig. Figure 6 shows the fixed state in which the interface adapter 30, with its plate-shaped form, is arranged essentially horizontally and parallel to the top of the hood cover 28.

[0021] Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 shows the attachment of the cup-shaped pin holder 34 to the rotary / sliding connection unit 44. The pin holder 34 has a cylindrical cup body 62, a conically tapered base section 64, and four hook-shaped projections 66. The hook-shaped projections 66 are inserted into the slots (not shown) of the rotary / sliding connection unit 44 in a sliding motion. The pin holder 34 is locked in place by rotating it clockwise. As shown in the sectional view from Figure 8, the pin holder 34 is then attached to the rotary / sliding connection unit 44. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8, each of the projections 66 has a section 68 extending along the longitudinal axis of the pen holder, from which a horizontal arm 70 projects. The horizontal arm 70 has a thickening at its end, which improves the clamping effect when the pen holder is in place.

[0022] A particular advantage of the interface system according to the invention lies in its retrofit capability, allowing the user of a forklift truck to implement different variants for the functional elements even after initial installation. Retrofitting requires a corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit for the functional element. As an alternative to the arrangement shown on the hood cover, the interface adapter can also be positioned elsewhere on the hood cover. In the illustrated embodiment, a rotary / sliding connection unit with a circular arrangement of slots and projections is presented. Other configurations for the rotary / sliding connection unit are also possible. For example, the rotary / sliding connection unit can have larger holes as "threading holes," whereby when the functional element is rotated, the clamping element then engages in a narrower slot area.It is also possible to provide plug-in clamping elements that are held together, for example, by spring tension. Other clamping connections and locking mechanisms are also possible. A particular advantage of the system according to the invention is that customer-specific functional elements can be realized with minimal effort during rapid prototyping. For this, it is only necessary to integrate a corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit into the functional element. Reference symbol list 10 industrial trucks 10' forklift 12 Load part 14 Drive unit 16 load arms 18 load rollers 20 Driver's platform 20' driver's platform 22 side arms 24 steering wheel 26 Steering arm 28 Hood cover 30 interface adapters 32 Rotary / sliding connection unit 34 Functional element, pen holder 36 scanner holders 38 writing plates 40 terminal blocks 42a,b bulge 44 Rotary / sliding connection unit 48 slots 50 edge 52 In-depth study 54 Opposite end of the interface adapter 56a,b Screw mount 58a,b screws 60 bore 62 cup bodies 64 floor section 66 hook-shaped protrusions Section 68 70 horizontal arm

Claims

[1] Interface system for a forklift truck (10) with a load part (12) and a drive part (14) which has a one-piece hood cover (28) with a storage area, characterized by , that the interface system i. an interface adapter (30), - which can be detachably attached to the hood cover (28) by means of at least one fastening means and - which has a rotary / sliding connection unit (32) on a side of the interface adapter (30) that, in the fixed state, points away from the hood cover (28), and ii. has at least one functional element (34) which has a corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit (32) for detachable connection with the rotary / sliding connection unit of the interface adapter, furthermore, a set of different functional elements (34) is provided, from which the functional elements (34) each have the corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit (32) and can optionally be connected to the interface adapter (30) on the hood cover (28), and the set of functional elements (34) includes a pen holder, a scanner holder (36) and / or a writing plate (38). [2] Interface system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the interface adapter (30) can be screwed to the hood cover (28) with at least one screw (58a, 58b). [3] Interface system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the interface adapter (30) has a flat plate which is supported on the hood cover on two opposite sides. [4] Interface system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the rotary / sliding connection unit (32) of the interface adapter (30) has several slots (48) arranged in a circular shape and the corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit of the functional element (34) has several projections (66) arranged in a circular shape which can be inserted into the slots (48) and rotated in them to connect the functional element and the interface adapter. [5] Interface system according to claim 4, characterized by , that at least one of the slots (48) tapers in width in one direction of rotation. [6] Interface system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that at least one of the projections (66) has a clamping projection with which the projection (66) clamps itself in the slot (48) during a rotation. [7] Interface system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that one of the rotary / sliding connection units (32) has a receptacle (56a, 56b) with several spring-loaded projections (66) that protrude in a radial direction and clamp against contact surfaces of the corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit (32). [8] Interface system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that at least one functional element (34) is manufactured according to a rapid prototyping process, wherein the functional element (34) manufactured in this way has a corresponding rotary / sliding connection unit (32).

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