Forklift truck with a driver's cab and a display mount

Abstract

Industrial truck with a driver's cab comprising a driver's seat and a display mounting within the driver's cab, the display mounting comprising a mounted mounting part and a display holder designed for connection to a display, the display holder being pivotably mounted on the mounting part about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being transverse to a plane spanned by three points, a first point being on the display holder or on the display and the other two points being defined by the eye positions of two persons of different heights, each person sitting in the driver's cab looking towards the display mounting.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a forklift truck with a driver's cab, which includes a driver's seat and has a display mount within the driver's cab. The display mount has a pre-installed mounting element and a display holder designed for connection to a display.

[0002] It is known that in industrial trucks, an additional display is permanently mounted in the driver's cab without any adjustment options. It is also known to position the display at a suitable location in the cab via a ball joint, allowing it to be adjusted around three axes. Neither solution is ideal, as a fixed display cannot be adjusted to the driver's viewing angle. The use of the ball joint with its three-axis adjustability has the disadvantage of being expensive to manufacture and not easily adjustable by an operator.

[0003] US patent 2008 / 0191109 A1 discloses an angle-adjustable display mount consisting of a first adjustment mechanism, a frame, and second and third adjustment mechanisms. The first adjustment mechanism allows adjustment to the right and left, while the third adjustment mechanism adjusts the display around an axis.

[0004] US patent 2022 / 0274535 discloses an angle-adjustable display mount intended for installation in a vehicle. This mount comprises two fixed struts connected at their ends by a connecting piece. The connecting piece has a pivoting frame that can be pivoted about an axis running along the line connecting the two fixed parts.

[0005] The solutions known from the prior art have the disadvantage that they are comparatively complex to manufacture and assemble.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a forklift truck with a display attachment that can be manufactured using simple means.

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

[0008] The industrial truck according to the invention is equipped with a driver's cab that includes a driver's seat and a display mount within the cab. The display mount comprises a vehicle-mounted mounting element and a display holder designed for connection to the display. The display mount thus consists of two components: the mounting element and the display holder. According to the invention, the display holder is pivotably mounted on the mounting element about a pivot axis. The pivot axis runs transversely to an imaginary plane. The plane that defines the position of the pivot axis is defined as an imaginary plane spanned by three points. A first point is located on the display holder or on the display that can be mounted on the display holder. The other two points are defined by the eye positions of two people of different heights.The individuals whose eye positions define the second and third points of the plane are seated in the driver's cab, facing the display mount. The left or right eye of each individual can be chosen as the eye position, or an imaginary eye point located midway between the two eyes. Orienting the pivot axis transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the imaginary plane allows the viewing angle of the display to be directly adjusted to the operator's height with a small swivel angle of the display mount. Operators of varying heights can thus intuitively adjust the display mount correctly, with this adjustment directly relating to the driver's viewing position. Such an adjustment can be made with one hand, and incorrect settings due to lateral adjustment movements, such as those that can occur with ball joints, are eliminated.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, one of the two individuals is a short person whose height falls within the fifth percentile. The fifth percentile means that 95% of the participants in the study group are taller. By focusing on the eye position of a short person, it is ensured that the viewing angle is also suitable for shorter individuals, thus improving the ergonomics of the vehicle for shorter users.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment, a tall person whose height falls within the 95th percentile is selected for one of the two roles. This also ensures and maintains improved ergonomics for a tall person.

[0011] When examining the eye position of individuals, particular attention is paid to the so-called eye point. The eye point is the midpoint between the eyes.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the pivot axis extends obliquely to all vehicle axes, in particular to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, vertical axis, and transverse axis. This reflects the fact that the second and third points through which the plane is defined do not lie on a vertical vertical axis, but rather a line extending through these points lies obliquely in space and forms an angle with a vertical Z-axis, with the ground then forming the XY plane of the vehicle. The pivot axis is therefore not horizontally oriented.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the mounting element or display holder is arranged within the driver's cab such that a gap remains between the display held on the display holder and the driver's cab in every swivel position. This gap, which is inherently predetermined during swiveling, prevents the operator's fingers from being pinched when adjusting the display holder. Sufficient clearance to the surrounding driver's cab is always maintained.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the mounting bracket and the display holder can be adjusted relative to each other at a swivel angle. The advantage here is that, by optimizing for the wingtips of people of different heights, only a very small swivel angle is required to adapt to a person's height. Small swivel angles that directly achieve the desired result improve the ergonomics on the vehicle and for using the display. Furthermore, the entire display mounting system boasts a compact design.

[0015] In another ergonomically advantageous design, the mounting bracket and the display holder can be fixed relative to each other using a clamping device. The clamping device is preferably designed to clamp the mounting bracket and the display holder in a fixed position relative to each other. This is advantageous because the display cannot slip during vehicle use.

[0016] Preferably, the clamping device is continuously adjustable or detented within a limited swivel range of the swivel axis. Here, 'adjustable clamping device' means that the mounting part and the display holder can be clamped at a relative angle to each other.

[0017] The swivel range specified for the mounting device and the display holder can be determined, for example, by the clamping element. However, other spatial limitations, such as stops or protrusions, can also be provided to restrict the swivel range. A detented adjustment provides additional resistance to acceleration forces. Preferably, the clamping element operates solely by friction, without the need for additional locking or fastening mechanisms. Locking and fastening mechanisms, such as operating levers, star knobs, or helical nuts, have the disadvantage of generally requiring two-handed operation and being significantly more complex in design than a friction-based clamping element. Furthermore, the designs for locking and fastening mechanisms are often not designed to prevent loss.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the display holder has an arm with a display plate attached to its end. The display or another adapter can be attached to the display plate. Various fastening devices can be used for this purpose.

[0019] The display plate allows the display holder to be adapted to different display types and sizes. The display plate can also serve as a type of adapter plate, and can even be integrated with the display holder as a single unit. Using a display holder with a display plate provides greater flexibility when equipping different vehicles.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the display mount is attached to an A-pillar of the driver's cab. The A-pillar is a suitable location for mounting a display, particularly an additional display that the operator wants to keep in view while handling the load. Mounting the display on the A-pillar also allows for a smaller display mount, eliminating the need for arms, struts, or additional spacers to attach the display to a vehicle console or the cab roof. This smaller size frees up more space inside the driver's cab.

[0021] In a preferred further development, the first point of the spanned plane lies on a surface of a display mounted in the display holder. Choosing this first point ensures that the display's tilt adjusts to the operator's height.

[0022] Preferably, the pivot axis is at an angle of 75° to 105° to the plane defined by the three points. This angular range corresponds to an angle of + / - 15° to the normal direction of the plane. Alternatively, the pivot axis can coincide with the normal direction of the defined plane.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the display holder has an additional tilting mechanism that adjusts the display holder along its pivot axis by an angle of 1° to 5°. This tilting mechanism functions as a dimming function, which can be used to react to glare on the display. By adjusting the angle by a small amount, direct glare is prevented.

[0024] A preferred embodiment is described in more detail below with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a forklift truck with a driver's cab having an A-pillar and a B-pillar, Fig. 2 a, b Side and front views from a large and a small position when the plane is set, Fig. 3a, b a mounted display attachment with the stretched plane in a side view and a front view, Fig. 4a, b a schematic view of the display mounting from above and from the side, Fig. 5a, b a detailed view of the display mounting.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a forklift truck 10. The forklift truck 10 has a driver's cab 14, which supports a protective roof. The protective roof is supported by a pair of A-pillars 20 and B-pillars 12. The driver's cab 14 contains a driver's seat 28, which has a control unit 16 on one of its side armrests. The forklift truck 10 is also controlled by a steering wheel 18 and foot pedals 26. The forklift truck 10 has a tilting mast 22 with a load-bearing element 24. The load-bearing element 24 is designed as a pair of forks that are height-adjustable.

[0026] Fig. Figures 2a and 2b show a small person 30 and a large person 32 sitting in the driver's seat 28. The driver's seat 28 is not shown for clarity. Both persons 30 and 32 grasp the steering wheel 18 with their left hand 34 (same reference symbol). The right hand 36 of the small person 30 reaches for the control element 16 on the armrest. The right hand 38 of the large person 32 has adjusted the control element 16 on the driver's seat ergonomically differently, so the positions of the right hands 36 and 38 of the two persons vary. The foot position 40 and 42 of the persons is identical and corresponds to the position of the foot pedals 26.

[0027] In Fig. In 2a and b, the eyes are not marked on the head of the respective position, but rather the eye point 48. For the tall person 32, the eye point 50 is shown. As already mentioned, particularly in Fig. As can be clearly seen in 2a, the eye points 48 and 50 are not vertically aligned, but lie on a straight line that runs obliquely to a vertical axis 52.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3a shows the determination of plane 54. Plane 54 is defined by three points: The first point, 58, is located on the display; a second point is formed by the eye point, 48, of the shorter person; and the third point is formed by the eye point, 50, of the taller person. Both people and the display define three points that span plane 54. When considering eye points 48 and 50, it is important to take into account that people of different heights may adjust their seats differently depending on the vehicle's configuration. This means that eye points 48 and 50 change not only due to height but also due to seat adjustments. If such seat adjustment is provided, then when determining eye points 48 and 50, care is always taken to ensure that the seat is ergonomically adjusted for each individual's height.When considering the tall and short person, it has proven advantageous to choose the fifth percentile in terms of height for the short person and the 95th percentile in terms of height for the tall person.

[0029] This allows the vehicle to be designed in a well-balanced manner and, above all, to choose an ergonomically favorable layout.

[0030] Fig. Figure 3b shows the spanned plane 54. Although Fig. 3b might give the impression that eye points 48 and 50 are vertically aligned, but this impression is deceptive.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3b shows the detailed construction of the display mounting 60. The display mounting 60 consists of a mounting part 62, which is pivotably connected to a display holder 64. The display 56 is mounted on the display holder 64. The mounting part 62 is mounted on the A-pillar of the industrial truck, in this case, on the right A-pillar. The fixed mounting part 62 allows the display holder 64 to pivot about a pivot axis 53. The pivot axis 53 is horizontal and intersects the imaginary plane 54 perpendicularly. The orientation of the pivot axis 53 relative to the plane 54 is such that the surface of the display 56 can always be aligned so that a line of sight from the viewpoint falls perpendicularly onto the surface of the display.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4a shows a simplified overview of the steering wheel 18 and the spanned plane 54 together with the driver's seat 28. The two eye points 48 and 50 also clearly indicate in this representation that the small person is seated significantly forward. The distance from their eye point 48 to the steering wheel 18 is less than the distance from eye point 50 to the steering wheel 18.

[0033] Fig. 4b shows - similar to Fig. 3b - the assembly of the display mounting 60. This consists of the mounting part 62, which is attached to the A-pillar and connected to a display holder 64. An electrical connector 68 protrudes through the display holder 64, through which the display 56 can be electrically connected. An adapter plate 66 is provided on the display holder 64. The adapter plate 66 allows a wide variety of displays 56 to be attached to the display holder 64.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 4b also shows the clamping elements 70, by which the display holder 64 and the mounting part 62 are clamped together. The clamping element 70 has a detent (not shown) and can be adjusted without releasing the clamping element.

[0035] Fig. 5a and Fig. Figure 5b shows the assembly of the display mounting from different views. The mounting part 64 is mounted on the A-pillar and holds the display holder 64 via a clamping device 70. The display 56 is attached to the display holder 64. Reference symbol list 10 industrial trucks 12 B-pillars 14 Driver's cab 16 Control unit / operating element 18" steering wheel 20 A-pillars 22 lifting mast 24 Load-bearing devices 26 foot pedals 28 driver's seat 30 small person 32 tall person 34 left hands of the tall and short person 36 right hand of the small person 38 right hand of the tall person 40 foot position 42 Foot position 48 Augpunkt 50 Augpunkt 52 vertical axis 53 Swivel axis Level 54 56 Display 58 first point 60 Display mounting 62 Fastening part 64 Display holders 66 Adapter plate 68 connectors 70 clamping devices QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2008 / 0191109 A1

[0003] US 2022 / 0274535

[0004]

Claims

[1] Industrial truck (10) with a driver's cab (14) comprising a driver's seat (28) and having a display mounting (60) inside the driver's cab (14), and the display mounting (60) comprising a mounted mounting part (62) and a display holder (64) designed for connection with a display (56), characterized by , that the display holder (64) is pivotably mounted on the mounting part (62) about a pivot axis (53), wherein the pivot axis (53) lies transversely to a plane (54) which is spanned by three points, of which a first point (58) is on the display holder (64) or on the display (56) and the other two points are defined by the eye positions of two persons (30, 32) of different body heights, wherein the persons (30, 32) are each sitting in the driver's cab (14) looking towards the display mounting (60). [2] Industrial truck (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the two persons (30, 32) is a small person (30) whose height is in the 5th percentile. [3] Industrial truck (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that one of the two persons (30, 32) is a tall person (32) whose height is in the 95th percentile. [4] Industrial truck (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the pivot axis (53) extends obliquely to a longitudinal axis, vertical axis and transverse axis of the vehicle. [5] Industrial truck (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the mounting part (62) or the display holder (64) is arranged within the driver's cab (14) in such a way that a distance remains between the display (56) held on the display holder (64) and the driver's cab (14) in every swivel position. [6] Industrial truck (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that the mounting part (62) and display holder (64) can be adjusted relative to each other at a swivel angle. [7] Industrial truck (10) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the fastening part (62) and display holder (64) can be fixed relative to each other by means of a clamping device (70). [8] Industrial truck (10) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the clamping means (70) the fastening part (62) and display holder (64) can be adjusted continuously or in a detented manner within the swivel range of the swivel axis (53). [9] Industrial truck (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the display holder (64) has an arm and an adapter plate (66) arranged at the end of the arm, which is designed to attach the display (56) to it. [10] Industrial truck (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the display mounting (60) is attached to an A-pillar (20) of the driver's cabin (14). [11] Industrial truck (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that the first point (58) lies on a surface of a display (56) arranged in the display holder (64). [12] Industrial truck (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the pivot axis (53) runs at an angle of 75° to 105° to the plane (54) spanned by the three points. [13] Industrial truck (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the display holder (64) has an additional tilting mechanism which adjusts the display holder (64) with the display (56) along a horizontal axis by an angle of 1°-5°.

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