Industrial truck

Abstract

Industrial truck (1) comprising at least: - a height-adjustable load handling device (2) - a motor (5) - three wheels (3), at least one of which is driven by the motor - a warning system (9, 10) for emitting warning signals to the surroundings, wherein the warning system (9, 10) can be activated automatically by selecting at least one predetermined direction of travel of the industrial truck (1), wherein the industrial truck (1) has at least two warning systems (9, 10) for emitting warning signals to the surroundings, wherein the at least two warning systems (9, 10) can each be activated automatically by selecting at least one predetermined direction of travel of the industrial truck (1), and that at least one of the at least two warning systems (9, 10) is designed to emit acoustic warning signals and at least one of the at least two warning systems (9, 10) is designed to emit visual warning signals, and that a switching device (8) is provided.by which each of the at least two warning systems (9, 10) can be selectively activated.

Description

[0001] The disclosure relates to a forklift truck with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Warning systems for such industrial trucks for emitting warning signals to the surroundings, especially for personal protection, are known in two different variants: those that emit an acoustic warning signal such as a beep or a noise (see DE 10 2022 133 140 A1) and those that emit a visual warning signal such as a light signal projected onto the ground (see DE 10 201 024 49 A1, DE 10 2006 002 960 A1 and EP 2 700 612 A1).

[0003] Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages in different environmental situations, with the visual warning signal system being particularly suitable for use either in areas with high noise levels or in areas where noise levels are not permitted.

[0004] The task is to provide a forklift truck that combines the advantages of both warning systems with regard to its warning function.

[0005] This problem is solved by a forklift truck with the features of claim 1.

[0006] Such a forklift truck has at least the following features: a height-adjustable load-handling device, a motor, three wheels, at least one of which is driven by the motor, two warning systems for emitting warning signals to the surroundings, wherein the at least two warning systems are each automatically activated by selecting a predetermined direction of travel of the industrial truck, at least one of the at least two warning systems is designed to emit acoustic warning signals and at least one of the at least two warning systems is designed to emit visual warning signals, a switching device by which one of the at least two warning systems can be selectively activated.

[0007] Such a forklift truck can, by having two different warning systems and selectively activating one of them, accommodate different applications without losing the advantages of the other system. This is particularly advantageous for forklifts, especially truck-mounted forklifts, because they can be used in very different environments.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] In one embodiment, the switching device is designed as a switch (for example, a manually operated switch with two positions) that can be actuated by an operator, preferably the driver, of the industrial truck. This allows the operator, preferably the driver, to assess which of the at least two warning systems should be used in the current situation.

[0010] In very noisy or quiet environments (e.g., at night), the use of the visual warning system will be advantageous. However, the operator, preferably the driver, can also select the audible warning system.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the switching device could be configured to automatically perform selective activation or at least display a selection suggestion to the operator, preferably the driver, depending on the environmental conditions. For example, brightness could be detected (e.g., by a twilight sensor), and / or the presence of ambient noise above a predetermined volume could be detected, and / or a specific time could be detected, e.g., during a predetermined period at night. The switching device could then automatically select and activate the warning system that emits visual warning signals, or at least display a selection suggestion to the operator, preferably the driver. It may be provided that the operator, preferably the driver, has a right of veto in the case of automatic selection.

[0012] In one embodiment, it is provided that at least one direction of travel of the at least one predetermined direction of travel, in which the at least two warning systems are each automatically activated, is a reversing direction.

[0013] The wheels can contact the ground either directly or via a track.

[0014] If one of the at least two warning systems is selected, automatic activation can occur as in the prior art, e.g., by a pressure switch supplied with the vehicle's electrical system and actuated by the directional pedal, thus switching the electrical voltage to the selected warning system. In other advantageous embodiments, the directional pedal can be actuated by a different mechanism, for example, a push button.

[0015] A visual signal can, for example, include an image projected onto the surface.

[0016] One embodiment is discussed with reference to the figures. Figure 1 shows a forklift truck in perspective view. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of Figure 1 .

[0017] The in Figure 1 The industrial truck 1, depicted and designed as a forklift truck 7, exhibits the following characteristics in a known manner: a liftable and lowerable load-handling device 2, at least three wheels 3 with which the truck-mounted forklift 1 can be moved on a surface, wherein at least one of the at least three wheels 3 is motor-driven and, by way of example, at least two wheels 3 are arranged on each of a retractable telescopic arm 4, a motor 5 for driving the at least one driven wheel 3, a motor control 6 for controlling the motor 5 taking into account the operating commands of a driver of the truck-mounted forklift.

[0018] As in Figure 2 As shown, the industrial truck 1 has at least two warning systems 9, 10 for emitting warning signals to the surroundings, wherein the at least two warning systems 9, 10 can each be automatically activated by selecting at least one predefined direction of travel of the industrial truck 1. A direction of travel can be selected by a driver using a direction selector switch 13.

[0019] At least one of the at least two warning systems 9, 10 is designed to emit acoustic warning signals. Another of the at least two warning systems 9, 10 is designed to emit visual warning signals.

[0020] A switching device 8 (here implemented by way of example in the engine control unit 6) is provided, by which one of the at least two warning systems 9, 10 can be selectively activated. This can be done by means of a switch 12 operated by the driver and / or automatically depending on the signals from a measuring device 11 for automatically determining ambient conditions and / or a time. Reference symbol:

[0021] 1. Industrial truck 2. Load handling attachment, for example, forks 3. Wheel 4. Telescopic arm 5. Motor 6. Motor control 7. Truck-mounted forklift 8. Switching device 9. Warning system for emitting acoustic warning signals 10. Warning system for emitting visual warning signals 11. Measuring device for automatically determining environmental conditions and / or a time 12. Switch 13. Direction of travel selector switch

Claims

1. Industrial truck (1), comprising at least: - a height-adjustable load handling device (2) - a motor (5) - three wheels (3), at least one of which is driven by the motor - a warning system (9, 10) for emitting warning signals to the surroundings, wherein the warning system (9, 10) can be activated automatically by selecting at least one predetermined direction of travel of the industrial truck (1). characterized by the fact thatthe industrial truck (1) has at least two warning systems (9, 10) for emitting warning signals to the surroundings, wherein the at least two warning systems (9, 10) can each be activated automatically by selecting at least one predetermined direction of travel of the industrial truck (1), and that at least one of the at least two warning systems (9, 10) is designed to emit acoustic warning signals and at least one of the at least two warning systems (9, 10) is designed to emit visual warning signals, and that a switching device (8) is provided by which one of the at least two warning systems (9, 10) can be selectively activated.

2. Industrial truck according to the preceding claim, wherein the switching device (8) is designed as a switching device (8) that can be operated by an operator, preferably a driver, of the industrial truck (1).

3. Industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the switching device (8) is designed to automatically perform the selective activation or at least to display a selection suggestion to the operator, preferably driver, wherein it is particularly preferred that the operator has a right of veto.

4. Industrial truck according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one direction of travel of the at least one predetermined direction of travel, in which the at least two warning systems (9, 10) are each automatically activated, is a reverse direction.

5. Industrial truck according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one preselected warning system (9, 10) switches to the at least one other warning system (9, 10) by actuating the switching device (8).

6. Industrial truck according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the industrial truck (1) is designed as a forklift, preferably as a truck-mounted forklift (7).

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