TRUCK FOR INTERNAL TRANSPORT WITH AT LEAST ONE DRIVER POSITION SENSOR AND A CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to an industrial truck (2) with at least one driver position sensor (7) and a control system (6). The driver position sensor (7) is designed to detect whether a driver (50) of the industrial truck (2) leaves a working position in the industrial truck (2) and to transmit an indication signal to the control system (6) when a departure from the working position is detected by the driver position sensor (7). The control system (6) is designed to detect a travel speed (40) of the industrial truck (2) and to generate a warning signal (32) if the control system (6) receives the indication signal while the travel speed (40) exceeds a specified or specifiable speed limit. The control system (6) is further designed to transmit the warning signal (32) to at least one signal transmitter (30) of the industrial truck (2), which outputs the warning signal (32) as a visual and / or acoustic signal.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an industrial truck with at least one driver position sensor and a control system.

[0002] When operating industrial trucks, there is a risk of injury if a driver leaves the truck before it has come to a complete stop. For example, careless handling can result in the driver's foot being crushed by a braking but still moving truck. The risk of such an accident is particularly high with industrial trucks, which are typically entered and exited in the same direction as the truck is moving. This is often the case with reach trucks, for example.

[0003] To prevent such accidents, drivers are usually trained accordingly and instructed to only leave the industrial truck once it has come to a complete stop. Nevertheless, accidents still occur from time to time due to drivers who fail to adhere to these rules of conduct.

[0004] The object of the invention is to improve the safety in the operation of industrial trucks.

[0005] This object is achieved by an industrial truck comprising at least one driver position sensor and a control system, wherein the at least one driver position sensor is designed to detect whether a driver of the industrial truck leaves a working position in the industrial truck and to transmit an indication signal to the control system when a departure from the working position is detected by means of the driver position sensor, wherein the control system is designed to detect a travel speed of the industrial truck and to generate a warning signal if the control system receives the indication signal while the travel speed exceeds a specified or specifiable speed limit, wherein the control system is further designed to transmit the warning signal to at least one signal transmitter of the industrial truck, which outputs the warning signal as a visual and / or acoustic signal.

[0006] The benefit of emitting a visual and / or acoustic signal is that it alerts both the driver and bystanders that the driver has left their working position in the industrial truck while driving. In addition to warning the driver, this also has an educational effect. This educational effect is based on the fact that the visual and / or acoustic signal also alerts employees and supervisors to this misconduct. The warning signal is emitted in such a way that it is clearly perceptible not only in the industrial truck but also to persons in the vicinity.

[0007] The visual signal is emitted, in particular, via a warning light on the industrial truck, which is designed to warn bystanders of a dangerous situation. Such a warning light is often used, for example, when the industrial truck is reversing. In this case, the same warning light is also used to emit a warning signal that alerts bystanders of the driver's misconduct.

[0008] The acoustic signal is in particular at least 70 dB, furthermore in particular at least 80 dB loud. The acoustic signal can comprise a voice signal. For example, the voice signal is a spoken warning to the driver. For example, the voice signal can be a voice message that alerts the driver and bystanders that the industrial truck has been abandoned while in motion. In particular, the voice signal can contain the name of the driver. The name can, for example, be taken from a database. Using the driver's name increases the educational effect, as it becomes immediately clear to bystanders which driver has committed an error.

[0009] The working position is a position that the driver assumes in the industrial truck while operating the truck. In particular, the driver assumes the working position when sitting on a seat in the driver's compartment of the industrial truck. According to another embodiment, the driver assumes the working position while in the driver's compartment of the industrial truck.

[0010] The driving speed of the industrial truck is determined using methods known in the art. For example, the driving speed is determined using software that accesses a speed measuring device in the industrial truck. The devices and methods used to measure speed are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0011] The control system is, in particular, a computer or other data processing device located in the industrial truck. The warning signal is generated by the at least one driver position sensor and signals to the control system that the driver has left the working position in the industrial truck. However, a warning signal is only generated if the control system receives the warning signal while the truck's travel speed exceeds the speed limit. However, if the industrial truck has already come to a standstill, the receipt of a warning signal does not result in the generation of a warning signal.

[0012] Preferably, the speed limit corresponds to a standstill of the industrial truck. In other words, the warning signal is generated whenever the driver leaves the working position before the truck has come to a standstill. This prevents the driver from being injured by a moving truck.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the speed limit is selected so that it corresponds to a very slow speed shortly before the industrial truck comes to a standstill.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one driver position sensor comprises a deadman's switch, in particular a deadman's pedal. The deadman's switch is mounted in such a way that the driver can operate it while in the working position. A deadman's pedal is mounted, for example, in the footwell of the driver's seat, so that a driver can no longer operate the pedal when leaving the seat. This reliably registers a departure from the working position in the industrial truck.

[0015] Preferably, the at least one driver position sensor comprises a seat switch. The seat switch detects, in particular, whether the driver is sitting in the industrial truck's seat. For this purpose, the seat switch is arranged, for example, in the seat cushion or the backrest. If the driver leaves the working position, this is registered by the seat switch, and the warning signal is transmitted to the control system. This allows for easy detection of whether the driver leaves the working position in the industrial truck. Preferably, the at least one driver position sensor comprises both the dead man's switch and the seat switch. The combination of these two driver position sensors ensures that the driver's presence in the working position is registered particularly reliably.

[0016] In particular, the at least one driver position sensor comprises a camera that monitors the interior of the driver's seat. Using the camera and appropriate evaluation software, it is also possible to determine whether the driver leaves the working position in the industrial truck.

[0017] The signal device is preferably a loudspeaker and / or a signal light. A loudspeaker can emit an acoustic signal that is clearly audible not only to the driver but also to bystanders. A signal light produces a visual signal that is also easily audible not only to the driver but also to bystanders. The signal device is preferably arranged on a mast or on the roof of the industrial truck. For example, the signal device is arranged at the top of a mast or on the roof of the industrial truck. Arranging the signal device in this way ensures that the visual and / or acoustic signal is also clearly audible to people outside the industrial truck. This increases the learning effect, as not only the driver but possibly also a supervisor becomes aware of the misconduct.

[0018] The signal generator is preferably designed to emit the optical and / or acoustic signal in a characteristic pattern. For example, the characteristic pattern consists of three signals, each half a second long. However, any number of signals of any length can also be selected. Likewise, a voice signal, for example, can also be emitted. The characteristic pattern of the signal is clearly associated with prematurely leaving the work position and is not emitted in any other warning or hazardous situation. The signal is clearly identifiable so that bystanders are informed that the driver exited the vehicle too early.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the control system is designed to transmit the warning signal to an external database. For example, the external database is a database of a goods logistics facility in which the industrial truck is operated. In particular, the warning signal is transmitted to a supervisor of the driver. The transmission of the warning signal to the external database is carried out, in particular, wirelessly. In particular, the warning signal is stored in the database together with information about the driver. This makes it possible to later determine which drivers frequently exit industrial trucks prematurely and thus contribute to dangerous situations. This makes it possible for a company to conduct additional training for conspicuous drivers or to issue warnings.

[0020] Preferably, the control system is configured to reduce the maximum speed of the industrial truck when the warning signal is generated. For example, the industrial truck can only be operated at creep speed after the warning signal has been generated. This not only slows the industrial truck down, but also prevents a subsequent increase in speed. Authorization by a supervisor is particularly necessary to cancel creep speed. This measure increases the learning effect, as the driver must inform the supervisor of the misconduct before they can operate the industrial truck normally again.

[0021] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may incorporate individual features or a combination of several features.

[0022] Within the scope of the invention, features marked with "in particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

[0023] The invention is described below, without limiting the general inventive concept, using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. For all details of the invention not explained in more detail in the text, express reference is made to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a simplified schematic representation of an industrial truck which is left by a driver during travel.

[0024] Fig. 1shows a simplified schematic of an industrial truck 2, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is a reach truck. The industrial truck 2 comprises a mast 10 with a load fork 11 for picking up and unloading loads. A driver 50 sits in a driver's position 4, which has a seat 8 and a control panel 9, to operate the industrial truck 2. A roof 12 of the industrial truck 2 extends above the driver's position 4. For locomotion, the industrial truck 2 comprises a drive wheel 14 and two load wheels 15. Furthermore, the industrial truck 2 comprises a control system 6, which is Fig. 1 is shown with dashed lines because it is concealed by the housing of the industrial truck 2. In addition, the industrial truck 2 includes several driver position sensors 7, which are connected to the control system 6 and are also concealed.

[0025] By means of the driver position sensors 7, it is determined whether the driver 50 leaves his working position in the industrial truck 2. For this purpose, a first driver position sensor 7 is designed as a deadman switch 20, e.g. as a deadman pedal, and a second driver position sensor 7 is designed as a seat switch 21 in the seat 8. If the driver 50 leaves the driver position 4, as in Fig. 1shown, he must take his foot off the dead man's switch 20. The seat switch 21 also registers the departure from the working position, since the driver 50 rises from the seat 8 for this purpose. The driver position sensors 7 are designed to transmit an indication signal to the control system 6 when the driver 50 leaves the working position. The control system 6 is also designed to determine a travel speed 40 of the industrial truck 2. To do so, it accesses, for example, appropriately designed devices in the industrial truck 2. If the indication signal is received by the control system 6 while the travel speed 40 is above a speed limit, a warning signal 32 is output via a signal generator 30. The speed limit can, for example, be selected such that the warning signal 32 is generated when the industrial truck 2 is still moving while the control system 6 receives the indication signal.In other words, the warning signal 32 is issued if the driver 50 leaves the working position in the industrial truck 2 while the industrial truck 2 is still moving. In this way, not only the driver 50 himself is made aware of this incorrect behavior, but also bystanders. By also issuing the warning signal 32 to bystanders, a learning effect is achieved to avoid this incorrect behavior in the future. In order to issue the warning signal 32 particularly effectively, the signal generator 30 is arranged, for example, on the roof 12 or on a mast tip of the mast 10. For example, the signal generator is a loudspeaker and / or a signal light. In . Fig. 1 For example, a signal light is arranged as a signal generator 30 on the roof 12, which emits a light signal as a warning signal 32. In addition, a loudspeaker is shown schematically as a signal generator 30, which emits an acoustic signal as a warning signal 32. In Fig. 1For better visibility, the loudspeaker is schematically indicated above the industrial truck 2. In practice, such a loudspeaker can be arranged, for example, on the roof 12 or be designed as a horn of the industrial truck 2.

[0026] In addition, it can be provided that the control system 6 is configured to transmit the warning signal 32 to an external database 60. For example, the recorded misconduct of the individual drivers 50 in a company can be recorded and stored in the external database 60 in order to be able to conduct targeted training at a later time.

[0027] All mentioned features, including those revealed solely in the drawings as well as individual features disclosed in combination with other features, are considered essential to the invention, both individually and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention may be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features. List of reference symbols

[0028] 2Industrial truck 4Driver's position 6Control system 7Driver position sensor 8Seat 9Control panel 10Mast 11Fork 12Roof 14Drive wheel 15Load wheel 20Dead man's switch 21Seat switch 30Signal generator 32Warning signal 40Travel speed 50Driver 60External database

Claims

1. Industrial truck (2) comprising at least one driver position sensor (7) and a control system (6), wherein the at least one driver position sensor (7) is designed to detect whether a driver (50) of the industrial truck (2) leaves a working position in the industrial truck (2) and to transmit an indication signal to the control system (6) when a departure from the working position is detected by the driver position sensor (7), wherein the control system (6) is designed to detect a travel speed (40) of the industrial truck (2) and to generate a warning signal (32) if the control system (6) receives the indication signal while the travel speed (40) exceeds a specified or specifiable speed limit, wherein the control system (6) is further designed to transmit the warning signal (32) to at least one signal transmitter (30) of the industrial truck (2),which emits the warning signal (32) as a visual and / or acoustic signal.

2. Industrial truck (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the speed limit corresponds to a standstill of the industrial truck (2).

3. Industrial truck (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one driver position sensor (7) comprises a dead man's switch (20), in particular a dead man's pedal.

4. Industrial truck (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one driver position sensor (7) comprises a seat switch (21).

5. Industrial truck (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the signal generator (30) is a loudspeaker and / or a signal light.

6. Industrial truck (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the signal generator (30) is arranged on a mast (10) or a roof (12) of the industrial truck (2).

7. Industrial truck (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe signal generator (30) is designed to output the optical and / or acoustic signal in a characteristic pattern.

8. Industrial truck (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control system (6) is designed to transmit the warning signal (32) to an external database (60).

9. Industrial truck (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control system (6) is designed to reduce a maximum speed of the industrial truck (2) when the warning signal (32) is generated.