Fork lift

Abstract

To provide a fork lift that facilitates mounting of a sheath fork and a device housing body on a fork.SOLUTION: A fork lift comprises a vehicle body and a cargo handling device. The cargo handling device includes: a mast; a lift bracket 27 capable of being lifted / lowered with respect to the mast; and a fork provided on the lift bracket 27. The fork includes: a placement portion on which a load can be placed; and a rising portion 37 extending upward from a basal part of the placement portion. The fork lift further comprises: a sheath fork 47 mountable so as to cover the placement portion; a detection unit that detects a detection target; and a vehicle-side controller that receives transmission of a detection signal from the detection device. The fork lift is characterized by having a power storage device 90 that supplies power to the detection device; a communication device 89 that enables wireless communication with the vehicle-side controller; and a device housing body 73 with a housing space for housing the power storage device 90 and the communication device 89, the device housing body 73 being integrated with the sheath fork 47 and provided on a front surface 43 of the rising portion 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a forklift. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional technique related to a forklift, for example, an image display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a forklift equipped with an image display device. Two cameras are attached to the tip of one of the two forks of the forklift. The image display device attached to the forklift is composed of a surrounding information acquisition unit and a main body processing device.

[0003] The surrounding information acquisition unit is mounted on the fork or finger bar, which is the moving part, and the main processing device is mounted on the main body and head guard of the forklift. The surrounding information acquisition unit includes a camera for the fork, as well as a control unit, a first wireless communication unit, and a position information detection unit. The control unit, the first wireless communication unit, the position information detection unit, etc. are housed in a sensor box made of a radio wave transparent material, and the sensor box and the camera are connected by a cable. The sensor box (first wireless communication unit) is mounted on the back of the base of the fork or on the finger bar, and moves up and down together with the fork. Patent Document 1 also discloses that a camera is attached to the tip of a sheath fork, and the sheath fork is attached so as to cover the fork. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-147418 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the forklift of the prior art, the equipment housing (sensor box) is mounted on the back of the base of the fork or on the finger bar of the lift bracket. Therefore, for example, in a forklift with an attachment in which the fork moves relative to the lift bracket, there is a problem that the equipment housing interferes with the lift bracket. It is also possible to install a camera on the sheath fork and the equipment housing on the back of the base of the fork, but this requires the work of separately installing the equipment housing and the sheath fork, which is cumbersome.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a forklift in which the work of attaching a sheath fork and an equipment housing to the fork can be easily performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a forklift truck comprising a vehicle body and a loading device provided at a front part of the vehicle body, the loading device having a mast, a lift bracket that can be raised and lowered relative to the mast, and a fork provided on the lift bracket, the fork having a loading section on which a load can be placed, and a rising section that rises from a base of the loading section, a sheath fork that can be attached to cover the loading section, a detection device provided adjacent to the fork and detecting a detection object, and a vehicle-side controller mounted on the vehicle body and receiving a detection signal from the detection device, the forklift truck comprising: a power storage device that supplies power to the detection device, a communication device that can wirelessly communicate with the vehicle-side controller, and an equipment housing having a storage space to house the power storage device and the communication device, the equipment housing being integrated with the sheath fork and provided on at least one of the front and side of the rising section.

[0008] In the present invention, the device housing that houses the communication device and the power storage device is integrated with the sheath fork. Therefore, by attaching the sheath fork to the fork, the device housing is provided on at least one of the front and side of the rising portion. This makes it easy to attach the sheath fork and the device housing to the fork.

[0009] In addition, in the above-mentioned forklift, the detection device may be a camera provided at the front of the fork sheath and capable of capturing images of the area in front of the fork, and may be configured to have wiring inserted into the fork sheath and connecting the camera to the communication device and the power storage device. In this case, since the camera is provided at the front of the fork and can capture an image of the area in front of the fork, the situation in front of the fork can be grasped by checking the image captured by the camera. Also, since the wiring connected to the camera is inserted inside the fork, the wiring connected to the camera can be connected to a communication device and a power storage device.

[0010] In the above-mentioned forklift, the equipment housing may have a load contact surface provided on the front side and capable of contacting a back side of a load, and the load contact surface may be configured to extend along the extending direction of the raised portion. In this case, since the equipment housing is provided on the front side of the rising portion, it becomes easier to integrate it with the sheath fork. Also, since the load contact surface of the equipment housing extends along the extending direction of the rising portion, the posture of the load contacting the load contact surface can be stabilized.

[0011] In addition, in the above-mentioned forklift, the equipment storage body may be provided on the side and have a storage body front face, and the storage body front face may be configured to be flush with the front face or to be located rearward of the front face. In this case, the equipment housing is provided on the side surface of the rising portion, and the front surface of the housing is flush with the front surface of the rising portion or is located rearward of the front surface. Therefore, the front surface of the rising portion can abut against the load.

[0012] In the forklift described above, the equipment housing may include a resin formed portion formed of resin so as to face the communication device. In this case, since the equipment housing has a resin formed portion facing the communication device, even if the equipment housing is made of metal, the communication device can perform smooth wireless communication through the resin formed portion.

[0013] In the forklift described above, the equipment housing may have an operation switch for operating the power storage device and the communication device. In this case, since the equipment housing has an operation switch for activating the power storage device and the communication device, the operation switch can be turned ON when the detection equipment is used, and turned OFF when the detection equipment is not used, thereby reducing power consumption of the power storage device.

[0014] The forklift may further include a pair of contact portions formed at both widthwise ends of the equipment housing and capable of contacting both side surfaces of the rising portion. In this case, when the sheath fork is attached to the fork, the equipment housing is provided in front of the rising portion, and the abutment parts of the equipment housing face both sides of the rising portion, respectively. As a result, it is possible to prevent the equipment housing from shifting in the width direction of the fork. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, a forklift can be provided in which the work of attaching a sheath fork and an equipment housing to the fork can be easily performed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a forklift according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a forklift according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a forklift according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a forklift according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fork, sheath and appliance housing. [Figure 6] (a) is a side view of the right fork, the right sheath fork and the equipment housing, and (b) is a plan view of the fork, the sheath fork and the equipment housing. [Figure 7] (a) is a side view of the left fork, the left sheath fork and the equipment housing, and (b) is a plan view of the left fork, the left sheath fork and the left equipment housing. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an independent functional unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the independent functional unit. [Figure 10] 9A is a plan view of the independent functional unit, and FIG. 9B is a view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main part of a forklift according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] (First embodiment) A forklift according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The forklift according to this embodiment is a reach forklift that runs electrically in a factory or the like. Note that the terms "front / back," "left / right," and "up / down" that specify directions are shown based on the state in which the operator of the reach forklift sits in the driver's seat and faces the forward direction of the reach forklift.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle body 11 of a reach forklift (hereinafter simply referred to as a "forklift") 10 has a vehicle body 12 and a pair of left and right reach legs 13 (13R, 13L) extending forward from the front of the vehicle body 12. The reach legs 13 are provided with rotatable driven wheels 14 that correspond to the front wheels. The right driven wheel is referred to as driven wheel 14R, and the left driven wheel is referred to as driven wheel 14L. Only the left reach leg 13L and the left driven wheel 14L are shown in Fig. 2.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, a drive unit 15 including a traveling motor 16 and driving wheels 17 as rear wheels is provided on the left side of the rear part of the vehicle body 12. The traveling motor 16 drives the driving wheels 17. The forklift 10 travels on a road surface F by driving the driving wheels 17. The drive unit 15 also includes a steering motor (not shown) for steering the driving wheels 17. As shown in FIG. 3, a caster wheel 18 is provided on the right side of the rear part of the underside of the vehicle body 12. The caster wheel 18 is a freely rotatable wheel for further stabilizing the posture of the vehicle body 11. A standing driver's seat 19 is provided on the right side of the rear part of the vehicle body 12. An operator drives the forklift 10 while standing in the driver's seat 19.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, a right pillar 20 and a left pillar 21 are erected on the vehicle body 12. A head guard 22 is provided on the upper parts of the right pillar 20 and the left pillar 21. In this embodiment, a display device 23 is provided in front of the head guard 22. The display device 23 is an image monitor capable of displaying a camera image, and is provided in a position that is easily visible to the operator. For ease of explanation, the head guard 22 is not shown in Fig. 3.

[0021] A loading device 24 is provided between the pair of reach legs 13 and is movable forward and backward relative to the vehicle body 12. The loading device 24 includes outer masts 25 supported on the left and right reach legs 13, and inner masts 26 supported on the outer masts 25 so as to be capable of being raised and lowered. A lift bracket 27 is supported on the inner masts 26 so as to be capable of being raised and lowered. A pair of left and right forks 28 (28R, 28L) are supported on the front surface of the lift bracket 27. The upper ends of the forks 28 are journalled on the lift bracket 27 so as to enable tilting of the forks 28. Thus, the forks 28 can tilt forward and backward. A backrest 29 is provided above the forks 28. A lift cylinder 30 for raising and lowering the inner masts 26 is fixed to the rear of the outer masts 25 (see FIG. 2).

[0022] The vehicle body 12 houses a controller 31 that controls each part of the vehicle body 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 31 includes a CPU 32 as an arithmetic processing unit, a storage unit 33 including RAM and ROM, and an image processing unit 34. The controller 31 corresponds to a vehicle-side controller that receives a detection signal from a detection device. The controller 31 may include dedicated hardware that executes at least a part of various processes, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The controller 31 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that operate according to a computer program, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as ASIC, or a combination thereof. The image processing unit 34 is capable of processing image data such as a camera image, and displays the processed camera image on the display device 23.

[0023] In this embodiment, the controller 31 is connected to the driving motor 16, the display device 23, and a vehicle-side communication device 35, as shown in Fig. 4. The vehicle-side communication device 35 is a communication device that enables wireless communication, and is mounted on the vehicle body 12. The wireless communication method of the vehicle-side communication device 35 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a communication method compatible with the IEEE802.11 communication standard, which is an international standard.

[0024] Regarding the fork 28, as shown in FIG. 5, the fork 28 is bent into an L-shape and has a mounting portion 36 on which a load can be placed, and a rising portion 37 rising from the base of the mounting portion 36. The tip of the mounting portion 36 is formed to be thinner than the plate thickness of the base. The tip of the mounting portion 36 has a substantially arc-shaped shape in a plan view. The mounting portion 36 has an upper surface 38, a lower surface 39, and a pair of side surfaces 40, 41. The upper surface 38 faces upward, and the lower surface 39 faces the road surface F. The side surface 40 faces outward, and the side surface 41 faces inward.

[0025] The rising portion 37 extends upward from the base of the mounting portion 36, and the tip of the rising portion 37 is provided with a locking portion 42 that is locked to the lift bracket 27. The rising portion 37 has a front surface 43, a back surface 44, and a pair of side surfaces 45, 46. The front surface 43 faces forward, and the back surface 44 faces the lift bracket 27. The side surface 45 faces outward, and the side surface 46 faces inward.

[0026] In the forklift 10 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a sheath fork 47 is attached to the fork 28R, and a sheath fork 48 is attached to the fork 28L. The sheath fork 47 is attached to the mounting portion 36 of the right fork 28R. The sheath forks 47, 48 are longer than the mounting portion 36 of the fork 28. As shown in Figs. 6(a) and 6(b), the sheath fork 47 has a receiving plate 49, a bottom plate 50, and a pair of side plates 51, 52, and the receiving plate 49, the bottom plate 50, and the pair of side plates 51, 52, which are steel plates, are welded to each other to form an insertion space 53 that allows the mounting portion 36 to be inserted.

[0027] The receiving plate 49 is a plate member that supports a load, and the bottom plate 50 is a plate member that faces the road surface F, and the vicinity of the tip of the bottom plate 50 is inclined so as to approach the receiving plate 49. A part of the tip of the bottom plate 50 is cut away to form a notch 54. The side plate 51 is a plate member that faces the outside. The side plate 52 is a plate member that faces the inside. An opening 55 is formed on the base side of the side plate 52. A through hole (not shown) is formed in the base of the side plate 51, through which a stop member 56 from the fork 28R of the sheath fork 47 is inserted, and a through hole (not shown) is formed in the base of the side plate 52. The stop member 56 is detachable from the sheath fork 47.

[0028] A first cylindrical member 59 is provided on the base side of the notch 54 in the insertion space 53. The first cylindrical member 59 is fixed to the receiving plate 49 and the side plate 52 by welding so that the end of the first cylindrical member 59 faces forward. The tip of the first cylindrical member 59 protrudes to the notch 54, but does not protrude from the lower surface of the bottom plate 50 in a side view. A second cylindrical member 60 is provided on the base side of the first cylindrical member 59, and the second cylindrical member 60 extends toward the base of the sheath fork 47. A third cylindrical member 61 is provided in the insertion space 53 so as to face the opening 55. The third cylindrical member 61 is fixed to the side plate 52 by welding so that the axis of the third cylindrical member 61 is inclined with respect to the extension direction of the side plate 52. The end surface of the third cylindrical member 61 is substantially the same surface as the outer surface of the side plate 52 and is formed in an elliptical shape.

[0029] The first tubular member 59 accommodates a first camera 62 adjacent to the fork 28R as a detector for detecting a detection target. The first camera 62 is adjacent to the fork 28R and corresponds to a detector for detecting a detection target, and is a camera for capturing an image in front of the fork 28R. A wiring 63 is connected to the first camera 62, and the wiring 63 is inserted into the second tubular member 60. The wiring 63 includes a power line for supplying power to the first camera 62 and a transmission line for transmitting a captured image. The third tubular member 61 accommodates a second camera 64 as a detector for detecting a detection target. The second camera 64 is a camera for capturing an image of the area between the fork 28R and the fork 28L and in front of the base side of the fork 28R. A wiring 65 is connected to the second camera 64. The wiring 65 includes a power line for supplying power to the second camera 64 and a transmission line for transmitting a captured image. The first camera 62 and the second camera 64 each include a lens in addition to a number of imaging elements such as a CCD or a CMOS.

[0030] Next, the sheath fork 48 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b), the sheath fork 48 has a receiving plate 67, a bottom plate 68, and a pair of side plates 69, 70. The receiving plate 67, the bottom plate 68, and the pair of side plates 69, 70, which are steel plates, are welded together to form an insertion space 71 that allows the placement portion 36 to be inserted. The receiving plate 67 is a plate member that supports a load, and the bottom plate 68 is a plate member that faces the road surface F, and the vicinity of the tip of the bottom plate 68 is inclined so as to approach the receiving plate 67. The side plate 70 is a plate member that faces the inside. A through hole (not shown) is formed in the base of the side plate 69, through which a slip-out prevention member 72 that prevents the sheath fork 48 from slipping out of the fork 28L is inserted, and a through hole (not shown) is formed in the base of the side plate 70. The slip-out prevention member 72 is detachable from the sheath fork 48.

[0031] The forklift 10 of this embodiment has an equipment housing 73 that is integrated with the sheath fork 47 and is provided on the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37 of the fork 28R. The equipment housing 73 of this embodiment is a member that houses equipment and the like for enabling the first camera 62 and the second camera 64 to function independently. As shown in FIG. 8, the equipment housing 73 is fixed so as to stand on the base of the sheath fork 47. The fixing means for fixing the equipment housing 73 to the sheath fork 47 is a bolt (not shown). When the sheath fork 47 is attached to the fork 28R, the equipment housing 73 covers most of the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 9, equipment housing 73 has front plate 74, upper plate 75, and a pair of side plates 76, 77, which are steel plates. In equipment housing 73, front plate 74, upper plate 75, and a pair of side plates 76, 77 are formed by bending steel plates. Equipment housing 73 is formed by bending steel plates to form an accommodation space. Note that, for ease of explanation, shock buffering members and vibration absorbing members, which will be described later, are not shown in Fig. 9.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the front plate 74 has a front surface 74A as a load contact surface capable of contacting the back surface of the load. When the sheath fork 47 is attached to the fork 28R, the front surface 74A extends along the extension direction of the rising portion 37 of the fork 28R so that the equipment housing 73 covers most of the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37 (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 10(a), the upper plate 75 has a recess 75A in which the rising portion 37 of the fork 28R is fitted in a plan view. At both ends in the width direction of the equipment housing 73, a pair of contact portions 73A capable of contacting both side surfaces 45, 46 of the rising portion 37 is provided. The contact portions 73A are composed of at least a part of the upper plate 75 and a part of the side plates 76, 77. The contact portions 73A face both sides of the side surfaces 45, 46 of the rising portion 37, thereby restricting the positional deviation of the equipment housing 73 with respect to the width direction of the rising portion 37.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10(b), the equipment housing 73 is provided with partition plates that divide the storage space formed by the upper plate 75, the front plate 74, and the pair of side plates 76, 77 into multiple spaces. The first partition plate 78 is closest to the upper plate 75, the second partition plate 79 is located between the first partition plate 78 and the third partition plate 80, and the third partition plate 80 is closest to the sheath fork 47. The multiple spaces divided by the first partition plate 78 to the third partition plate 80 are the first storage space 81, the second storage space 82, and the third storage space 83. The first partition plate 78 to the third partition plate 80 not only divide the space into multiple spaces, but also function to improve the strength of the equipment housing 73. When the sheath fork 47 is attached to the fork 28R, the first partition plate 78 to the third partition plate 80 abut against the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37.

[0035] Of the pair of side plates 76, 77, the side plate 76 faces the outside, and the side plate 77 faces the inside. Screw holes 84 are formed near both ends of the side plates 76, 77. Screw members 85 serving as fixing members for fixing the device housing 73 to the side surfaces 45, 46 of the fork 28 can be screwed into the screw holes 84. The side plate 76 is formed with a first opening 86, a second opening 87, and a third opening 88. The first opening 86 communicates with the first housing space 81, the second opening 87 communicates with the second housing space 82, and the third opening 88 communicates with the third housing space 83. The first housing space 81 houses a communication device 89, and the second housing space 82 houses a power storage device 90. The third housing space 83 houses an expansion device 91. In this embodiment, the equipment housing 73, the communication device 89, the power storage device 90, and the expansion device 91 constitute an independent function unit 92 that independently performs specific functions. The specific functions are imaging by the first camera 62 and the second camera 64, communication with the vehicle body side communication device 35 by the first communication device 98 and the second communication device 99, and detection of air pressure by the air pressure sensor 111, which will be described later.

[0036] The device housing 73 has a first cover member 93 that closes the first opening 86, a second cover member 94 that closes the second opening 87, and a third cover member 95 that closes the third opening 88. The first cover member 93 is detachable from the side plate 76, and is made of resin to improve communication conditions, and corresponds to a resin-formed portion. Also, an operation switch 96 for operating the communication device 89, the power storage device 90, and the extension device 91 is provided. The second cover member 94 and the third cover member 95 are made of steel plate and are detachable from the side plate 76.

[0037] The communication device 89 is a communication device capable of wireless communication with the vehicle-body-side communication device 35 mounted on the vehicle body 11. The communication device 89 includes a first bracket 97, a first communication device 98, and a second communication device 99. The first bracket 97 is an L-shaped plate member having a size corresponding to the first housing space 81, and is erected on the first partition plate 78. The first communication device 98 is a communication device for transmitting an image of the first camera 62 to the vehicle-body-side communication device 35 by wireless communication, and is fixed to the first bracket 97 so as to be spaced apart from the first partition plate 78. The first communication device 98 is fixed to the first bracket 97 by a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown). The first communication device 98 is connected to the first camera 62 via a wiring 63.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 10(b), a foamed elastic body 101 serving as a shock absorbing member is interposed between the first bracket 97 and the front plate 74, and between the lower part of the first communication device 98 and the first bracket 97. A rubber member 102 serving as a vibration absorbing member is interposed between the first bracket 97 and the first communication device 98, and on the back surface of the first communication device 98. The foamed elastic body 101 absorbs shock to the first communication device 98, and the rubber member 102 absorbs vibration of the first communication device 98, thereby reducing the influence of shock and vibration on the first communication device 98. There is a gap between the rubber member 102 on the back surface of the first communication device 98 and the rising portion 37 of the fork 28.

[0039] The second communication device 99 is a communication device for transmitting an image of the second camera 64 to the vehicle body side communication device 35 by wireless communication, and is fixed to the first bracket 97 above the first communication device 98 and spaced apart from the first communication device 98. The second communication device 99 is fixed to the first bracket 97 by a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown). The second communication device 99 is connected to the second camera 64 via a wiring 65. A foam elastic body 103 is interposed between the lower part of the second communication device 99 and the first communication device 98 as a shock absorbing member. A rubber member 104 is interposed between the first bracket 97 and the second communication device 99 and on the back surface of the second communication device 99 as a vibration absorbing member. The rubber member 104 on the back surface of the second communication device 99 is spaced apart from the rising portion 37 of the fork 28.

[0040] Next, the power storage device 90 will be described. The power storage device 90 supplies power to the first camera 62, the second camera 64, and the communication device 89. The communication device 89 includes a second bracket 105 and a battery 106. The second bracket 105 is an L-shaped plate member having a size corresponding to the second housing space 82, and is provided upright on the second partition plate 79. The battery 106 is a chargeable and dischargeable secondary battery, such as a lithium ion battery. The battery 106 is fixed to the second bracket 105 so as to be spaced apart from the second partition plate 79. The means for fixing the battery 106 to the second bracket 105 is a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown).

[0041] Battery 106 is connected to first camera 62 via wiring 63, and is also connected to second camera 64 via wiring 65. Battery 106 is also connected to first communicator 98 and second communicator 99 via wiring (not shown).

[0042] A foamed elastic body 108 serving as a shock absorbing member is interposed between the second bracket 105 and the front plate 74, and between the lower part of the battery 106 and the second bracket 105. A rubber member 109 serving as a vibration absorbing member is interposed between the second bracket 105 and the battery 106, and on the back surface of the battery 106. The foamed elastic body 108 absorbs shock to the battery 106, and the rubber member 109 absorbs vibration of the battery 106, thereby reducing the effects of shock and vibration on the battery 106. There is a gap between the rubber member 109 on the back surface of the battery 106 and the rising portion 37 of the fork 28.

[0043] Next, the extension device 91 will be described. The extension device 91 is a device for adding not only the functions of the communication device 89 and the power storage device 90 that the independent function unit 92 has, but also other functions. The extension device 91 of this embodiment is a device for detecting the lifting height of the forks 28, and includes a third bracket 110 and an air pressure sensor 111. The third bracket 110 is an L-shaped plate member having a size corresponding to the third storage space 83, and is erected on the third partition plate 80. The air pressure sensor 111 is a sensor capable of detecting air pressure, and is fixed to the third bracket 110 so as to be spaced apart from the third partition plate 80. The air pressure sensor 111 is fixed to the third bracket 110 by a hook-and-loop fastener (not shown). The air pressure sensor 111 detects the lifting height of the forks 28 from the difference with the air pressure detected by another air pressure sensor (not shown) provided on the vehicle body 11. The air pressure sensor 111 is connected to the communication device 89 and the power storage device 90 via wiring (not shown).

[0044] A foamed elastic body 112 serving as a shock absorbing member is interposed between the third bracket 110 and the front plate 74, and between the lower part of the air pressure sensor 111 and the third bracket 110. A rubber member 113 serving as a vibration absorbing member is interposed between the third bracket 110 and the air pressure sensor 111, and on the back surface of the air pressure sensor 111. The foamed elastic body 112 absorbs shock to the air pressure sensor 111, and the rubber member 113 absorbs vibration of the air pressure sensor 111, thereby reducing the effects of shock and vibration on the air pressure sensor 111. There is a gap between the rubber member 113 on the back surface of the air pressure sensor 111 and the rising portion 37 of the fork 28.

[0045] The equipment housing 73 housing the communication device 89, the power storage device 90 and the expansion device 91 is attached to the base of the sheath fork 47 and is integrated with the sheath fork 47. In this embodiment, an equipment housing 73 is also attached to the base of the sheath fork 48 (see FIG. 4). However, nothing is housed in the equipment housing 73 of the sheath fork 48, and the left equipment housing 73 is used to match the shape of the right equipment housing 73. Therefore, the equipment housing 73 attached to the sheath fork 48 does not function as an independent functional unit.

[0046] Next, the operation of the forklift 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The equipment housing 73 in which the communication device 89, the power storage device 90, and the extension device 91 are accommodated is attached to the sheath fork 47 in advance, and the sheath fork 47 and the equipment housing 73 are integrated. In addition, an empty equipment housing 73 in which nothing is accommodated is attached to the sheath fork 48, and the sheath fork 47 and the equipment housing 73 are integrated. Next, the operator of the forklift 10 inserts the fork 28R into the sheath fork 47 and fixes the sheath fork 47 to the fork 28R with the retaining member 72. In addition, the operator fixes the equipment housing 73 in which the communication device 89, the power storage device 90, and the extension device 91 are accommodated to the rising portion 37 using the screw member 85. Similarly, the fork 28L is inserted into the sheath fork 48, and the sheath fork 47 is fixed to the fork 28L with the retaining member 72. In addition, the operator fixes the empty equipment housing 73 to the rising portion 37 using the screw member 85.

[0047] Next, the operator turns on the operation switch 96 so that the independent functional unit 92 functions. When the operation switch 96 is turned on, the battery 106 supplies electricity to the first camera 62, the second camera 64, the first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, and the air pressure sensor 111. As a result, the first camera 62 and the second camera 64 start capturing images. The images captured by the first camera 62 and the second camera 64 are transmitted to the vehicle body side communication device 35 by wireless communication via the first communication device 98 and the second communication device 99. The transmitted images are processed by the image processing unit 34 of the controller 31 and then displayed on the display device 23.

[0048] Since the first camera 62 captures an image in front of the sheath fork 47, even when a load is placed on the fork 28 and the front of the sheath fork 47 cannot be seen, the operator can grasp the state in front of the sheath fork 47 by viewing the image on the display device 23. Since the second camera 64 captures an image between the sheath forks 47, 48 and the area in front of them, the operator can grasp the state near the sheath forks 47, 48 by viewing the image on the display device 23, even when the fork 28 is raised.

[0049] When the lift cylinder 30 is extended by the operator, the air pressure sensor 111 rises together with the forks 28 and the sheath fork 47. The air pressure sensor 111 detects the air pressure corresponding to the lift height. The air pressure detected by the air pressure sensor 111 is wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle body side communication device 35 by the first communication device 98 and the second communication device 99. The controller 31 accurately detects the lift height of the forks 28 from the difference with the air pressure detected by another air pressure sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle body 11.

[0050] During loading and unloading operations by the forklift 10, shocks and vibrations occur to the forks 28 and the forks 47, 48 when loading and unloading a load and when the forklift 10 is traveling. The first communication device 98 housed in the equipment housing 73 is protected from shocks and vibrations by a foamed elastic body 101 and a rubber member 102. The second communication device 99 is protected from shocks and vibrations by a foamed elastic body 103 and a rubber member 104. The battery 106 is protected from shocks and vibrations by a foamed elastic body 108 and a rubber member 109. The air pressure sensor 111 is protected from shocks and vibrations by a foamed elastic body 112 and a rubber member 113.

[0051] When the operation switch 96 is ON while the forklift 10 is being operated, the first camera 62, the second camera 64, the first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, the battery 106, and the air pressure sensor 111 are always in operation. When the operation of the forklift 10 is finished, the operator turns the operation switch 96 OFF. By turning the operation switch 96 OFF, the first camera 62, the second camera 64, the first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, and the battery 106 stop operating, and power consumption of the battery 106 can be reduced.

[0052] The forklift 10 of the present embodiment has the following advantages. (1) The equipment housing 73 housing the communication device 89, the power storage device 90, and the extension device 91 is integrated with the sheath fork 47. Therefore, the equipment housing 73 is provided on the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37 by attaching the sheath fork 47 to the fork 28R. This simplifies the installation work of the sheath fork 47 and the equipment housing 73 to the fork 28R. In addition, the equipment housing 73 housing the communication device 89, the power storage device 90, and the extension device 91 is provided on the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37 as an independent functional unit 92, which eliminates the need for wiring between the equipment housing 73 and the lift bracket 27. Therefore, even in the case of an attachment in which the fork 28 moves from the equipment housing 73 relative to the lift bracket 27, interference between the equipment housing 73 and the lift bracket 27 can be prevented.

[0053] (2) The detection device is a first camera 62 provided at the front of the sheath fork 47 and capable of capturing an image of the area in front of the fork 28R, and has a wiring 63 that is inserted into the sheath fork 47 and connects the first camera 62 to a communication device 89 and a power storage device 90. Therefore, the situation in front of the fork 28R can be grasped by checking the image captured by the first camera 62. Also, since the wiring 63 connected to the first camera 62 is inserted into the sheath fork 47, the wiring 63 can be connected to the communication device 89 and the power storage device 90.

[0054] (3) Since the equipment housing 73 is provided on the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37, it is easier to integrate the equipment housing 73 and the sheath fork 47. In addition, since the front surface 74A of the front plate 74 of the equipment housing 73 extends as far as possible along the extending direction of the rising portion 37, the posture of the load abutting against the front surface 74A can be stabilized.

[0055] (4) The equipment housing 73 includes a first lid member 93 that serves as a resin-formed portion formed of resin to face the communication device 89. Therefore, even if the portions of the equipment housing 73 other than the first lid member 93 are made of metal, the communication device 89 can perform smooth wireless communication with the vehicle-body side communication device 35 connected to the controller 31 through the first lid member 93.

[0056] (5) Since the equipment housing 73 has an operation switch 96 for activating the communication device 89 and the power storage device 90, the operation switch 96 can be turned ON when the first camera 62 etc. is used, and turned OFF when the first camera 62 etc. is not used, thereby reducing power consumption of the power storage device 90.

[0057] (6) The equipment housing 73 is provided with a pair of abutment portions 73A formed on both ends in the width direction of the equipment housing 73 and capable of abutting against both side surfaces 45, 46 of the rising portion 37. Therefore, when the sheath fork 47 is attached to the fork 28R, the equipment housing 73 is provided on the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37, and the abutment portions 73A face both side surfaces 45, 46 of the rising portion 37, so that it is possible to restrict misalignment of the equipment housing 73 in the width direction of the fork 28R.

[0058] (7) The first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, the battery 106, and the air pressure sensor 111 housed in the device housing 73 are protected by shock absorbing members having a function of absorbing shock and vibration absorbing members having a function of absorbing vibration. As a result, the first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, the battery 106, and the air pressure sensor 111 are less susceptible to the effects of shock and vibration.

[0059] (8) The first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, the battery 106, and the air pressure sensor 111 are housed in the equipment housing 73 to form an independent function unit 92 with independent functions. Therefore, even if the independent function unit 92 is provided on the forks of a forklift, which is an attachment in which the forks move relative to the lift bracket, no wiring is required between the independent function unit 92 and the lift bracket. Examples of attachments in which the forks move relative to the lift bracket include fork shifters, side shift forks, hinged forks, and full rotation forks.

[0060] (9) The equipment housing 73 housing the first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, the battery 106, and the air pressure sensor 111 is integrated with the fork sheath 47, making it relatively easy to apply the present invention to existing forklifts.

[0061] (10) Providing the first camera 62 on the sheathed fork 47 reduces manufacturing costs compared to using a dedicated fork on which a camera can be attached. Also, since the first tubular member 59 and the second tubular member 60 are provided in the insertion space 53 of the sheathed fork 47, the first camera 62 can be protected by the first tubular member 59, and the wiring 63 can be protected by the second tubular member 60.

[0062] (11) The first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, the battery 106, and the air pressure sensor 111 are fixed to the corresponding brackets by hook-and-loop fasteners. Therefore, the first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, the battery 106, and the air pressure sensor 111 can be removed more easily than when they are fixed using bolts and nuts. In addition, since the outer side plate 76 of the equipment housing 73 is provided with a plurality of openings, the first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, the battery 106, and the air pressure sensor 111 can be removed from the corresponding openings with the sheath fork 47 attached.

[0063] Second embodiment Next, a forklift according to a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the configuration of the functional housing is different from that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be referred to and the same reference numerals will be used.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 11, the forklift 120 of this embodiment has an equipment housing 121 that is integrated with the sheath fork 47 and is provided on the side surface 45 of the rising portion 37 of the fork 28R. The equipment housing 121 is a member that houses equipment for allowing the first camera 62 and the second camera 64 to function independently without relying on the controller 31. As shown in FIG. 8, the equipment housing 121 is fixed so as to stand on the base of the sheath fork 47. The fixing means for fixing the equipment housing 121 to the sheath fork 47 is a bolt (not shown). When the sheath fork 47 is attached to the fork 28R, the equipment housing 121 covers most of the side surface 45 of the rising portion 37.

[0065] The device housing 121 has a front plate 122, a back plate 123, an upper plate 124, and a side plate 125, which are steel plates. A front surface 122A of the front plate 122 corresponds to the front surface of the housing. In this embodiment, the front surface 122A is the same surface as the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37. The device housing 121 is provided with a partition plate (not shown) that partitions the housing space formed by the front plate 122, the back plate 123, the upper plate 124, and the side plate 125 into a plurality of spaces. The housing space is partitioned into a first housing space, a second housing space, and a third housing space (not shown). The first housing space houses a communication device 89, and the second housing space houses a power storage device 90. The third housing space houses an expansion device 91. The device housing 73, the communication device 89, the power storage device 90, and the expansion device 91 constitute an independent function unit 126.

[0066] The side plate 125 is formed with a first opening 127, a second opening 128, and a third opening 129. The first opening 127 communicates with the first housing space, the second opening 128 communicates with the second housing space, and the third opening 129 communicates with the third housing space. The device housing 121 has a first cover member 131 that closes the first opening 127, a second cover member 132 that closes the second opening 128, and a third cover member 133 that closes the third opening 129. The first cover member 131 corresponds to a resin forming portion, and is provided with an operation switch 134.

[0067] The first communication device 98, the second communication device 99, the battery 106, and the air pressure sensor 111 housed in the device housing 121 are protected by shock absorbing materials that have a function of absorbing shocks and vibration absorbing materials that have a function of absorbing vibrations.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the equipment housing 121 is integrated with the sheath fork 47. Therefore, by attaching the sheath fork 47 to the fork 28R, the equipment housing 121 is provided on the side surface 45 of the rising portion 37. Therefore, the attachment work of the sheath fork 47 and the equipment housing 121 to the fork 28R is simplified. In addition, by providing the equipment housing 121 on the side surface 45 of the rising portion 37, the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37 of the fork 28R can abut against the load. Since the front surface 122A of the equipment housing 121 is not located forward of the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37, almost the entire receiving plate 49 of the sheath fork 47 can be used as a support surface for the load, and the load can be supported more stably. In addition, since the load abuts against the front surface 122A of the equipment housing 121 together with the front surface 43 of the rising portion 37, the load can be supported more stably.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the spirit of the invention. For example, the following modifications may be made.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the detection device is a camera, but the detection device is not limited to this. For example, the detection device may be an air pressure sensor or various types of measuring devices. In the above embodiment, the equipment housing is provided on the front or side of the rising portion of the fork, but this is not limited to this. For example, the equipment housing may have a structure in which it is provided across the front and side. In the above embodiment, the extension device is described as an air pressure sensor, but is not limited thereto. The extension device may be, for example, a computer for image judgment or a machine learning engine, or a load sensor or a camera light, or any other device that performs a function other than the functions of a communication device and a power storage device. In the second embodiment, the front surface of the equipment housing is flush with the front surface of the rising portion of the fork, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the front surface of the equipment housing may be located behind the front surface of the rising portion. In this case, the front surface of the equipment housing does not come into contact with the load, and is therefore less susceptible to shocks and vibrations from the load. In the above embodiment, the device housing includes a resin-formed portion formed of resin so as to face the communication device, but this is not limited to the above. For example, if communication conditions are improved by providing an antenna or the like on the device housing, the device housing may not include a resin-formed portion. Also, the device housing may include a resin-formed portion so as not to face the communication device. In the above embodiment, the device housing has the operation switches for operating the power storage device and the communication device, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the device housing does not need to include the operation switches. In the above embodiment, the equipment container constituting the independent functional unit is provided only in the right fork and an empty equipment container is provided in the left fork, but this is not limited to the above. The left and right forks may each be provided with an equipment container constituting an independent functional unit. In the above embodiment, the forklift is a reach forklift, but the forklift is not limited to this. The forklift may be, for example, a counterbalance forklift, and any type or form may be used as long as it is a forklift equipped with at least a fork. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10, 120 Reach forklift 11 Body 16 Driving motor 23 Display device 24 Cargo handling equipment 27 Lift bracket 28 Fork 31 Controller 35 Vehicle-side communication device 37 Rising part 43 Front 47, 48 Sayafork 53 Insertion Space 59 First cylindrical member 60 Second cylindrical member 61 Third cylindrical member 62 First camera (detection device) 63, 63 Wiring 64 Second Camera 73, 121 Equipment housing 73A Contact part 74A,122A front 81 First Storage Space 82 Second Storage Space 83 Third Containment Space 86, 127 First opening 87, 128 Second opening 88, 129 3rd opening 89 Communication Equipment 90 Energy storage device 91 Expansion Unit 92, 126 Independent Functional Unit 93, 131 First cover member (resin forming portion) 94, 132 Second cover member 95, 133 Third cover member 95, 134 Operation switch 98 First Communication Device 99 Second Communication Device 106 Battery 111 Barometric pressure sensor

Claims

1. The car body and A loading device provided at the front part of the vehicle body, The loading and unloading device includes a mast, a lift bracket that can be raised and lowered relative to the mast, and a fork provided on the lift bracket, The fork is A loading section on which a load can be loaded; a rising portion rising from a base portion of the mounting portion, A sheath fork that can be attached to cover the placement portion; A detection device provided adjacent to the fork and configured to detect a detection target; a vehicle-side controller mounted on the vehicle body and receiving a detection signal from the detection device, a power storage device that supplies power to the detection device; A communication device capable of wireless communication with the vehicle body controller; an equipment housing having an accommodation space for accommodating the power storage device and the communication device; The forklift, characterized in that the equipment housing is integrated with the fork sheath and is provided on at least one of a front surface and a side surface of the rising portion.

2. The detection device is a camera provided at the front of the sheath fork and capable of capturing an image in front of the fork, 2. The forklift according to claim 1, further comprising wiring that is inserted into the fork and connects the camera to the communication device and the power storage device.

3. The equipment housing has a load abutment surface provided on the front surface and capable of abutting against a rear surface of a load, 3. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein the load contact surface extends in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the raised portion.

4. The device housing is provided on the side and has a housing front surface, 3. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the container is flush with the front surface or is located rearward of the front surface.

5. 3. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein the equipment container includes a resin portion that is made of resin and faces the communication device.

6. 3. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein the equipment housing has operation switches for activating the power storage device and the communication device.

7. 4. The forklift according to claim 3, further comprising a pair of contact portions formed on both ends in a width direction of the equipment housing and capable of contacting both side surfaces of the rising portion.

Images