Weight change system

Abstract

Forklift operations involving loading and unloading materials at heights should be carried out with caution. [Solution] The weight change system S comprises a memory unit 301, a weight change unit 21, a weight determination unit 305, and a change command unit 307. The memory unit 301 stores the height of both or one of the loading position and loading position. The weight change unit 21 is configured to change the weight of both or one of the pedals 14 and levers 15 of the forklift, and the weight determination unit 305 determines to increase the weight of both or one of the pedals 14 and levers 15 according to the height of the loading position or loading position. The change command unit 307 controls the weight change unit 21 according to the determination of the weight determination unit 305 to change the weight of both or one of the pedals 14 and levers 15.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a weight change system for changing the weight of a pedal and a lever of a forklift or either of them.

Background Art

[0002] Positioning of the forks in the loading and unloading operations of a forklift is difficult for novice drivers. In particular, positioning of the forks in the loading and unloading operations at high places is difficult even for skilled operators.

[0003] Therefore, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an invention of a forklift that facilitates positioning of the forks has been made. This forklift includes a camera that photographs the front of the loading place and a monitor that displays the image photographed by this camera. Then, by showing the driver the image of the camera displayed on the monitor, the driver is made to grasp the position of the loading place, and positioning of the forks with respect to the loading place is easily performed.

[0004] By the way, even if the position of the loading place is grasped by the monitor in this way, for novice drivers, positioning of the forks at high places is still difficult, and careful operation is required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a system that makes the cargo handling operation of a forklift with respect to high places careful.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the weight changing system according to the present invention, used in forklifts, A storage unit that stores the height of either or both of the loading and unloading positions, A weight adjustment unit for changing the weight of both or one of the pedals and levers of a forklift, A weight determination unit that determines whether to increase the weight of both or one of the pedals and levers depending on the height of the loading or unloading position, The system includes a weight change command unit that controls a weight change unit according to the determination of a weight determination unit to change the weight of both or one of the pedals and levers.

[0008] The above weight changing system is preferably, The weight determination unit determines that the weight of both or one of the pedals and levers increases when the height of the loading or unloading position is above a predetermined height.

[0009] The above weight changing system is preferably, The weight determination unit determines that the weight of both or one of the pedals and levers should not be changed when the height of the loading or unloading position is below a predetermined height.

[0010] The above weight changing system is preferably, The memory unit stores the height of the loading or unloading position in the rack as the rack level. The weight determination unit determines that the weight of both or one of the pedals and levers increases when the number of loading or unloading positions on the rack is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

[0011] The above weight changing system is preferably, The memory unit stores the height of the loading or unloading position in the rack as the rack level. The weight determination unit determines that the weight of both or one of the pedals and levers will not be changed when the number of loading or unloading positions on the rack is less than a predetermined number.

[0012] The above weight changing system is preferably, The memory unit further stores the magnitude of the road surface slope at the loading / unloading position related to the loading / unloading position. The weight determination unit determines whether to increase the weight of both or one of the pedals and / or levers, depending on the degree of the road surface inclination and the height of the loading or unloading position.

[0013] The above weight changing system is preferably, The system further includes a tilt detection unit that detects the magnitude of the slope of the road surface at the loading / unloading position related to the loading / unloading position, The weight determination unit determines whether to increase the weight of both or one of the pedals and / or levers, depending on the degree of the road surface inclination and the height of the loading or unloading position.

[0014] The above weight changing system is preferably, It further includes a tilt detection unit that detects the magnitude of the fork's tilt, The weight determination unit determines whether to increase the weight of both or one of the pedals and levers, depending on the degree of the fork's tilt and the height of the loading or unloading position.

[0015] The above weight changing system is preferably, It further includes a change notification unit that informs the driver that the weight of either or both of the pedals and / or levers will be changed.

[0016] To solve the above problems, the forklift according to the present invention is equipped with a weight changing system as described in any of the above.

[0017] To solve the above problems, the weight changing program according to the present invention is: A program used in a weight change system comprising a weight change unit that changes the weight of the pedals and / or levers of a forklift, and a computer, On the computer, A weight determination unit that determines to increase the weight of either or both of the pedal and the lever according to the height of the loading position or the unloading position. According to the determination of the weight determination unit, a change command unit that controls the weight change unit to change the weight of either or both of the pedal and the lever is executed.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] The weight change system according to the present invention makes the handling work for high places more cautious by increasing the weight of the pedal and the lever or either of them according to the height of the loading position or the unloading position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a side view of a forklift according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram of the weight change system. [Figure 3] It is a side view showing a rack with a load placed thereon and a forklift stopped at the handling position. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the flow of the weight change system.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the weight change system according to the present invention and a forklift equipped with the system will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The weight change system S according to this embodiment is configured to change the weights of both the pedal and the lever, but this is merely an example, and the weight change system according to the present invention may be configured to change the weight of either the pedal or the lever.

[0021] <Configuration of Forklift> Figure 1 is a side view of forklift 1 according to this embodiment. Forklift 1 is a battery-powered counterbalanced forklift, but this is merely an example, and the forklift according to the present invention is not limited to this. Forklift 1 comprises a plurality of wheels 10, a body 11, a driver's seat 12, a head guard 13, pedals 14, levers 15, left and right masts 16, left and right forks 17, a speaker 19, a weight changing unit 21 (see Figure 2), a tilt detection unit (see Figure 2) 23, and a control unit 30 (see Figure 2). The system comprising this speaker 19, tilt detection unit 23, weight changing unit 21, and control unit 30 is the weight changing system S according to this embodiment.

[0022] Multiple wheels 10 are provided on all four sides of the vehicle body 11. The driver's seat 12 is located on top of the vehicle body 11, and the head guard 13 is located above the driver's seat 12.

[0023] Pedal 14 has an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and an inching pedal, and is located below the driver's seat 12. In this invention, "pedal" only needs to have at least one pedal such as an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and an inching pedal, and does not need to have all of these pedals.

[0024] Lever 15 has a lift lever and a tilt lever and is located in front of the driver's seat 12. Lever 15 may also have a slide lever for sliding the fork 17 left and right. The “lever” in this invention only needs to have a lift lever and at least one lever such as a tilt lever, and does not need to have all of these levers.

[0025] The left and right forks 17 are configured to be able to be raised and lowered via the left and right masts 16, and the driver H operates the lift lever to raise and lower the forks 17 to perform cargo handling operations.

[0026] In this embodiment, the speaker 19 is located on the head guard 13. The speaker 19 emits a warning sound to inform the driver H of a weight change, which will be described later. The warning sound may be, for example, "The weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 will be increased" if the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 is to be increased.

[0027] The weight adjustment unit 21 changes the operating weight of the lever 15 and pedal 14 based on commands from the adjustment command unit 307 (see Figure 2), which will be explained later. The weight adjustment unit 21 includes a pedal weight adjustment unit that adjusts the weight of the pedal 14 and a lever weight adjustment unit that adjusts the weight of the lever 15. If the weight adjustment unit 21 is configured to adjust the weight of either the pedal 14 or the lever 15, it will have either the pedal weight adjustment unit or the lever weight adjustment unit.

[0028] The pedal weight adjustment unit changes the weight of the pedal 14 when the driver H presses it, based on a command from the adjustment command unit 307. The pedal weight adjustment unit is composed of, for example, a device that can adjust the weight by hydraulics, or a device that can adjust the weight by a spring.

[0029] Furthermore, for example, the pedal weight adjustment unit may also function as an assist device that assists the force applied to the pedal 14. In this case, the pedal weight adjustment unit may adjust the assist force based on a command from the adjustment command unit 307, thereby substantially changing the weight of the pedal 14 when pressed by the driver H.

[0030] Alternatively, the pedal weight adjustment unit may be configured, for example, to change the magnitude of the power or braking force of each device in response to the amount of force applied to the pedal 14, based on a command from the adjustment command unit 307. In this way, the pedal weight adjustment unit substantially changes the weight of the pedal 14.

[0031] The lever weight adjustment section is comprised of, for example, a device that can adjust the weight of the lever 15 by hydraulic pressure, or a device that can adjust the weight of the lever 15 by a spring.

[0032] Furthermore, for example, the lever weight adjustment unit may also function as an assist device that assists in the operation of the lever 15 in relation to its weight. In this case, the lever weight adjustment unit may adjust the assist force based on a command from the adjustment command unit 307, thereby substantially changing the weight of the lever 15 when operated by the driver H.

[0033] Alternatively, the lever weight adjustment unit may be configured, for example, to change the magnitude of the power of each device in response to the amount of operation of the lever 15, based on a command from the adjustment command unit 307. In this way, the lever weight adjustment unit substantially changes the weight of the lever 15.

[0034] The tilt detection unit 23 detects the magnitude of the inclination of the road surface at the loading / unloading position LP related to the loading / unloading position. The configuration of the tilt detection unit 23 is not particularly limited. For example, the tilt detection unit 23 may have a camera positioned on the forklift 1 to photograph the front, and an analysis unit that analyzes the image generated by the camera to detect the magnitude of the inclination of the vehicle body 11 (road surface inclination). Alternatively, the tilt detection unit 23 may have a sensor that detects the magnitude of the road surface inclination, and the magnitude of the inclination of the loading / unloading position LP may be detected by that sensor.

[0035] The tilt detection unit 23 also detects the magnitude of the tilt of the fork 17. Therefore, the tilt detection unit 23 may, for example, analyze the image generated by the camera to detect the magnitude of the tilt of the fork 17. However, this is merely an example, and the configuration and method by which the tilt detection unit 23 detects the magnitude of the tilt of the fork 17 are not limited thereto. For example, the tilt detection unit 23 may have a sensor that detects the magnitude of the tilt of the fork 17, and the magnitude of the tilt of the fork 17 may be detected by that sensor.

[0036] The control unit 30 is comprised of a computer located within the vehicle body 11 and includes an arithmetic unit, a storage device, and memory. The storage device stores a weight change program that causes the computer to execute as a weight determination unit 305, a change notification unit 306, and a change command unit 307, which will be described later.

[0037] <Functional configuration of the weight change system> Next, the functional configuration of the weight change system S will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 30 includes a storage unit 301, a weight determination unit 305, a change notification unit 306, and a change command unit 307.

[0038] The memory unit 301 stores the height WH of the loading and unloading positions related to each loading operation.

[0039] Figure 3 is a side view showing a rack R on which a load W is placed and a forklift 1 stopped at the loading / unloading position LP. The weight determination unit 305 determines that the higher the height WH (see Figure 3) of the loading or unloading position, the heavier the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15. This allows the weight determination unit 305 to perform loading / unloading operations at heights with caution. Alternatively, the weight determination unit 305 may determine to increase the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 when the height WH of the loading or unloading position is above a predetermined height, and to not change (not increase) the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 when the height WH of the loading or unloading position is below the predetermined height. The predetermined height may be, for example, 1m from the road surface or the height of the driver H's head. This is because loading / unloading operations can be performed relatively easily if the height is lower than the driver H's head.

[0040] Furthermore, the weight determination unit 305 changes the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 according to the degree of the slope of the road surface, the degree of the slope of the forks 17, and the height WH of the loading or unloading position. As shown in Figure 3, the loading and unloading position LP is the loading and unloading work position in front of the rack R on which the load W is placed. The forklift 1 stops at the loading and unloading position LP and performs the loading and unloading operation. At this time, if the road surface at the loading and unloading position LP is sloped or the forks 17 are tilted, phenomena such as a difference in height between the base end and the tip of the forks 17, which are intended to be horizontal, or a difference in height between the left and right forks 17 may occur. If the left and right forks 17 are at different heights, there is a possibility that one of the forks 17 may come into contact with the left and right fork insertion holes of the pallet placed at the loading position. This possibility of contact increases as the unloading position gets higher. Therefore, the weight determination unit 305 determines that the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 will be heavier the greater the slope of the road surface, the greater the slope of the forks 17, and the higher the height WH of the loading or unloading position.

[0041] More specifically, the weight determination unit 305 determines that the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 will not be changed (remain at the first weight) when the height WH of the loading or unloading position is less than a predetermined height. The weight determination unit 305 also determines that the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 will be increased (to the second weight) when the height WH of the loading or unloading position is above a predetermined height. Even if the height WH of the loading or unloading position is below a predetermined height, the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 will be increased (to the second weight) when the magnitude of both or one of the slope of the road surface and the slope of the forks 17 is greater than or equal to a predetermined size. Furthermore, the weight determination unit 305 determines that the weight will be increased even further (to the third weight) when the height WH of the loading or unloading position is above a predetermined height, and the magnitude of both or one of the slope of the road surface and the slope of the forks 17 is greater than or equal to a predetermined size.

[0042] When the weight determination unit 305 determines that the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 should be increased, the change notification unit 306 notifies the driver H of the change in weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 by voice through the speaker 19. In this way, the change notification unit 306 makes the driver H aware of the change in weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15. At this time, the change notification unit 306 may also inform the driver H by voice through the speaker 19 that the loading / unloading position LP is tilted. In this way, the change notification unit 306 allows the driver H to operate the vehicle more carefully.

[0043] The weight change command unit 307 controls the weight change unit 21 according to the determination of the weight determination unit 305 to change the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15. This allows the weight change system S to allow the driver H to perform loading and unloading operations carefully when the loading and unloading positions are high. Furthermore, the weight change system S increases the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 as the inclination of the loading position LP and the inclination of the forks 17 increase, in addition to the height WH of the loading and unloading positions, to allow for more careful loading and unloading operations and reduce the possibility of the forks 17 contacting the pallet when the forks 17 are inserted.

[0044] <Flowchart of the weight change system> Next, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 4, the operation of the weight changing system S according to this embodiment will be explained again.

[0045] (1) First, when the forklift 1 moves to the loading / unloading position LP (see S1 in Figure 4), the weight change system S detects the tilt of the loading / unloading position LP (see S2 in Figure 4).

[0046] (2) Next, the weight change system S obtains the height WH of the loading position or loading position from the memory unit 301 (see S3 in Figure 4), and determines the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 based on the height WH of the loading position or loading position (see S4 in Figure 4). Furthermore, the weight change system S determines the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 based on the height WH of the loading position or loading position, the degree of inclination of the loading position LP, and the degree of inclination of the fork 17 (see S4 in Figure 4).

[0047] (3) Next, when the weight change system S decides to increase the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15, it notifies the driver H that the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 will be increased (see S5 in Figure 4), and then increases the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 (see S6 in Figure 4).

[0048] In this way, the weight change system S can prevent sudden braking, sudden acceleration, sudden ascents and descents, and major operational errors by increasing the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 when the loading or unloading position is high, thereby encouraging careful operation by the driver H. Furthermore, the weight change system S can enable quick operation of the pedal 14 and lever 15 by not increasing the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 when the loading or unloading position is low. In addition, the weight change system S can enable more careful loading and unloading operations by increasing the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 as the inclination of the loading / unloading position LP increases, as well as as the inclination of the forks 17 increases, in addition to the height WH of the loading and unloading position.

[0049] Although one embodiment of the weight changing system S according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The weight changing system S according to the present invention may be implemented, for example, by each of the following modifications or by combining each of the modifications.

[0050] <Variation> The forklift 1 may be a reach forklift. In this case, pedal 14 may include a presence pedal. The forklift 1 may also be an engine-powered forklift. In this case, pedal 14 may include a clutch pedal. Furthermore, if the forklift 1 is a reach forklift, lever 15 may include an accelerator lever. As described above, the "pedal" in the present invention includes at least one of the above pedals, and the "lever" includes at least one of the above levers. The weight changing system S according to the present invention changes the weight of at least one of the above levers and pedals.

[0051] The memory unit 301 stores the height WH of the loading or unloading position in the rack R as the number of tiers in the rack R, and the weight determination unit 305 may decide to change the weight of both or one of the pedals 14 and levers 15 when the number of tiers in the rack R at the loading or unloading position is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of tiers. In this case, the weight determination unit 305 may also decide not to change the weight of both or one of the pedals 14 and levers 15 when the number of tiers in the rack R at the loading or unloading position is less than a predetermined number of tiers.

[0052] The memory unit 301 may store the magnitude of the road surface inclination at the loading / unloading position LP. In this case, the weight determination unit 305 changes the weight of both or one of the pedals 14 and levers 15 according to the road surface inclination stored in the memory unit 301 and the height WH of the loading or unloading position. In this case, the weight change system S does not need to include the inclination detection unit 23.

[0053] • Any of the components of the control unit 30 may be configured, for example, by a server computer located on the cloud. In this case, the weight changing system S changes the weight of the pedal 14 and the lever 15 or either of them by communicating with this server computer.

[0054] The forklift 1 may be equipped with a monitor instead of a speaker 19, and the change notification unit 306 may notify via this monitor that the weight of the lever 15 and the pedal 14 or either of them will be changed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] S Weight change system H Driver LP loading / unloading location R Rack W load WH Height of the loading position (height of the loading position) 1 Forklift 10 wheels 11 Car body 12 Driver's seat 13 Headguard 14 pedals 15 Lever 16 Mast 17 Forks 19 speakers 21 Weight change section 23 Tilt detection unit 30 Control Unit 301 Storage section 305 Weight determination unit 306 Notice of Changes 307 Change Command Unit

Claims

1. A weight change system used in forklifts, A storage unit that stores the height of either or both of the loading and unloading positions, A weight changing unit that changes the weight of both or one of the pedals and levers of the forklift, A weight determination unit that determines to increase the weight of both or one of the pedal and the lever according to the height of the loading position or the loading position, A weight changing system comprising: a change command unit that controls the weight changing unit to change the weight of both or one of the pedal and the lever according to the determination of the weight determining unit.

2. The weight determination unit determines that when the height of the loading position or the loading position is greater than or equal to a predetermined height, the weight of both or one of the pedals and the lever becomes heavier, as described in claim 1.

3. The weight changing system according to claim 1, wherein the weight determination unit determines not to change the weight of both or one of the pedals and the lever when the height of the loading position or the loading position is less than a predetermined height.

4. The storage unit stores the height of the loading position or loading position in the rack as the number of shelves in the rack. The weight changing system according to claim 1, wherein the weight determination unit determines that the weight of both or one of the pedals and the lever increases when the number of rack levels at the loading position or loading position on the rack is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of levels.

5. The storage unit stores the height of the loading position or loading position in the rack as the number of shelves in the rack. The weight changing system according to claim 1, wherein the weight determination unit determines not to change the weight of both or one of the pedals and the lever when the number of rack levels at the loading position or loading position in the rack is less than a predetermined number of levels.

6. The memory unit further stores the magnitude of the slope of the road surface at the loading / unloading position related to the loading / unloading position, The weight adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the weight determination unit determines to increase the weight of both or one of the pedals and the lever according to the degree of inclination of the road surface at the loading / unloading position and the height of the loading position or the loading / unloading position.

7. The system further includes a tilt detection unit for detecting the magnitude of the inclination of the road surface at the loading / unloading position related to the loading / unloading position, The weight adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the weight determination unit determines to increase the weight of both or one of the pedals and the lever according to the degree of inclination of the road surface at the loading / unloading position and the height of the loading position or the loading / unloading position.

8. It further includes a tilt detection unit that detects the magnitude of the fork's tilt, The weight changing system according to claim 1, wherein the weight determination unit determines to increase the weight of both or one of the pedals and the lever according to the degree of inclination of the fork and the height of the loading position or the loading position.

9. The weight changing system according to claim 1, further comprising a change notification unit that notifies the driver that the weight of both or one of the pedal and the lever will be changed.

10. The forklift comprising the weight changing system described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A program used in a weight change system comprising a weight change unit that changes the weight of the pedals and / or levers of a forklift, and a computer, To the aforementioned computer, A weight determination unit that determines to increase the weight of both or one of the pedal and the lever according to the height of the loading position or loading position, A weight change command unit controls the weight change unit to change the weight of both or one of the pedals and the lever, according to the determination of the weight determination unit, and a weight change program is executed by the command unit.

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