Weight change system

Abstract

To change the weight of pedal operation and / or lever operation of a fork lift, according to an atmospheric temperature.SOLUTION: A weight changing system S includes a weight changing part 21, and a change command part 308. The weight changing part 21 changes the weight of a pedal 14 and / or a lever 15 of a forklift. The change command part 308 controls the weight changing part 21, and changes the weight of the pedal 14 and / or the lever 15, according to a predetermined atmospheric temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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] Forklifts include types such as reach forklifts and counterbalanced forklifts. Forklifts have pedals and levers, and the number and functions thereof differ depending on the type of forklift.

[0003] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a reach forklift includes a brake pedal and a presence pedal. The presence pedal is configured to be able to stop traveling and cargo handling, and a driver cannot perform traveling or cargo handling unless stepping on the presence pedal. Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a counterbalanced forklift includes an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, and an engine-type counterbalanced forklift further includes a clutch pedal. Among battery-type forklifts, an automatic vehicle forklift further includes an inching pedal instead of a clutch pedal. By stepping on the inching pedal, a driver can put the forklift in a semi-clutch state and cut off the driving power.

[0004] Furthermore, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, a reach forklift is equipped with a lift lever for raising and lowering the forks, a tilt lever for changing the vertical angle of the forks, a reach lever for moving the lifting device forward and backward, and an accelerator lever for driving the forklift. Also, as disclosed in Patent Document 4, a counterbalanced forklift is equipped with a tilt lever and an accelerator lever. As disclosed in Patent Document 5, levers are generally configured to swing forward or backward from a neutral position and automatically return to the neutral position by a spring when not in operation. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 5 assists lever operation by an actuator when the amount of operation of the operating lever exceeds a predetermined value, in order to reduce operator fatigue. Another document that discloses technology for assisting the operation of vehicle levers is, for example, Patent Document 6.

[0005] By the way, when you want to operate pedals or levers quickly, lighter weight is preferable. However, the lighter they are, the more carefully you must operate them to avoid major mistakes. Ideally, one should always be able to operate carefully, but people's concentration fluctuates, and they cannot always maintain maximum concentration. Also, a person's concentration can decrease depending on the temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-047759 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-166663 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-47745 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-88390 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-370898 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-301942 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a weight changing system that can change the weight of the pedal operation and / or lever operation of a forklift according to the temperature. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the weight changing system according to the present invention, used in forklifts, A weight adjustment unit for changing the weight of the pedals and levers or either of them of a forklift, It includes a weight change command unit that controls a weight change unit to change the weight of the pedals and / or levers based on a predetermined temperature.

[0009] The above weight changing system is preferably, A section of questions regarding the driver's tolerance to temperature, A temperature tolerance determination unit that determines the driver's temperature tolerance based on the driver's answers to the questions, The system further comprises a temperature determination unit that determines the temperature at which the weight of the pedals and / or levers should be changed based on the driver's temperature tolerance, The change command unit modifies the weight of the pedals and / or levers based on the determined temperature.

[0010] The above weight changing system is preferably, A memory unit that stores the driver's temperature tolerance, The system further comprises a driver identification unit that identifies the driver, and a temperature determination unit that determines the temperature at which the weight of the pedals and / or levers should be changed based on the driver's temperature tolerance. The change command unit modifies the weight of the pedals and / or levers based on the determined temperature.

[0011] The above weight change system preferably further includes a change notice unit that notifies the driver that the weight of the pedal and lever or either of them is changed.

[0012] To solve the above problems, the forklift according to the present invention includes any of the above weight change systems.

[0013] To solve the above problems, the weight change program according to the present invention is a program used in a weight change system including a weight change unit that changes the weight of the pedal and lever or either of them of a forklift, and a computer, and causes the computer to control the weight change unit to change the weight of the pedal and lever or either of them based on a predetermined air temperature.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] The weight change system according to the present invention can change the pedal operation and lever operation or the weight of either of them of the forklift according to a predetermined air temperature.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a front view of a forklift equipped with a weight change system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram of the weight change system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3A is a graph showing the change in air temperature in August and the weights of the pedal and lever changed accordingly, and FIG. 3B is a graph showing the change in air temperature in November and the weights of the pedal and lever changed accordingly. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the weight change system.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the weight changing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached figures. The weight changing system S according to this embodiment is configured to change the weight of both the pedal and the lever, but this is merely an example, and the weight changing system according to the present invention may be configured to change the weight of either the pedal or the lever.

[0017] <Forklift Configuration> Figure 1 is a front view of a forklift 1 equipped with a weight change system S. First, the configuration of the forklift 1 will be described. The forklift 1 is a battery-powered counterbalanced forklift. As shown in Figure 1, the forklift 1 is equipped with multiple wheels 10, a body 11, a driver's seat 12, a head guard 13, pedals 14 (see Figure 2), levers 15, left and right masts 16, left and right forks 17, a speaker 19 (see Figure 2), a microphone 20 (see Figure 2), a weight change unit 21 (see Figure 2), a thermometer 22 (see Figure 2), and a control unit 30 (see Figure 2).

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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 pedals.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The microphone 20 collects the voice of driver H, converts the collected voice into an audio signal, and transmits it to the control unit 30.

[0023] Speaker 19 emits a warning voice to inform driver H of a weight change, which will be explained later. The warning voice may be, for example, "The weight of the pedals and levers will be increased. Is that alright?" if the weight of the pedals and levers is increased, or "The weight of the pedals and levers will be reduced. Is that alright?" if the weight of the pedals and levers is reduced.

[0024] The weight adjustment unit 21 changes the weight of the lever 15 and pedal 14 when operated, based on commands from the adjustment command unit 308 (see Figure 2), which will be explained later. The weight adjustment unit 21 includes a pedal weight adjustment unit that changes the weight of the pedal 14 and a lever weight adjustment unit that operates the weight of the lever 15. If the weight adjustment unit 21 is configured to change 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.

[0025] 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 308. 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.

[0026] 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 308, thereby substantially changing the weight of the pedal 14 when pressed by the driver H.

[0027] 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 308. In this way, the pedal weight adjustment unit substantially changes the weight of the pedal 14.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 308, thereby substantially changing the weight of the lever 15 when operated by the driver H.

[0030] 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 308. In this way, the lever weight adjustment unit substantially changes the weight of the lever 15.

[0031] The thermometer 22 measures the temperature inside the driver's seat 12 and transmits the measured temperature to the control unit 30. The thermometer 22 may also be configured to measure the temperature around the forklift 1 if the difference between the temperature around the forklift 1 and the temperature inside the driver's seat 12 does not change significantly.

[0032] The control unit 30 is comprised of a computer located inside 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 questioning unit 302, a temperature tolerance determination unit 303, a temperature determination unit 304, a temperature reading unit 305, a change notification unit 306, a response receiving unit 307, and a change command unit 308, which will be described later.

[0033] <Functional configuration> 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 question unit 302, a temperature tolerance determination unit 303, a temperature determination unit 304, a temperature reading unit 305, a change notification unit 306, a response receiving unit 307, and a change command unit 308.

[0034] The memory unit 301 stores the correspondence between the temperature measured by the thermometer 22 and the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15, which are varied according to that temperature. The temperature in this correspondence corresponds to the "predetermined temperature" of the present invention. This correspondence is generally set considering factors such as the temperature at which a person's concentration is said to decrease or improve, and the clothing of the driver H, which changes with the seasons. In this embodiment, the weight change system S changes the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 in three stages according to the temperature in the driver's seat 12. However, this is merely an example, and the weight change system S may be configured to change the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 in two or four or more stages.

[0035] In this embodiment, the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 is set to the heaviest when the temperature in the driver's seat 12 is below 8 degrees Celsius and above 29 degrees Celsius, to the lightest when the temperature in the driver's seat 12 is between 16 degrees Celsius and below 26 degrees Celsius, and to an intermediate weight when the temperature in the driver's seat 12 is between 8 degrees Celsius and below 16 degrees Celsius and between 27 degrees Celsius and below 29 degrees Celsius. Note that these are merely examples, and the relationship between temperature and the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 is not limited to these. Table 1 below shows the relationship between temperature and the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 based on the above settings.

[0036] [Table 1]

[0037] The graph in Figure 3A shows the temperature changes in August and the corresponding changes in the weight of pedals 14 and levers 15. In Figure 3, the temperature changes are shown as a line graph, and the changes in the weight of pedals 14 and levers 15 are shown as a bar graph. Because the temperature is high in August, the weight of pedals 14 and levers 15 is set to the heaviest from 9:00 to 19:00 (3 on the second vertical axis in Figure 3A).

[0038] The graph in Figure 3B shows the temperature changes in November and the corresponding changes in the weight of pedals 14 and levers 15. In November, the temperature is relatively conducive to increased concentration, so the weight of pedals 14 and levers 15 is set to the lightest from 10:00 to 15:00 (1 on the second vertical axis in Figure 3B), and to an intermediate weight at other times (2 on the second vertical axis in Figure 3B).

[0039] In this embodiment, as will be explained later, the weight changing system S further changes the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 based on the driver H's tolerance for temperature (hereinafter referred to as "temperature tolerance").

[0040] The questioning unit 302 asks driver H questions about their tolerance to temperature via speaker 19. For example, questions about tolerance to heat could be, "Do you dislike summer more than others?" or "Do you dislike the heat more than others?" Similarly, questions about tolerance to cold could be, "Do you dislike winter more than others?" or "Do you dislike the cold more than others?" Note that this is merely an example, and the questions asked by the questioning unit 302 are not limited to these.

[0041] The temperature tolerance determination unit 303 receives driver H's answers to questions from the questioning unit 302 via the microphone 20 and determines driver H's temperature tolerance based on driver H's answers. For example, if the temperature tolerance determination unit 303 receives an answer indicating that driver H dislikes summer or heat, it determines that driver H dislikes high temperatures, and if the answer indicating that driver H dislikes winter or cold, it determines that driver H dislikes low temperatures. The determined result is transmitted to the temperature determination unit 304.

[0042] The temperature determination unit 304 determines the temperature at which the weight of the pedal 14 and / or lever 15 should be changed, based on the temperature tolerance of driver H determined by the temperature tolerance determination unit 303.

[0043] The temperature determination unit 304, for example, for a driver H who is determined to be sensitive to summer or heat, applies a bias that lowers the temperature by 2 degrees in the correspondence between the temperature on the high-temperature side and the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15. In this case, for a driver H who is determined to be sensitive to summer or heat, the temperature determination unit 304 sets the pedal to the heaviest when the temperature in the driver's seat 12 is below 8 degrees and above 27 degrees, the pedal to the lightest when the temperature in the driver's seat 12 is between 16 degrees and below 25 degrees, and an intermediate weight when the temperature in the driver's seat 12 is between 8 degrees and below 16 degrees and between 25 degrees and below 27 degrees. Table 2 below shows the pedal weight settings determined by the temperature determination unit 304 for a driver H who is determined to be sensitive to summer or heat.

[0044] [Table 2]

[0045] The temperature determination unit 304, for example, for a driver H who is determined to be sensitive to winter or cold, applies a bias that increases the temperature by 2 degrees in the correspondence between the temperature on the low-temperature side and the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15. In this case, for a driver H who is determined to be sensitive to winter or cold, the temperature determination unit 304 sets the pedal to the heaviest when the temperature in the driver's seat 12 is below 10 degrees and above 29 degrees, the pedal to the lightest when the temperature in the driver's seat 12 is between 18 degrees and below 27 degrees, and an intermediate weight when the temperature in the driver's seat 12 is between 10 degrees and below 18 degrees and between 27 degrees and below 29 degrees. Table 3 below shows the pedal weight settings determined by the temperature determination unit 304 for a driver H who is determined to be sensitive to winter or cold.

[0046] [Table 3]

[0047] The temperature reading unit 305 reads the temperature from the thermometer 22 and transmits the read temperature to the change notification unit 306.

[0048] When the change notification unit 306 determines that the temperature has reached a point where the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 should be changed, it notifies the driver H of the change via voice from the speaker 19. However, since the temperature in the driver's seat 12 fluctuates not only over time but also due to environmental changes such as the degree of exposure to sunlight, it is undesirable for the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 to be changed frequently due to such temperature changes. Therefore, the change notification unit 306 is configured to leave an arbitrary interval between notifications, even when the temperature reaches a point where the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 should be changed. This interval may be set, for example, between 5 and 30 minutes.

[0049] The response receiving unit 307 receives the predetermined response from driver H, which has been announced by the change notification unit 306, via the microphone 20. For example, the predetermined response may be words such as "Yes," "I understand," or "Got it." When the response receiving unit 307 receives the predetermined response from driver H, it transmits a response signal to the change command unit 308.

[0050] When the change command unit 308 receives a response signal, it controls the weight change unit 21 to change the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 so that they match the weight determined by the temperature determination unit 304. As a result, the weight change system S can change the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 accordingly, even if the driver H's concentration level fluctuates due to the temperature.

[0051] As a result, the weight adjustment system S can make the pedal 14 and lever 15 lighter when the driver H is highly focused, allowing for quicker operation of the pedal 14 and lever 15. Conversely, when the driver H is not highly focused, the weight adjustment system S can make the pedal 14 and lever 15 heavier, preventing major operating errors.

[0052] <Flowchart of the weight change system> Next, we will explain the operation of the weight changing system S again, referring to the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0053] (1) First, the weight change system S asks driver H a question (see S1 (step) in Figure 4), and determines driver H's temperature tolerance based on driver H's answer to the question (see S2 in Figure 4).

[0054] (2) Next, the weight change system S determines the temperature at which the weight of the pedal 14 and lever 15 should be changed, based on the driver H's temperature tolerance (see S3 in Figure 4).

[0055] (3) Next, the weight change system S reads the temperature (see S4 in Figure 4), and when the temperature to be changed is reached (Yes in S5 in Figure 4), it notifies the driver H of the change in the weight of the lever 15 (see S6 in Figure 4).

[0056] (4) Next, when the weight change system S receives permission from the driver H to make a change (Yes in S7 in Figure 4), the change command unit 308 changes the weight of the pedal 14 and the lever 15 (see S8 in Figure 4). The weight change system S also withholds changing the weight of the pedal 14 and the lever 15 until it receives permission from the driver H to make a change (No in S7 in Figure 4), and then notifies the driver H of the change in the weight of the lever 15 after a predetermined time. This prevents the weight change system S from frequently changing the weight of the pedal 14 and the lever 15, and from suddenly changing the weight of the pedal 14 and the lever 15 while the driver H is working on loading and unloading.

[0057] Thus, the weight adjustment system S changes the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 based on temperature fluctuations that affect the driver H's level of concentration. As a result, when the driver H is highly concentrated, the system allows for quick operation of the pedals 14 and levers 15, and when the driver H is not highly concentrated, it prevents major operating errors.

[0058] Although one embodiment of the weight changing system according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The weight changing system according to the present invention may be implemented, for example, by each of the following modifications, or by combining each of these modifications.

[0059] <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, and the weight changing system S according to the present invention changes the weight of at least one of the above levers and pedals.

[0060] • 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.

[0061] The memory unit 301 may be configured to store the temperature tolerance of driver H. In this case, the weight change system S further includes a driver identification unit, which identifies the driver H riding the vehicle, reads the temperature tolerance of the identified driver H from the memory unit 301, and determines the temperature at which the weight of the pedals 14 and levers 15 or either of them should be changed based on the temperature tolerance of driver H.

[0062] Furthermore, in this case, the method by which the driver identification unit identifies driver H is not particularly limited. For example, the driver identification unit may identify driver H by photographing driver H's face with a camera, or by reading the ID card or the like that each driver H possesses.

[0063] The forklift 1 may be equipped with a monitor instead of a speaker 19, and the temperature determination unit 304 may be notified by this monitor to change the weight of the lever 15 and the pedal 14 or either of them.

[0064] The forklift 1 may be equipped with a button instead of a microphone 20, and the response receiving unit 307 may receive a response from the driver H via the button. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] S Weight change system H Driver 1 Forklift 10 wheels 11 Car body 12 Driver's seat 13 Headguard 14 pedals 15 Lever 16 Mast 17 Forks 19 speakers 20 microphones 21 Weight change section 22 Thermometer 30 Control Unit 301 Storage section 302 Question Section 303 Temperature tolerance determination unit 304 Temperature determination unit 305 Temperature reading unit 306 Notice of Changes 307 Response Department 308 Change Command Unit

Claims

1. A weight changing system used in a forklift, A weight changing unit for changing the weight of the pedals and levers or either of them of the forklift, A weight change command unit controls the weight change unit to change the weight of the pedal and / or the lever based on a predetermined temperature, A section of questions regarding the driver's tolerance to temperature, A temperature tolerance determination unit that determines the temperature tolerance of the driver in accordance with the driver's answer to the aforementioned question, The system includes a temperature determination unit that determines the temperature at which the weight of the pedal and / or the lever should be changed, based on the driver's temperature tolerance. The aforementioned change command unit is a weight change system that changes the weight of the pedal and / or the lever based on the determined temperature.

2. A weight changing system used in a forklift, A weight changing unit for changing the weight of the pedals and levers or either of them of the forklift, A weight change command unit controls the weight change unit to change the weight of the pedal and / or the lever based on a predetermined temperature, A memory unit that stores the driver's temperature tolerance, The driver identification unit identifies the aforementioned driver, The system includes a temperature determination unit that determines the temperature at which the weight of the pedal and / or the lever should be changed, based on the driver's temperature tolerance. The aforementioned change command unit is a weight change system that changes the weight of the pedal and / or the lever based on the determined temperature.

3. The weight changing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a change notification unit that notifies the driver that the weight of the pedal and / or the lever or either of them will be changed.

4. The forklift comprising the weight changing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. 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 section of questions regarding the driver's tolerance to temperature, A temperature tolerance determination unit that determines the temperature tolerance of the driver in accordance with the driver's answer to the aforementioned question, A temperature determination unit that determines the temperature at which the weight of the pedal and / or the lever should be changed based on the driver's temperature tolerance, A weight change program that functions as a change command unit that controls the weight change unit and changes the weight of the pedal and / or the lever based on the determined temperature.

6. A program for use in a weight changing system comprising a weight changing unit for changing the weight of the pedals and levers or either of them of a forklift, and a computer, To the aforementioned computer, A memory unit that stores the driver's temperature tolerance, The driver identification unit identifies the aforementioned driver, A temperature determination unit that determines the temperature at which the weight of the pedal and / or the lever should be changed based on the driver's temperature tolerance, A weight change program that functions as a change command unit that controls the weight change unit and changes the weight of the pedal and / or the lever based on the determined temperature.

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