Adjustable Mast Stop Unit for Industrial Truck Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing assembly processes for setting the lowered height of load forks, wheel arms, or masts on industrial trucks are time-consuming and require additional components, leading to increased assembly time and material costs.

Innovation Solution

A stop unit is fixed to the lifting cylinder jacket or piston rod guide, with a height-adjustable stop surface that interacts with a counter-stop surface on the load part to limit the lower position, allowing for simplified and faster assembly by securing the stop surface with a bolt and lock nut.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional assembly components are provided for setting the lowered height of load forks or wheel arms or movable mast, then the height adjustment capability is improved, but the assembly time and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stop unit is integrated directly into the lifting cylinder assembly, merging the height-limiting function with the existing lifting mechanism. The stop surface is formed as part of the cylinder structure or attached via simple means, eliminating the need for separate height-adjustment components and reducing assembly time while maintaining height adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting cylinder structure serves multiple functions: it provides the lifting force through the piston rod and simultaneously provides the stop surface for limiting the lower position of the load fork or wheel arm. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional assembly components are provided for setting the lowered height of load forks or wheel arms or movable mast, then the height adjustment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop unit is integrated directly into the lifting cylinder assembly, merging the height-limiting function with the existing lifting mechanism. The stop surface is formed as part of the cylinder structure or attached via simple means, eliminating the need for separate height-adjustment components and reducing assembly time while maintaining height adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting cylinder structure serves multiple functions: it provides the lifting force through the piston rod and simultaneously provides the stop surface for limiting the lower position of the load fork or wheel arm. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional assembly components are provided for setting the lowered height of load forks or wheel arms or movable mast, then the height adjustment capability is improved, but the material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmaterial costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The stop unit is integrated directly into the lifting cylinder assembly, merging the height-limiting function with the existing lifting mechanism. The stop surface is formed as part of the cylinder structure or attached via simple means, eliminating the need for separate height-adjustment components and reducing assembly time while maintaining height adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting cylinder structure serves multiple functions: it provides the lifting force through the piston rod and simultaneously provides the stop surface for limiting the lower position of the load fork or wheel arm. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3045421B1Industrial truck with adjustable in height mast
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 JUNGHEINRICH AG
  • EP3045421B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3045421B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3045421B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Industrial truck with a drive unit and a load unit (6), wherein the load unit (6) has a load fork or wheel arm (7) and optionally a lifting frame with a height-adjustable mast, which can be actuated by the piston rod (20) of at least one fixed lifting cylinder (1) and adjusting means for the lower position of the load fork or wheel arm as well as a height-adjustable mast of the lifting frame, wherein a stop unit is fixedly attached to the casing of the lifting cylinder or to a guide (12) of the piston rod itself, which has a stop surface that is height-adjustable in the adjustment direction of the lifting cylinder and a counter-stop surface (22) is provided on a part of the load unit that can be actuated by the piston rod, which interacts with the stop surface in the lower position of the load fork or wheel arm or the height-adjustable mast and limits the lower position.