Armrest Steering Assembly for Clear Forklift Reversing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices for vehicles, particularly forklift trucks, hinder the driver's view of the cargo and are ergonomically flawed when the driver needs to turn backwards, leading to compromised steering control.
Innovation Solution
A device arranged on the armrest of a vehicle seat, capable of rotating about a pivot axis, featuring a first device element above the armrest and a second device element extending downwardly, allowing for comfortable and clear steering movements regardless of the driver's rotational position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a normal steering wheel is arranged in front of the vehicle seat, then steering control is provided, but the driver's view of the cargo and ground area is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device is extracted from its conventional position in front of the driver and relocated to the armrest area, removing the obstruction to the driver's view while maintaining steering functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device is moved from a horizontal arrangement in front of the driver to a vertical arrangement on the armrest, changing the spatial dimension and eliminating the visual obstruction
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the driver turns backwards on the vehicle seat to see the rear driving area, then the rear area becomes visible, but the hand twists relative to the steering device making it impossible to operate safely
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device is made rotatable about a vertical pivot axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust to the driver's body position and maintain operability during backward turning movements
Solution Approach 2:
The steering device is divided into a rotatable upper portion and a fixed lower portion mounted on the armrest, allowing independent rotation of the steering elements while maintaining stable mounting
3Ease of operation
If the steering device is arranged on the armrest and made rotatable, then steering control is maintained during body rotation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational characteristics of the steering device are adjusted by modifying friction parameters or spring constants to provide appropriate resistance and return force, optimizing operation during body rotation without complex control systems
Data Source
AI summary
Device for vehicles, in particular fork-lift trucks, the device being designed at least for carrying out a steering movement of the vehicle, the device being arranged on an arm rest of a vehicle seat of the vehicle, wherein an actuation of the device causes the steering movement, and wherein the device has a first device element arranged above the arm rest, and a second device element fixedly connected to the first device element and extending downwardly from the first device element beyond the first device element, wherein the first device element and the second device element are intended and designed for a hand to be at least partially placed thereon, wherein during a forward movement of the vehicle the hand can be at least partially placed on the first device element and during a rearward movement of the vehicle the hand can be at least partially placed on the second device element.