Armrest Steering Control for Rotating Forklift Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering devices in vehicles, such as forklift trucks, obstruct the driver's view of the cargo and require uncomfortable maneuvers to operate when the seat is rotated, compromising safety and ergonomics.
Innovation Solution
A steering device mounted on the armrest with a rotatable wheel and stationary palm rest, allowing 360-degree seat rotation without losing steering functionality, featuring adjustable positioning and integrated controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional steering wheel is positioned in front of the vehicle seat, then the steering function is achieved, but the driver's view of the cargo and floor area is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device is extracted from its conventional position in the dashboard and relocated to the armrest of the vehicle seat. This extraction removes the obstructing element from the driver's field of view while preserving the steering function through the novel joystick-like configuration on the armrest.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering control is moved from a horizontal plane (dashboard in front of driver) to a vertical plane (armrest at driver's side). This dimensional change allows the steering mechanism to occupy space that does not interfere with the driver's forward view of the cargo and floor area.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vehicle seat is rotated 180 degrees for optimal reversing view, then the driver's view of the road ahead is improved, but the steering wheel becomes inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device is merged with the armrest structure of the vehicle seat, forming an integrated assembly. When the seat rotates, the steering device rotates with it, maintaining constant accessibility to the driver's hand regardless of seat orientation. This merging ensures both reversing visibility and steering accessibility are preserved simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering device is mounted on the armrest for 360-degree seat rotation, then steering accessibility is maintained, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest structure is given multiple functions: it serves as both the support structure for the driver's arm and as the mounting platform for the steering device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate steering mounting structures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining 360-degree accessibility.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a steering device for vehicles, in particular forklifts, for carrying out a steering movement of the vehicle on a surface by hand operation of a vehicle operator, wherein the steering device (5) is attached to or in an armrest (4) of a vehicle seat (1), wherein the steering device (5) comprises at least one rotatable wheel element (9) which can be at least partially encompassed circumferentially by fingers (17) of a hand of the vehicle operator placed on the steering device (5) and can be rotated about a pivot axis (12) for a steering movement.