Curved Armrest for Industrial Truck Control Layout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial truck operating consoles, such as armrests, are limited in their ability to accommodate a large number of operating elements due to fixed mounting positions and space constraints, making it difficult to optimize operation and adapt to changing circumstances or new trucks.
Innovation Solution
The operating device features a convex or cylindrical surface with a curved radius, allowing for a greater number of operating elements to be integrated in the same installation space, with increased lateral distance between elements for improved accessibility and operability, and includes a system of uniform fastening elements for flexible arrangement and adaptation to different industrial trucks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operating elements are arranged at predetermined mounting positions on a flat armrest surface, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the number of operating elements is limited and ergonomics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the traditional flat armrest surface with a convex or cylindrically curved surface. This curved surface allows operating elements to be arranged along an arc, increasing the available perimeter space and enabling more control elements to be integrated without increasing the overall footprint. The curvature creates natural spacing between elements while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional curved surface. By utilizing the curved geometry, the armrest gains an additional spatial dimension for arranging operating elements, allowing them to be distributed along the curved path rather than being constrained to a linear or grid layout on a flat plane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more operating elements are arranged on the armrest, then functionality is improved, but the lateral distance between elements decreases making operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface distributes operating elements along an arc, which naturally increases the lateral distance between adjacent elements compared to a linear arrangement on a flat surface. This curvature ensures that even with multiple control elements, each element maintains adequate spacing for proper hand positioning and operation without accidental activation of adjacent controls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest width is increased to accommodate more controls, then the number of operating elements increases, but the overall dimensions and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging operating elements along a curved path rather than a straight line, the patent effectively utilizes the circumferential dimension. This allows more controls to be packed into a compact width by wrapping them around the curve, similar to how a clock face fits more information in a small diameter compared to a linear strip.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved armrest surface allows operating elements to be nested along the arc, maximizing the use of available space. The elements are arranged concentrically along the curved path, efficiently utilizing the three-dimensional space of the armrest structure without requiring increased width.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different types of control elements are installed, then adaptability to different functions is improved, but the space requirements vary making optimization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The curved armrest surface serves as a universal mounting platform that can accommodate various types of control elements (joysticks, buttons, switches, levers) along its arc. The standardized curved geometry provides consistent mounting interfaces and spacing, allowing different control types to be integrated without requiring custom layout planning for each configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The device has a control element (8) such as control arm e.g. joystick (12) or switch panel or keypad panel, arranged at a control console i.e. armrest. The control element is arranged on a convex or approximately cylindrical concave surface (F). The surface is bent with a radius (rF) of a parallel axis (PA) provided in a longitudinal extension of the control console and below the control console. A working hydraulics system of a forklift truck is actuated by the control element and comprises a lift drive for lifting and lowering a load receiving unit. An independent claim is also included for a control device system comprising control elements.