Drive Unit with Pivoting Handle for Sandwich Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users may be sandwiched between a towing pallet truck and an object when towing, as existing electric pallet trucks lack effective mechanisms to prevent such incidents.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit with an electric motor, operating part, and control system that allows the pallet truck to change direction from towing to pushing when contact is made, using an operating part located at the distal end to pivot and control the motor, preventing the user from being trapped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pallet truck is equipped with an electric motor for automated towing, then the productivity and ease of operation are improved, but the risk of users being sandwiched between the pallet truck and objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the operational state of the operating part and provides feedback to the control part. When the operating part is detected to be in the pushing direction during towing operation, the control part automatically reverses the motor direction to push the pallet truck away from the user, preventing the sandwiching hazard
Solution Approach 2:
The operating part serves dual functions: it controls the towing direction during normal operation and simultaneously acts as a safety mechanism by detecting user contact and automatically triggering the pushing direction to prevent sandwiching, eliminating the need for separate safety systems
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate safety system is added to prevent user sandwiching, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating part is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the primary control interface for towing direction and simultaneously functions as a safety device that detects user contact and triggers automatic direction reversal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate safety systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining safety
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed drive unit is configured to help prevent a user from being sandwiched between a mobile object and an object of some kind when the user tows the mobile object. The drive unit includes an electric motor, an operating part, and a control part. The operating part is configured to be operated in a towing direction and a pushing direction. The operating part is located on the distal end in the towing direction. When determining that the operating part has been operated in the towing direction, the control part is configured to control the electric motor such that a mobile object travels in the towing direction. Conversely, when determining that the operating part has been operated in the pushing direction, the control part is configured to control the electric motor such that the mobile object travels in the pushing direction.