Fork-Carrier Visibility and Securing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fork-carriers on telehandlers obstruct the operator's visibility of the prongs' position relative to the load, making it difficult to correctly insert the forks, leading to inconvenient and inefficient maneuvers during load pickup.
Innovation Solution
The design features a supporting frame with inclined transversal plates and parallel uprights, reducing non-visible intervals, allowing greater tilting and easier adjustment, and replacing chains with brackets for secure positioning, enhancing visibility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a thick upper tubular crosspiece is used in the fork-carrier structure, then structural strength is improved, but operator visibility of the prongs' position relative to the load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The upper crosspiece is segmented into multiple thinner tubular elements arranged in a specific pattern, replacing the single thick crosspiece. This segmentation maintains structural strength through distributed support while reducing the continuous obstruction to the operator's view of the prongs and load.
Solution Approach 2:
The crosspiece structure uses asymmetric arrangement of tubular elements with varying diameters and positions, creating openings and gaps that strategically improve visibility in critical areas while maintaining strength where most needed. The asymmetric design allows optimized visibility corridors to the load.
2Volume of moving object
If chains are used for securing the prongs in the tilted configuration, then the accessory size is reduced during transport, but the ease of operation and securing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chain-based securing system is replaced with a mechanical locking system using pins, clips, or latches that engage with dedicated receptacles on the crosspiece. This substitution provides more reliable securing with simpler operation, eliminating the need for manual chain manipulation while maintaining compact transport configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The new securing mechanism incorporates self-locking features or spring-loaded elements that automatically engage when the prongs are positioned in the tilted configuration, reducing manual intervention required. The system self-secures the prongs in the transport position without requiring operator effort to tighten or adjust chains.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
Described is an apparatus (2) for a self-propelled operating machine (10) comprising a supporting frame (21, 22, 23) designed to be fastened at the rear to an attaching device wherein an operating arm (102) of the machine (10) is provided and designed to be coupled at the front to a tool (3). The frame includes two lateral uprights (21, 22) joined at the top by a transversal plate (23).