Fork Attachment Tilt Control With Electromechanical Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting vehicles, such as forklifts, face inaccuracies in load adjustment due to mast tilting, which is highly dependent on the driver and lacks precision.
Innovation Solution
A device with electromechanical actuators, including electric adjustment cylinders, is used to tilt and adjust longitudinal transport means, providing precise angular positioning and reducing reliance on hydraulic systems, with features like a CAN bus interface for connectivity and a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic tilting mechanism is used, then tilting function is achieved, but adjustment precision deteriorates due to driver dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic tilting mechanism with an electromechanical system consisting of an electric motor (11) connected via a worm gear (12) to a tilt axis. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid and complex valve systems, providing precise angular control through electrical signals while removing driver dependency for accurate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors (13) that detect the actual tilt angle and feed this information back to the control unit (14). The control unit compares the measured position with the desired position and adjusts the motor accordingly, ensuring precise angular adjustment and eliminating the inaccuracy associated with manual hydraulic operation.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic system is used, then tilting capability is provided, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the entire hydraulic system with a compact electromechanical assembly comprising an electric motor (11), worm gear (12), and direct connection to the tilt axis. This simplification eliminates hydraulic pumps, reservoirs, hoses, and valves, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining tilting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The worm gear mechanism (12) provides self-locking capability, meaning the mechanism automatically maintains the tilted position without requiring continuous hydraulic pressure or active control. This self-holding feature reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for hydraulic locks or continuous actuation.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic system is used, then tilting function is achieved, but environmental impact increases due to hydraulic oil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic fluid-based system with an electric motor-driven system, completely eliminating hydraulic oil from the tilting mechanism. This substitution removes the environmental hazards associated with hydraulic fluid leakage, contamination, and disposal while maintaining the essential tilting function.
4Ease of operation
If mast tilting is used, then load pickup is enabled, but attachment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mast tilting mechanism with an active electromechanical tilting system that uses an electric motor (11) and worm gear (12) to precisely control the attachment angle. This enables accurate positioning of the forks relative to the load, improving attachment precision while maintaining the ability to perform load pickup operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit (14) receives feedback from sensors (13) about the actual attachment angle and automatically adjusts the motor position to achieve the desired precise alignment with the load. This closed-loop control ensures high attachment precision that is not dependent on driver skill or manual estimation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device ensures safe, precise, and adaptable load handling, reducing maintenance efforts and environmental impact while allowing easy integration with various lifting vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (11), in particular a DC motor and/or synchronous/asynchronous motor, which is connected via a worm gear (12) to a tilt axis (15)
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for transporting a transport item and for attaching to a lifting vehicle, in particular for attaching to the transport apparatus of a forklift truck, said vehicle in particular comprising a mast means and said device comprising: a longitudinal transport means, more particularly a fork means, for at least temporarily receiving the transport item, in particular two or more longitudinal transport means; a tilting means for longitudinally tilting the longitudinal transport means, more particularly fork means, in particular two or more longitudinal transport means; and at least one electromechanical actuator means, in particular for linear displacement, said actuator means acting on an attachment region of the longitudinal transport means, in particular multiple longitudinal transport means, in order to tilt said transport means.