Forklift Travel Control Braking Force Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Forklifts face reduced stability and increased stopping distance when a driver leaves the seat while traveling, especially when carrying loads, due to the existing systems' inability to effectively manage braking forces in varying load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A travel control apparatus equipped with sensors to detect the vehicle's traveling state, driver presence, load weight, and fork height, which adjusts the braking force accordingly to maintain stability and reduce stopping distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If regenerative brakes are applied when the driver leaves the seat during traveling, then the stopping distance is reduced, but the stability of the vehicle when traveling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the braking force parameter based on real-time detection of load weight and fork height. When the driver leaves the seat during traveling, the system calculates the appropriate braking force that considers the current loading state, thereby reducing stopping distance while preventing excessive braking that would compromise vehicle stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms through detectors that continuously monitor load weight and fork height. This feedback information is fed back to the control device, which then adjusts the braking force accordingly. The closed-loop control ensures that braking actions are optimized based on actual vehicle conditions, resolving the contradiction between stopping distance and stability.
2Reliability
If the forklift remains in neutral state when driver leaves seat, then the forklift is prevented from moving without driver, but the stopping distance becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static neutral state control to a dynamic braking force control. When the driver leaves the seat during traveling, instead of simply switching to neutral state, the control device actively applies dynamic braking force that adapts to the current vehicle state, thereby reducing stopping distance while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device changes the braking force parameter from zero (neutral state) to an optimized value based on load weight and fork height. This parameter adjustment allows the vehicle to stop more quickly while still preventing unauthorized movement, resolving the contradiction between safety and stopping distance.
Data Source
AI summary
A travel control apparatus for a forklift is disclosed. The forklift is provided with a loading device that performs load handling operations by raising and lowering a load, and a drive motor which generates a drive force for travel and is capable of generating a braking force. The apparatus is provided with a sensor for detecting the speed of the motor, a seat switch, a height switch, a load sensor, and a control section. The control section causes the drive motor to generate a braking force when the seat switch detects that the driver has left the seat in the case where the motor speed sensor detects a traveling state, and also changes the strength of the braking in accordance with the height of the loading device and the weight of the load.