Forklift Operator Compartment Layout and Battery Offset

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing design of stand-up counterbalanced fork lift trucks limits the size of the operator compartment due to the placement of controllers and hydraulic fluid reservoirs, which restricts space and visibility for the operator.

Innovation Solution

The design optimizes the operator compartment by laterally offsetting the battery center of gravity and positioning the hydraulic fluid reservoir between the drive motors and the frame front wall, allowing for a larger operator compartment and improved visibility, with a stability triangle defining a scalene triangle for enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If controllers are located near the operator compartment, then control functionality is achieved, but the operator compartment size is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidoperator compartment size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controllers are extracted from the operator compartment and relocated to the battery compartment area. This separation removes the space-consuming control elements from the operator's workspace, thereby increasing the operator compartment size while preserving all control functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Area of stationary object

If drive motors are mounted near the front wall of the battery compartment, then space utilization is improved, but portions of the front wall are blocked preventing other elements from being mounted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery compartment spaceVSAvoidmounting flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drive motors are repositioned from a horizontal mounting configuration near the front wall to a vertical mounting configuration. This dimensional change allows the motors to be mounted in the vertical space above the battery compartment rather than blocking horizontal wall space, enabling other elements to be mounted on the front wall while maintaining space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If hydraulic fluid reservoir is mounted on the top corner of the front wall, then reservoir positioning is achieved, but space for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir mountingVSAvoidavailable component space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic fluid reservoir is positioned within the vertical space above the battery compartment, nesting it in the available volume rather than mounting it on the external front wall surface. This nested arrangement utilizes otherwise wasted vertical space, allowing the reservoir to be mounted while preserving front wall area for other components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS7870919B2Materials handling vehicle

Publication Date: 2011.01.18 CROWN EQUIP CORP

AI summary

A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a frame including a longitudinal centerline and an operator compartment; first and second front wheels coupled to the frame; a rear steer wheel assembly coupled to the frame; mast apparatus coupled to the frame and including a pair of forks; and a battery associated with the frame and having a center of gravity. The battery is preferably positioned such that the battery center of gravity is laterally offset from the longitudinal center line. A stability triangle for the vehicle is defined by a first point at the first front wheel, a second point at the second front wheel and a third point at the rear steer wheel assembly. Preferably, the stability triangle defines a scalene triangle.