Forklift Control Head with Cylindrical Grips for One-Handed Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control heads for industrial trucks are complex to operate intuitively, with limited accessibility to control elements, particularly when the tiller handle is in an upright position, and require cumbersome hand position changes to switch between functions.
Innovation Solution
The design features cylindrical operating elements with a radial bulge that protrudes towards the gripping section, allowing easy pivoting and intuitive operation, with the bulge being easily gripped by fingers, enabling single-handed operation of multiple functions without repositioning the hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If button-like operating elements with upward-extending contact surfaces are used on support sections, then the control elements are easily visible, but they become difficult to access when the tiller handle is in an upright position
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surfaces of the operating elements extend in multiple directions including laterally and downward, not just upward. This multi-directional extension allows operators to access the control elements from different hand positions and angles, solving the accessibility problem when the tiller handle is upright while maintaining visibility
2Ease of operation
If paddle-shaped rocker switches are used on support sections, then the control elements are accessible, but the operator must awkwardly change grip position to switch between functions
Solution Approach 1:
The operating elements are designed as cylindrical bodies with contact surfaces extending in multiple directions (upward, lateral, downward). This universal design allows a single grip position to access multiple control elements for different functions (raising, lowering, steering), eliminating the need to change grip positions while maintaining simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pushbuttons are arranged on support sections for different functions, then each function can be controlled separately, but the operation becomes complex and requires multiple control elements
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into single cylindrical operating elements. Each cylinder body with multi-directional contact surfaces can perform multiple functions (e.g., raising and lowering loads) through different contact surface engagements, reducing the total number of separate control elements needed while maintaining full functional control
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6a~6c
AI summary
Control head for a forklift truck, comprising a horn (20) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) with support sections (22) extending from the longitudinal axis (L) on opposite sides of the horn (20), and comprising handles connected to the horn (20) with gripping sections (32) arranged opposite the support sections (22), wherein the opposing support sections (22) and gripping sections (32) are each spaced apart from one another by a handle opening (34), wherein at least one control element (40, 42, 43) is arranged on at least one of the support sections (22), wherein the at least one control element (40, 42, 43) is cylindrical with a bulge (44) extending radially from the longitudinal axis (Z1, Z2) of the cylinder, which, at least in a rest position of the control element (40, 42, 43), relates to the opposite gripping section (32) of the Griffs indicates that the operating element (40) is engaged by attacking the protrusion (44).42, 43) is pivotable about its longitudinal cylinder axis.