Forklift Control Lever Haptic Feedback for Unlocking Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of industrial trucks often forget to unlock critical vehicle functions, leading to delays and unsafe operations due to lack of immediate feedback on the status of unlocking processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and industrial truck design featuring a restoring device that changes the restoring force on the operating lever when a vehicle function is not unlocked, providing haptic feedback to the operator, and an unlocking device that can be actuated independently of the operating lever, with a load sensor detecting loads to prevent unsafe movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operating lever is actuated without unlocking the vehicle function, then the operation may be performed, but the operator receives no immediate feedback indicating the unlocking status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the return force of the operating lever is modified based on the unlocking status. When the vehicle function is not unlocked, the return force is increased to provide tactile feedback to the operator, immediately indicating that the function is locked without requiring visual confirmation or delay
2Loss of information
If the return force is increased to provide feedback, then the operator receives immediate feedback, but the ease of operation increases when the function is properly unlocked
Solution Approach 1:
The return force of the operating lever is made dynamic rather than static. The return mechanism adjusts the return force based on the unlocking status: when locked, the return force is increased to provide feedback; when unlocked, the return force returns to normal levels, allowing easy operation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between providing feedback and maintaining ease of operation
3Reliability
If manual unlocking is required before actuation, then safety is improved, but the operation time increases due to additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking mechanism is integrated into the continuous operation flow rather than being a separate discrete step. The return force continuously reflects the unlocking status, allowing the operator to maintain awareness and perform the unlocking action naturally within the operating sequence, minimizing interruption and time loss
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for operating a forklift truck (10) with a control element which has - at least one control lever (30) for a vehicle function and an unlocking device (36) for the vehicle function and - a return device cooperating with the at least one control lever which specifies a return force depending on a deflection of the at least one control lever, wherein, when the control lever is actuated without prior unlocking of the control lever, the return force on the at least one control lever is changed in order to report a failure to unlock.