Integrating External System Data into Forklift Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing display systems in industrial trucks require multiple separate devices to display external system information, which limits the driver's view and is costly and time-consuming to assemble, as they are often mounted on the overhead guard, restricting the number of systems that can be accommodated and hindering operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Integrating external system information into the vehicle's own display device with vehicle functionality, using interfaces for data transmission and operation, such as HDMI or VGA for image and USB for input, allowing a single display to show both vehicle and external system information, and enabling touchscreen operation of external systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple separate display devices are installed for external systems, then external system information can be displayed, but the driver's view is limited and assembly becomes expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal system information displayVSAvoidnumber of display devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate display devices into a single integrated display unit that can show both vehicle information and external system information simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the number of display devices from multiple separate units to one unified display, eliminating the need for multiple mounting locations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining complete information display capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated display device is designed to serve multiple functions: displaying vehicle information, external system information, and providing touchscreen control capabilities. This multi-functional design allows a single display unit to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized devices, achieving both information consolidation and operational versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If multiple separate display devices are mounted on the overhead guard, then external system information is visible, but assembly becomes expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal system information displayVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple display functions into a single integrated display unit, the patent reduces the assembly process from installing multiple separate devices to installing one unified component. This significantly reduces assembly time and complexity while maintaining the ability to display all necessary external system information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If multiple separate display devices are used, then external system information can be displayed, but space is limited and only a finite number of systems can be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal system information displayVSAvoiddisplay space
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated display device utilizes the vertical dimension and multiple display areas within a single unit to accommodate information from multiple external systems. Instead of requiring horizontal space for multiple separate displays, the system stacks or arranges information vertically within one display unit, effectively using the third dimension to overcome space limitations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Loss of information

If display devices are positioned for external system information, then information is accessible, but touchscreen operation becomes difficult depending on position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal system information displayVSAvoidtouchscreen accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the display and control functions into a single integrated unit positioned in the driver's field of view, the patent ensures that both information display and touchscreen operation are accessible from the same location. This eliminates the need for the driver to reach for separate control devices, improving ease of operation while maintaining information accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4067291A1Industrial truck with display device
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 STILL GMBH
  • EP4067291A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4067291A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4067291A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Industrial truck (1), in particular a forklift truck, with a display device (3) which has vehicle functionality for displaying vehicle information, in particular vehicle states and/or vehicle operating states. It is proposed that an external system functionality for displaying external system information, in particular external system states and/or external system operating states, be integrated into the display device (3).