Fork-lift Truck Drive Wheels Fixed Axis Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fork-lift trucks face challenges in maneuverability and directional stability, especially when handling larger pallets, due to the need for a motorized setup that restricts the arrangement of swiveling and linear wheels, which complicates control and safety in restricted areas.
Innovation Solution
A fork-lift truck design with individually controllable drive wheels having fixed rotational axes parallel to the truck's longitudinal direction, an operator platform positioned below the drive wheels for improved stability, and a steer-by-wire system using a tiller arm or joystick for enhanced maneuverability and safety, along with software control for adaptive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fork-lift truck is made shorter to improve maneuverability, then the turning radius decreases and maneuverability improves, but the ability to handle larger pallets or goods is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drive wheels are made individually controllable with independent drive motors, allowing dynamic adjustment of each wheel's rotational speed and direction. This enables the truck to achieve tight turning radii by rotating wheels at different speeds while maintaining a longer overall length capable of handling larger pallets.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering control is segmented into individual wheel control through separate drive motors. Each drive wheel can be controlled independently, allowing precise maneuverability control without requiring the entire truck body to be shortened. The support legs are also segmented with swivelling wheels that can be independently positioned.
2Ease of operation
If a double set up of wheels on support legs is used to improve maneuverability, then maneuverability increases, but the control becomes difficult and directional stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamically controllable drive wheels with fixed rotational axes parallel to the longitudinal direction, providing both maneuverability and directional stability. The individual wheel control allows the system to maintain stability during operation while achieving tight turns when needed.
3Ease of operation
If swivelling wheels are placed in front and back with linear wheels in the middle, then maneuverability improves, but the device complexity increases and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a complex static wheel arrangement, the invention uses dynamically controllable drive wheels with fixed axes. The individual controllability of each wheel provides maneuverability equivalent to complex arrangements but with simpler mechanics and improved safety through consistent wheel orientation.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Fork-lift truck (1), comprising a pair of support legs (2l, 2r), two lift forks (23l, 23r) for lifting and handling pallets (24), wherein each support leg (2l, 2r) is provided with at least one swivelling wheel (3l, 3r), wherein the fork-lift truck (1) comprises two drive wheels (4l, 4r) which are individually controllable, wherein each drive wheel (4r, 4l) is connected to a respective drive motor (6l, 6r), wherein each of the drive wheels (4l, 4r) have a respective fixed rotational axis (20l, 20r) with reference to the fork-lift truck (1), such that the drive wheels rotational plane is fixed in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the fork-lift truck (1), further a method of controlling a fork lift truck is disclosed and a computer readable software.