Forklift Driver Platform Parallelogram Suspension
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial trucks with standing operator platforms face challenges in absorbing vibrations and oscillations while maintaining a compact design and minimizing the increase in entry height, as existing spring-damper systems often restrict foot space and require significant installation space.
Innovation Solution
A spring-damper system with a spring element arranged vertically above the driver's platform and a horizontal actuation direction, combined with a parallelogram suspension for purely vertical movement, minimizes space requirements and foot space restrictions, and allows for adjustable stiffness to accommodate operator weight and road conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring-damper device is installed to absorb vibrations and oscillations, then operator comfort is improved, but the installation space requirement increases and entry height is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is arranged in the vertical direction above the driver's platform with a horizontal actuation direction aligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This repositioning from a traditional lateral arrangement to a vertical arrangement with horizontal actuation reduces the installation space footprint while maintaining the vibration absorption function, thereby improving operator comfort without significantly increasing entry height or restricting foot space
2Ease of operation
If a spring-damper device is installed to absorb vibrations and oscillations, then operator comfort is improved, but the driver's space particularly foot space is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is positioned in the vertical direction above the driver's platform rather than laterally adjacent to it. This vertical arrangement with horizontal actuation direction preserves the horizontal footprint of the driver's platform, ensuring that foot space is minimally restricted while still providing effective vibration absorption for improved operator comfort
3Ease of operation
If a spring-damper device is installed to absorb vibrations and oscillations, then operator comfort is improved, but the entry height of the industrial truck is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is arranged in the vertical direction above the driver's platform with horizontal actuation, rather than extending vertically below the platform. This repositioning reduces the vertical space requirement at the entry level, maintaining a low entry height while preserving the vibration absorption capability that improves operator comfort
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively reduces vibrations, maintains a low entry height, and provides comfortable operation with minimal space constraints, ensuring a high level of comfort and versatility for the operator.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded and damped suspension of the driver platform on the drive part to be reduced by means of the spring damper device
Implementation Method 2
a spring-damper device, which comprises at least one spring element and one damper element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a forklift truck (1) with a driver's workstation (7) formed by a driver's platform (8) for a standing operator (P) and arranged longitudinally on a drive unit (A) of the forklift truck (1) between a battery compartment (6) of a traction battery and a vertical rear wall (9) of the drive unit (A). The driver's platform (8) is suspended vertically on the drive unit (A) by means of a parallelogram linkage (10) and is supported on the drive unit (A) by means of a spring-damper assembly (11) comprising at least one spring element (12; 12a, 12b) and one damper element (13).