Forklift Mast Display at Eye Level for Visibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Pedestrian high-lift industrial trucks pose a challenge in providing easy readability of operational data for operators due to their low driving height, requiring the operator to look down and compromising visibility and safety.

Innovation Solution

A flat display element is attached to the protective screen on the mast of the truck, positioned at eye level on the side of the protective pane, allowing easy viewing of battery charge, lift height, and other data without obstructing the operator's view, using transparent materials like glass or plastic and connected via routed signal lines to the control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If display elements are integrated in the hood of the drive unit, then the display can be read by the operator, but the operator of pedestrian vehicles must look down and visibility is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadability of displayVSAvoidcompromised visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display element is relocated from the horizontal plane (hood) to the vertical plane (protective pane at eye level), changing the spatial dimension of display placement. This allows the operator to view the display without looking down, maintaining visibility while ensuring readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a protective screen is attached to the mast to protect the operator, then operator safety is improved, but the display cannot be easily read by the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator protectionVSAvoidreadability of display

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display element is combined with the protective pane by attaching it directly to the protective screen structure. This merging allows the display to be integrated into the safety component, providing both protection and readability simultaneously without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the display element is attached to the protective pane at eye level, then readability is improved, but production and assembly costs may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadability of displayVSAvoidproduction and assembly costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A flat display element is used instead of complex display systems, and it is attached directly to the protective pane using simple mounting methods. This approach uses cost-effective, easily replaceable components that minimize production and assembly costs while achieving the desired readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP1953115B2Display device on forklift

Publication Date: 2019.03.06 JUNGHEINRICH AG

Figure 1

AI summary

The display arrangement has a drive unit (10) and a load unit stand containing a lifting frame, with which a transparent screening grid (18) is attached at a lifting frame (12). A flat display element is attached at the screening grid. The signal lines of the flat display element are guided to a controller of an industrial truck. The screening greed is made up of plastic or glass.