Forklift Operating Device with Dynamic Function Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial trucks face space constraints and high costs due to numerous variants and design options, making it difficult to provide efficient access to frequently used functions, especially with limited favorite switching elements.
Innovation Solution
The industrial truck features a control computer with a display and operating device that allows favorite switching elements to call up submenus, enabling multiple functions to be assigned and activated quickly, with options for intuitive selection and arrangement to enhance operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple switching elements are provided for each function, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements favorite switching elements that can be assigned multiple functions through software configuration. Each favorite switching element can call up different functions from a submenu, allowing a single physical switch to perform multiple operations depending on the selected assignment. This reduces the total number of physical switching elements needed while maintaining comprehensive functional access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical menu system where pressing a favorite switching element first calls up a submenu, and subsequent presses cycle through different function assignments. This adds a temporal and hierarchical dimension to the switching operation, transforming a spatial problem (number of switches) into a temporal sequence (pressing patterns), thereby reducing physical space requirements.
2Ease of operation
If more favorite switching elements are provided, then ease of operation is improved, but space constraints are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Each favorite switching element is designed to access multiple functions through a submenu system. When a favorite switching element is pressed, it calls up a submenu containing multiple assignable functions. Subsequent presses cycle through these functions, allowing operators to access frequently used functions from a limited number of physical switches, thereby reducing the control panel area required.
Solution Approach 2:
The favorite switching elements have dynamic function assignments that can be configured and changed. The functions assigned to each favorite switching element are not fixed but can be selected from available functions, allowing the system to adapt to different operational priorities and space constraints while maintaining ease of access to critical functions.
3Device complexity
If multiple functions are assigned to one favorite switching element, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation is worsened due to selection time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic cycling mechanism where pressing a favorite switching element repeatedly cycles through its assigned functions in a predetermined sequence. This periodic action allows operators to quickly access different functions by rhythmically pressing the same switch, transforming what could be a complex selection process into a simple, repetitive motion that reduces operational time and maintains ease of use.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
In a forklift truck with a control computer for controlling driving and working functions and with at least one display and operating device (2) which has a screen (1), switching elements (8) and favorite switching elements (3,4) for displaying information on the driving and working functions by the control computer, wherein input can be made by means of the switching elements (8) and favorite switching elements (3,4), the switching elements (8) call up a submenu and the favorite switching elements (3,4) each call up one or more functions from a submenu that can be called up by a switching element.