Forklift Rear Sensor Mounting via Trailer Hitch

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial truck rear area monitoring systems require significant mechanical modifications and are costly to retrofit, as they necessitate altering components like counterweights and lighting systems, and often require complex installation processes.

Innovation Solution

A carrier system with a trailer hitch and support devices, allowing the sensor device to be easily attached to the industrial truck's existing trailer hitch without needing additional mechanical processing of rear components, using a socket and clamping mechanism for secure attachment and impact protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the sensor device is attached directly to the rear vehicle component (counterweight) using known solutions, then the sensor device can be mounted, but mechanical machining of the counterweight and/or rear grille is required, increasing manufacturing complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sensor device attachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical modifications

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate mounting structure (bracket or adapter) that connects the sensor device to the existing trailer hitch on the rear vehicle component. This intermediary element eliminates the need for direct mechanical machining of the counterweight or rear grille, as the sensor device is mounted via the trailer hitch interface instead. The mounting bracket serves as the mediator between the sensor device and the vehicle's existing hitch system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the existing trailer hitch, which is already present on the rear vehicle component for its original purpose (towing), and repurposes it as a mounting point for the sensor device. This multi-functional use of the trailer hitch eliminates the need for dedicated sensor mounting structures and avoids additional mechanical modifications to the counterweight or rear grille.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the sensor device is mounted using known solutions, then monitoring functionality is achieved, but the arrangement restricts lighting device installation and may require component replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sensor device installationVSAvoidcompatibility with lighting devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket or adapter serves as an intermediary structure that positions the sensor device independently of the lighting device mounting locations. By using the trailer hitch as the mounting base, the sensor device can be positioned without interfering with the lighting device's installation on the rear vehicle component, thus resolving the spatial conflict between these two components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent positions the sensor device in a different spatial dimension or orientation relative to the lighting devices. By mounting the sensor via the trailer hitch (which protrudes rearward), the sensor occupies a different spatial zone that does not conflict with the lighting device mounting areas on the rear vehicle component, thereby avoiding restrictions on lighting device installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If rear area monitoring is retrofitted to existing industrial trucks using known solutions, then monitoring capability is added, but significant effort and cost are required due to component replacement and mechanical processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrofit capability of monitoring systemVSAvoidtime and effort for retrofitting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The existing trailer hitch on the industrial truck serves itself as a mounting point for the sensor device, eliminating the need for additional mechanical modifications or component replacements during retrofitting. The retrofit process simply requires attaching the sensor device to the already-present trailer hitch, making the modification self-sufficient and avoiding time-consuming mechanical work on the counterweight or rear grille.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The trailer hitch is already present on the rear vehicle component before the sensor device is installed. This preliminary presence of the mounting interface (the trailer hitch) eliminates the need for preliminary mechanical machining or component replacement during the retrofitting process. The mounting point was prepared in advance as part of the vehicle's original design, facilitating easy retrofittability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3216749B1Industrial truck, in particular forklift with a counterweight, with a rear space monitoring device

Publication Date: 2019.05.08 LINDE MATERIAL HANDLING GMBH

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a forklift truck (2), in particular a counterbalance forklift truck (1), with a trailer coupling (16) arranged on a component (12) at the rear of the vehicle, the coupling having a coupling jaw (17) and a coupling pin (18), wherein the forklift truck (2) is provided with a rear area monitoring device (20) comprising a sensor device (21) for monitoring the rear area of the forklift truck (2). The sensor device (21) is attached to a carrier (25), the carrier (25) being provided with a bushing (26) for receiving the coupling pin (18), which can be inserted into the coupling jaw (17) and locked in place by the coupling pin (18).