Forklift Wheel Speed Sensor Roller Layout for Compact Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speed sensor arrangements for forklift trucks are prone to maintenance challenges, are space-consuming, and susceptible to pollution, with components like the second wheel disc being close to the wheel tread and exposed to contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A speed sensor arrangement for forklift trucks featuring a roller that rotates around a second axis perpendicular to the wheel's axis of rotation, pressed against the wheel's side surface, with an elastic member adjusting the pressure and protected by the wheel, allowing easy maintenance and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a rotational speed sensor arrangement with two wheel discs is used, then maintenance service is easy, but the arrangement extends vertically and takes up a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (prior art with two wheel discs extending vertically) to a horizontal/planar arrangement where the roller contacts the wheel tread laterally. This dimensional change reduces vertical space occupation while maintaining the sensor arrangement's functionality and ease of maintenance.
2Volume of moving object
If the second wheel disc is placed close to the wheel tread for compactness, then space is reduced, but the sensor becomes exposed to pollution from the floor surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the roller as an intermediary element between the sensor and the wheel. The roller contacts the wheel tread laterally and transmits rotational information to the sensor, acting as a mediator that protects the sensor from direct exposure to pollution while maintaining functional contact with the wheel.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a guard is attached to protect the sensor from objects on the floor surface, then protection is improved, but the sensor replacement still requires lifting the truck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor arrangement into modular components: the sensor unit, the roller, and the mounting structure. This segmentation allows the sensor and roller to be replaced as a compact assembly without requiring truck lifting, while the guard remains attached to the fixed mounting structure for continued protection.
4Ease of repair
If the roller is pressed on the front most part of the side surface of the wheel, then the roller is easy to change, but the roller is more exposed to road pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the roller to contact a specific lateral portion of the wheel tread rather than the frontmost or topmost parts. This localized contact point balances accessibility for replacement with reduced exposure to road pollution, optimizing both maintenance ease and pollution resistance for that specific location.
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
The solution provides a compact, low-maintenance, and pollution-resistant speed sensor arrangement that is easy to service and insensitive to geometrical defaults, with the roller design ensuring effective operation and easy replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a roller (35) secured on the sensor shaft (37) and configured to rotate around the second axis of rotation (R2) and to press on one side surface (47) of the supporting wheel (29)
Data Source
AI summary
A speed sensor arrangement for a forklift truck having a frame and at least one supporting wheel articulated on the frame around a first axis of rotation. The speed sensor arrangement comprises an angular sensor comprising a sensor shaft configured to rotate around a second axis of rotation and a roller secured on the sensor shaft and configured to rotate around the second axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation is included in a first plane perpendicular to the first axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation intersects the first axis of rotation and the roller is configured to press on one side surface of the supporting wheel of the forklift truck.