Forklift Steering Control for Continuous Direction Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering systems for counter balance forklift trucks are inefficient, requiring manual actions and causing stress to the truck and load, as they stop and change direction, and are not ergonomically optimal for operators, especially in tight spaces.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using an endless rotating steering device with a control unit that detects a reference steering point to provide multiple states for selecting travel direction, generating control signals to electric drive motors to maintain consistent speed and direction changes, allowing continuous motion and reduced operator input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steered wheel reaches maximum position and the drive motor stops the inner driving wheel to turn around, then the truck can change direction, but the process becomes slow and requires manual actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous motion control by preventing the truck from fully stopping during direction changes. The control unit coordinates the drive motors to maintain motion continuity, eliminating the stop-start cycle inherent in prior art steering methods. This allows the steering operation to proceed without interruption, improving both ease of operation and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical steering mechanism with an electronically controlled drive system. Instead of using a steered wheel and mechanical turning, the control unit electronically coordinates the drive motors to achieve direction changes. This substitution eliminates the need for manual steering actions and full stops, enabling smoother and faster direction transitions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the truck fully stops at certain point of steering operation, then the direction can be changed, but stress is caused to entities of the truck and load
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit maintains continuous motion during direction changes by coordinating the drive motors to prevent complete stops. This continuous action eliminates the stress spikes that occur during stop-start operations, protecting both the truck structure and the transported load from mechanical stress while maintaining full direction-changing capability.
3Measurement precision
If the operator uses both hands in controlling the truck, then precise steering is achieved, but ergonomics is not optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical steering control with an electronically coordinated drive system. The control unit processes steering commands and automatically coordinates the drive motors, eliminating the need for the operator to use both hands for steering control. This substitution maintains precise control capability while significantly improving operator ergonomics by reducing physical strain.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the drive motor stops the inner driving wheel to turn around, then the truck can reverse direction, but the process becomes slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit enables continuous motion during direction reversal by coordinating the drive motors to maintain movement throughout the turning process. Instead of stopping the inner driving wheel and requiring the truck to come to a complete halt, the system maintains continuous motion, significantly improving the speed of direction reversal operations while preserving full adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a motion of a counter balance forklift truck, the method comprises: detecting that a steering command generated with an endless rotating steering device corresponds to a reference steering point, in response to the detection providing at least two states for selecting a travel direction of the counter balance truck, detecting a selected state in accordance with a detection of a change in a steering command, and generating control signals individually to a plurality of electric drive motors for controlling the motion of the counter balance truck to meet the travel direction selected with the steering device. The invention also relates to a forklift truck implementing the method and to a computer program product.