Lift Truck Upright Profiles for Visibility and Structural Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lift truck uprights do not effectively enhance driver visibility without compromising structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

The upright design features J-shaped and I-shaped profiles with inclined flanges and curvilinear portions to improve visibility, while maintaining structural rigidity and minimizing dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If traditional upright designs are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but driver visibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver visibilityVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The upright is divided into multiple profiles (first profiles with J-shaped cross-section and second profiles with I-shaped cross-section) that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the outer surfaces of these profiles to be shaped for visibility improvement while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed profile structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces inclined surfaces on the outer surfaces of the profiles, adding angular dimensionality to the upright structure. These inclined surfaces (with angles α and β between 2° and 20°) redirect light and improve driver visibility without compromising the vertical load-bearing capacity of the upright.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If inclined surfaces are added to improve visibility, then driver field of vision is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver field of visionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the upright into separate first and second profiles that can be manufactured independently and then assembled, the manufacturing complexity of inclined surfaces is reduced. Each profile can be produced with its specific inclined surfaces using standard fabrication processes, then joined together to form the complete upright structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4414316B1Lift truck upright
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 L T E ELEVATOR TRUCK EQUIP
  • EP4414316B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4414316B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4414316B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An upright of a lift truck having a main extension along a vertical direction and comprising a unit (2) for picking up a load; the upright (1) comprises a fixed section (3) and one telescopic section (4), movable relative to the fixed section (3); the fixed section (3) comprises a pair of first profiles (5), positioned parallel to each other and each first profile (5) has in particular a J-shaped cross-section; the telescopic section (4) comprises at least a pair of second profiles (6), positioned parallel to each other, wherein each second profile (6) has an I-shaped cross-section.