Side-Loading Lift Truck Mast Guide System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side-loading lift trucks face issues with friction and oscillation due to opposing rollers, which are fragile and require frequent replacement, leading to suboptimal guiding and control of the mast, and existing solutions fail to provide consistent prestress and precise control, especially with high structural tolerances and varying movement speeds.
Innovation Solution
A guide and control system featuring adjustably mounted rollers or sliding blocks with ring nut elements for precise positioning on horizontal pins, ensuring slidable engagement with rectilinear guides to prevent transverse movements and maintain consistent prestress, eliminating the need for opposing rollers and periodic adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If opposing rollers are used to guide the outlet carriage, then the mast can be guided during translation, but friction and oscillation occur due to stick-slip phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical opposing roller system with a hydraulic cylinder system that directly pushes and pulls the outlet carriage. This substitution eliminates the friction-based mechanical contact between opposing rollers and guide walls, thereby resolving the stick-slip oscillation problem while maintaining reliable guiding control through fluid-powered actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hydraulic cylinder system to actuate the outlet carriage, using hydraulic pressure to provide smooth, controlled force application. This hydraulic approach replaces the friction-dependent mechanical roller system, eliminating stick-slip phenomena while providing precise control over the carriage's translation movement along the guide rails.
2Reliability
If opposing rollers are used, then the outlet carriage can be guided, but the rollers are fragile and require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fragile mechanical opposing roller system with a robust hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic cylinders have no wearing contact parts in the traditional sense, as they transmit force through fluid pressure rather than direct mechanical contact. This substitution dramatically extends the service life of the guiding system while maintaining reliable control functionality.
3Reliability
If pre-stress is applied by tapered guides, then contact between opposing rollers and guides is maintained, but the frame structure becomes weak and prestress is reduced over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pre-stress-dependent mechanical roller system with a hydraulic actuation system that actively controls the outlet carriage's position and movement. The hydraulic system provides controlled force application without requiring the frame to maintain high pre-stress through tapered guides, thereby preserving frame structural strength while ensuring reliable contact and control throughout operation.
4Reliability
If adjusting screws are used to restore frame configuration, then initial prestress can be recovered, but the adjustment process is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual adjustment screw system with a hydraulic actuation system that automatically maintains proper positioning and prestress through controlled fluid pressure. The hydraulic system can dynamically adjust and maintain optimal contact conditions without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating the time-consuming adjustment process while preserving reliable operational characteristics.
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
This solution provides long-lasting, precise, and efficient control of the mast's translation, reducing friction and oscillation, ensuring uniform movement speeds and eliminating the need for lubrication and frequent adjustments, while maintaining high precision and stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
the regulating or adjusting means comprises a pair of ring nut elements fit on the pin on opposite sides with respect to a respective roller or sliding block, and suitable for being moved in a controlled manner along its respective pin
Implementation Method 2
the external surface being so shaped as to ensure a relatively loose, slidable shape engagement with a respective rectilinear guide member, thereby preventing transverse movements of each roller or sliding block with respect to the respective rectilinear guide member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a group for guiding and controlling the translation of a lifting group (1) of a 2-way, 4-way or multidirectional side-loading lift truck (3), comprising: - at least one rectilinear guide member (7a, 7b); - an outlet carriage (4) having at least one roller (5) and/or sliding block (50, 500) adjustably mounted on a pin (6), substantially horizontal in use, which has external surface (5a) for the rolling or sliding engagement with a respective rectilinear guide member (7a, 7b), the external surface (5a) being shaped in a manner so as to ensure a slidable shape engagement with a respective rectilinear guide member (7a, 7b), thereby preventing transverse movements of each roller (5) or sliding block (50, 500) with respect to a respective rectilinear guide member (7a, 7b), the group further comprising means for regulating or adjusting the position of the at least one roller (5) or sliding block (50, 500) on the axle or pin (6).