Open Fork-Carrier Structure for Clear Telehandler Fork Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fork-carriers for telehandlers obstruct the operator's view, making it difficult to correctly position the forks relative to the load, necessitating inconvenient maneuvers to achieve proper alignment.
Innovation Solution
A fork-carrier with a lattice structure and a horizontal gripping rod, where prongs are suspended from a frame with sliding and rotating suspension pins, and connected by joining members, eliminating end lateral uprights to provide unobstructed visibility of the prongs and load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a traditional fork-carrier with side plates, upper crosspiece, and sliding pins is used, then the structural strength and stability are ensured, but the operator's visibility of the load and prong positioning is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the obstructive side plates and upper crosspiece from the traditional fork-carrier structure, extracting only the essential functional elements (grip bar and suspension pins) needed to support the forks while eliminating visual obstructions for the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The fork-carrier is segmented into minimal essential components: a grip bar for attachment and suspension pins for fork support, rather than using a solid rectangular frame with multiple connecting elements, reducing overall structural complexity
2Ease of operation
If the telehandler cab is mounted alongside the operating arm, then the operator has easy access to controls, but one side panel always obstructs the view of the load and prong positioning
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the side plates that formed the side panels of the traditional fork-carrier, the invention eliminates the source of visual obstruction that exacerbated the visibility problem caused by the cab's off-center mounting position
3Measurement precision
If the operator performs preparatory maneuvers to align the forks with the load, then proper positioning can be achieved, but operational time and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By removing visual obstructions (side plates and crosspiece), the invention allows the operator to directly observe and position the forks on the load without needing to perform time-consuming preparatory maneuvers to clear the view
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Described is a fork-carrier (2) for a telehandler, comprising: a frame (20) for supporting a fork equipped with an upper structure (200) comprising a gripping rod (21), which, in use, is positioned horizontally and designed to be removably attached to a coupling device (101), which is fitted to an operating arm (102) of a telehandler (10); and a lower contact element (25) designed to make contact with the rear of prongs (3) of fork; wherein the upper structure (200) is connected to the contact element (25) exclusively by means of one or more joining members (26) which are positioned inside the lateral dimensions of the supporting frame (20).