Pivotal Platform Vertical Suspension for Industrial Trucks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial truck platforms with pivotal designs face challenges in providing ergonomic support and shock absorption for drivers of varying weights, as they require accurate spring dimensioning and can lose force over time, leading to potential injuries from uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An industrial truck with a pivotal driver's platform that includes a supporting element with resilient suspension, featuring spring means and a mechanical stop to maintain an ergonomically correct position, ensuring stable suspension regardless of driver weight or surface conditions, and utilizing a linear actuator for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring is used to suspend the platform and counteract driver weight, then the platform can be balanced in a level position, but the spring must be accurately dimensioned for each driver's weight which is impractical for drivers of different weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of the spring system from a fixed spring constant to a variable spring constant system. By using multiple springs with different spring rates or a progressive spring design, the system adapts to different driver weights automatically, maintaining platform levelness without requiring precise pre-dimensioning for each driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring suspension system is designed to serve multiple driver weight categories simultaneously. Instead of requiring different springs for different drivers, a single spring system configuration handles the full range of driver weights, making the platform universally adaptable to all users.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a spring is used to provide suspension for the platform, then shocks can be absorbed, but the spring may lose force due to wear leading to incorrect platform position
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical stop provides a physical feedback mechanism that ensures the platform returns to its correct positioned even when spring force degrades. The stop acts as a reference point that the spring system must accommodate, creating a self-correcting system that compensates for spring wear over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical stop is positioned to prevent the platform from reaching incorrect positions before spring wear becomes critical. It provides a predetermined limit that cushions against the harmful effects of spring degradation, ensuring the platform never achieves an ergonomically incorrect position.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the platform is allowed to pivot freely for suspension, then shock absorption is provided, but the platform may be forced into an angled position when spring force is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical stop applies a preliminary counter-action to the platform's downward pivot motion. By blocking the platform before it can reach an angled position, the stop prevents the ergonomic harm that would result from insufficient spring force, allowing free pivoting for shock absorption while maintaining position limits.
4Ease of operation
If a locking arrangement is added to maintain horizontal platform position, then ergonomic position is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the leveling function from a complex active locking mechanism and implements it through a simple passive mechanical stop. The stop is a basic geometric feature that provides the leveling function without requiring motors, sensors, or complex control systems, thereby maintaining ease of operation while minimizing added complexity.
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, ergonomic, and safe working environment by ensuring the platform remains level and absorb shocks effectively, reducing the risk of injury and accommodating different user weights and surface types.
Implementation Method 1
the spring means comprises one or more helical springs
Implementation Method 2
the supporting element, when the platform is in its lowered position, is resiliently movable in the vertical direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
An industrial truck (1) comprising a pivotal driver's platform (2) that is pivotal from an upright position to a lowered position wherein the truck comprises a supporting element (13) to which the platform (2) is pivotally attached, means (20a, 20b) for blocking the platform (2) in a predetermined lowered position from further downwards directed pivoting and wherein supporting element (13) is resilient movable in vertical direction.