Driver's Platform Inductive Charging Layout for Compact Industrial Trucks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed industrial trucks with limited space face challenges in integrating inductive charging systems due to space constraints, especially with centrally arranged drive wheels, requiring solutions that do not increase external dimensions or affect handling characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The inductive charging unit is positioned below the driver's platform, protected by the vehicle contour and equipped with a shielding plate, allowing for efficient dynamic charging without expanding the truck's dimensions, using a horizontally or inclined coil with waveguide conductors and a ferromagnetic base plate, and featuring a sensor for foreign body detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the inductive charging unit is installed in a high-speed truck with centrally arranged drive wheel, then the charging function is achieved, but the external dimensions or wheelbase must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The inductive charging unit is relocated from the horizontal plane (where space is constrained by the central drive wheel) to the vertical dimension (below the driver's platform). This dimensional shift allows the charging coil to be positioned in the available vertical space without increasing the truck's external length, width, or wheelbase, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving charging functionality and maintaining compact dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If the inductive charging unit is positioned below the driver's platform, then space efficiency is improved, but the charging unit must be protected from damage
Solution Approach 1:
The driver's platform serves as a protective shield positioned above the inductive charging unit. This platform structure acts as a cushioning element that prevents direct impacts and damage to the charging coil from below, while the charging unit remains exposed from the sides for potential service access. This resolves the contradiction by providing adequate protection while maintaining the space-efficient below-platform positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cable-based charging is used, then charging capability is achieved, but the truck cannot be used during charging and considerable capacity is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical cable connection system is replaced with an inductive charging system that transfers energy wirelessly through electromagnetic fields. The charging coil below the driver's platform enables the truck to be charged without physical cable connections, allowing operators to charge multiple trucks simultaneously without requiring manual plugging and unplugging operations. This substitution eliminates the productivity loss associated with cable-based charging while maintaining full charging capability.
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 configuration enables precise, space-efficient, and protected inductive charging, maintaining the truck's dimensions and driving characteristics while supporting fast charging up to 12 kW, enhancing energy transfer efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The charging device as a whole has an inductive charging unit, which allows the industrial truck to be charged inductively, and preferably also to dynamically charge the vehicle inductively
Implementation Method 2
The charging coil also preferably has a base plate made of a ferromagnetic material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Industrial truck with a load part and a drive part, comprising a driver's platform and an electric drive, an energy storage device, a charger and a charging control device, wherein the charger has an inductive charging unit, the inductive charging unit being arranged below the driver's platform.