Retrofit Seating Support for Industrial Trucks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating supports for industrial trucks are difficult or impossible to retrofit into existing vehicles, requiring structural changes to the rear wall, leading to long setup times and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A seating support with a support body and fastening means that can be easily connected to the platform rear wall using coupling elements, allowing for easy installation and removal, and featuring a releasable hook-and-loop connection or other fastening mechanisms, enabling adaptation to different heights and body sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing seating supports are installed in industrial trucks, then operators gain support functionality, but structural changes to the rear wall are required which increase setup time and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The seating support is divided into two independent sections: a first section that connects to the rear wall and a second section that provides the support surface. This segmentation allows the support surface to be positioned optimally for operator comfort while the connection mechanism can be independently designed for easy installation without structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling element acts as an intermediary between the seating support and the rear wall, enabling connection without direct structural modification. The coupling element can be attached to the rear wall and then receive the seating support, serving as a mediator that facilitates easy installation and removal.
2Ease of operation
If existing seating supports are installed in industrial trucks, then operators gain support functionality, but structural changes to the rear wall are required which increase costs
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed as a relatively simple, potentially disposable component that can be easily attached to the rear wall. Instead of investing in permanent structural modifications, the system uses an affordable coupling mechanism that can be installed and removed as needed, reducing overall installation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the seating support from the rear wall structure through an independent coupling element, the system avoids expensive structural modifications. The segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the coupling element serving as a cost-effective connection solution.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the seating support is permanently fixed to the rear wall, then structural stability is improved, but installation and removal become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element provides a dynamic connection that can transition between locked and unlocked states. During normal operation, the connection maintains stability; during installation or removal, the connection can be easily disengaged. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element serves as a mediator that provides both stability during use and ease of installation. Its intermediary position between the rear wall and seating support allows it to maintain a stable connection while incorporating features like release mechanisms that enable easy installation and removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A seating support for an industrial truck with a standing platform that is bordered on one side by a platform rear wall comprises a first section and a second section. The first section comprises a support body, which further comprises a body rear wall configured to connect to the platform rear wall using one or more coupling elements and a standing surface configured to stand on the standing platform. The second section comprises a support surface for a person standing on the standing platform.