Reverse Speed Control by Operator Position in Materials-Handling Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators of materials-handling vehicles face discomfort and reduced productivity when reversing, as they must turn to view the path while maintaining control, leading to ergonomic issues and limited access to the vehicle's full reverse speed range.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reverse-consent sensor into an ergonomically designed handle that allows operators to comfortably view the reverse path, enabling access to the full reverse speed range by detecting the operator's position and activating a control system to adjust the vehicle's speed accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator turns to view the reverse path while driving in reverse, then the operator can see obstacles and avoid them, but the operator experiences discomfort and reduced productivity due to maintaining an awkward body position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle avoidance capabilityVSAvoidoperator comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A reverse-consent sensor acts as an intermediary between the operator and the speed control system. The sensor detects whether the operator is in a position to view the reverse path, and based on this detection, automatically adjusts the maximum reverse speed without requiring the operator to manually intervene or maintain an awkward position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the maximum reverse speed is limited to reduce potential damage from inadvertent contact with obstacles, then safety is improved, but the operator cannot access the full reverse speed range when it would be beneficial

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidreverse speed access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The maximum reverse speed is made dynamic rather than static. The speed control system automatically adjusts the maximum reverse speed based on real-time detection of the operator's position. When the operator is in a position to view the reverse path, the system permits access to the full reverse speed range; otherwise, it maintains a reduced speed limit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reverse-consent sensor provides feedback to the speed control system about the operator's position relative to the reverse path. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust speed limits based on whether the operator can visually monitor the reverse direction, resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12209001B2Selectively enabling faster reverse driving of a materials-handling vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 HYSTER YALE MATERIALS HANDLING INC

AI summary

A method controls the reverse speed of a materials-handling vehicle having a forward-facing operator seat, a front end, a back end, a reverse-consent sensor, and a controller. The method detects, via the reverse-consent sensor, whether an operator of the vehicle is in a position to view a path of the vehicle when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction; limits, via the controller, the reverse speed of the vehicle to a first maximum reverse speed when the operator is not detected to be in such a position when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction; and limits, via the controller, the reverse speed of the vehicle to a second maximum reverse speed when the operator is detected to be in such a position. The first maximum reverse speed of the vehicle may be lower than the second maximum reverse speed of the vehicle.