Steering Wheel Neutral Positioning for Electric Forklifts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric forklifts with EPS systems require operators to manually confirm and adjust the steering wheel position upon restarting, causing inconvenience as the wheel often remains in a non-neutral position when the key is turned off.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a detecting bar and sensor system that automatically positions the steering wheel in a neutral position when the electric forklift is initialized, using a controller to rotate the steering wheel based on sensor feedback to ensure it is always in the neutral position upon power application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the steering wheel maintains its position when the key switch is turned off, then the steering system preserves the last operating state, but the driver experiences inconvenience when restarting the forklift
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically returns the steering wheel to the neutral position during the initialization process when electric power is applied, before the driver needs to operate the forklift. This preliminary action ensures the steering wheel is in the correct starting position without requiring manual intervention from the driver.
2Ease of operation
If the steering wheel is automatically returned to neutral position during initialization, then driver convenience is improved, but additional control components and initialization processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The controller that manages the electric power steering system is also used to control the automatic return to neutral position function. The existing sensor that detects steering wheel angle is utilized for both normal steering control and for determining when the neutral position has been reached during initialization, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components.
3Ease of operation
If the steering wheel position is confirmed and adjusted manually upon restart, then the driver has control over the steering position, but time is lost during the startup process
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is automatically returned to the neutral position during the initialization process that occurs automatically when electric power is applied, before the driver needs to begin operating the forklift. This eliminates the time the driver would otherwise spend manually checking and adjusting the steering wheel position.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for controlling a steering wheel and a method for controlling a steering wheel using the same, and the device for controlling the steering wheel, which is provided on at least one of the steering wheels of an industrial vehicle, includes: a detecting bar which is rotated by being operated in conjunction with a steering shaft of the steering wheel; a sensor which is provided at one side of the detecting bar so as to detect a steering angle of the steering wheel by means of the detecting bar; and a controller which controls the steering wheel based on a sensing signal of the sensor so as to position the steering wheel in a neutral position during the time when electric power is applied to the industrial vehicle and the industrial vehicle is initialized. Therefore, when an operator turns on a power source of the electric forklift, the steering wheel is always positioned in the forward direction, that is, in the neutral position, thereby enabling the operator to immediately drive the electric forklift without confirming a position of the steering wheel.