Tiller Head Dual-Side Actuation for Industrial Truck Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tiller heads for industrial trucks have limited operator control due to the specific arrangement of actuating elements, particularly in certain positions of the tiller relative to the truck.

Innovation Solution

A tiller head design featuring a central portion with left and right handle portions, an actuating element operable from both front and back sides, and a compartment for electronics, allowing for improved operator control and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If actuating elements are arranged on a traditional tiller head, then the structure is simple, but the operator control freedom is limited in certain tiller positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator control freedomVSAvoidtiller head structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating element is designed with operable surfaces on both the front side and back side of the tiller head, effectively utilizing the third dimension (depth) to provide multiple access points. This allows the operator to control the industrial truck from different positions and angles, significantly improving control freedom without adding lateral complexity to the tiller head structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate parts are used for the tiller head, then assembly is simple, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The tiller head is designed as an integrated structure where the housing and actuating element form a unified assembly. The actuating element is mounted directly to the front side of the housing with its shaft extending through to the back side, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, fasteners, and alignment components. This merging of parts simplifies the overall assembly process while reducing the total quantity of components required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4079676B1Tiller head
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 CROWN EQUIP CORP
  • EP4079676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4079676B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4079676B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tiller head (2) for an industrial truck (4), comprising - a central portion (6), - a left handle portion (8) that is attached to a left side (12) of the central portion (6) and a right handle portion (10) that is attached to a right side (14) of the central portion (6), which is opposite to its left side (12), and - an actuating element (16). The handle portions (8, 10) and the central portion (6) define a front side (18) of the tiller head (2) and a back side (20) of the tiller head (2), which is opposite to its front side (18), wherein the front side (18) of the tiller head (2) and the back side (20) of the tiller head (2) extend transverse to the left side (12) of the central portion (6) and the right side (14) of the central portion (6). The actuating element (16) has an operable front surface (22) and an operable back surface (24, 25), and wherein the actuating element (16) is mounted to a front side (26) of the central portion (6).