Tiller Head Rotary Switch for Ergonomic Forklift Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tiller heads for industrial trucks often require operators to grasp multiple operating elements, limiting the effectiveness of truck operation due to the complexity and arrangement of controls.
Innovation Solution
A tiller head design featuring two handles on opposite sides with a rotary switch on the upper side, allowing ergonomic operation using fingers, enabling single-handed control of multiple functions and proportional control of the lifting drive through a large actuation path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating elements are arranged on the tiller head, then the control functions are comprehensive, but the ease of operation deteriorates as operators must grip different controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple operating elements (rotatable switch, push-button switch, and operating element for third function) into a single integrated tiller head structure. The rotatable switch can be operated with the thumb while the index finger operates the push-button switch, merging multiple control functions into one operable unit that does not require changing grip positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tiller head is designed as a universal control unit that can perform multiple functions simultaneously. The switch assembly provides at least three different operating functions (rotational control, push-button control, and additional operating element) all accessible from a single grip position, making the tiller head a multi-functional control station.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operating elements are arranged for comprehensive control, then the device complexity increases, but the ease of operation should be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The control functions are segmented into distinct operating elements (rotatable switch for rotational operation, push-button switch for pressing operation, and additional operating element) that are spatially separated on the tiller head. This segmentation allows each function to have its own dedicated control mechanism while maintaining overall integration in the tiller head assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of operating elements on the tiller head. The rotatable switch operates in a rotational dimension, the push-button switch operates in a vertical pressing dimension, and additional elements are positioned to provide multi-directional control. This dimensional differentiation allows comprehensive control functions without increasing planar complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tiller head (29) for a forklift truck (1), wherein the tiller head (29) has a tiller horn (37) extending along a longitudinal axis (35), wherein the tiller head (29) has two handles (39, 39-1, 39-2) for gripping the tiller head (29) by an operator (17), wherein the two handles (39, 39-1, 39-2) are arranged on opposite sides of the tiller horn (37) and are attached to the tiller horn (37), wherein the tiller horn (37) has a lower horn surface (43) which faces the roadway (13) in a horizontal operating position of the tiller head (29), and an upper horn surface (45) which faces away from the roadway (13) in the horizontal operating position of the tiller head (29), wherein at a rotary switch (49) for controlling at least one operating function of the industrial truck (1) is arranged on the upper surface (45) of the drawbar horn (37),wherein the rotary switch (49) is rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation (51), the horizontal axis of rotation (51) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (35) of the drawbar head (29).