Industrial Truck Brake Control for Directional Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial trucks with three-wheel chassis face challenges in maintaining directional stability during transverse travel and cornering, as existing brake control systems fail to match braking torques between the drive wheel and load wheels effectively, leading to potential yaw movements and lane deviations.

Innovation Solution

The industrial truck is equipped with a brake control system that adjusts the braking torque of the load wheels based on the braking torque of the drive wheel and various operating parameters, including load, lifting height, and steering angle, using electric brakes with an emergency power source to ensure controlled braking during power failures, and incorporates a manually operable brake signal transmitter to maintain lane stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the drive wheel and load wheels are braked independently with fixed braking torque, then the brake system is simple to control, but the vehicle experiences yaw movements and lane deviations during transverse travel and cornering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional stabilityVSAvoidbrake control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake control system dynamically adjusts the braking torque of load wheels based on real-time operating parameters (steering angle, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration) rather than applying fixed braking torque. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain directional stability during transverse travel and cornering by automatically adjusting brake forces according to the vehicle's actual motion state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The brake control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor operating parameters (steering angle, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration) and use this information to adjust the braking torque of load wheels. The controller receives feedback from sensors and modifies brake forces in real-time to prevent yaw movements and maintain lane stability, creating a closed-loop control system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If hydraulic brakes are used for load wheels, then braking force can be effectively transmitted, but the system requires maintenance of brake fluid and has higher maintenance needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic braking systems with electric brakes on the load wheels. This substitution eliminates the need for brake fluid, hydraulic lines, and associated maintenance while providing reliable braking through direct electromagnetic force application. The electric brake system maintains effective braking force transmission without the maintenance burden of hydraulic systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the brake control system adjusts braking torque based on multiple operating parameters, then lane stability is improved, but the control algorithm and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane stabilityVSAvoidcontrol algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake control system is designed as a multi-functional control unit that handles multiple operating parameters (steering angle, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration) and applies appropriate braking adjustments for different driving scenarios (transverse travel, cornering, straight driving). This universal controller consolidates multiple control functions into a single system that automatically adapts to various operating conditions without requiring separate control algorithms for each scenario

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures even deceleration and directional stability during transverse travel and cornering, preventing yaw movements and lane deviations, while allowing for controlled braking in emergency stops and reducing maintenance needs through the use of electric brakes.

Implementation Method 1

the brake units of the load wheels have an electric brake

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3330145B1Industrial truck with brake control
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 JUNGHEINRICH AG
  • EP3330145B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3330145B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Industrial truck (10) with a drive unit (12) having at least one steered drive wheel (16), a load unit (14) having two parallel wheel arms (20) each supported by an end-mounted load wheel (18), and with at least one steering control unit that controls the at least one drive wheel (16) and one or more load wheels (18) for steering the vehicle, wherein a brake control unit is provided that controls the at least one drive wheel (16) and the load wheels (18) for braking, wherein - the brake control unit controls the load wheels (18) and the at least one drive wheel (16) with a braking torque that allows for directional braking, and - the brake control unit determines the braking torque for the load wheels (18) depending on the following parameters: • the braking torque for the at least one drive wheel (16) and • one or more operating parameters from a vehicle control unit.