Industrial Truck Lever Feedback for Dynamic Neutral Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial truck operators face ambiguity in intuitively handling control levers, especially during semi-automatic or position-dependent activation, leading to incorrect operations due to unclear deflections and external influences affecting vehicle functions.
Innovation Solution
An industrial truck with an operating lever and a restoring device that generates a restoring force based on deflection, allowing for a neutral position that corresponds to the current activation of vehicle functions, providing clear feedback and intuitive operation by associating deflection with restoring force values, enabling seamless transition between automatic and manual modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic activation of vehicle functions is implemented, then productivity is improved, but ambiguity in control lever operation increases leading to incorrect operations
Solution Approach 1:
The return mechanism provides force feedback to the operating lever based on its deflection position. During automatic operation, the neutral position is dynamically adjusted to provide tactile feedback that indicates the current automatic activation state, allowing the operator to intuitively understand system status and intervene when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The neutral position of the operating lever is dynamically adjusted based on the current activation state of vehicle functions. The return mechanism adapts its force characteristics in real-time to reflect whether automatic or manual control is active, eliminating ambiguity without sacrificing automatic operation benefits
2Ease of operation
If the control lever neutral position remains fixed, then ease of operation is maintained, but intuitive handling deteriorates during position-dependent control
Solution Approach 1:
The return mechanism provides continuous force feedback that reflects the current vehicle function state. When position-dependent control is active, the neutral position shifts to provide tactile information about the current position, maintaining intuitive handling while preserving state information
Solution Approach 2:
The neutral position parameter of the control lever is dynamically changed based on the activation state of vehicle functions. This allows the lever to provide intuitive feedback for position-dependent operations while maintaining ease of operation through familiar tactile characteristics
3Ease of operation
If the neutral position is dynamically adjusted, then intuitive operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the restoring force for manual control, dynamically adjusts the neutral position for automatic operation feedback, and indicates vehicle function states through force characteristics. This multi-functionality achieves intuitive operation without proportionally increasing complexity
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
Ensures intuitive operation by clearly defining lever movements, preventing incorrect operations and allowing operators to intervene correctly in automatic modes, while maintaining continuous automatic operation with controlled speed adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a return mechanism (20) which generates a restoring force for the operating lever (12) depending on a deflection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Industrial truck with at least one control device having a control lever and a return device cooperating with the control lever, which generates a return force for the control lever depending on its deflection, wherein the control device is assigned a vehicle function, wherein the return device generates a neutral position for the control lever which corresponds to an actual control of the vehicle function.