Industrial Truck Operating Head With Rotary Bulge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating heads for industrial trucks have complex and time-consuming operation methods, particularly due to the need to change grip positions for different functions and limited accessibility of operating elements, especially when the drawbar is in an upright position.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates cylindrical operating elements with radial bulges that pivot about their cylinder axis, allowing intuitive operation by being easily gripped with fingers, even when the drawbar is tilted or upright, and enabling the combination of multiple functions in a single accessible control element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If switch buttons are used as operating elements, then multiple functions can be controlled, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming requiring grip position changes
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple switch buttons are merged into a single rotary operating element with a bulge. By rotating the element in different directions or to different positions, multiple functions (such as raising and lowering the load unit) are controlled through one unified interface, eliminating the need for multiple separate buttons and the associated grip position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary operating element with the bulge serves multiple functions simultaneously. A single element performs what previously required multiple dedicated buttons, allowing the operator to control different functions (load raising, load lowering, etc.) through different rotation directions or positions of the same universal control mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rocker switches are used on carrier sections, then functions can be controlled, but accessibility becomes difficult when drawbar is upright
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element is designed as a rotary control positioned within the handle opening rather than on the external surface of the carrier section. This dimensional repositioning allows the operator to access the control element from the interior of the handle opening, maintaining accessibility regardless of whether the drawbar is in an upright or tilted position.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating element is pre-positioned within the handle opening in such a way that it remains accessible from the interior space. This preliminary placement ensures that the control element is always reachable by the operator's hand that is already grasping the handle, without requiring external access that would be blocked by upright positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control elements are positioned on carrier sections, then functions are controllable, but hand repositioning is required for each control element
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single rotary operating element located at one fixed position within the handle opening. The operator controls multiple functions by rotating this single element in different directions or to different positions, eliminating the need to physically reposition the hand to access separate control elements distributed across the carrier section.
Data Source
AI summary
An operating head for an industrial truck comprises a support extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising opposing carrier sections. One or more gripping sections are positioned opposite each of the opposing carrier sections, wherein the opposing carrier sections and gripping sections at least partially define a handle opening. The operating head further comprises at least one operating element positioned on at least one of the opposing carrier sections. The at least one operating element comprises a cylindrical body extending along a cylindrical body axis and defining a bulge extending radially from the cylindrical body along a bulge axis. The bulge extends towards the one or more gripping sections when the at least one operating element is in a rest position and the at least one operating element is pivotable about the cylindrical body axis by exerting a force against the bulge.