Linear actuator system for moving tines of a work vehicle

• US 10,501,298 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2018
• Issued: 12/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyri International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tyri International Inc.
• Inventors: Wadell, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dominique, Emmanuel
• Application Number:
  US15/944,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20180282141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/07504 Accessories, e.g. for towing, charging, locking
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/14 laterally movable, e.g. swingable, for slewing or transverse movements
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/24 Electrical devices or systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/40 The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

Linear electric actuators are used for moving forks or tines of a forklift. The tines can be positioned to move horizontally, inward or outward, along a guide, according to actuation of the linear electric actuators. The loading area comprising the tines can be positioned to move vertically, upward or downward, along masts or uprights of the forklift. The actuators for the tines can be operated by a battery. When the tines are in the down position, the battery can be charged by a charging system that includes a part fixed to the forklift. However, when the forks are raised from the down position, vertically along the masts or uprights, the charging ceases, and the actuators can continue to operate from the battery.

Claims

1. A system for use on a work vehicle, comprising:

a component configured to lower in a first position and raise in a second position;

a linear electric actuator configured to move a portion of the component when in the first position or the second position; and

a power source for providing power to the linear electric actuator for moving the portion, wherein the power source provides power while being charged when in the first position and provides power without being charged when in the second position, and

further comprising a power sending system, a power receiving system and a lock between the power sending system and the power receiving system, wherein the power sending system and the power receiving system charge the power source, wherein the power sending system is stationary in the first and second positions and the power receiving system moves with the component, and wherein the power sending system and the power receiving system are movable together in the first position when the lock is enabled.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the linear electric actuator is a first linear electric actuator configured to move a first tine of a loading area, and further comprising a second linear electric actuator configured to move a second tine of a loading area.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising masts, wherein the component is configured to lower in the first position and raise in the second position with respect to the masts.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power sending system is further configured to provide power to the power receiving system by direct wired contact when the lock is enabled.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a spring, wherein at least one of the power sending system and the power receiving system is attached to the spring.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second linear electric actuators are configured to move the first and second tines, respectively, inward or outward with respect to one another.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the power source is a first power source, and further comprising a second power source for providing power to the second linear electric actuator for moving the portion, wherein the second power source provides power while being charged when in the first position and provides power without being charged when in the second position, and wherein the first and second power sources are mounted to the first and second linear electric actuators, respectively.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device is operable to control the first and second power sources.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is a loading area and the portion comprises first and second tines of the loading area, and wherein the first and second tines are configured to move individually with respect to one another.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is a loading area and the portion comprises first and second tines of the loading area, and wherein the first and second tines are configured to move in cooperation with one another to achieve symmetrical spacing between the first and second tines.

11. A method for moving tines on a forklift, comprising:

providing power from a power sending system to a power receiving system, the power sending system comprising a primary coil and the power receiving system comprising a secondary coil, wherein the power is provided between the primary and secondary coils via electromagnetic induction, and wherein the power is provided when the power sending system is proximal to the power receiving system in a first position;

charging a battery system from the power receiving system when in the first position; and

providing power to first and second linear electric actuators configured to move first and second tines, respectively, from the battery system, and

further comprising enabling a lock between the power sending system and the power receiving system so that the power sending system and the power receiving system are movable together in the first position when the lock is enabled.

12. The method claim 11 further comprising moving the first and second tines individually with respect to one another.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving the first and second tines in cooperation with one another to achieve symmetrical spacing between the first and second tines.

14. A work vehicle, comprising:

an operator cab supported by a frame and wheels;

masts supported by the frame;

a loading area supported by the masts, the loading area having first and second tines;

a charging system comprising a power sending system and a power receiving system wherein the power sending system is configured to provide power to the power receiving system when the power sending system is proximal to the power receiving system in a first position in which the loading area is downward with respect to the masts;

first and second linear electric actuators for moving the first and second tines, respectively; and

a battery system configured to provide power to the first and second linear electric actuators, wherein the power receiving system is configured to charge the battery system when in the first position, and

further comprising a lock between the power sending system and the power receiving system, wherein the power sending system and the power receiving system are movable together in the first position when the lock is enabled.

15. The work vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a second position in which the loading area is upward with respect to the masts, wherein the sending system is distal to the power receiving system and the power sending system no longer provides power to the power receiving system.

16. The work vehicle of claim 14, wherein the power sending system is further configured to provide power to the power receiving system by direct wired contact when the lock is enabled.

17. The work vehicle of claim 16, further comprising a spring, wherein at least one of the power sending system and the power receiving system is attached to the spring.

18. A work vehicle, comprising;

a vehicle body;

a work component that is mounted to the vehicle body for movement between a first position adjacent the vehicle body and a second position away from the vehicle body, wherein the work component includes a movable portion, an electrically powered actuator for moving the movable portion of the work component, and an electrical power storage arrangement for powering the electrically powered actuator; and

a charging arrangement associated with the vehicle and with the work component for selectively providing electrical power to the electrical power storage arrangement, wherein the charging arrangement includes a power sending portion carried by the vehicle and a power receiving portion carried by the work component, wherein when the work component is in the first position the power sending portion and the power receiving portion cooperate to supply power to the electrical power storage arrangement, and when the work component is in the second position the power sending portion and the power receiving portion do not supply power to the power storage arrangement and the power storage arrangement supplies power to the electrically powered actuator for moving the movable portion of the work component, and

further comprising a lock between the power sending portion and the power receiving portion, wherein the power sending portion and the power receiving portion are movable together in the first position when the lock is enabled.