Stabilization system for load handling equipment
First Claim
1. A vehicle stabilization system for warning an operator of an approaching tip over condition, the vehicle including a plurality of wheels, the system including a transducer associated with at least one wheel, the one wheel comprising a steer wheel mounted for rotation about a horizontal axle and mounted for swivel about a vertical axis by a spindle carried in a socket fixed to the vehicle, the transducer comprising an annular load cell, the spindle extending through the transducer, the transducer being carried in the socket and being subject only to axial compressive load representing at least a portion of the weight load carried by the steer wheel, the weight load varying as a function of vehicle stability, an annunciator for warning the operator of an approaching tip over condition and an electrical circuit interconnecting the transducer and the annunciator, the electrical circuit actuating the annunciator when the sensed weight load is less than a minimum value.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A processor implemented stabilization system for load handling equipment monitors at least a portion of the equipment weight load at an equipment support member. Reduction below or increase above predetermined values signals an approaching tip over condition and triggers alarm condition responses for stabilization of the equipment. In a counterbalanced lift truck, the equipment weight load on a rear steer wheel is carried by an outer bearing race of a spindle and is transferred from the race to a load cell which is positioned between the race and a shoulder of a mounting tube. The load cell output is received at a processor which monitors the cell to determine if there is an approaching longitudinal tip over condition (toward or away from the load) as well as a lateral tip over condition. Upon sensing an approaching tip over condition, the processor implements one or more corrective measures such as actuation of an annunciator, preventing an increase in vehicle speed, preventing elevation of the load, preventing mast tilt, etc.
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Citations
7 Claims
- 1. A vehicle stabilization system for warning an operator of an approaching tip over condition, the vehicle including a plurality of wheels, the system including a transducer associated with at least one wheel, the one wheel comprising a steer wheel mounted for rotation about a horizontal axle and mounted for swivel about a vertical axis by a spindle carried in a socket fixed to the vehicle, the transducer comprising an annular load cell, the spindle extending through the transducer, the transducer being carried in the socket and being subject only to axial compressive load representing at least a portion of the weight load carried by the steer wheel, the weight load varying as a function of vehicle stability, an annunciator for warning the operator of an approaching tip over condition and an electrical circuit interconnecting the transducer and the annunciator, the electrical circuit actuating the annunciator when the sensed weight load is less than a minimum value.
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6. A stabilization system for load handling equipment, the equipment comprising a lift truck, the lift truck being positioned on a support surface, at least one wheel comprising a support member between the lift truck and the support surface, the wheel comprising a steer wheel mounted for rotation about a horizontal axle and mounted for steering swivel about a vertical axis by a spindle, the spindle being carried in a socket fixed to the lift truck, the stabilization system including a transducer associated with the support member, the transducer comprising an annular load cell, the spindle extending through the transducer, the transducer being carried in the socket and being subject only to axial compressive load, the transducer sensing at least a portion of the weight carried by the support member, the sensed portion of weight varying as a function of truck stability and means interconnected to the transducer for preventing tip over by overriding truck response to destabilizing throttle positions selected by an operator when the sensed weight is beyond a predetermined value.
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7. A method of maintaining stability of load handling equipment on a support surface, the equipment including at least one support member positioned between the equipment and the support surface, the load handling equipment traversing the support surface at a current travel speed, the method including the steps of:
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(a) sensing the value of at least a portion of the equipment weight carried by the support member; (b) when the sensed value passes a first predetermined value indicative of an approaching tip over in a forward direction, annunciating a warning signal and preventing equipment response to operator control settings which would increase forward tip over instability; and (c) when the sensed value passes a second predetermined value indicative of an approaching tip over in a rearward direction, annunciating a warning signal and preventing equipment response to operator control settings which would increase rearward tip over instability the step of preventing equipment response to operator control settings in step (b) and in step (c) including the step of limiting equipment travel speed to the current travel speed.
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Specification