JP4289566B2 - Reach type forklift - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a reach-type forklift that moves a battery back and forth together with a battery tray.

  Reach-type forklifts are suitable for loading and unloading operations in warehouses because of the short overall vehicle body length. The reach type forklift includes a vehicle body, a pair of straddle arms, a mast, and the like. The straddle arm extends in front of the lower part of the vehicle body. The mast can move back and forth (reach) along the straddle arm.

  The reach type forklift includes a battery as a power source. The battery is stored in a battery tray. The battery tray is movable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body together with the mast.

  During normal operation (during traveling), the battery tray is connected to the vehicle body by connecting means. The battery tray is not connected to the mast. As a result, the battery is housed in the vehicle body. The mast moves back and forth for loading and unloading operations.

  At the time of maintenance such as battery liquid replenishment or replacement, the connecting means releases the battery tray from the vehicle body. The battery tray is connected to the mast. Thereby, a battery can be pulled out ahead of a vehicle body with a mast.

  By the way, according to the conventional connecting means, the battery tray is engaged and connected to the vehicle body only at the center portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, the battery tray has a relatively shallow structure for easy replacement.

Therefore, when the vehicle is moved back and forth and swiveled during traveling, the heavy battery may sway violently around the central portion (connecting portion) of the battery tray. As a result, traveling of the forklift or the like becomes very unstable, which may cause danger.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-267676, FIG.

  Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a reach-type forklift that always keeps the posture of the battery in a stable state and enables stable traveling.

In order to solve the above problems, a reach-type forklift according to the present invention includes a vehicle body, a pair of left and right straddle arms extending in the front-rear direction, a mast carriage that moves the mast back and forth along the straddle arms, and a battery with a straddle. A battery tray that moves back and forth along the arm.
Further, the reach type forklift operates first connecting means for connecting and releasing the battery tray and the vehicle body, second connecting means for connecting and releasing the battery tray and the mast carriage, and first and second connecting means. Operating means.
The first connecting means is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle body, and includes a tray lever, a tray engaging portion provided on the tray lever, and a vehicle body engaging portion provided on the side surface of the vehicle body. .
The second connecting means includes a rotatable rotating rod pivotally supported along the width direction of the battery tray, a tray engaging claw provided at a predetermined interval on the rotating rod, and a mast engagement provided on the mast carriage. With a joint.
The operating means includes an operating pedal and a lever / link mechanism connected to one of the first connecting means.
The tray lever is provided on both sides of the rotating rod so as to be rotatable together with the rotating rod.
The tray lever rotates with the rotating rod in accordance with the operation of the operation pedal.
When the operation pedal is not depressed, the first connecting means connects the battery tray and the vehicle body by engaging the vehicle body engaging portion and the tray engaging portion, and the second connecting means includes the tray engaging claw and the mast. The battery tray and the mast carriage are released without engaging with the engaging portion.
When the operation pedal is depressed, the first connecting means releases the battery tray and the vehicle body without engaging the vehicle body engaging portion and the tray engaging portion, and the second connecting means is engaged with the tray engaging claw and the mast. The battery tray and the mast carriage are connected to each other by being engaged with each other.

Preferably, the reach type forklift includes drive means for driving the mast carriage to move back and forth, and control means for controlling the drive means.
Further, the operating means includes a first position for connecting the first connecting means and releasing the second connecting means, a second position for releasing the first connecting means and connecting the second connecting means, and the first and first positions. It can be moved to a third position other than the second position.
Further, the control means enables driving of the driving means at the first position and the second position of the operating means, and disables driving of the driving means at the third position of the operating means.

  In the present invention, as described above, the connecting means connects and releases the left and right sides of the battery tray to the vehicle body. Therefore, the battery tray is firmly connected on both sides of the vehicle body, and the battery does not move even if it moves back and forth and turns during traveling, enabling stable traveling.

  Hereinafter, the reach type forklift of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Description of structure]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a reach-type forklift. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the mast and battery of the reach-type forklift are moved in the front-rear direction, (a) is a side view, and (b) is a plan view.

  A reach-type forklift (hereinafter referred to as “forklift”) includes a vehicle body 60 on which an operator can board. The forklift includes a pair of straddle arms 61, 61 extending in the front-rear (horizontal) direction A from the lower part of the vehicle body 60. The straddle arms 61 and 61 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction B.

  The forklift includes a fork 72 extending in the front-rear (horizontal) direction A. The forklift includes a mast 62 that guides the raising / lowering (lifting) operation and the advancing / retreating (reach) operation of the fork 72.

  The mast 62 is erected in the up-and-down (vertical) direction C. The forklift includes a lift hydraulic cylinder 71 erected along the mast 62. The lift hydraulic cylinder 71 moves up and down (lifts) the mast 62 and the fork 72.

  The forklift includes a mast carriage 63 that moves the mast 62 in the front-rear direction A. The mast carriage 63 moves back and forth along the straddle arms 61 and 61, and moves forward and backward (reach).

  The forklift includes a reach hydraulic cylinder 70 in the vehicle body 60. The reach hydraulic cylinder 70 moves forward and backward (reach) the mast 62 and the fork 72 together with the mast carriage 63.

  The forklift includes a drive tire 75 and a caster tire 74 at the rear of the vehicle body 60. A road tire 76 is provided at the front end of the straddle arm 61. The forklift is provided with a travel motor 73 in the vehicle body 60.

  In the forklift, a drive tire 75 is rotationally driven by a travel motor 73. As a result, the forklift moves back and forth in the front-rear direction A and swivels.

  The forklift includes an operation panel 37 at a driver's seat where an operator gets in. The operation panel 37 is provided with operation levers and the like for operating the hydraulic cylinders 70 and 71, the traveling motor 73, and the like in order to operate the forward and backward movement and turning movement of the forklift and the up and down and forward and backward movement of the mast 62 and the like.

  The forklift incorporates a controller 40 configured using a microcomputer in a vehicle body 60. The controller 40 comprehensively controls various operations of the forklift.

  The forklift includes a battery 64 in the vehicle body 60. The battery 64 serves as a power source for the travel motor 73 and the like. The battery 64 is stored in the battery tray 65.

  The battery tray 65 moves in the front-rear direction A along the straddle arm 61. As a result, the battery 64 moves in the front-rear direction A together with the battery tray 65.

  The battery 64 is housed in the vehicle body 60 during running (normal) (dotted line in FIG. 2), and moves together with the mast carriage 63 along the straddle arm 61 in the front-rear direction A during maintenance so that the battery 64 can be taken in and out of the vehicle body 60. (Dash-dot line in FIG. 2).

  FIG. 3 is a partially broken perspective view showing a lower part of the reach type forklift. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing the first and second connecting means and the operating means, wherein FIG. 4A is a perspective view seen from the outside of the vehicle body, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view seen from the inside of the vehicle body (first view). One connecting means is omitted).

  The forklift includes first connecting means 1 and second connecting means 2. The first connecting means 1 connects and releases the battery tray 65 and the vehicle body 60. The second connecting means 2 connects and releases the battery tray 65 and the mast carriage 63.

  The forklift is provided with operation means 3. The operating means 3 operates the first and second connecting means 1 and 2.

  The second connecting means 2 includes a rotating rod 21. The rotating rod 21 extends along the left-right direction B on the front surface of the battery tray 65. The rotating rod 21 is rotatably supported by a bearing 21 a fixed to the battery tray 65.

  The second connecting means 2 includes a tray engaging claw 22. The tray engaging claw 22 is fixed to the rotating rod 21. The tray engaging claw 22 rotates around the rotating rod 21 as the rotating rod 21 rotates.

  The first connecting means 1 includes a tray lever 12. The tray lever 12 is fixed to the rotating rod 21 at the front end. Thus, the rotating rod 21 rotates as the tray lever 12 rotates around the rotating rod 21.

  The first connecting means 1 includes a vehicle body engaging portion 10 and a tray engaging portion 11. The vehicle body 60 includes a vehicle body cover 60a on the outer periphery. The vehicle body engaging portion 10 is fixed to the vehicle body cover 60a. The tray engaging portion 11 is provided at the rear end portion of the tray lever 12.

  As will be described later, the vehicle body engaging portion 10 and the tray engaging portion 11 are engaged and released, and the battery tray 65 and the vehicle body 60 are connected and released. The vehicle body engaging portion 10, the tray engaging portion 11, and the tray lever 12 are provided on the left and right sides (the near side and the far side in FIG. 3) of the vehicle body 60.

  Accordingly, the battery tray 65 and the vehicle body 60 are connected / released on both the left and right sides by the vehicle body engaging portion 10 and the tray engaging portion 11 (FIG. 2B). Thus, the left and right sides of the battery tray 65 are firmly connected to the vehicle body 60, and the battery 64 does not move far.

  The operation means 3 includes an operation pedal 30. As will be described later, the operation pedal 30 is operated by an operator. The operation means 3 includes a pedal lever 33. The operation pedal 30 is provided at the rear end portion of the pedal lever 33.

  The pedal lever 33 is rotatably supported by the rotation shaft 33a. The rotating shaft 33a is fixed to the vehicle body cover 60a. The pedal lever 33 includes a first protrusion 33b that protrudes inward of the vehicle body 60 at the lower portion.

  The operation means 3 includes a first lever 31. The first lever 31 is rotatably supported on the rotation shaft 31a. The rotating shaft 31a is fixed to the vehicle body cover 60a. The rotation of the first lever 31 is restricted by a stopper 31c fixed to the vehicle body cover 60a.

  The operation means 3 includes a link 34. The link 34 includes rotating shafts 34a and 34b at the front end portion and the rear end portion. The link 34 is rotatably connected to the pedal lever 33 and the first lever 31 via rotation shafts 34a and 34b.

  The operation means 3 includes a first spring 35. The first spring 35 has a rear end portion fixed to the vehicle body cover 60 a via a hook 35 a and a front end portion connected to the upper portion of the first lever 31. The spring 35 biases backward.

  A guide pin 31 b is fixed to the first lever 31. The guide pin 31 b protrudes inside the vehicle body 60. The tray lever 12 includes a guide portion 12a that protrudes upward. As will be described later, the guide pin 31 b and the guide portion 12 a are engaged, and the first connecting means 1 is connected and released by the operation of the operating means 3.

  The first connecting means 1 includes a second lever 32. The second lever 32 is rotatably supported on the rotation shaft 32a. The rotating shaft 32a is fixed to the vehicle body cover 60a. The second lever 32 includes a second protrusion 32 b that protrudes outward from the vehicle body 60 at the top. The second lever 32 includes a third protrusion 32c that protrudes to the inside of the vehicle body 60 at the lower portion (FIG. 4B).

  The first connecting means 1 includes a second spring 36. The second spring 36 has a front end fixed to the vehicle body cover 60 a via a hook 36 a and a rear end connected to the lower portion of the second lever 32.

[Description of operation]
5 to 7 are side views showing the inside of the reach type forklift. FIG. 5 shows the operation pedal in the first position, FIG. 6 shows the operation pedal in the second position, and FIG. 7 shows the operation pedal in the third position. .

[First position]
As shown in FIG. 5, during traveling (normal), the operator does not depress the operation pedal 30, and the operation pedal 30 is in the first position (non-depressed position). The first lever 31 is stopped and fixed in position by the biasing force of the first spring 35 and the stopper 31. Thereby, the position of the pedal lever 33 is fixed in the horizontal direction A.

  The tray lever 12 is rotatable about the rotating rod 21. The tray lever 12 rotates counterclockwise by its own weight. However, in the first position, the tray lever 12 is fixed in position by the guide portion 12 a engaging the guide pin 31 b of the first lever 31.

  Thereby, the tray engaging part 11 and the vehicle body engaging part 10 are aligned and engaged in the front-back (horizontal) direction A (the 1st connection means 1 is connected). The vehicle body engaging portion 10 fixed to the vehicle body 60 engages with the tray engaging portion 11, and the battery tray 65 is restricted from moving forward. Further, the backward movement of the battery tray 65 is restricted by a rear wall or the like (not shown).

  The second connecting means 2 includes a mast engaging portion 23. The mast engaging portion 23 is provided on the upper portion of the mast carriage 63. In the first position, the tray engaging claw 22 and the mast engaging portion 23 are not engaged in the front-rear (horizontal) direction A (the second connecting means 2 is released).

  Thereby, even if the mast carriage 63 is moved in the front-rear (horizontal) direction A by the hydraulic cylinder 70, the battery tray 65 does not move. Although the second lever 32 is biased by the second spring 36, the third protrusion 32c is pushed backward by the battery tray 65, and the rotation is stopped and the position is fixed.

  The forklift is provided with a control means 4. The control unit 4 includes the controller 40 and the limit switch 41 described above. The limit switch 41 is fixed to the vehicle body cover 60a.

  In the first position, the limit switch 41 is turned off. When the limit switch 4 is off, the controller 40 enables full driving of the forklift (driving motor 73, hydraulic cylinders 70, 71, etc.).

[Second position]
As shown in FIG. 6, at the time of maintenance, the operator depresses the operation pedal 30 to the second position (depressed position). Thereby, the pedal lever 33 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 33a.

  Then, the link 34 is pulled rearward, and the first lever 31 rotates clockwise about the rotation shaft 31a. The first lever 31 engages with the stopper 31c and stops. As a result, the movement of the pedal lever 33 and the like is restricted.

  With the rotation of the first lever 31, the guide pin 31b moves backward. As a result, the guide portion 12a of the tray lever 12 can move rearward, and the tray lever 12 rotates counterclockwise around the rotating rod 21 by its own weight.

  Then, the tray lever 12 rests on the bottom wall or the like (not shown) of the battery tray 65 and stops. Thereby, the vehicle body engaging part 10 and the tray engaging part 11 do not engage in the front-back (horizontal) direction A (the 1st connection means 1 cancels | releases). The battery tray 65 can be moved forward from the vehicle body 60.

  As the tray lever 12 rotates counterclockwise, the tray engaging claw 22 rotates counterclockwise about the rotating rod 21. Thereby, the tray engaging claw 22 and the mast engaging portion 23 are engaged side by side in the front / rear (horizontal) direction A (the second connecting means 2 is connected).

  At this time, the limit switch 41 remains off. Accordingly, the controller 40 can operate the hydraulic cylinder 70. When the mast carriage 63 is moved forward by the hydraulic cylinder 70, the battery tray 65 is moved forward accordingly.

[Third position]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the battery tray 65 moves forward, the battery lever 65 does not press the second protrusion 32c of the second lever 32, and the second lever 32 can rotate. Then, due to the urging force of the second spring 36, the second lever 32 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 32a and stops.

  When the operator stops stepping on the operating pedal 30 and releases it, the pedal lever 33 rotates clockwise about the rotating shaft 33a in an attempt to return to the original position by the urging force of the first spring 35.

  However, the pedal lever 33 has its first protrusion 33b engaged with the second protrusion 33b of the second lever 32, and is fixed in position. Accordingly, the operation pedal 30 stops at the third position (between the depressed position and the non-depressed position).

  By this movement, the limit switch 41 is turned on. As a result, the controller 40 stops all driving of the forklift (hydraulic cylinders 70, 71, etc.). Therefore, malfunction due to driving can be prevented, and the operator can perform maintenance of the battery 64 safely.

[First position]
When the maintenance is completed, the operator manually moves the battery tray 65 together with the mast carriage 63 (because the controller 40 stops all driving). Then, the second protrusion 32c of the second lever 32 is pushed backward by the battery tray 65.

  Thereby, the engagement between the first protrusion 33b of the pedal lever 33 and the second protrusion 33b of the second lever 32 is released. The first lever 31 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 31a by the biasing force of the first spring 35.

  As a result, the pedal lever 33 rotates clockwise about the rotation shaft 33a and returns to the original state. Then, the limit switch 41 is turned off, and the controller 40 enables full driving of the forklift.

  In the above embodiment, the movable part such as the operation means 3 can be disposed on the side surface of the vehicle body 60, and rust and corrosion caused by the battery liquid from the battery 64 can be minimized. In addition, since it is not affected by the vehicle body width, it can be used for forklifts of various models (common parts).

  Furthermore, the operation means 3 can be attached to one side surface of the vehicle body 60 via a plate (plate attachment structure), and can be assembled in a separate process from the vehicle body or can be easily replaced.

It is a side view which shows a reach type forklift. The state which moves the mast and battery of a reach type forklift to the front-back direction is shown, (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view. It is a partially broken perspective view which shows the lower part of a reach type forklift. It is a perspective view which shows a 1st and 2nd connection means and an operation means, (a) is a perspective view seen from the outer side of a vehicle body, (b) is a perspective view seen from the inner side of a vehicle body (first connection means is shown). (Omitted). It is a side view showing the inside of a reach type forklift in the state where an operation pedal is in the first position. It is a side view showing the inside of a reach type forklift in the state where an operation pedal is in the 2nd position. It is a side view showing the inside of a reach type forklift in the state where an operation pedal is in the third position.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st connection means 10 Car body engagement part 11 Tray engagement part 12 Tray lever 2 Second connection means 21 Rotating rod 22 Tray engagement claw 3 Operation means 30 Operation pedal 31 First lever 32 Second lever 33 Pedal lever 34 Link 4 control means 60 vehicle body 61 straddle arm 62 mast 63 mast carriage 64 battery 65 battery tray 70 reach hydraulic cylinder A longitudinal direction B lateral direction

Claims (2)

Reach comprising a vehicle body, a pair of left and right straddle arms extending in the front-rear direction, a mast carriage that moves the mast back and forth along the straddle arm, and a battery tray that moves the battery back and forth along the straddle arm Type forklift,
A first connecting means for connecting and releasing the battery tray and the vehicle body; a second connecting means for connecting and releasing the battery tray and the mast carriage; and an operating means for operating the first and second connecting means. And
The first connecting means is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle body, and includes a tray lever, a tray engagement portion provided on the tray lever, and a vehicle body engagement portion provided on a side surface of the vehicle body. With
The second connecting means is provided on the mast carriage, a rotatable rotating rod pivotally supported along the width direction of the battery tray, a tray engaging claw provided at a predetermined interval on the rotating rod, and the mast carriage. A mast engaging portion,
The operation means includes an operation pedal and a lever / link mechanism connected to any one of the first connection means,
The tray lever is provided on both sides of the rotating rod so as to be rotatable together with the rotating rod,
In response to the operation of the operation pedal, the tray lever rotates with the rotating rod,
In the non-depressed state of the operation pedal, the first connecting means connects the battery tray and the vehicle body by engaging the vehicle body engaging portion and the tray engaging portion, and the second connecting means is The tray engaging claw and the mast engaging portion are not engaged, and the battery tray and the mast carriage are released.
In the depressed state of the operation pedal, the first connecting means releases the battery tray and the vehicle body without engaging the vehicle body engaging part and the tray engaging part, and the second connecting means A reach-type forklift characterized in that a tray engaging claw and the mast engaging portion are engaged to connect the battery tray and the mast carriage . Drive means for driving the mast carriage to move back and forth; and control means for controlling the drive means;
The operating means includes a first position for connecting the first connecting means to release the second connecting means, a second position for releasing the first connecting means and connecting the second connecting means, It is movable to a third position other than the first and second positions,
The control means enables driving of the driving means at the first position and the second position of the operating means, and disables driving of the driving means at the third position of the operating means. The reach type forklift according to claim 1.

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