An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.
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15. A method of attenuating disturbances transmitted between a frame of a vehicle and an operator ride enhancement system comprising a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame of the vehicle and configured to support an operator, the method comprising the steps of:
determining an expected minimum operator mass of the operator supported by the operator ride enhancement system; and
adjusting a counterweight platform mass of the counterweight platform to be at least equal to the expected minimum operator mass.
0. 28. A vehicle comprising:
a frame;
a counterweight platform, a mass of the counterweight platform being 45 kilograms to 160 kilograms;
a carriage fixed to the counterweight platform, the counterweight platform slidably coupled to the frame via the carriage, the carriage to guide movement of the counterweight platform along a vertical axis and relative to the frame in response to disturbances transmitted to the counterweight platform; and
a resilient member configured to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform, a portion of the resilient member being disposed higher than the counterweight platform.
1. An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
a counterweight platform pivotally coupled to the frame of the vehicle about an axis and configured to support an operator engaging the operator ride enhancement system, the counterweight platform having a counterweight platform mass that is greater than approximately forty-five kilograms;
a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform about the axis; and
a control member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform along the axis.
6. An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame and defining an operator compartment, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
a counterweight platform movably coupled to the frame of the vehicle and configured to support an operator within the operator compartment engaging the operator ride enhancement system, the counterweight platform having a counterweight platform mass that is greater than approximately forty-five kilograms to reduce the influence that an operator mass of the operator has on a dynamic response of the operator ride enhancement system; and
a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform and the operator supported by the counterweight platform.
0. 33. A vehicle, comprising:
a frame;
a counterweight platform movably coupled to the frame, the counterweight platform configured to surround a portion of a wheel of the vehicle, the counterweight platform including a surface configured to allow an operator of the vehicle to stand on the surface within an operator compartment of the vehicle;
a guide coupled to the frame and engaged with the counterweight platform to allow the counterweight platform to translate relative to the frame in response to disturbances transmitted to the counterweight platform;
a resilient member configured for attenuating movement of the counterweight platform, a portion of the resilient member disposed higher than the surface of the counterweight platform; and
wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is between 45 kilograms and 160 kilograms.
0. 38. A vehicle comprising:
a counterweight platform, the counterweight platform to support an operator within an operator compartment of the vehicle, the counterweight platform having a mass that is forty-five kilograms to one hundred sixty kilograms to reduce the influence that an operator mass has on a dynamic response of the counterweight platform;
the counterweight platform including a cutout to allow the counterweight platform to surround a portion of a wheel of the vehicle to allow for the counterweight platform to translate vertically relative to the wheel;
a channel within the frame; and
a roller coupled to the counterweight platform, the roller to allow the counterweight platform to translate relative to the frame; and
a dampener member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform.
0. 57. A vehicle comprising:
a frame;
a carriage;
a counterweight platform including a surface configured to allow an operator of the vehicle to stand on the surface within an operator compartment of the vehicle, the counterweight platform having a mass equal to or greater than an expected minimum operator mass, the counterweight platform slidably coupled to the frame via the carriage, the carriage to guide vertical movement of the counterweight platform relative to the frame in response to disturbances transmitted to the counterweight platform;
a resilient member configured to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform, a portion of the resilient member being disposed higher than the counterweight platform; and
a dampener member configured to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform, a portion of the dampener member being disposed higher than the counterweight platform.
0. 46. A vehicle comprising:
a frame;
a counterweight platform including a surface, the surface configured to allow an operator of the vehicle to stand on the surface and within an operator compartment of the vehicle;
a track fixed to the frame;
a first roller to engage the track, the first roller disposed higher than the surface;
a second roller disposed lower than the first roller and higher than the surface;
an arm coupled to the counterweight platform, a portion of the arm disposed higher than the surface, the arm operatively coupling the counterweight platform to the first roller and the second roller to allow the arm and the counterweight platform to move up and down relative to the frame;
a spring to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform, a portion of the spring disposed higher than the surface; and
a dampener to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform, a portion of the dampener disposed higher than the surface.
0. 50. A vehicle, comprising:
a frame;
a counterweight platform movably coupled to the frame, the counterweight platform including a surface configured to allow an operator of the vehicle to stand on the surface within an operator compartment of the vehicle, wherein the counterweight platform includes a drain opening;
a resilient member and a dampener member, the resilient member configured to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform, the dampener member configured to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform, an end of the resilient member being disposed higher than the surface, an end of the dampener member being disposed higher than the surface; and
a guide operatively coupled to the counterweight platform and the frame, the guide including a channel and a roller, the roller received in the channel and configured to roll to enable the counterweight platform to move vertically relative to the frame in response to disturbances transmitted to the counterweight platform.
0. 40. A vehicle comprising:
a frame defining a portion of an operator compartment;
a counterweight platform including a surface, the surface configured to allow an operator of the vehicle to stand on the surface and within the operator compartment, the counterweight platform having a mass of 45 kilograms to 160 kilograms;
a backrest positioned in the operator compartment;
a track fixed to the frame;
a first roller to engage the track, the first roller disposed higher than the surface;
a second roller disposed lower than the first roller and higher than the surface;
a link extending from the counterweight platform, a portion of the link disposed higher than the surface, the link operatively coupling the counterweight platform to the first roller and the second roller to allow the link, the first roller, the second roller, and the counterweight platform to move up and down relative to the frame;
a spring to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform, a portion of the spring disposed higher than the surface; and
a dampener to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform, a portion of the dampener disposed higher than the surface.
0. 18. A vehicle, comprising:
a frame defining a portion of an operator compartment;
a counterweight platform movably coupled to the frame, the counterweight platform including a surface configured to allow an operator of the vehicle to stand on the surface within the operator compartment of the vehicle;
a resilient member and a dampener member, the resilient member configured to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform, the dampener member configured to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform, an end of the resilient member being disposed higher than the surface, an end of the dampener member being disposed higher than the surface; and
a guide to allow the counterweight platform to translate along a vertical axis and relative to the frame in response to disturbances transmitted to the counterweight platform, the guide including a channel and a roller, the channel fixed relative to the frame, the roller received in the channel and configured to translate with the counterweight platform;
wherein a mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.
2. The operator ride enhancement system of
the axis is oriented substantially parallel with a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and
the control member is oriented substantially parallel with the fore-aft axis of the vehicle.
3. The operator ride enhancement system of
a hinged portion pivotally coupled to the frame; and
a platform portion coupled to the hinged portion;
wherein the platform portion is tapered toward a distal end that is opposite to the hinged portion.
4. The operator ride enhancement system of
5. The operator ride enhancement system of
7. The operator ride enhancement system of
8. The operator ride enhancement system of
9. The operator ride enhancement system of
10. The operator ride enhancement system of
a preload member proximate the first end of the torsion member; and
a dampener member engaged with the frame and the second end of the torsion member to at least partially attenuate the disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform.
11. The operator ride enhancement system of
12. The operator ride enhancement system of
13. The operator ride enhancement system of
14. The operator ride enhancement system of
a hinged portion coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis; and
a platform portion coupled to the hinged portion.
16. The method of
17. The method of
0. 19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the resilient member and the dampener member are engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform.
0. 20. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the resilient member is a spring and the dampener member is a shock absorber.
0. 21. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the counterweight platform is configured to surround a portion of a wheel of the vehicle.
0. 22. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the counterweight platform includes an opening to provide clearance between the wheel and the counterweight platform to allow the counterweight platform to translate vertically relative to the wheel of the vehicle.
0. 23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein the resilient member is a spring and the dampener member is a shock absorber.
0. 24. The vehicle of claim 18, further including a pedal switch, the pedal switch to translate with the counterweight platform.
0. 25. The vehicle of claim 24, wherein the pedal switch is positioned within a recess in the counterweight platform.
0. 26. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least forty-five kilograms.
0. 27. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least one hundred and sixty kilograms.
0. 29. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the resilient member is engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate translational movement of the counterweight platform.
0. 30. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the counterweight platform is configured to surround a portion of a wheel of the vehicle.
0. 31. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the resilient member includes a spring.
0. 32. The vehicle of claim 31, further comprising a shock absorber configured to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform, a portion of the shock absorber disposed higher than the counterweight platform.
0. 34. The vehicle of claim 33, further including a pedal switch, the pedal switch to translate with the counterweight platform.
0. 35. The vehicle of claim 33, wherein the resilient member is engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform.
0. 36. The vehicle of claim 37, wherein the shock absorber includes a cylindrical housing and a plunger slidably positioned within the cylindrical housing; and
the plunger divides the cylindrical housing into two chambers such that a fluid is urged through an orifice between the two chambers as the plunger slides within the cylindrical housing.
0. 37. The vehicle of claim 35, wherein the resilient member includes a spring and a shock absorber.
0. 39. The vehicle of claim 38, further including a pedal switch, the pedal switch to translate with the counterweight platform.
0. 41. The vehicle of claim 40 further comprising forks configured to raise and lower relative to the frame.
0. 42. The vehicle of claim 40 further comprising a pedal switch coupled to the counterweight platform.
0. 43. The vehicle of claim 42, wherein the counterweight platform surrounds a portion of a wheel of the vehicle.
0. 44. The vehicle of claim 43, wherein the counterweight platform includes a drain opening.
0. 45. The vehicle of claim 40, wherein the link extends from a distal end of the counterweight platform.
0. 47. The vehicle of claim 46, wherein the counterweight platform has a mass equal to or greater than an expected minimum operator mass.
0. 48. The vehicle of claim 47, wherein the counterweight platform has a mass between 45 kilograms and 160 kilograms.
0. 49. The vehicle of claim 46, wherein the arm extends from a distal end of the counterweight platform.
0. 51. The vehicle of claim 50, wherein the guide is a first guide, and the vehicle further comprises a second guide operatively coupled to the counterweight platform and the frame, the second guide positioned parallel to the first guide.
0. 52. The vehicle of claim 51, wherein the second guide includes a second channel and a second roller, the second roller received in the second channel.
0. 53. The vehicle of claim 52, wherein a mass of the counterweight platform is equal to or greater than an expected minimum operator mass.
0. 54. The vehicle of claim 53, wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is between 45 kilograms and 160 kilograms.
0. 55. The vehicle of claim 54, further comprising a pedal switch coupled to the counterweight platform.
0. 56. The vehicle of claim 55, wherein the counterweight platform surrounds a portion of a wheel of the vehicle.
0. 58. The vehicle of claim 57, further comprising forks configured to raise and lower relative to the frame.
0. 59. The vehicle of claim 58, wherein the carriage is fixed to the counterweight platform.
0. 60. The vehicle of claim 59, wherein the carriage includes a roller.
0. 61. The vehicle of claim 60, wherein a channel is fixed to the frame, and the roller is received in the channel.
0. 62. The vehicle of claim 58, wherein the counterweight platform has a mass between 45 kilograms and 160 kilograms.
0. 63. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is 45 kilograms to 160 kilograms.
0. 64. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the guide is a first guide, the roller is a first roller, the channel is a first channel, and the vehicle further comprises:
a second guide including a second channel and a second roller, the second channel fixed relative to the frame, the second roller received in the second channel and configured to translate with the counterweight platform.
0. 65. The vehicle of claim 64, wherein the first guide is positioned opposite the second guide.
0. 66. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the frame includes a first vertical channel; and
wherein the carriage includes a first roller received in the first vertical channel.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/091,237 filed on Apr. 21, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 61/327,434 filed Apr. 23, 2010, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Not applicable.
The present disclosure relates generally to an operator ride enhancement system. More particularly, the disclosure describes an operator ride enhancement system incorporating a counterweight platform that is moveably coupled to a vehicle frame and configured to isolate an operator supported on the counterweight platform from disturbances of the vehicle.
Repeatedly subjecting a vehicle operator to disturbances (e.g., undulations, etc.) that occur during operation of the vehicle can result in the operator becoming uncomfortable. For example, the operator of a lift truck often stands on an operator platform while controlling the lift truck. Various disturbances occur, for instance, as the lift truck travels along a floor, over expansion joints, across dock plates, and manipulates the forks. Increased focus on efficiency, through increased production, has resulted in faster moving lift trucks, which exacerbates the occurrence and amplitude of the disturbances. Isolating the operator from these and other disturbances may increase operator comfort, especially over prolonged periods of operation.
One technique that has been explored to suppress disturbances involves suspending or supporting the typical, standard platform with a variety of energy absorbing devices (e.g., springs, viscous dampers, rubber bumpers, etc.). However, many of these arrangements are dependent upon configurations that require adjusting or calibrating the energy absorbing devices to accommodate operators of different mass (and hence, weight). Furthermore, these devices often result in increased complexity and maintenance. The remaining less sophisticated arrangements have limited capability to attenuate the transmission of the disturbances over a range of frequencies and amplitudes.
In light of at least the above considerations, a need exists for reducing disturbances experienced by a vehicle operator to enhance the operator's ride on the vehicle.
An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.
In one aspect, an operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame, comprises a counterweight platform defining a mass, the counterweight platform is coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis. A resilient member is engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform about the axis. A control member is engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform along the axis. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.
In another aspect, an operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame and defining an operator compartment, comprises a counterweight platform defining a mass, the counterweight platform is moveably coupled to the frame at least partially within the operator compartment. A resilient member is engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The mass of the counterweight platform and the resilient member are configured to attenuate disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform.
These and still other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the description that follows. In the detailed description, preferred example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention; rather, the invention may be employed in many other embodiments. Reference should therefore be made to the claims for determining the full breadth of the invention.
Several example embodiments of an operator ride enhancement system are described and illustrated in the context of a material handling vehicle commonly referred to as a lift truck. However, given the benefit of this disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate the various modifications that can be made to the example embodiments and the various applications in which the operator ride enhancement system may be incorporated. For instance, the operator ride enhancement system concepts described herein may be applied to other material handling vehicles as well as other devices where attenuating disturbances transmitted to an operator or coupled structure/device is beneficial. Furthermore, the terms “fore,” “aft,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” “raised,” “lowered,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and other relative directional terms used herein are not to be limiting, but instead are used for convenience in describing the illustrated example embodiments.
An example material handling vehicle, in the form of a lift truck 10 (“lift truck”), is illustrated generally in
An operator compartment 24 is located near the aft end of the lift truck 10 and includes a console 26 having operator controls 28 that allow an operator to control the movement of the lift truck 10, the mast 12, and the forks 14. The operator compartment 24 can also include an armrest and a backrest to accommodate an operator during use of the lift truck 10.
When an operator enters the operator compartment 24, the operator steps up and into the operator compartment 24. In one embodiment, a pedal switch 34 is positioned within the operator compartment 24, such that the location of the pedal switch 34 and operator controls 28 typically result in the operator assuming a left-facing stance. If an armrest and/or backrest are provided, preferably, the operator's back is proximate the backrest and the operator's right arm engages the armrest while the operator is in the left-facing stance.
With continued reference to
In one example embodiment, the operator ride enhancement system 36 includes a counterweight platform 40, a resilient member 42, and a control member 44. The counterweight platform 40 is shown constructed of a hinged portion 46 and a platform portion 48 that partially overlap and are coupled via fasteners 50, which may make assembly and installation easier as the mass of the counterweight platform 40 may be cumbersome to manipulate. In other forms, the counterweight platform 40 may be formed (e.g., cast, machined, molded, and the like) as a unitary body. The counterweight platform 40 of the example embodiment shown in
By providing a counterweight platform 40 having a mass in excess of the mass required to perform the structural function of supporting a weight range of operators (e.g., between approximately one hundred pounds and three hundred and fifty pounds), the mass of the counterweight platform 40 reduces the influence that the total mass supported by the counterweight platform 40 during use (including the mass of the operator) has on the overall dynamic response of the operator ride enhancement system 36. For instance, the variable mass of each operator (i.e., different operators may define different masses) has a diminished impact on the dynamic response of the operator ride enhancement system 36 as the mass of the operator represents a reduced percentage of the overall mass (i.e., the sum of the mass of the counterweight platform 40 and the total mass supported by the counterweight platform 40). Therefore, the attenuation characteristics of the operator ride enhancement system 36 may be designed to maintain the typical dynamic response of the operator ride enhancement system 36 within a predefined range of characteristics (e.g., frequency range, maximum amplitude, maximum cycles post-disturbance, etc.) given that the mass of the counterweight platform 40 dominates the dynamic response. The mass of the counterweight platform 40 may be equal to or greater than the expected mass of the range of operators (e.g., approximately forty-five kilograms to approximately one hundred and sixty kilograms), about equal to or greater than the mass of a particular operator, or preferably approximately at least equal to the total mass supported by the counterweight platform 40.
Returning to the counterweight platform 40, the hinged portion 46 includes a pair of axially aligned bores 51 at a hinged end 52. Each bore 51 receives a post 54 that extends from a respective mounting block 56. A spacer 58 is slid over each post 54 and positioned against a bearing face 60 of the mounting block 56. A spherical bearing 62 is then fit over each post 54 and fit within the respective bore 51. The mounting blocks 56 are secured to the frame 38 via fasteners 64 such that the hinged portion 46 and coupled platform portion 48 can pivot about an axis A (shown generally in
It is preferred, in some configurations, to have the substantially horizontal axis A about which the counterweight platform 40 pivots be oriented substantially parallel with the fore/aft orientation of the lift truck 10 to minimize the inertial disturbances that may occur about an axis that is oriented more perpendicular to the fore/aft orientation of the lift truck 10. If the axis A is perpendicular to the fore/aft orientation of the lift truck 10, the counterweight platform 40 may have a tendency to rotate about the perpendicular axis during acceleration and deceleration of the lift truck 10, thus a more parallel orientation of the axis A reduces the tendency of the counterweight platform 40 during acceleration and deceleration to rotate about the axis A. Other orientations of the axis A are available depending upon the particular application requirements for the operator ride enhancement system 36.
With continued reference to
The resilient member 42 is engaged with the frame 38 and the counterweight platform 40 to at least partially attenuate disturbances imparted through the frame 38 to the counterweight platform 40 when the lift truck 10 is in use (e.g., as the lift truck 10 travels along the floor 22, over an expansion joint, along a loading dock ramp, into a storage container, and the like). Specifically, the example resilient member 42 includes a first end 74 attached to the frame 38 via a clevis 76 extending from the frame 38, and a second end 78 attached to the counterweight platform 40 via a clevis 80 extending, in the example embodiment, from the hinged portion 46 of the counterweight platform 40.
The resiliency (e.g., spring constant, elasticity, and the like) of the resilient member 42 is preferably selected in combination with the mass of the counterweight platform 40 to control the maximum static deflection of the counterweight platform 40 as it pivots about the axis A, and to reduce the transmission of disturbances to the operator supported on the counterweight platform 40. Other considerations, such as the natural frequency of the operator ride enhancement system 36 and the maximum dynamic deflection of the counterweight platform 40, may also be factors in selecting/configuring a resilient member 42 for a specific application. In one example form, a resilient member includes a coil spring having preload of approximately 1025 Newtons (approximately 230 pounds force) and a spring rate of approximately 3300 Newtons per centimeter (approximately 1888 pounds force per inch).
In the example shown in
In some applications, the operator ride enhancement system 36 utilizes the inherent damping within the system (e.g., frictional losses due to compressing the spring in the resilient member 42, frictional losses related to the spherical bearings 62, and the like), and therefore no distinct dampener member is required. In other instances, for example, the resilient member 42 may further include a dampener member (e.g., a hydraulic shock absorber), separately or in combination with the resilient member 42, to provide the desired dampening of the counterweight platform 40 and operator supported thereon. Dampener members integrated into the operator ride enhancement system 36 are preferably configured to return the counterweight platform 40 to a neutral (i.e., static) position in a relatively short time post-disturbance (e.g., within two cycles of the counterweight platform 40) while still providing the application-specific disturbance-attenuation capability.
As best shown in
As a result of the operator ride enhancement system 36, disturbances input to the frame 38 of the lift truck 10 are at least partially attenuated due to the configuration and arrangement of the various components of the operator ride enhancement system 36. Furthermore, as noted above, the mass of the counterweight platform 40 minimizes the dynamic influence resulting from operators of varying mass.
Turning to
Another example embodiment of an operator ride enhancement system 36 is generally illustrated in
A control member 124 (shown in
With specific reference to
The opposite end of the shafts 138 accept a radial spherical bearing 146 that is inserted into the respective bore 136 in the mounting block 118. Therefore, the counterweight platform 112 is hinged to the mounting block 118, and hence frame 38, such that the counterweight platform 112 may pivot about the axis A. As with the previous example operator ride enhancement system 36, a dampener member (e.g., a hydraulic shock absorber) may be engaged between the frame 38 and the counterweight platform 112 to attenuate disturbances input to the frame 38, thereby ultimately reducing the transmission of the disturbance to the counterweight platform 112 and operator supported thereon.
Another example embodiment of an operator ride enhancement system 36 is illustrated generally in
The preload member 160 is fixed to the torsion bar 156 and rotatably coupled to the frame 38 such that rotating the preload member 160 alters the static location of the counterweight platform 148. For instance, the preload member 160 includes an adjustment bolt 166 that extends into and through a threaded opening in the preload member 160. A tip 168 of the adjustment bolt 166 bears against the frame 38 urging the torsion bar 156 to rotate about the axis A in a direction to move the counterweight platform 148 upward, and thus reducing the static deflection from horizontal.
A dampener member in the form of an elastomeric bushing 170 frictionally engages the end 162 of the torsion bar 156 and is supported by the bracket 164. As a result, the elastomeric bushing 170 at least partially attenuates the disturbances imparted through the frame 38 to the counterweight platform 148 and helps reduce the oscillations of the counterweight platform 148 that may occur in response to the disturbances. Of course, the dampener member may include a variety of configurations, such as a hydraulic damper, a pneumatic damper, a magneto-rheological damper, an electro-rheological damper, and a friction damper. One skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate the variety of dampener member devices and arrangements.
In another example operator ride enhancement system 36 illustrated in
Turning next to
Additionally, or alternatively, a torsion bar 190 may be fixed to the frame 38 and one or more of the arms 180, 182 such that rotating the counterweight platform 178 about the axis A established by the mounting blocks 184 torques the torsion bar 190.
A further example operator ride enhancement system 36 is illustrated in
Resilient members in the form of coil springs 200 are located between the sub-frame 194 and the counterweight platform 192 to at least partially attenuate disturbances imparted through the frame 38 to the counterweight platform 192. A dampener member in the form of a hydraulic shock absorber (not shown) may also be secured to the counterweight platform 192 with an upper end of the dampener member fixed to the frame 38 (not shown). As a result, the hydraulic shock absorber at least partially attenuates the disturbances imparted through the frame 38 to the counterweight platform 192.
An alternative guide is illustrated in
The above-described operator ride enhancement systems may require application specific adjustments to achieve desired levels of disturbance attenuation. Several general considerations may aid the design and development of a suitable operator ride enhancement system given particular application requirements. For instance, when considering a resilient member, higher spring rates are generally less sensitive to variances in operator mass and result in less static deflection of a counterweight platform supporting a mass. In some applications, a balance must be struck between the natural frequency, static deflection, dynamic deflection, spring rate, and counterweight platform mass. The counterweight platform mass is often restricted by packaging limitations; however, other options for increasing the mass of the counterweight platform may include rearranging various vehicle components, such as motors, controllers, hydraulics, etc. to alter the dynamics of the operator ride enhancement system. As a specific example, a battery of a fork truck may be structurally coupled to a counterweight platform, thereby substantially increasing the mass of the counterweight platform as compared to the mass of an operator, further reducing the impact that the mass of an operator has on the dynamic response of the operator ride enhancement system.
While there has been shown and described what is at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made, given the benefit of this disclosure, without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims.
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