Patent classifications
B66F11/044
SCISSOR LIFT DESCENT CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
A lift vehicle comprises a base having a plurality of wheels, a battery arranged within the base, a drive motor powered by the battery and configured to drive at least one of the plurality of wheels and propel the base, a retractable lift including a first end coupled to the base and being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, a work platform supported by a second end of the retractable lift, and a linear actuator having a lift motor with a rotor. The lift motor is powered by the battery, and the linear actuator is coupled to the retractable lift so that rotation of the rotor moves the retractable lift between the extended position and the retracted position. The lift vehicle further includes an electromagnetic brake coupled to a first side of the lift motor.
System and method for sensing occupancy of an aerial lift device
Sensors on an aerial lift device determine the number of occupants in and occupant portion of the aerial lift device. Prior to permitting the occupant portion to rise up off the ground, the system checks the engagement of safety harnesses to verify that the number of engaged safety harnesses matches the number of occupants in the occupant portion of the aerial lift. If the number matches, operation of the aerial lift may be enabled and the occupant portion deployed. If the number does not match, an alarm is sounded and deployment of the occupant portion may be disabled. With pre-deployment safety testing, and no occupants in the occupant portion, the occupant portion may be deployed to verify all operational status of the occupant portion with no occupants. The system may further create a data log to verify the time and successful pre-deployment safety check.
Expendable wheel base chassis
A support system for a vehicle includes a base and at least a first and a second support arm. Each of the first and the second support arms include a base end pivotally coupled to the base through a respective hinge assembly. Each of the first and the second support arms further include a distal end opposite the base end. The support system also includes a respective wheel assembly coupled to each distal end. Each wheel assembly includes an independently powered and steerable wheel configured to engage a travel surface, a propelling motor configured to drive a respective first support arm between a stowed condition and a deployed condition unaided while the vehicle remains stationary, and a steer actuator configured to change an angle of the wheel with respect to a respective support arm.
LIFT DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING
A lift device and a method of controlling the lift device are provided. The lift device has an electric motor drivingly coupled to a traction device, and a traction battery. A hydraulic circuit has a pump with a pump motor, and a valve. In response to a voltage being above a threshold voltage while the electric motor is outputting a braking torque and providing electrical power to the battery, flow of the pump is increased and the valve is controlled to reduce a size of the valve opening and increase pressure in the pressure galley thereby reducing electrical power to the traction battery. The flow of the pump and the valve position are therefore controlled in response to a braking power output being greater than a threshold to dissipate braking power output into the hydraulic circuit and charge the traction battery with the remaining braking power output.
LIFT DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING ON A GRADE
A lift device and a method of controlling the lift device are provided. The lift device has a lifting mechanism supporting a lifting platform relative to the chassis. An electric motor is drivingly coupled to a traction device, and a traction battery is in electrical communication with the electric motor. A user input is provided to control a speed of the lift device by inputting a requested speed. A controller is configured to, in response to the lift device being on a non-zero grade and if the requested speed is greater than a predetermined speed, command the electric motor to output a braking torque and provide electrical power to the traction battery, and limit the speed of the lift device to the predetermined speed.
Oscillating axle for lift device
A machine includes a chassis having a first end and an opposing second end, an axle pivotally coupled to the first end of the chassis, a first actuator coupled to the first end of the chassis, and a second actuator coupled to the first end of the chassis. The chassis defines a longitudinal center axis. The axle is configured to rotate about the longitudinal center axis. The first actuator is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal center axis. The first actuator is extendable to selectively engage a first contact point on the axle. The second actuator is positioned on an opposing second lateral side of the longitudinal center axis. The second actuator is extendable to selectively engage a second contact point on the axle.
Lift device with user contact sensor
A lift device includes a chassis, a platform configured to support a user, a lift assembly coupling the platform to the chassis, an actuator configured to at least one of (a) move the platform relative to the chassis or (b) propel the chassis, a sensor assembly, and a controller. The sensor assembly includes a bar including a first end portion coupled to the platform and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The sensor assembly further includes a sensor coupled to the platform and configured to provide a signal in response to the second end portion of the bar contacting the sensor. The controller is operatively coupled to the sensor and the actuator and configured to control the actuator based on the signal from the sensor.
Aerial platform occupancy detection
Systems and methods for platform occupancy detection on an aerial device are described. An aerial platform may be provided for the aerial device. A worker may perform operations in the aerial platform and connect to an interlock system thereof. The worker may have an associated transmitter configured to transmit a signal. A first receiver and a second receiver may be disposed on the aerial platform to receive the signal. Based on the time difference between receiving the signal at the first receiver and receiving the signal at the second receiver, the position of the transmitter may be triangulated. If the transmitter is determined to be within the aerial platform and the worker is not connected to the interlock system, preventive actions may be taken before operation of the aerial platform is permitted.
Dual actuator assembly
A lift device includes a base, a turntable coupled to the base, a boom pivotably coupled to the turntable, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a first actuator, a first coupler positioned at a first end of the first actuator, a second actuator, a second coupler positioned at a third end of the second actuator, and a third coupler. The first coupler and the second coupler pivotably couple the first actuator and the second actuator, respectively, to one of the boom or the turntable. The third coupler includes a body and a plurality of arms extending from the body. The body defines (i) a first interface that engages with an opposing second end of the first actuator and (ii) a second interface that engages with an opposing fourth end of the second actuator. The plurality of arms are pivotably coupled to the other one of the boom or the turntable.
LEVELING SYSTEM FOR LIFT DEVICE
A chassis for a lift device includes a base, an arm coupled to the base and configured to support a tractive element, and a plate extending from the arm at an upward angle. The arm includes a steering actuator interface configured to support an end of a steering actuator for the tractive element. The plate is configured to extend past the steering actuator.