INDUSTRIAL TRUCK COMPRISING A DRIVER DISPLAY

Abstract

An industrial truck comprising a driver display and at least one manually actuable operating element, which is assigned a plurality of function keys. A toggle key is provided for the function keys, whereupon actuation of the toggle key, a second function is assigned to at least one of the function keys. The second function is a function that can be selected in a driver-specific manner.

Claims

1. An industrial truck comprising: a driver display; at least one manually selectable element which is assigned at least one function key; and, a toggle key configured to activate at least one function key, wherein upon actuation of the toggle key, a second function is assigned to the at least one function key, the second function being a function that can be programmed by the driver themselves.

2. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the toggle key is configured to switch to a programming mode wherein following actuation of the toggle key, the at least one function key may be assigned the second function for a predetermined minimum period of time.

3. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the driver display is equipped with at least one operating element, and wherein the driver display is used to activate the at least one operating element to activate a vehicle function, or assign the vehicle function to one of the function keys as the second function.

4. The industrial truck according to claim 1, further comprising a memory unit and a driver login unit, wherein the memory unit loads driver-specific second functions when the driver logs in on the driver login unit, and wherein driver-specific second functions are saved in the memory unit when the driver logs out.

5. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein upon actuation of the toggle key, the assigned second functions are displayed on the driver display.

6. The industrial truck according to claim 5, wherein the assigned second functions are displayed at least for a predetermined period of time.

7. The industrial truck according to claim 5, wherein re-actuation of the toggle key terminates the display of the second function.

8. The industrial truck according to claim 6, wherein re-actuation of the toggle key terminates the display of the second functions.

9. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein re-actuating the toggle key terminates the activation of the second function.

10. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the toggle key is spatially adjacent to the operating element.

11. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein, when the toggle key is actuated, the second functions for the at least one function key can be activated for a predetermined period of time.

12. A method for operating an industrial truck having a driver display and at least one manually actuable operating element assigned a plurality of function keys, comprising the steps of: actuating a toggle key to activate at least one function key, and assigning a second function to the at least one function key, which second function can be programmed by the driver themselves.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the step of actuating the toggle key includes the step of: switching to a programming mode wherein following actuation of the toggle key, the at least one function key may be assigned the second function for a predetermined minimum period of time.

14. The method according to claim 12 further comprising the steps of: logging into the industrial truck by a driver login unit; loading driver-specific second functions via a memory unit when a driver logs in via the driver login unit; and saving the driver-specific second functions in the memory unit when the driver logs out.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of actuating the toggle key includes the step of: displaying the assigned second functions on a driver display.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of displaying the assigned second functions on a driver display includes the step of: displaying the assigned second functions for at least a predetermined period of time.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of: re-actuating the toggle key to terminate the display of the second functions on the driver display.

18. An industrial truck comprising: a driver display; at least one manually selectable operating element, which is assigned a plurality of function keys, a driver login unit in communication with the industrial truck; a memory unit containing a driver-specific second functions; a toggle key spatially adjacent to the at least one manually actuatible operating element, and configured to activate at least one of the plurality of function keys, wherein, upon actuation of the toggle key, a second function is assigned to the at least one function key, the second function being a function that can be programmed by the driver themselves, the toggle key, furthermore, configured to switch to a programming mode wherein, following actuation of the toggle key, the at least one function key may be assigned the second function for a predetermined minimum period of time; wherein the memory unit loads the driver-specific second functions into the industrial truck when a driver logs in using the driver login unit; wherein the driver display is used to activate a vehicle function; wherein the driver display is used to assign the vehicle function to one of the function keys as the second function. wherein re-actuation of the toggle key terminates the display of the second functions and the activation of the second function.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Various embodiments of the disclosure are explained in greater detail below based on an exemplary industrial truck. In the following:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from the load side into the driver's cab of a reach truck, wherein the lift mast is not shown,

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the steering unit and operating element according to the disclosure,

[0017] FIG. 3 shows the steering unit comprising the driver display and several exemplary driver login units as access modules,

[0018] FIG. 4 shows the driver display and the operating keys thereof, and

[0019] FIG. 5 shows the function keys and an associated toggle key.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a reach truck 10 comprising two protruding wheel arms 12 and a mast base 14 mounted on the wheel arms so as to be slidable. For greater clarity, the lift mast arranged on the mast base 14 is not shown. The reach truck 10 comprises a driver's cab 16 having an overhead guard 18 which is supported by four pillars 20, 22. The pillars 20 designed as A-pillars are located on the side facing away from the wheel arms 12, whereas the B-pillars 22 are provided on the side of the driver's cab 16 facing toward the lift mast. A driver's seat 24 is oriented transversely to a vehicle longitudinal direction L and is arranged in the driver's cab 16. The transverse orientation of the driver's seat 24 causes the driver to move sideways when the reach truck moves along the longitudinal direction L. A steering unit 26 comprises a steering wheel 28 (cf. FIG. 3) and a driver display 30 is provided opposite the driver's seat. It can further be seen in FIG. 1 that an armrest 32 is provided to the side of the driver's seat 24 on the side facing toward the mast base 14. The armrest 32 serves to support the lower arm of a driver sitting in the driver's seat 24. With their right hand, the driver can grip and actuate an operating lever 34.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a detail from FIG. 1, wherein the operating lever 34 and the driver display 30 can each be seen. The right lower arm of the operator rests on the armrest 32, wherein the wrist does not rest thereon and remains free for better mobility. The operating lever 34 can be gripped entirely or in part. It is also possible to move the operating lever 34 using just the fingertips. A panel 36, comprising function keys, is arranged between the armrest 32 and the operating lever 34. The panel 36 is arranged such that it can also be operated with a lower arm resting on the armrest 32. For operation, the function keys in the panel 36 are pushed for example using the index finger or middle finger, and if the hand remains on the operating lever, the thumb may also be used to operate the function keys. It is also possible to actuate the function keys 36 with a hand while other fingers are used to actuate the operating lever 34.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows the steering unit 26 in detail. The steering unit 26 comprises a steering wheel 28 which can be gripped and turned by means of a knob 38, for example. Preferably, the knob 38 is in the left-hand position at 9 o'clock so as to facilitate operation with the left hand. Furthermore, a driver login unit 40 is provided in the steering unit. FIG. 3 shows three different driver login units. One driver login unit may include a keypad 40a for inputting a PIN. Another unit may include a card reader 40b which reads out a driver-specific identification card. Yet another option for a driver login unit includes a chip reader 40c for reading a personal driver chip card for example to provide different techniques for exchanging data. These techniques may include for example a transponder card, RFID or another form of near-field communication.

[0023] One of the three driver login units 4a, 40b, 40c may be inserted into the steering unit 26 and connected to the vehicle and its steering.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the driver display 30 comprises a display screen 42, which may also be designed as a touchscreen, for example. Six operating elements 44a-44f may be designed as push buttons provided below the display screen 42. Using the push buttons, operating variables and vehicle functions may be displayed and selected in a simple menu guide. The operating elements below the display screen 42 may also be assigned permanent functions for operation of the vehicle. However, the operating elements 44 on the steering unit 26 are arranged for the driver in such a way that they cannot be actuated at the same time as the operating lever 34, but rather the operating lever 34 must first be released in order to actuate the operating elements (in one-hand operation).

[0025] FIG. 5 shows the panel 36 comprising the function keys 46a to 46f, which are individually assigned a permanently preconfigured function. For example, the function key 46a orients the load fork horizontally and the function key 46b orients a side shifter centrally relative to the vehicle. A weighing function in the vehicle is triggered by the function key 46c and function key 46e orients the load receiving means centrally between the load arms of an industrial truck in order to prevent collisions during the lowering process. Function key 46f defines a low-speed run for the vehicle. Function key 46d is not defined in the embodiment shown. In addition to the function keys 46, a toggle key 48 is provided. The toggle key 48 activates the second function of the function keys. Therefore, the second function may for example be activated for a predetermined period of time, for example a few seconds, by means of the toggle key 48. Within this period of time, the second functions are shown on the display screen 42. As an alternative to the predetermined period of time, it is also possible for the toggle key 48 to activate the second functions until the toggle key is pressed again.

[0026] If the toggle key is activated, a lighting system directed onto the load part may for example be provided as a second function for the function key 46a in addition to the horizontal orientation of the load fork. In this case, the operator first actuates the function key 46a in order to orient the load fork horizontally, and subsequently, the toggle key 48 in order to activate the lighting system directed onto the load forks by re-actuating the function key 46a. The second function may also be assigned to the function key 46f for the low-speed run in a similarly simple manner, for example. Therefore, as a second function in addition to the low-speed run, an all-round lighting system on the vehicle may be switched on in order to alert other participants of the low-speed run.

[0027] When using the vehicle according to the disclosure, various operating situations can be distinguished:

Actuation of the Second Function:

[0028] If the toggle key 48 is not switched on, it can be switched on by pressing a key on the key panel. An LED may be provided to optically show that the toggle key 48 is activated. If the toggle key 48 is switched on, the second functions saved for the function keys 46 are displayed in an obvious manner on the display screen 42 in the form of symbols. The positioning of the symbols corresponds to the order of the function keys 46. If one of the function keys 46 is then actuated, the stored second function, and not the primary stored function, is executed. When the function key is actuated, the toggle key returns to its initial non-actuated state.

Assigning the Second Function:

[0029] In order to assign the second function, the toggle key is pressed continuously for a specific period of time, for example longer than 3 seconds. By keeping the toggle key pressed down, all function keys 46 start to flash, for example. If one of the function keys has already been assigned a second function, this can also be shown on the display screen 42. One of the function keys 46, regardless of whether they have not yet been assigned a second function or have already been assigned a second function, is selected by actuating the function key. Subsequently, a special function can be selected from the menu, preferably using the operating keys 44 on the display screen 42, and activated as the second function for the selected function key. For example, an all-round lighting system for the vehicle can be activated in a submenu. If this function is activated on the display screen 42, the function can be saved as the second function of the previously selected function key. The toggle key then returns to its initial position and the assignment process is completed. The second functions are functions which can be programmed by the driver themselves and for the selection and setting of which the driver requires no external assistance.

Person-Specific Second Functions:

[0030] The driver identifies themselves on a recognition unit in order to use the industrial truck. This may be done using a PIN, an identification card or a chip. Using this personal login, a person-specific user profile can be activated. The profile contains the second functions for the function keys, for example. If the operator changes the second function assignment while still logged in on the vehicle, this will be saved when the operator logs off or exits the vehicle and will automatically be available to the driver again when they log in the next time.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0031] 10 Reach truck

[0032] 12 Wheel arms

[0033] 14 Mast base

[0034] 16 Driver's cab

[0035] 18 Overhead guard

[0036] 20 A-pillars

[0037] 22 B-pillars

[0038] 24 Driver's seat

[0039] 26 Steering unit

[0040] 28 Steering wheel

[0041] 30 Driver display

[0042] 32 Armrest

[0043] 34 Operating lever

[0044] 36 Panel comprising function keys

[0045] 38 Knob

[0046] 40 Driver login unit

[0047] 40a Keypad

[0048] 40b Card reader

[0049] 40c Chip reader

[0050] 42 Display screen

[0051] 44a-f Operating elements

[0052] 46a-f Function keys

[0053] 48 Toggle key