INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FOR AN INDUSTRIAL TRUCK AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

Abstract

An industrial truck (2) with a lift mast (4), a hydraulic system (10), and a method for operating a hydraulic system (10). The lift mast (4) of the industrial truck (2) is driven by a mast lift cylinder (12) and includes at least one mast lift stage (42). A free lift stage is present that is driven by a free lift cylinder (8) with which a load receiving means (6) can be displaced along the lift mast (4). The industrial truck (2) includes a hydraulic system (10) for supplying the at least one mast lift cylinder (12) and the at least one free lift cylinder (8) with a hydraulic fluid (14). The hydraulic system (10) is configured to at least at times simultaneously actuate the at least one mast lift cylinder (12) and the at least one free lift cylinder (8) in load lifting operation and/or in load lowering operation.

Claims

1. An industrial truck comprising: a lift mast comprising at least one mast lift stage driven by at least one mast lift cylinder, and a free lift stage having a load receiving means driven by at least one free lift cylinder such that the load receiving means is displaceable along the lift mast; and a hydraulic system for supplying a hydraulic fluid to and for unloading the hydraulic fluid from the at least one mast lift cylinder and the at least one free lift cylinder; wherein the hydraulic system comprises a control programmed to actuate the at least one mast lift cylinder and the at least one free lift cylinder in a load lowering operation such that the mast lift stage and the free lift stage are simultaneously retracted.

2. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic system comprises separate hydraulic return lines for unloading the at least one mast lift cylinder and the at least one free lift cylinder in the load lowering operation.

3. The industrial truck according to claim 2, wherein the hydraulic system comprises a first hydraulic return line that runs between the at least one free lift cylinder and a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic system further comprises a second hydraulic return line that runs between the at least one mast lift cylinder and the reservoir, and wherein a first lowering valve is integrated in the first return line and a second lowering valve is integrated in the second return line.

4. The industrial truck according to claim 3, wherein the control is programmed to open the first and the second lowering valve simultaneously at the start of the load lowering operation when the load receiving means is lowered and the mast lift stage and the free lift stage start simultaneous retraction.

5. The industrial truck according to claim 4, wherein the first and second lowering valves are proportional valves and the control is further programmed to control or regulate a first volumetric flow through the first lowering valve and a second volumetric flow through the second lowering valve such that the at least one mast lift stage and the load receiving means reach a lower end position at least approximately simultaneously in the end of the load lowering operation, when the load receiving means is completely lowered.

6. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the control is programmed to actuate the at least one mast lift cylinder and the at least one free lift cylinder in the load lowering operation such that the mast lift stage and the free lift stage (i) simultaneously start retracting, (ii) proceed simultaneous retraction throughout the lowering of the load receiving means, and (iii) simultaneously stop retracting, when the load receiving means has reached the end of the load lowering operation.

7. The industrial truck according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic pump that is integrated in a hydraulic feed line and is configured to apply the at least one mast lift cylinder and the at least one free lift cylinder to pressurized hydraulic fluid in the load lifting operation, wherein the hydraulic feed line branches between the hydraulic pump and the lift cylinders into a first and a second supply branch, wherein the first supply branch runs to the free lift cylinder and the second supply branch runs to the mast lift cylinder, and wherein a lifting valve designed as a proportional valve is integrated in the hydraulic feed line with which a ratio between the volumetric flows in the first and in the second supply branch is changeable.

8. The industrial truck according to claim 7, wherein the free lift cylinder has a first cross-section and the lift cylinder has a second cross-section, wherein the first cross-section is larger than the second cross-section, and wherein the lifting valve is integrated in the first supply branch.

9. The industrial truck according to claim 7, the control is configured to activate the lifting valve such that the free lift cylinder and the mast lift cylinder are simultaneously extendable throughout the load lifting operation.

10. A method of operating a hydraulic system of an industrial truck that includes a lift mast having at least one mast lift stage driven by at least one mast lift cylinder, a free lift stage having a load receiving means driven by at least one free lift cylinder such that the load receiving means is displaceable along the lift mast, a hydraulic system supplying a hydraulic fluid to and unloading the hydraulic fluid from the at least one mast lift cylinder and the at least one free lift cylinder, and a control for the hydraulic system programmed to operate the hydraulic system, the method comprising: simultaneously actuating the at least one mast lift cylinder and the at least one free lift cylinder in a load lowering operation via the control for the hydraulic system such that the mast lift stage and the free lift stage are simultaneously retracted.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the hydraulic system comprises a first hydraulic return line that runs between the at least one free lift cylinder and a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic system further comprises a separate second hydraulic return line that runs between the at least one mast lift cylinder and the reservoir, wherein a first lowering valve is integrated in the first return line, wherein a second lowering valve is integrated in the second return line, and wherein the method further comprises opening the first lowering valve and the second lowering valve simultaneously via the control for the hydraulic system at the start of the load lowering operation when the load receiving means are let down and the mast lift stage and the free lift stage simultaneously start retracting.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the lowering valves are proportional valves, and wherein the method further comprises regulating a first volumetric flow through the first lowering valve and a second volumetric flow through the second lowering valve via the control for the hydraulic system such that the at least one mast lift stage and the load receiving means reach a lower end position at least approximately simultaneously at the end of the lowering operation when the load receiving means is completely lowered.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the control actuates the at least one mast lift cylinder and the at least one free lift cylinder in the load lowering operation such that the mast lift stage and the free lift stage (i) simultaneously start retracting, (ii) simultaneously proceed retracting throughout the lowering of the load receiving means, and (iii) simultaneously stop retracting, when the load receiving means has reached the end of the load lowering operation.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the hydraulic system includes a hydraulic pump that is integrated in a hydraulic feed line, wherein the at least one mast lift cylinder and the at least one free lift cylinder are exposed to pressurized hydraulic fluid in the load lifting operation, wherein the hydraulic feed line branches between the hydraulic pump and the lift cylinders into a first and a second supply branch, wherein the first supply branch runs to the free lift cylinder, wherein the second supply branch runs to the mast lift cylinder, wherein a lifting valve in the form of a proportional valve, with which a ratio between a volumetric flow in the first and in the second supply branch is changeable, is integrated in the hydraulic feed line, wherein the free lift cylinder has a first cross-section and the mast lift cylinder has a second cross-section, wherein the first cross-section is larger than the second cross-section, wherein the lifting valve is integrated in the first supply branch, and wherein the method further comprises activating the lifting valve via the control for the hydraulic system such that the free lift cylinder and the mast lift cylinder are simultaneously extended throughout the load lifting operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention is described below, without restricting the general idea of the invention, using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein express reference is made to the drawings with regard to all details according to the invention that are not explained in greater detail in the text. In the figures:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an industrial truck in a schematically simplified perspective view,

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a hydraulic system,

[0038] FIG. 3A to 3D show a lowering process of a load receiving means in an industrial truck according to the prior art from a maximum height that can be reached with this industrial truck, and

[0039] FIG. 4A to 4C show a lowering process of a load receiving means from a maximum height that can be reached with the industrial truck in the case of an industrial truck according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0040] In the drawings, in each case the same or similar elements and/or parts are provided with the same reference numbers, so that in each case a repeated introduction is omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] FIG. 1 shows an industrial truck 2, as an example a forklift, with a lift mast 4, comprising, as an example, a first mast lift stage 41, the inner mast, and a second mast lift stage 42, the central mast. The lift mast 4 is driven by a mast lift cylinder (not shown in FIG. 1) (multiple mast lift cylinders can also be provided). The lift mast 4 comprises, in addition to the inner mast and the central mast, a stationary mast firmly connected to the vehicle frame. The central mast is driven, as an example, by the mast lift cylinder; the inner mast is also coupled, as an example, via a chain with the central mast so that these two extensible masts extend simultaneously. Furthermore, the industrial truck 2 comprises a free lift stage with a load receiving means 6, as an example a fork, that can be displaced along the inner mast of the lift mast 4. For this purpose, the free lift stage comprises a free lift cylinder 8. The free lift cylinder 8 can displace the load receiving means 6 along the first mast stage 41 of the lift mast 4.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a hydraulic system 10 as it is integrated in the industrial truck 2 according to an exemplary embodiment. The hydraulic system 10 serves to supply a mast lift cylinder 12 and the free lift cylinder 8, with which the load receiving means 6 is displaced, with a hydraulic fluid 14. The hydraulic fluid is taken from a reservoir 16 and is also returned to it again. The hydraulic system 10 is configured to at least at times simultaneously operate the mast lift cylinder 12 and the free lift cylinder 8 in load lifting operating and/or in lowering operation.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the hydraulic system 10 is configured to simultaneously actuate the mast lift cylinder 12 and the free lift cylinder 8 in load lifting operation, i.e., when raising the load receiving means 6, as well as in load lowering operation, i.e., when lowering the load receiving means 6.

[0044] The hydraulic system 10 comprises separate hydraulic return lines 18. A first hydraulic return line 181 runs between the free lift cylinder 8 and the reservoir 16. Furthermore, a second hydraulic return line 182 is comprised that runs between the mast lift cylinder 12 and the reservoir 16. A first lowering valve 21 is integrated in the first return line 181 and a second lowering valve 22 is integrated in the second return line 182. The lowering valves 21, 22 are, for example, proportional valves. These can be switched between a first switching position 21a, 22a, in which the lowering valves 21, 22 work as non-return valves, and a second switching position 21b, 22b In the second switching position 21b, 22b, the lowering valves 21, 22 are configured to control or regulate a first volumetric flow or respectively a second volumetric flow. In this way, the first lowering valve 21 controls or regulates a first volumetric flow through the first return line 181, while the second lowering valve 22 controls or regulates a second volumetric flow through the second return line 182. The lowering valves 21, 22 can be activated separately from each other. For controlling and/or regulating, a control 24 of the hydraulic system is comprised which activates the two lowering valves 21, 22 via connecting lines (not shown).

[0045] The control 24 is configured or respectively programmed such that the lowering valves 21, 22 open simultaneously in a load lowering operation, i.e., when lowering the load receiving means 6. In this way, the free lift cylinder 8 of the free lift stage and the mast lift cylinder 12 of the lift mast 4 are retracted simultaneously. As a result, the load receiving means 6 actuated by the free lift stage sinks along the first mast lift stage 41, while the lift mast 4, i.e., the first and the second mast lift stage 41, 42, simultaneously retract.

[0046] This novel process is explained with reference to a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3A to 3D show a lowering process of a load receiving means 6 as it takes place in the case of an industrial truck according to the prior art. FIG. 3A shows the industrial truck 2 with the lift mast 4 completely extended. The load receiving means 6 is located at the upper stop of the first mast lift stage 41. A conventional industrial truck 2 comprises a common return line with which both the free lift cylinder 8 and the mast lift cylinder 12 are unloaded of pressure.

[0047] The free lift cylinder 8 and the mast lift cylinder 12 have different cross-sections. These are chosen so that first the free lift cylinder 8 extends in the case of a first pressure p1 (cf. FIG. 2) of the hydraulic fluid 14. If the free lift stage reaches the upper stop of the lift mast 4, more precisely of the first mast lift stage 41 (FIG. 3C shows this situation), the pressure of the hydraulic fluid 14 in the hydraulic system 10 continues to rise until it reaches the value p2, which is greater than p1. The mast lift stages 41, 42 begin to extend when the hydraulic pressure p2 is exceeded. The individual mast lift cylinders 12 of the mast lift stages 41, 42 can in turn be designed so that their different cross-sections ensure that first the first mast lift stage 41 and then the second mast lift stage 42 extends.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the two mast lift stages 41, 42 retract approximately simultaneously. When the hydraulic fluid 14 is discharged, the lift mast 4 and the free lift stage retract in the opposite sequence. Starting from a situation with the lift mast 4 maximally extended and a load lifting means 6 at the upper stop of the first mast lift stage 41 (cf. FIG. 3A), first the lift mast 4 retracts (cf. FIG. 3B). Since the pressure lies above p1 as before, the free lift stage and accordingly the load receiving means 6 remains at the upper stop until the lift mast 4 is completely retracted (cf. FIG. 3C). The free list stage only also retracts and the load receiving means 6 sinks onto the lower stop when the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic system 10 then sinks further, i.e., below the value of p1.

[0049] FIG. 4A to 4C show a lowering process of a load receiving means 6 of an industrial truck 2 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 4A shows the industrial truck 2 with the lift mast 4 completely extended, wherein the load receiving means 6 is also located at the upper stop of the first mast lift stage 41. This situation is identical to the one shown in FIG. 3A. In load lowering operation, in the case of the industrial truck 2 shown in FIG. 4, the free lift stage and the mast lift stages 41, 42 are synchronously lowered by simultaneously opening the first and second lowering valve 21, 22 (cf. FIG. 2). FIG. 4B shows the industrial truck 2 after a first time interval after which the conventional industrial truck 2 in FIG. 3B is also shown. In contrast to the conventional industrial truck 2 in FIG. 3B, in the case of the industrial truck 2 according to an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4B, the load receiving means 6 has already arrived at the lower stop of the first mast lift stage 41. It is accordingly already located much lower than the load receiving means 6 in the case of the conventional industrial truck 2. During another time interval, the lift mast 4 sinks in completely and the load receiving means 6 reaches the lowest stop (FIG. 4C). With a conventional industrial truck 2 (cf. FIG. 3C), after this time interval the load receiving means 6 is still located at the upper stop of the first mast lift stage 41.

[0051] As a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4 shows, with the industrial truck 2 according to an exemplary embodiment, the load receiving means 6 is lowered considerably faster. Exactly that time interval is saved which the load receiving means 6 needs in the case of a conventional industrial truck 2 to be lowered along a mast lift stage 41, 42.

[0052] According to another exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the control 24 is configured such that the lowering of the lift mast 4 and the free lift stage which moves the load receiving means 6 is controlled or regulated so that the mast lift stages 41, 42 and the load receiving means 6 reach the lower stop at least approximately simultaneously. In order to provide for such regulation, a displacement sensor 25 (see FIG. 2) is provided (e.g., on the mast lift and on the free lift) so that the respective speed with which the mast lift or respectively the free lift are extend or respectively retracted can be determined. Starting from this measured value, a regulation is possible with which an even and homogenous lowering process can be achieved, in particular so that the mast lift stage and the load receiving means reach their lower end position at least approximately simultaneously. In this way, a homogeneous lowering process can be achieved, which simplifies the operation of the industrial truck 2 for the operator.

[0053] In order to be able to raise the load receiving means 6 in load lifting operation, the hydraulic system 10 of the industrial truck 2 comprises a hydraulic pump 26 that takes hydraulic fluid 14 out of the reservoir 16 via a hydraulic feed line 28. The hydraulic pump 26 is integrated in the hydraulic feed line 28. In load lifting operation, the hydraulic pump 26 serves to apply the mast lift cylinder 12 and the free lift cylinder 8 with pressurized hydraulic fluid 14.

[0054] The hydraulic feed line 28 branches between the hydraulic pump 26 and the lift cylinders, i.e., the free lift cylinder 8 and the mast lift cylinder 12, into a first supply branch 31 and into a second supply branch 32. The first supply branch 31 leads to the free lift cylinder 8; the second supply branch 32 leads to the mast lift cylinder 12. The two supply branches 31, 32 are also considered as part of the hydraulic feed line 28. A lifting valve 34, which can be designed as a proportional valve, is integrated into the first supply branch 31. The lifting valve 34 can also, like the hydraulic pump 26, be controlled or regulated via the control 24.

[0055] A ratio between the volumetric flows in the first and second supply branch 31, 32 can be changed via the settings of the lifting valve 34. The free lift cylinder 8 has a first cross-section and the mast lift cylinder 12 has a second cross-section, wherein the first cross-section is larger than the second cross-section. For this reason, the free lift cylinder 8 is activated at a first pressure p1, wherein the pressure p1 is smaller than the pressure p2 at which the mast lift cylinder 12 is activated. The effective hydraulic flow cross-section of the lift cylinders 8, 12 can be variably set via the settings of the lifting valve 34 so that it is possible to extend both lift cylinders 8, 12 simultaneously. This occurs in the first switching position 34a of the lifting valve 34. In the second switching position 34b, the free lift can be blocked so that exclusively the mast lift cylinder 12 is actuated. It is also possible, by dynamically setting the lift valve 34, to achieve a gentle transition between a lift of the load receiving means 6 effected by the free lift cylinder 8 and a lift of same caused by the mast lift cylinder 12.

[0056] In order to prevent the hydraulic fluid 14 from flowing back in the first and second supply branch 32, 32, a non-return valve 36 is integrated into each respective supply branch.

[0057] An named features, including those taken from the drawings alone as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features, are considered, alone and in combination, to be essential for the invention. Embodiments according to the invention can be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features. In the scope of the invention, features which are designated with “in particular” or “preferably” are optional features.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

[0058] 2 Industrial truck [0059] 4 Lift mast [0060] 6 Load receiving means [0061] 8 Free lift cylinder [0062] 10 Hydraulic system [0063] 12 Mast lift cylinder [0064] 14 Hydraulic fluid [0065] 16 Reservoir [0066] 18 Hydraulic return line [0067] 21 First lowering valve [0068] 22 Second lowering valve [0069] 21A, 22a, 34a First switching position [0070] 21b, 22b, 34b Second circuit [0071] 24 Control [0072] 25 Displacement sensor [0073] 26 Hydraulic pump [0074] 28 Feed line [0075] 31 First supply branch [0076] 32 Second supply branch [0077] 34 Lifting valve [0078] 36 Non-return valve [0079] 41 First mast lift stage [0080] 42 Second mast lift stage [0081] 181 First hydraulic return line [0082] 182 Second hydraulic return line