Two force levels of mechanical braking for materials handling vehicles
US5205620A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60T13/22
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A materials handling vehicle employs a two step braking process where full brakes are applied to stop the vehicle quickly when it is traveling at a fast rate, and partial braking force is applied to stop the vehicle smoothly when it is traveling slowly. The amount of the braking force is controlled by the spring force applied to the braking shoes. Whenever the vehicle is moving at or less than a predetermined speed, only the brakes on one pair of wheels, typically the load wheel brakes, that is the brakes on the wheels under the load, will be used when braking action is requested. This will permit the vehicle to stop smoothly, and not abruptly as would be the case if full braking were to be applied. If the vehicle is moving faster than the predetermined speed, then full braking force will be applied by actuating the brakes on both pairs of wheels whenever requested by the operator or by the vehicle control system. Both the load wheel brakes and the steered wheel brakes are conventional spring applied brakes which are released by hydraulic pressure applied to individual brake cylinders.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.