Intelligent braking system for materials handling vehicles
US6236927A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60L2240/26
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A computer controlled braking system utilizes gross vehicle weight of a materials handling vehicle and maximum allowable vehicle speeds to calculate braking force in response to a service brake request. For vehicles equipped with a caster brake, the calculated braking force is proportionally distributed between a drive brake and the caster brake. The drive brake includes a mechanical brake and motor braking which is performed by a traction motor. The drive brake force is divided between the mechanical brake and the motor braking so that the motor provides as much braking as possible to reduce wear on the mechanical brake and also to conserve battery power. For vehicles equipped with a caster brake, the caster brake portion of the calculated braking force is determined as a programmable percentage of the total braking force and can differ based on travel direction. The caster brake portion is clipped and reverts to the drive brake if it is below a minimum; and, if the calculated caster brake force is greater than a maximum, the caster brake force in excess of the maximum is clipped and reverts to the drive brake. A maximum caster brake current can be set to accommodate different bra…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.