Lift device with user contact sensor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11597640-B2
Application number	US-202217580342-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 20, 2022
Priority date	Jan 21, 2021
Publication date	Mar 7, 2023
Grant date	Mar 7, 2023

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lift device comprising:
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, comprising:
a bar including a first end portion coupled to the platform and a second end portion opposite the first end portion; and
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 sensor including:
an interface member configured to engage the second end portion of the bar; and
a biasing element configured to bias the interface member toward the second end portion of the bar; and

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor and the actuator and configured to control the actuator based on the signal from the sensor.

2. The lift device of claim 1 , further comprising a housing defining an aperture sized to receive the second end portion of the bar, wherein the sensor is positioned to contact the second end portion when the second end portion is received within the aperture.

3. The lift device of claim 2 , wherein the bar includes a resilient member extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, and wherein the resilient member is configured to resist the second end portion exiting the aperture.

4. The lift device of claim 1 , further comprising a hinge pivotally coupling the first end portion to the platform.

5. The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is selectively repositionable relative to the platform to adjust a position of the sensor relative to the second end portion of the bar.

6. The lift device of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface coupled to the platform and operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the actuator based on an instruction received by the user interface, and wherein the bar extends above the user interface.

7. The lift device of claim 6 , wherein the platform includes a first rail fixedly coupled to a second rail, wherein the first end portion of the bar is coupled to the first rail, wherein the sensor is coupled to the second rail, and wherein the user interface extends between the first rail and the second rail.

8. The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the bar extends laterally, wherein the bar is flexible such that the bar is configured to bend in response to a longitudinal force.

9. The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor further includes a switch coupled to the interface member and operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the switch is configured to change from a first configuration to a second configuration in response to the second end portion of the bar contacting the interface member.

10. The lift device of claim 9 , wherein, in response to an indication that the switch is in the first configuration, the controller is configured to at least one of (a) stop movement of the actuator or (b) change a direction of the movement of the actuator.

11. The lift device of claim 10 , wherein the switch is a first switch, wherein the second further includes a second switch coupled to the interface member and operatively coupled to the controller, and wherein the second switch is configured to change from a first configuration to a second configuration in response to the second end portion of the bar contacting the interface member; and
wherein, in response to an indication that at least one of (a) the first switch is in the first configuration of the first switch or (b) the second switch is in the first configuration of the second switch, the controller is configured to at least one of (a) stop the movement of the actuator or (b) change the direction of the movement of the actuator.

12. A lift device comprising:
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, comprising:
a bar including a first end portion coupled to the platform and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;
a hinge pivotally coupling the first end portion to the platform, the hinge including:
a first hinge portion fixedly coupled to the platform; and
a second hinge portion pivotally coupled to the first hinge portion and defining a bar aperture that receives the bar therethrough, wherein the bar is repositionable through the bar aperture to adjust a position of the second end portion of the bar; and

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; and

a controller operatively coupled to the sensor and the actuator and configured to control the actuator based on the signal from the sensor.

13. The lift device of claim 12 , wherein the first end portion of the bar includes a threaded portion, wherein the sensor assembly further includes a fastener in threaded engagement with the threaded portion and engaging a first side of the second hinge portion.

14. The lift device of claim 13 , wherein the fastener is a first fastener, wherein the sensor assembly further includes a second fastener in threaded engagement with the threaded portion and engaging a second side of the second hinge portion opposite the first side such that the second hinge portion extends between the first fastener and the second fastener.

15. A sensor assembly for a lift device, comprising:
a rod including a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a resilient member extending between the first end portion and the second end portion;
a hinge coupled to the first end portion of the rod and configured to pivotally couple the rod to a platform of the lift device; and
a sensor configured to be coupled to the platform of the lift device and configured to provide a signal in response to the second end portion of the rod contacting the sensor, the sensor including:
a pair of switches; and
an interface member configured to actuate both of the switches when the interface member contacts the second end portion of the rod,

wherein the resilient member is configured to apply a biasing force to resist movement of the second end portion away from the sensor.

16. The sensor assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a housing coupled to the sensor and defining an aperture, wherein the aperture is configured to receive the second end portion of the rod when the second end portion of the rod contacts the sensor.

Assignees

• Oshkosh Corp

Inventors

• Boroni Davide
• Lavagnini Matteo
• Marchesini Roberto
• Poltronieri Zeno
• Yutzy Fredric L
• Kobel Korry D
• Hill John

Classifications

• B66F17/006 Primary

  for working platforms · CPC title

• B66F11/044 Primary

  Working platforms suspended from booms · CPC title

• B66F11/046

  of the telescoping type · CPC title

• G05B15/02

  electric · CPC title