Abstract: A device for detecting the wheel angle of forklift rear wheels is disclosed. A cylinder steers the rear wheels by means of steering mechanisms based on manipulation of a steering wheel. The steering mechanisms include kingpins that support the rear wheels to be rotatable in relation to a rear axle. Each kingpin rotates integrally with the corresponding rear wheel. A wheel angle sensor, which includes a potentiometer, is fixed to the rear axle by a bracket. The position of the sensor corresponds to the position of one of the kingpins. The sensor detects the rotational angle of the kingpin as the wheel angle of the rear wheels.

Abstract: An installation structure of a rotation detector for detecting a rotation amount of a rotational shaft such as a kingpin. The installation structure prevents wear and damage to an input shaft of the rotation detector caused by a radial force applied to the input shaft and has high detection accuracy by eliminating slack between the rotational shaft and the input shaft. The rotation detector is fixed to a support member rotatably supporting the rotational shaft such that the input shaft is substantially coaxial with the rotational shaft. The input shaft is coupled to the rotational shaft through a rotation transmitting means. The rotation transmitting means permits the axis of the input shaft to be offset from the axis of the rotational shaft and limits relative rotation between the input shaft and the rotational shaft.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an industrial vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has a rear axle that is swingable during straight travel of the vehicle and can be fixed during turning of the vehicle. A damper looks or unlocks the rear axle. A controller has a memory that stores a first value and a second value of an angular velocity rate that represents an angular velocity per unit time. The controller activates or deactivates the damper. The controller activates the damper to lock the rear axle when the angular velocity rate is greater than the first value. The controller deactivates the damper to unlock the rear axle when the angular velocity rate is kept smaller than the second value for a predetermined time period after the angular velocity rate has become smaller than the second value.

Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus is used in an industrial vehicle. The apparatus has a hydraulic cylinder interposed between a vehicle frame and an axle swingably coupled to the frame. A passage connects a first chamber with a second chamber defined by a piston in a cylinder case. The piston is movable based on differential pressure in the chambers. A cylinder rod selectively extends and retracts in respect with the cylinder case to absorb a swinging motion of the axle. The passage is selectively open and closed based on at least one of a traveling state and a loading state of the vehicle. The piston has a first surface defining the first chamber and a second surface defining the second chamber. The first surface has an area equal to that of the second surface.

Abstract: A device for detecting the wheel angle of forklift rear wheels is disclosed. A cylinder steers the rear wheels by means of steering mechanisms based on manipulation of a steering wheel. The steering mechanisms include kingpins that support the rear wheels to be rotatable in relation to a rear axle. Each kingpin rotates integrally with the corresponding rear wheel. A wheel angle sensor, which includes a potentiometer, is fixed to the rear axle by a bracket. The position of the sensor corresponds to the position of one of the kingpins. The sensor detects the rotational angle of the kingpin as the wheel angle of the rear wheels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle such as a forklift in which a hydraulic pump for driving the fork is driven by the same engine used to provide motive power to the vehicle. A inching control is provided in cases where an automatic transmission is employed for shifting the gears of the vehicle. The inching control controls the clutch to allow separate control of the motive system and cargo handling system of the vehicle. This control must be operated by an operator through the inching pedal. In the fork lift, the clutch plate wears excessively and therefore the relation between the amount of depressing of the inching pedal and engagement of clutch changes abruptly. The present invention discloses a technique to adequately measure the clutch position and for compensating for control of the clutch by always keeping constant the relation between the amount of depression of the inching pedal and the amount of engagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A forward/reverse drive controller for controlling a vehicle, in which the output of an engine is transmitted through a clutch to an automatic transmission, in which the running direction of the vehicle is changed rapidly and alternately in opposite directions.

Abstract: Described is a working gas pressure control apparatus for a Stirling engine including a pressure boost valve provided in a minimum cycle pressure line connected to a working space by a first unidirectional valve, a pressure reducing valve provided in a maximum cycle pressure line connected to the working space by a second unidirectional valve, an operating lever for controlling the opening and closing of the pressure boost and pressure reducing valves, a compressor connected by the pressure reducing and the pressure boost valve to the cycle pressure lines, an unloading valve arranged in a circuit short-circuiting suction and discharge lines of the compressor, and a control unit for opening the unloading valve when engine rpm falls to a value lower than a preset rpm for engine idling, when the pressure boost valve is open and when the engine is operating in the steady state, thereby minimizing compressor load.