Abstract: A battery-powered sit-down counterbalanced forklift truck for use in an indoor warehouse on a warehouse floor comprises a chassis, a chassis compartment, a battery, a motor, a plurality of wheels, a counterweight, an operator compartment, an operator compartment floor, and an operator seat. The operator compartment is above the chassis and attached to the chassis. The operator compartment floor is above the chassis compartment and below the operator compartment. The operator compartment floor is substantially flat, situated between the left side of the chassis and the right side of the chassis, and extends substantially all the way between the left side of the chassis and the right side of the chassis. The operator seat is in the operator compartment and comprises a backrest. The operator compartment floor extends rearward at least partially under the backrest of the operator seat.

Abstract: Lift trucks are designed with a common chassis and can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources. According to one example, a chassis for a configurable sit-down counterbalanced forklift truck comprises a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side. A chassis compartment is situated between the front side and the rear side and between the left side and right side of the chassis. The chassis compartment is configured to fit within the chassis compartment one of a plurality of different types of power plants for the forklift truck and one of a plurality of different types of power sources. The chassis compartment is configured to hold one of a plurality of different designs of counterweights on or in a rear portion of the chassis compartment. The chassis is configured to support one of a plurality of different operator compartment modules attached atop the chassis.

Abstract: A stack current controller may be configured to request a current magnitude from a fuel cell. The current magnitude requested is based at least on a battery state of charge and is performed in a stepwise manner among a plurality of current magnitude steps, where each current magnitude step includes a debounce range with respect to at least one other current magnitude step. The stack current controller may be configured to control the fuel cell to output the requested current magnitude, determine an average current output by the fuel cell over a time period, and modify a current magnitude associated with one of the current magnitude steps based on the average current.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle controller communicating over a first communication system with actuators for changing the state of vehicle systems. A signal module communicates with the vehicle controller via the first communication system. One or more signal sources communicate with the signal module via a second communication system, and transmit signals to the signal module. Based on one or more signals and one or more user inputs, the signal module generates and transmits control signals to the vehicle controller. The vehicle controller actuates the actuator based on the control signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods can prevent or reduce jerk during operation of a materials-handling vehicle that is unloaded or carrying a load. The vehicle comprises one or more user input devices configured to receive from an operator a request to perform an action and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, before performing the action requested by the operator, a force acting on the load carried by the materials-handling vehicle as a result of the action requested by the operator. The processor determines whether the force would result in a jerk if the action is performed as requested. If it is determined that the force would result in a jerk, the action is modified so as to reduce the force. If it is determined that the force would not result in a jerk, the materials-handling vehicle performs the action as requested by the operator without modification to reduce the force.

Abstract: A method controls the reverse speed of a materials-handling vehicle having a forward-facing operator seat, a front end, a back end, a reverse-consent sensor, and a controller. The method detects, via the reverse-consent sensor, whether an operator of the vehicle is in a position to view a path of the vehicle when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction; limits, via the controller, the reverse speed of the vehicle to a first maximum reverse speed when the operator is not detected to be in such a position when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction; and limits, via the controller, the reverse speed of the vehicle to a second maximum reverse speed when the operator is detected to be in such a position. The first maximum reverse speed of the vehicle may be lower than the second maximum reverse speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: Materials-handling vehicles, such as counterbalanced lift trucks, can incorporate a counterweight that includes a frame, a cavity, and a sensor-mounting recess. The counterweight may be configured to provide an unobstructed horizontal line of sight of at least 180 degrees for a sensor, such as an object-detection sensor, that is mounted within the sensor-mounting recess. A lift truck can include a lift assembly comprising a mast and a pair of forks, an operator compartment comprising truck steering and speed controls, a plurality of wheels, an energy source, a counterweight comprising a frame and a sensor-mounting recess, and a sensor.

Abstract: A modular fork assembly for a pallet truck includes a discrete elongate body, a discrete load wheel module, and a discrete fork tip that may be detachably connected by the same or different types of interlocking mechanisms that are adapted to inhibit sheer forces. The load wheel module includes a frame and a load wheel assembly that includes a load wheel that is operatively connected to the frame.

Abstract: An object-sensing bumper extension comprises a durable and flexible material. The bumper extension is connected to the bumper of a vehicle such as a lift truck to detect encroachment and/or impact between the vehicle and an operator or other object. A non-contact sensor detects encroachment of an object within an impact danger zone arranged immediately in front of and near the sides of the vehicle. An impact sensor detects impact between the vehicle and an object. A control system receives sensor signals and initiates a reaction operation of the vehicle in response to sensor activity. The reaction operation can include slowing the vehicle down, stopping the vehicle, and/or reversing the vehicle. The bumper extension can include a plurality of outwardly angled, substantially parallel ridges that deform outwardly and downwardly to push an impacted object away from danger and to fill a gap between the vehicle and the ground.