Abstract: A grease hold extends in an axial direction from one end of a rotary pin to an eccentric portion, and a pair of grease injection holes communicating to the grease hole is open on the outer circumferential surface of the eccentric portion. These grease injection holes are arranged so as to be axially separated on both sides from a central portion C of the eccentric portion by L/4 when L is an length of the eccentric portion.

Abstract: A sensor installation structure and method for a potentiometer located on the exterior of a fork lift. A sensor cover is fixed to a bracket to protect the potentiometer. The cover has an opening permitting the passage of lead wires. A fluid sealant is charged between the cover and the potentiometer to seal the potentiometer.

Abstract: A steering device for an industrial vehicle such as forklift. A pair of knuckle arms are rotatably supported at the ends of a rear axle. Each knuckle arm supports a rear wheel. A cylinder located in the rear axle includes an actuator rod. A pair of tie-rods couple the ends of the actuator rod to the knuckle arms. A toe angle adjusting mechanism is located between one end of the actuator rod and the corresponding tie-rod. The toe angle adjusting mechanism includes an adjuster pin having an eccentric shaft. The toe angle of the rear wheel that does not have the toe angle adjusting mechanism is adjusted by changing the neutral position of the actuator rod relative to the cylinder. Thereafter, the toe angle of the other rear wheel is adjusted by the toe angle adjusting mechanism, which facilitates adjustment of the toe angle of the wheels. The location and number of angle adjusting mechanisms are varied in alternate embodiments.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle has a frame and an axle swingalbly connected with the frame, wherein a cylinder interposed between the frame and the axle selectively extends and retracts so as to absorb a swinging motion of the axle. The cylinder is coupled to the frame and the axle in a rotatable manner within a plane intersecting an axis of a center about which the axle swings.

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 rear axle beam for pivotally supporting a body frame of an industrial vehicle, including a boss-engaging areas formed on each end of the axle beam, and at least a pair of bosses, is provided. Each boss includes an axle-engaging area and is fixed to a respective end of the axle beam such that each axle-engaging area engages with a corresponding one of the boss-engaging areas. The novel axle beam reduces the force applied to weld beads between the bosses and the rear axle body of industrial vehicles.

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: An electromagnetic valve for a vehicle that returns at least some of the hydraulic oil sent to a hydraulic actuator is provided. The valve has a body, two passages located at intermediate portions of two pipes, respectively, an oil path passing through the body for connecting the two passages to return the hydraulic oil from the one pipe to the other, and a valve mechanism provided within the body, the valve mechanism including a portion of the oil path and a valve body for opening and closing the oil path. Each of the two passages includes a bypass passage that does not pass through the valve mechanism. Therefore, the pressure loss of the hydraulic oil passing through the valve when the valve is closed is not significant.

Abstract: An improved axle control apparatus for industrial vehicles. A multi-movement hydraulic cylinder is provided at each end of a rear axle to couple the rear axle with a body frame. Each cylinder has a pair of oil chambers, which are defined by a piston. The oil chambers of the same cylinder are connected with each other by an oil line. An electromagnetic valve is located in each oil line. When the electromagnetic valves open the lines, oil flow between the chambers of the same cylinders is permitted. This permits the pistons to move. When the electromagnetic valve closes the lines, oil flow between the chambers of the same cylinders is prohibited. This locks the pistons. When the pistons in both cylinders are movable, the rear axle is permitted to tilt relative to the body frame. The rear axle is locked by locking the piston of at least one of the cylinders. Thus, if one of the cylinders is malfunctioning, the rear axle is locked by the other cylinder. The reliability of the apparatus is improved accordingly.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle has a frame and an axle pivotally coupled with the frame by way of a pair of hydraulic cylinders. The cylinders each have a hollow body that defines a hydraulic chamber therein, a piston fitted in the chamber and a piston rod that has a distal end located outside the body to engage an upper surface of the axle. The chamber communicates with a hydraulic circuit to regulate the cylinders. The piston rod has at its end a follower contacting the upper surface of the axle.

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: A structure for mounting a hydraulic damper to a vehicle body is provided. The damper has a first end and a second end. The vehicle includes a vehicle frame that has a first bracket connected to the first end and an axle that has a second bracket connected to the second end. The axle is arranged to be pivotal with respect to the frame. The damper changes its length based on a swinging action of the axle. The first bracket has a first support hole. The second bracket has a second support hole. The first end has a first through hole and the second end has a second through hole. The first end and the second end of the damper are rotatably connected with the first bracket and the second bracket, respectively, by a shaft extending through at least one of the support holes and the associated through hole in a rotatable manner about its axis.