MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLE MAST HEIGHT SENSOR

摘要

A knurled wheel (151, 182) is coupled to a sensor mounted to one mast member (122) and the wheel is forced into another mast member (124) so that the wheel/sensor rotate upon mast movement. The sensor generates signals, corresponding to mast movement, which are processed conventionally to determine mast height, etc. The knurled wheel forms a track (170) on the contacted mast member and the knurl engages the track. The wheel can be forced into the mast member with a force of six to nine pounds (27 to 40 N). To enhance the versatility of the mast height sensing device, the thickness of the wheel can be made less than 1/8 inch (3.1mm), for example 1/16 inch (1.5mm). The sensor can be an encoder or a sensor bearing (160, 176) and a heater (H) can be provided for operation in cold environments to ensure rotation of the sensor under such conditions.