Research On Forklift Cab Based On Ergonomics

Today, ergonomics is widely applied in products for the aged, medical treatment, IT, productdesign, transportation, training, virtual environment, etc. Ergonomics is valued because of its functionin optimization of human-beings, product and the environment, balancing the role of human,considering human’s health, and making the highest work efficiency. Forklift is a kind of engineeringcar with the function of lifting and short-distance transportation. It is usually used in manufacturingand depositary. Recent years, with the development of logistics and the level of machinary operation,forklift car is more and more widely used in our country.But, during the operation of a forklift, uncomfortableness or potential dangerous will occure dueto the defect of the ergonomics design.Many countries continuously pay attention to the ergonomicsdesign of forklift, to make it superiority in the competition. China possesses the largest forklift market,with a quick shifting from product manufacturing to product design. Ergonomics research for forkliftcar makes great sense today.This thesis researches on forklift cab by four parts. Firstly, the author studies the assemblies andarrangement of forklift cab, analyses the traits of forklift cab, and proposes design advices accordingto each trait.Secondly, creatively, the thesis systematicly studies from the standpoint of “human, machine, andenvironment”, about the ergonomics needs of forklift cab，which contains human factors of sittingposition and standing position, machine factors of each handal parts, feet control parts, displayingparts, chair, etc., and also environment factors of sound and lighting.Thirdly, based on the ergonomics needs research, the thesis deeply analysises the method ofergonomics design of forklift cab. With questionnaire, the author successfully grasps usefulinformation of operators, working situation, working comfortbleness. Using ergonomics theories, theauthor comprehensively studies the design method of chair, pedal, stearing wheel, handle, button,instruments, and accessories, the design method of color, material, and modeling. Also, the method ofenvironment design is discussed. By computer-aided means, the thesis constructs three dimensionalmodels of each part of the cab, as design practice.Lastly, the thesis researches the evaluation method of ergonimics desin of the forklift cab,proposes ergonomics evaluation system based on evaluation target and its applying scope; researchesthe computer-aided evaluation methods, and evaluates the cab design by CATIA.