The Design And Optimization Research Of Horizontal Type Electric Steering Wheel Of A Low Speed Forklift

As an important component of three-wheel omnidirectional forklift, electrical steering wheel’s structure and performance has significant effect on forklift size, load capacity, driving and steering ability. It is important to study its design and performance. Therefore, based on modern design theory and methods, electrical steering wheel of three-wheel omnidirectional forklift is studied in this paper to design structure and obtain optimization as following:1. A horizontally placed electrical steering wheel with transmission device is designed to reduce forklift loading platform height and ground clearance. A secondary reduction gear is designed to meet forklift requirement of driving at low speed with big torque transmission. MATLAB software is applied in optimization to improve the service life of the reduction gear.2. Based on analysis of forklift turning mode, a four bar linkage steering mechanism is designed to obtain steering mobility and huge steering angle. MATLAB software is applied in optimization to improve steering performance and save power.3. As key component of electrical steering wheel, L-bracket bears complicated forces and structure. It requires strong carrying capacity with virtue of lightweight. Based on forces analysis HyperWorks software is applied in finite element analysis and topology optimization to reduce L-bracket weight and improve material utilization.This paper provides important reference in three-wheel omnidirectional forklift electrical steering wheel design method, study theory and optimization model.