INDUSTRIAL TRUCK CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20120143446A1
• Filed: 02/14/2012
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jungheinrich AG
• Original Assignee: Jungheinrich AG
• Inventors: TÜSHAUS, Bernd
• Granted Patent: US 8,731,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/24 Electrical devices or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0227 using mechanical sensing means, e.g. for sensing treated area
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0238 using obstacle or wall sensors G05D1/0246 and G05D1/0289 take precedence; lidar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S17/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0265 using buried wires
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0297 by controlling means in a control room

Abstract

The present invention relates to an industrial truck control system (10) for influencing the driving operation of an industrial truck (A, B) according to irregularities along the route to be travelled by the industrial truck (A, B), the system comprising a sensor device (14) for recording irregularities along the route in assignment to the position of irregularities concerned, a memory device (16) for storing the data recorded by the sensor device, and means (16) for influencing the driving operation of the industrial truck (A, B) in dependence on the respective position of the industrial truck (A, B) and according to the data of the sensor device (14) stored in the memory device (16).

Claims

1. An industrial truck control system for influencing the driving operation of an industrial truck according to one or more irregularities having positions along a route to be travelled by the industrial truck, comprising:

one or more sensors configured to identify at least one of said irregularities and record data regarding the position of said irregularity;

a memory device for storing the data recorded by said one or more sensors; and

a controller adapted to adjust the lifting height of a load part of the industrial truck based on a position of the industrial truck and the stored data regarding the position of said irregularity.

2. Industrial truck control system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sensors is an optical and/or electromagnetic and/or mechanical sensor.

3. Industrial truck control system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sensors includes a sensor configured to determine the position of the industrial truck.

4. Industrial truck control system according to claim 1, wherein said irregularities are recorded automatically or by manual input.

5. Industrial truck control system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more irregularities include unevennesses of the ground along the route.

6. Industrial truck control system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more irregularities include narrow points or obstacles along the route.

7. Industrial truck control system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is further configured to influence the speed of the industrial truck and/or steer the industrial truck.

8. Industrial truck control system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is adapted to adjust the lifting height of a load part of the industrial truck automatically.

9. Industrial truck control system according to claim 1, wherein said control system in mounted on said industrial truck.

10. Industrial truck control system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first transmitting/receiving unit configured to transmit said recorded data; and

a central computer that includes a second transmitting/receiving unit, wherein said central computer is configured to receive said recorded data from said industrial truck,

determine control data, and

transmit control data to one or more industrial trucks.

11. A method of influencing the driving operation of an industrial truck according to one or more irregularities having positions along a route to be travelled by the industrial truck, comprising:

identifying, using one or more sensors, at least one of said irregularities;

recording data regarding the position of said irregularity;

storing the data recorded by said one or more sensors in a memory; and

adjusting the lifting height of a load part of the industrial truck based on a position of the industrial truck and the stored data regarding the position of said irregularity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said one or more sensors is an optical and/or electromagnetic and/or mechanical sensor.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining the position of the industrial truck using at least one of said one or more sensors.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said one or more irregularities include unevennesses of the ground along the route.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said one or more irregularities include narrow points or obstacles along the route.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

influencing the speed of the industrial truck and/or steering the industrial truck.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the lifting height of the load part of the industrial truck is adjusted automatically.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

transmitting said recorded data from said industrial truck;

receiving said recorded data at a central computer;

determining control data, and

transmitting said control data to one or more industrial trucks.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said control data is transmitted to a different industrial truck.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein identifying occurs during a learning trip.