MULTIPLE ZONE SENSING FOR MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLES TRAVELING UNDER REMOTE CONTROL
First Claim
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1. A materials handling vehicle capable of supplemental remote control comprising:
- a power unit for driving the vehicle;
a load handling assembly that extends from the power unit;
a receiver at the vehicle for receiving transmissions from a corresponding remote control device, the transmissions comprising at least a first type signal designating a travel request requesting the vehicle to travel;
at least one contactless obstacle sensor on the vehicle that is operable to define at least two detection zones, each detection zone defining an area at least partially in front of a forward traveling direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request; and
a controller that communicates with the receiver and with a traction control system of the vehicle to operate the vehicle under remote control in response to receiving travel requests from the remote control device, wherein the controller receives information obtained from the at least one obstacle sensor and is configured to;
perform a first action if the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request and an obstacle is detected in a first one of the detection zones; and
perform a second action different from the first action if the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request and an obstacle is detected in a second one of the detection zones.
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Abstract
A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises one or more sensors capable of defining multiple contactless detection zones at least towards the front of the forward travel direction of a remotely controlled vehicle. The vehicle responds to the detection of objects within the designated zones based upon predetermined actions, such as to slow down or stop the vehicle, and/or to take other action, such as to perform a steer angle correction.
23 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A materials handling vehicle capable of supplemental remote control comprising:
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a power unit for driving the vehicle; a load handling assembly that extends from the power unit; a receiver at the vehicle for receiving transmissions from a corresponding remote control device, the transmissions comprising at least a first type signal designating a travel request requesting the vehicle to travel; at least one contactless obstacle sensor on the vehicle that is operable to define at least two detection zones, each detection zone defining an area at least partially in front of a forward traveling direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request; and a controller that communicates with the receiver and with a traction control system of the vehicle to operate the vehicle under remote control in response to receiving travel requests from the remote control device, wherein the controller receives information obtained from the at least one obstacle sensor and is configured to; perform a first action if the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request and an obstacle is detected in a first one of the detection zones; and perform a second action different from the first action if the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request and an obstacle is detected in a second one of the detection zones. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification