Projection Unit for a Self-Directing Mobile Platform, Transport Robot and Method for Operating a Self-Directing Mobile Platform

• US 20150042485A1
• Filed: 07/30/2014
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Guenther, Clemens, von Collani, Yorck, Suessemilch, Irene, Rohrer, Christoph, Roesch, Ramona, Linder, Stephanie, Fischer, Volker
• Granted Patent: US 9,508,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1674 characterised by safety, monitoring, diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/20 Lamp housings
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40196 Projecting light on floor to delimit danger zone around robot
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40202 Human robot coexistence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49157 Limitation, collision, interference, forbidden zones, avoid obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

A projection unit for a self-directing mobile platform, in particular for a freely moving transport robot and/or for one or more freely moving transport devices of a transport robot, is characterized in that the projection unit is adapted for signal transmission for projecting the movement path of the mobile platform, wherein the projection takes place within the spatial vicinity of the mobile platform.

Claims

1. A projection unit for a self-directing mobile platform, wherein the projection unit is configured to transmit signals projecting a movement path of the mobile platform, and the projection takes place within a spatial vicinity of the mobile platform.

2. The projection unit according to claim 1, wherein the self-directing mobile platform is at least one of a freely moving transport robot and one or more freely moving transport devices of a transport robot.

3. The projection unit according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit is configured to transmit an optical signal.

4. The projection unit according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit is configured to project the signals on at least one of a floor, one or more walls, and a ceiling.

5. The projection unit according to claim 1, wherein the projection of the movement path is represented in an interrupted manner.

6. The projection unit according to claim 1, wherein the projection includes at least one of texts, symbols, and other graphic representations.

7. The projection unit according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit comprises at least one of a laser projection unit and a light projection unit for emitting conventional visible light.

8. The projection unit according to claim 1, wherein the self-directing mobile platform includes at least one sensor unit configured measure at least one of optical distance and movement within the spatial vicinity of the mobile platform.

9. The projection unit according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the projection unit and the self-directed mobile platform includes a monitoring calculation device assigned to the projection unit.

17. The projection unit according to claim 5, wherein the projection of the movement path is represented in at least one of dashed and dotted lines.

18. The projection unit according to claim 7, wherein the projection unit comprises a micro-laser projection unit.

19. The projection unit according to claim 8, wherein the sensor unit operates with at least one of laser beams and radio waves.

10. A self-directing mobile platform, comprising:

at least one projection unit configured to transmit signals projecting a movement path of the self-directing mobile platform, and the projection takes place within a spatial vicinity of the mobile platform.

11. A method for operating a self-directing mobile platform, comprising:

projecting a movement path of the self-directing mobile platform in the spatial vicinity of the mobile platform.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

measuring at least one of an optical distance and a movement within the spatial vicinity of the self-directing mobile platform.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

projecting an alternative movement path of the mobile platform upon detection of a person within the spatial vicinity of the mobile platform.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

at least partially switching off or reducing in intensity the projection of the movement path upon detection of a person within the spatial vicinity of the mobile platform.

15. A calculating or control unit comprising:

a memory unit configured with stored instructions to execute a computer program to perform the method according to claim 11.

16. A machine-readable carrier configured to store a computer program product with a program code for carrying out a method according to claim 11 when the program code is executed on a calculating unit or a control unit.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the self-directing mobile platform is at least one of a freely moving transport robot and one or more freely moving transport devices of a transport robot.