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;
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; and
at least one presence sensor for detecting whether an operator is positioned on the vehicle, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the vehicle under remote control when the at least one presence sensor designates that no operator is on the vehicle.
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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.
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Citations
17 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; 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; and at least one presence sensor for detecting whether an operator is positioned on the vehicle, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the vehicle under remote control when the at least one presence sensor designates that no operator is on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. 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 three 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; 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 stop 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 comprising a stop zone; perform a first speed reduction action to reduce the speed of the vehicle to a first predetermined speed 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 comprising a first speed reduction zone; and perform a second speed reduction action to reduce the speed of the vehicle to a second predetermined speed different than the first predetermined speed if the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request and an obstacle is detected in a third one of the detection zones comprising a second speed reduction zone; and at least one presence sensor for detecting whether an operator is positioned on the vehicle, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the vehicle under remote control when the at least one presence sensor designates that no operator is on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. 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 comprising a stop 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 comprising a stop zone; 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; wherein the controller is further configured to refuse to operate the vehicle under remote control in response to receipt of a travel request received from the remote control device if an obstacle is detected within the stop zone before the vehicle begins travel; and at least one presence sensor for detecting whether an operator is positioned on the vehicle, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the vehicle under remote control when the at least one presence sensor designates that no operator is on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification