Multiple zone sensing for materials handling vehicles
First Claim
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1. A materials handling vehicle having detection zone control comprising:
- a power unit for driving the vehicle;
a load handling assembly that extends from the power unit;
at least one contactless obstacle sensor on the vehicle 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; and
a controller that is configured to control at least one aspect of the vehicle, the controller further configured to receive information obtained from the at least one obstacle sensor to;
perform a stop action if the vehicle is traveling 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 at a speed greater than the first predetermined speed and an obstacle is detected in a second one of the detection zones comprising a first speed zone; and
perform a second speed reduction action to reduce the speed of the vehicle to a second predetermined speed different from the first predetermined speed if the vehicle is traveling at a speed greater than the second predetermined speed and an obstacle is detected in a third one of the detection zones comprising a second speed zone.
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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 having detection zone control comprising:
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a power unit for driving the vehicle; a load handling assembly that extends from the power unit; at least one contactless obstacle sensor on the vehicle 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; and a controller that is configured to control at least one aspect of the vehicle, the controller further configured to receive information obtained from the at least one obstacle sensor to; perform a stop action if the vehicle is traveling 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 at a speed greater than the first predetermined speed and an obstacle is detected in a second one of the detection zones comprising a first speed zone; and perform a second speed reduction action to reduce the speed of the vehicle to a second predetermined speed different from the first predetermined speed if the vehicle is traveling at a speed greater than the second predetermined speed and an obstacle is detected in a third one of the detection zones comprising a second speed zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A materials handling vehicle having detection zone control comprising:
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a power unit for driving the vehicle; a load handling assembly that extends from the power unit; at least one contactless obstacle sensor on the vehicle operable to define at least two speed zones, each speed zone being defined in an area at least partially in front of a forward traveling direction of the vehicle and defining a unique predetermined maximum speed greater than zero (0) miles per hour; and a controller configured to receive information obtained from the at least one obstacle sensor to limit the vehicle speed to the predetermined maximum speed of a corresponding one of the at least two speed zones based upon the detection of an obstacle in that speed zone. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification