Multiple zone sensing for materials handling vehicles
First Claim
1. A materials handling vehicle capable of supplemental remote control comprising:
- a power unit for driving the vehicle;
a load handling assembly;
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 operable to scan 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 being associated with a unique predetermined maximum speed greater than zero (0) miles per hour; 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, if the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request from the remote control device, the controller is configured 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.
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Abstract
A materials handling vehicle includes at least one contactless obstacle sensor that scans 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 being associated with a unique predetermined maximum speed greater than zero (0) miles per hour. A controller that receives information obtained from the at least one obstacle sensor and, if the vehicle is traveling under remote control, the controller is configured 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.
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Citations
36 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; 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 operable to scan 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 being associated with a unique predetermined maximum speed greater than zero (0) miles per hour; 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, if the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request from the remote control device, the controller is configured 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 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A multiple detection zone system for a materials handling vehicle comprising:
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at least one contactless obstacle sensor for mounting on the vehicle, the at least one obstacle sensor operable to scan 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 being associated with a unique predetermined maximum speed greater than zero (0) miles per hour; and wherein; if the vehicle is traveling under remote control, a controller on the vehicle is configured 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 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for operating a materials handling vehicle utilizing multiple detection zones comprising:
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defining a first speed zone in an area at least partially in front of a forward traveling direction of the vehicle, the first speed zone being associated with a first predetermined maximum speed greater than zero (0) miles per hour; defining a second speed zone in an area at least partially in front of the forward traveling direction of the vehicle, the second speed zone being associated with a second predetermined maximum speed greater than zero (0) miles per hour and different than the first predetermined maximum speed; if the vehicle is traveling in response to the receipt of a remote travel request and an obstacle is detected in the first speed zone, limiting the speed of the vehicle to the first predetermined maximum speed; and if the vehicle is traveling in response to the receipt of a remote travel request and an obstacle is detected in the second speed zone, limiting the speed of the vehicle to the second predetermined maximum speed. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification