A demisting device for a laser navigation head of an unmanned fork truck

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of fog removal device of unmanned fork truck laser navigation head, including heating device and laser navigation head, further include air guide mechanism, the air guide mechanism includes the upper cover and lower cover being connected, and the gas storage cavity being arranged between upper cover, lower cover, the annular air outlet is opened in the laser navigation head place opposite to the gas storage cavity;The air inlet of the gas storage cavity is connected with the hot air outlet of heating device.The air guide mechanism of the utility model forms gas storage cavity in its interior, gathers hot air in gas storage cavity, avoids hot air diffusion;In addition, the two side walls of the air outlet of air guide mechanism are all inclined to set, so that the air outlet direction of air outlet is towards the laser navigation head at center and converges, improves the demisting effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of unmanned forklift technology, specifically to a defogging device for an unmanned forklift laser navigation head. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the logistics industry and the accelerated pace of intelligent transformation, unmanned forklifts, as core equipment in intelligent warehousing, are gradually becoming an indispensable part of the modern logistics system. Currently, they are mainly used in scenarios where manual operation is unsuitable, such as hazardous, polluted, and high / low temperature warehouses.

[0003] Unmanned forklifts, also known as automated guided forklifts, are intelligent handling equipment that achieves autonomous positioning, path planning, and obstacle avoidance through technologies such as laser navigation, visual recognition, or magnetic strip guidance, completing the task of moving goods without human intervention.

[0004] Unmanned forklifts operating in cold storage primarily rely on laser navigation technology for autonomous operation. However, because laser navigation systems are significantly affected by ambient temperature, when an unmanned forklift is leaving the cold storage, the large temperature difference between the inside and outside causes moisture in the air to condense on the glass cover of the laser navigation head, forming fog and water droplets that adhere to its surface. This affects the laser navigation head's ability to determine the received and transmitted position information, potentially leading to navigation errors or obstacle avoidance failures. Consequently, the unmanned forklift must wait at the cold storage entrance until the laser navigation system recovers before resuming operation, severely impacting operational efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, current methods for defogging the outer glass of the laser navigation head include adding anti-fog coatings and heating devices. A commonly used and cost-effective method is hot air defogging, which uses a fan to blow hot air generated by a PTC heater onto the outer glass of the laser navigation head to achieve defogging. However, in low-temperature cold storage environments, the strong diffusion and low temperature of hot air result in poor defogging on the surface of the laser navigation head's outer glass, still affecting the operational safety of the unmanned forklift. Utility Model Content

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a defogging device for the laser navigation head of an unmanned forklift, thereby improving the defogging effect on the outer glass surface of the laser navigation head without affecting the driving and operation safety of the unmanned forklift.

[0007] The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0008] A defogging device for a laser navigation head of an unmanned forklift includes a heating device and a laser navigation head, and also includes an air guiding mechanism. The air guiding mechanism includes an upper cover and a lower cover connected together, and an air storage cavity disposed between the upper cover and the lower cover. The air storage cavity has an annular air outlet facing the laser navigation head. The air inlet of the air storage cavity is connected to the hot air outlet of the heating device.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the upper cover includes an upper cap and an upper cover bottom connected together. The upper cap is a hemispherical structure, and the bottom edge of the upper cap is connected to the upper cover bottom to form an air storage cavity. A through hole is coaxially opened at the center of the upper cap and the upper cover bottom.

[0010] In a further embodiment, an air vent communicating with the air storage chamber is provided on the bottom of the upper cover, and an installation hole is provided on the outer side of the bottom of the upper cover.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the lower cover includes a lower cover bottom, and a through lower cover cylinder is installed at the center of the lower cover bottom; the top end of the lower cover cylinder passes through the upper cover and forms an annular air outlet with the top edge of the upper cover; an air guide pipe connected to the air inlet of the air storage chamber is installed on the lower cover bottom.

[0012] In a further embodiment, both sides of the air outlet are inclined, wherein the outer side wall of the air outlet is the upper cover, and the angle between it and the horizontal line is α; the inner side wall of the air outlet is the lower cover cylinder, and the angle between it and the horizontal line is β, and α < β.

[0013] Preferably, a mounting cavity for accommodating the laser navigation head is formed in the middle of the air outlet, and the laser navigation head is fixed in the mounting cavity by a support frame.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the air guide mechanism is mounted on the vehicle mounting plate of the forklift via an adjustment mechanism; the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment bracket, one end of which is fixed to the vehicle mounting plate, and the other end passes through the air guide mechanism and is threadedly fixed with a locking component.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the heating device includes a fan and a PTC heater. One port of the PTC heater is connected to the air outlet of the fan, and the other port is connected to the air inlet of the air storage chamber through a duct.

[0016] The air guiding mechanism of this invention forms an air storage cavity inside, which gathers hot air and prevents hot air diffusion.

[0017] In this invention, the air outlet of the air guide mechanism is designed as a ring structure with a small opening, allowing the hot air to have a certain air pressure. When the laser navigation head is placed in the mounting cavity located at the center of the air outlet, the high-pressure hot air discharged through the air outlet makes all-round contact with the outer periphery of the laser navigation head.

[0018] In this utility model's air guiding mechanism, both sides of the air outlet are inclined, with the outer side wall forming an angle 'a' with the horizontal line and the inner side wall forming an angle 'b' with the horizontal line, and 'a' < 'b'. This causes the airflow direction of the air outlet to converge towards the laser navigation head at the center, improving the defogging effect.

[0019] The installation height of the air guide mechanism in this application can be adjusted according to the height of the laser navigation head, which has universal applicability and adjustability.

[0020] Therefore, the air guide mechanism set in this utility model avoids the moisture in the air from liquefying on the outer glass of the laser navigation head due to the temperature difference in the environment, forming fog and water droplets that adhere to its surface and affect the operation of the laser navigation head, thereby improving the safety of forklift operation. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a front view of the air guiding mechanism in this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the air guide mechanism in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the air guiding mechanism in this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the upper cover in this utility model;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the upper cover in this utility model;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lower cover in this utility model;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of this utility model on a forklift;

[0029] In the diagram: 10 Vehicle mounting plate, 20 Fan, 21 PTC heater, 22 Air duct, 30 Laser navigation head, 40 Air guide mechanism, 41 Adjustment bracket, 42 Locking component, 43 Top cover, 431 Top cover cap, 432 Top cover bottom, 433 Mounting hole, 434 Air vent, 435 Air storage chamber, 44 Bottom cover, 441 Bottom cover, 442 Bottom cover cylinder, 45 Air duct, 46 Mounting cavity, 47 Air outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0031] Please see Figure 1-8 This embodiment provides a defogging device for a laser navigation head of an unmanned forklift, including a heating device and a laser navigation head 30, and also includes an air guiding mechanism 40. The air guiding mechanism 40 includes an upper cover 43 and a lower cover 44 connected together, and an air storage cavity 435 disposed between the upper cover 43 and the lower cover 44. The air storage cavity 435 has an annular air outlet 47 facing the laser navigation head 30. The air inlet of the air storage cavity 435 is connected to the hot air outlet of the heating device.

[0032] The hot air generated by the heating device is introduced into the air guide mechanism, where it is collected in the air storage chamber 435. Then, it is blown hot air from all directions onto the outer periphery of the laser navigation head through the annular air outlet 47. This prevents the hot air from diffusing, thus avoiding the condensation of moisture in the air on the outer glass of the laser navigation head due to ambient temperature differences, preventing the formation of fog and water droplets that could affect the operation of the laser navigation head and improve forklift operation safety.

[0033] like Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the upper cover 43 includes an upper cap 431 and an upper cover bottom 432 connected together. The upper cap 431 is a hemispherical structure. The bottom edge of the upper cap is connected to the upper cover bottom 432 to form an air storage cavity 435. A through hole is coaxially opened at the center of the upper cap 431 and the upper cover bottom 432.

[0034] An air duct 434 communicating with the air storage chamber 435 is provided on the bottom of the upper cover 432. The other end of the air duct 434 is connected to the hot air outlet of the heating device to introduce hot air into the air storage chamber. An installation hole 433 is provided on the outer side of the bottom of the upper cover 432.

[0035] In this embodiment, the upper cap 431 is a hemispherical structure, and the upper cap bottom 432 is an annular flat plate. The bottom edge of the upper cap is sealed and fixedly connected to the middle of the upper cap bottom 432, so that the two form a cavity on the inner side after being connected (e.g., Figure 5 As shown), a connecting platform is formed on the outer side. The air guide 434 is located on the inner side and communicates with the air storage chamber 435. The mounting hole 433 is located on the connecting platform on the outer side of the bottom of the upper cover 432 and is used to install the adjustment bracket 41.

[0036] like Figure 7As shown, the lower cover 44 includes a lower cover bottom 441, with a through lower cover cylinder 442 installed at the center of the lower cover bottom 441; the top of the lower cover cylinder 442 passes through the upper cover 43 (i.e., through a through hole coaxially opened at the center of the upper cover cap 431 and the upper cover bottom 432) and forms an annular air outlet 47 with the top edge of the upper cover 43; a guide pipe 45 connected to the air inlet of the air storage chamber 435 is installed on the lower cover bottom 441. The guide pipe 45 is connected to the hot air outlet of the PTC heater 21 through the air pipe 22, thereby introducing hot air into the air storage chamber 435. That is, the lower cover bottom 441 and the upper cover bottom 432 are sealed and bonded, wherein the outlet of the guide pipe 45 is coaxially arranged and connected with the air inlet 434; then the air storage chamber 435 is formed by the upper cover bottom 432, the upper cover cap 431 and the lower cover cylinder 442 (as shown). Figure 3 , 4 As shown in the figure, the top of the upper cap 431 and the lower cap 442 form an air outlet 47 for discharging hot air. The air outlet 47 is annular and has a small opening.

[0037] Specifically, both sides of the air outlet 47 are inclined. The outer side of the air outlet 47 is the upper cap 431 of the upper cover 43, with an angle of a with the horizontal line. The inner side of the air outlet 47 is the lower cover cylinder 442, with an angle of b with the horizontal line, and a < b. This makes the air outlet direction of the air outlet point towards the laser navigation head at the center and converge, thus improving the defogging effect.

[0038] In this embodiment, a mounting cavity 46 for accommodating the laser navigation head 30 is formed in the middle of the air outlet 47, and the laser navigation head 30 is fixed in the mounting cavity 46 by a support frame (e.g., Figure 1 , 2 (As shown). Specifically, the support frame can be mounted on the inner wall of the lower cover cylinder 442, thereby fixing the laser navigation head 30 in the mounting cavity 46.

[0039] In this embodiment, a vehicle mounting plate 10 is horizontally installed on the roof of the front of the unmanned forklift (e.g., ...). Figure 8As shown, the heating device and the air guide mechanism 40 are both mounted on the vehicle mounting plate 10. The air guide mechanism 40 is mounted on the vehicle mounting plate 10 of the forklift via an adjustment mechanism, allowing the height of the air guide mechanism 40 to be adjusted according to actual conditions, thereby making the detection of the laser navigation head 30 more accurate and wider in range. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment bracket 41, one end of which is fixed to the vehicle mounting plate 10, and the other end passes through the air guide mechanism 40 and is threadedly fixed with a locking member 42. Specifically, the locking member 42 is a locking nut, and the top of the adjustment bracket 41 has an external thread that mates with the locking nut; that is, locking nuts are used at both ends of the mounting hole 433 of the air guide mechanism 40 to connect to the adjustment bracket 41 threadedly, with the two locking nuts tightening in opposite directions, thereby fixing the air guide mechanism 40 to the adjustment bracket 41. The height of the air guide mechanism 40 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the locking nuts.

[0040] In this embodiment, the heating device includes a fan 20 and a PTC heater 21. One port of the PTC heater 21 is connected to the air outlet of the fan, and the other port is connected to the air inlet of the air storage chamber 435 through the air duct 22. When the PTC heater 21 is working, the fan 20 guides hot air into the air storage chamber 435 for accumulation, and then blows it out through the air outlet 47.

[0041] When the fan and PTC heater are working, hot air is guided through the air duct 22 into the air guide duct 45, and then into the air storage chamber 435. The hot air then accumulates in the air storage chamber 435, preventing hot air diffusion. Finally, it is discharged towards the center through the annular air outlet 47. Because the air outlet is a narrow annular opening, the hot air has a certain air pressure. The laser navigation head 30 is located in the mounting cavity 46 at the center of the air outlet, so its outer periphery can receive high-pressure hot air from all directions. This avoids the condensation of moisture in the air on the outer glass of the laser navigation head due to ambient temperature differences, forming fog and water droplets that adhere to its surface and affect the operation of the laser navigation head, thereby improving the safety of forklift operations.

[0042] The specific operation process is as follows:

[0043] S1. When the unmanned forklift leaves the warehouse, if the unmanned forklift is detected to have driven to station P11 inside the low-temperature warehouse door, the relay connected to the power supply terminal of the fan and PTC heater will be energized; the fan 20 and PTC heater 21 will start working.

[0044] S2. The fan introduces hot air heated by the PTC heater into the air guide mechanism. The hot air is collected in the air storage chamber 435 and then blows hot air to the laser navigation head through the annular air outlet 47.

[0045] S3. The unmanned forklift drives to the door of the low-temperature warehouse, opens the door, and continues to station P12 outside the door to close the door.

[0046] S4. After the unmanned forklift continues to travel for time t1, the relay disconnects its contacts, the fan 20 and PTC heater 21 are de-energized and stop, and the air guide mechanism no longer blows out hot air.

[0047] Specifically, the motor of the blower 20 and the PTC heating wire in the PTC heater 21 are connected in series to the contact terminals of the relay. The coil of the relay is electrically connected to the controller built into the unmanned forklift. When the controller receives the forklift's driving position detected by the laser navigation system, and it arrives at station P11, it controls the relay coil to be energized, its contacts to be closed, and the blower 20 and PTC heater 21 to be powered on and put into operation.

[0048] In this embodiment, stations P11 and P12 are two stations inside and outside the low-temperature warehouse door, respectively. The distance from the door can be determined based on the speed, length, and turning radius of the unmanned forklift at the implementation site. For example, it can be designed to be 3 meters to ensure that the outer glass of the laser navigation head does not fog up when the unmanned forklift exits the low-temperature warehouse door. In this embodiment, t1 can be designed to be 2 seconds.

[0049] This embodiment can control the operation or shutdown of the fan and PTC heater by switching the relay on and off, realizing the joint operation of station positioning, defogging on and off, and warehouse door opening and closing, thereby enabling unmanned vehicles to smoothly carry out warehouse entry and exit operations without stopping, and enhancing the smoothness of unmanned vehicle exit operation.

[0050] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0051] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A defogging device for a laser navigation head of an unmanned forklift, comprising a heating device and a laser navigation head (30), characterized in that: It also includes an air guide mechanism (40), which includes a connected upper cover (43) and a lower cover (44), and an air storage chamber (435) located between the upper cover (43) and the lower cover (44). The air storage chamber (435) has an annular air outlet (47) facing the laser navigation head (30). The air inlet of the air storage chamber (435) is connected to the hot air outlet of the heating device.

2. The demisting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper cover (43) includes an upper cap (431) and an upper cover bottom (432) connected together. The upper cap (431) is a hemispherical structure. The bottom edge of the upper cap is connected to the upper cover bottom (432) to form an air storage cavity (435). A through hole is coaxially opened at the center of the upper cap (431) and the upper cover bottom (432).

3. The demisting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: An air duct (434) communicating with the air storage chamber (435) is provided on the bottom of the upper cover (432), and an installation hole (433) is provided on the outer side of the bottom of the upper cover (432).

4. The demisting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower cover (44) includes a lower cover bottom (441), and a through lower cover cylinder (442) is installed at the center of the lower cover bottom (441); the top of the lower cover cylinder (442) passes through the upper cover (43) and forms an annular air outlet (47) with the top edge of the upper cover (43); an air guide pipe (45) connected to the air inlet of the air storage chamber (435) is installed on the lower cover bottom (441).

5. The demisting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Both sides of the air outlet (47) are inclined. The outer side of the air outlet (47) is the upper cover (43), which has an angle of a with the horizontal line; the inner side of the air outlet (47) is the lower cover cylinder (442), which has an angle of b with the horizontal line, and a < b.

6. The demisting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The air outlet (47) has a mounting cavity (46) in the middle for accommodating the laser navigation head (30), and the laser navigation head (30) is fixed in the mounting cavity (46) by a support frame.

7. The demisting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air guide mechanism (40) is installed on the vehicle mounting plate (10) of the forklift via an adjustment mechanism; the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment bracket (41), one end of which is fixed on the vehicle mounting plate (10), and the other end passes through the air guide mechanism (40) and is threadedly fixed by a locking member (42).

8. The demisting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating device includes a fan (20) and a PTC heater (21). One port of the PTC heater (21) is connected to the air outlet of the fan, and the other port is connected to the air inlet of the air storage chamber (435) through the air pipe (22).

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