Forklift Acceleration Control Based on Recent Driver Behavior

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing materials handling vehicles lack adaptive control mechanisms that accurately adjust acceleration limits based on the operator's recent driving behavior, leading to suboptimal performance in semi-automated operations.

Innovation Solution

A controller monitors vehicle drive parameters during a recent manual operation, replacing previous data with new data to calculate adaptive acceleration limits for semi-automated driving, using weighted averages to smooth and determine maximum acceleration based on recent driving behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed acceleration limits are used in semi-automated operations, then the control system is simple to implement, but the system cannot adapt to varying operator driving styles and conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptability to operator driving styleVSAvoidComplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring and data collection during manual operations before semi-automated operations begin. The controller stores drive parameter data from recent manual operations and uses this pre-collected information to establish adaptive acceleration limits when semi-automated mode is activated, eliminating the need for real-time adaptation during automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring drive parameters during manual operations and using this information to adjust acceleration limits in subsequent semi-automated operations. The controller continuously updates the stored drive parameter data based on the most recent manual operation, creating a feedback loop that adapts the system to the operator's driving style over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If acceleration limits are based on historical data from previous operations, then the system is stable, but it does not reflect the operator's current driving behavior

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStability of control parametersVSAvoidResponsiveness to current driving behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static, fixed acceleration limits to dynamic, adaptive limits that change based on the most recent manual operation. The controller updates the stored drive parameter data with each new manual operation, allowing the acceleration limits to dynamically adapt to the operator's current driving style while maintaining stability through systematic data replacement rather than random changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically updates the stored drive parameter data with each new manual operation. This periodic refresh ensures that the acceleration limits are based on the most recent driving behavior while maintaining a stable update cycle that prevents excessive or erratic adjustments to the control parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4442634B1Adaptive acceleration for materials handling vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 CROWN EQUIP CORP
  • EP4442634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442634B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4442634B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for operating a materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: monitoring, by a controller, a vehicle drive parameter during a most recent manual operation of the vehicle by an operator; replacing, by the controller, any stored first data regarding the monitored vehicle drive parameter associated with a previous manual operation of the vehicle by the operator with second data regarding the monitored vehicle drive parameter during the most recent manual operation of the vehicle, the second data not being based on the first data; receiving, by the controller, a request to implement a semi-automated driving operation; and based on the second data regarding the monitored vehicle drive parameter corresponding to the most recent manual operation, controlling by the controller, implementation of the semi-automated driving operation. The invention also provides a system for operating a materials handling vehicle comprising: a memory storing executable instructions; a processor in communication with the memory, the processor when executing the executable instructions: monitors a vehicle drive parameter during a most recent manual operation of the vehicle by an operator; replaces any stored first data regarding the monitored vehicle drive parameter associated with a previous manual operation of the vehicle by the operator with second data regarding the monitored vehicle drive parameter during the most recent manual operation of the vehicle, the second data not being based on the first data; receives a request to implement a semi-automated driving operation; and controls implementation of the semi-automated driving operation based on the second data regarding the monitored vehicle drive parameter corresponding to the most recent manual operation.