Automated Forklift Alignment Control for Precise Fork Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile object control systems face challenges in accurately aligning with target objects, leading to misalignment and improper conveyance.

Innovation Solution

A control method for mobile objects, including a mobile object and a computer-readable storage medium, utilizes sensors to detect the position and attitude of target objects, adjusts routes in real-time, and controls the operation of forks to ensure precise loading and unloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the mobile object is guided to face the target object using a near-infrared camera, then the mobile object can automatically move toward the target object, but misalignment of the target object with respect to the mobile object remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic movementVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously detects the position of the target object using a near-infrared camera and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the mobile object's movement based on this feedback to achieve precise alignment. This closed-loop control ensures that the mobile object can automatically move while maintaining high alignment accuracy by constantly monitoring and correcting its position relative to the target object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the mobile object is guided to face the target object, then automatic conveyance can be achieved, but the target object cannot be appropriately conveyed due to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic conveyanceVSAvoidconveyance accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives continuous position information from the near-infrared camera and adjusts the mobile object's trajectory in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that the mobile object maintains accurate alignment with the target object throughout the conveyance process, preventing misalignment issues while maintaining automatic operation and ensuring reliable conveyance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual alignment operations with an automated optical detection and control system. The near-infrared camera detects the target object's position, and the control unit automatically adjusts the mobile object's movement, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring precise alignment and reliable conveyance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate and efficient conveyance of target objects by aligning mobile objects with target objects, ensuring proper loading and unloading without misalignment.

Implementation Method 1

detecting the target object by a near-infrared camera disposed on the unmanned forklift

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear-infrared detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4206114B1Control method for mobile object, mobile object, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 MITSUBISHI LOGISNEXT CO LTD
  • EP4206114B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4206114B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4206114B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control method for a mobile object is a control method for a mobile object that automatically moves. The control method includes detecting a position of a target object to be conveyed with respect to the mobile object, and acquiring, based on a detection result of the position of the target object, positional information on the target object indicating the position of the target object with respect to the mobile object in a state in which a fork disposed on the mobile object is inserted into a hole formed on the target object.