Autonomous Forklift Laser Scanner Field Switching for Safe Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial trucks face challenges in preventing collisions with people and objects, particularly when unloading goods in danger areas, which requires increased personal protection, reduced space requirements, and avoidance of additional emergency stop buttons.
Innovation Solution
The industrial truck is equipped with a control system that includes a detector device with a laser scanner, allowing for automatic switching of protective and warning fields based on the truck's position and detected obstacles, enabling safe operation without the need for an additional emergency stop button.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the laser scanner is switched off when approaching the unloading position in the supermarket, then the AGV can enter the danger zone, but goods already present cannot be detected reliably and personal protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the protective field width variable rather than fixed. The control system automatically adjusts the protective field width based on the AGV's position and detected obstacles: using full width for pedestrian path monitoring, reducing width when entering the supermarket lane to enable goods detection, and expanding width again when obstacles are detected. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between enabling supermarket entry and maintaining reliable detection.
2Area of stationary object
If a narrow protective field is used to look under the load carrier, then space requirements are reduced, but personnel protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the protective field width based on real-time conditions. When no obstacles are detected, the narrow field looks under the load carrier to maximize space utilization. When persons or objects are detected in the travel path, the field automatically expands to provide comprehensive personnel protection. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between space efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the environment using the detector device and adjusts the protective field width accordingly. The feedback loop detects obstacles and triggers automatic field expansion, ensuring personnel protection is maintained while allowing narrow field operation for space optimization during normal operations.
3Area of stationary object
If the laser scanner field is switched early to the narrow protective field with PLd, then space is optimized, but safe crossing of pedestrian walkways cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by first using the full-width protective field to safely cross the pedestrian path and detect obstacles before entering the supermarket. Only after confirming the path is clear does the system switch to the narrow protective field for space-optimized operation in the supermarket lane. This preliminary safety check resolves the contradiction between space optimization and pedestrian path safety.
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
This solution enhances personal protection during unloading, reduces space requirements, and eliminates the need for an additional emergency stop button, while ensuring safe passage over pedestrian paths by preventing premature switching off of the laser scanner or activation of the narrow protective field.
Implementation Method 1
a detector device for detecting persons and/or objects in the travel path is connected to the control system
Implementation Method 2
a detector device for detecting persons and/or objects in the travel path is connected to the control system
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a forklift truck (1) designed for driverless, autonomous operation for transporting a load (2), comprising at least: - a control system (3) that controls and steers the forklift truck (1), - an evaluation unit (4) that generates a signal to stop the forklift truck (1), wherein a detector device (5) for detecting persons and/or objects in the travel path is connected to the control system (3), wherein the control system (3) is configured to check a protective (24) and/or warning field (25) of the detector device (5) and wherein the protective (24) and/or warning field (25) can be automatically switched depending on the position of the forklift truck (1) and/or detected obstacles in the travel path of the forklift truck (1).