Forklift Warning Signal Sensing for Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forklift trucks, particularly autonomous ones, face a high risk of collisions due to limited visibility in environments with storage racks and poor visibility, necessitating improved collision avoidance systems.
Innovation Solution
Equipping forklift trucks with sensors, such as cameras and microphones, to detect warning signals like light patterns or acoustic signals projected onto the roadway, and a data processing unit to determine the spatial position of these signals, allowing the truck to adjust its movement characteristics to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If optical warning devices project light effects onto the roadway to warn of approaching trucks, then visibility and early warning capability are improved, but the system cannot detect or respond to these warning signals from other trucks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors (optical sensors like cameras and acoustic sensors like microphones) as intermediary devices that detect warning signals from other industrial trucks. These sensors capture the light patterns or acoustic signals projected by other trucks' warning devices, enabling the data processing device to determine spatial positions and initiate collision avoidance maneuvers.
2Productivity
If autonomous forklift trucks operate in environments with storage racks and restricted visibility, then productivity and automation are improved, but collision risk increases due to limited visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously detect warning signals from other trucks, the data processing device determines spatial positions of these signals, and the system responds by adjusting movement characteristics (speed, direction) to avoid collisions. This closed-loop feedback enables autonomous trucks to operate safely in restricted visibility environments.
3Reliability
If the data processing device determines spatial position of warning signals and adjusts movement characteristics, then collision avoidance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes: sensors detect both the presence and spatial position of warning signals, the data processing device performs both signal analysis and movement control decisions, and the movement characteristic adjustments serve both safety and navigation functions. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the advanced capabilities.
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 effective collision avoidance by allowing autonomous forklift trucks to react early to potential collisions, reducing the risk of accidents by adapting speed and direction based on detected warning signals, applicable to both autonomous and manual trucks.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor comprises an optical sensor, in particular a camera, which is configured to detect a light pattern projected onto a roadway as a warning signal
Implementation Method 2
the sensor comprises an acoustic sensor, in particular a microphone, which is configured to detect an acoustic warning signal as a warning signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a forklift truck (3), in particular an autonomous forklift truck (3), with a sensor (17) which is configured to detect a warning signal (13) and to generate a sensor signal in response to the detected warning signal (13), wherein the sensor signal represents the detected warning signal (13); and a data processing device (19) which is configured to determine a spatial position of the warning signal (13) relative to the forklift truck (3) on the basis of the sensor signal, wherein the data processing device (19) is further configured to output a control signal for controlling a movement characteristic of the forklift truck (3) depending on the determined spatial position of the warning signal (13).