Glass Rack Vehicle Scanner Support for Collision-Free Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing self-propelled vehicles for handling glass-sheet supporting racks face issues with the laser scanner's exposure to collisions due to its placement on the wheel hub, leading to operating problems and incorrect functioning, especially on rough terrains.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly is introduced to move the laser scanner vertically with respect to the chassis, maintaining it at a constant distance from the ground and preventing collisions by synchronizing its height with the chassis, thus ensuring the laser scanner remains safe from obstacles while maintaining optimal functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the laser scanner is fixed to the wheel hub to maintain constant distance from ground, then the regulation requirement is met, but the scanner becomes exposed to collisions and operating problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent height control mechanisms: one for the chassis (via lifting system) and one for the laser scanner (via support assembly). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the chassis can be elevated for stability while the scanner remains at a safe, constant low height for collision prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the chassis and the laser scanner. It decouples the scanner's position from the chassis height, allowing the scanner to maintain a constant distance from ground regardless of chassis elevation, thereby preventing collisions while enabling chassis lifting for rack handling operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the chassis is lifted to handle glass-sheet racks, then the handling capability is improved, but the laser scanner becomes exposed to obstacles and collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly dynamically adjusts the laser scanner's vertical position in response to chassis elevation changes. When the chassis is lifted for rack handling, the support assembly maintains the scanner at a constant low height, creating a dynamic decoupling that allows simultaneous achievement of both rack handling capability and collision prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces an independent vertical dimension for the laser scanner position, separate from the chassis height dimension. This allows the scanner to operate in its own vertical plane, maintaining constant distance from ground while the chassis operates in a different vertical plane at variable heights for rack handling.
3Measurement precision
If the laser scanner is placed low to the ground for anti-collision function, then detection accuracy is improved, but the scanner is vulnerable to collisions with obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly provides beforehand protection by maintaining the laser scanner at a predetermined safe distance from the ground. This pre-established protective positioning prevents collisions before they can occur, ensuring operational continuity while preserving the scanner's low-position detection accuracy for obstacle detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A self-propelled vehicle (1) for handling glass-sheet supporting racks (100) of the type comprising a front rack-supporting section (2) and a rear drive section (3), both provided with ground-resting wheels; the front rack-supporting section (2) comprising: an oblong chassis (7) which is movable vertically with respect to the rear drive section (3), and is provided with two longitudinal beams (8) that extend parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis (L) and delimit a large central compartment (9) open at the front and adapted to accommodate a glass-sheet supporting rack (100); at least one pair of front ground-resting wheels (4) that are located underneath said longitudinal beams (8); at least one optoelectronic sensing device (30) which is adapted to control/scan the space in front of/facing the vehicle; and a support assembly (31) which is integral with the oblong chassis (7), holds the optoelectronic sensing device (30), and is capable of moving said optoelectronic sensing device (30) vertically relative to the oblong chassis (7).