Integrated Forklift Radar-Camera Sensor Structure for Cable Routing

The patent merges the laser radar and camera into a single integrated sensor device mounted at the top of the forklift. The support structure holds both sensors together, allowing their cables to be routed through a single location rather than requiring separate cable paths from different mounting positions. This combining approach maintains the sensing coverage benefits while eliminating the cable routing complexity that would result from distributed sensor placement.

The patent utilizes vertical space by mounting the integrated sensor device at the top of the forklift body, leveraging the height dimension. The support structure extends vertically with the laser radar positioned at a higher elevation than the camera, allowing both sensors to achieve optimal field of view and sensing coverage while remaining integrated. This vertical arrangement provides wide-angle coverage without requiring horizontal separation that would complicate cable routing.

The patent employs asymmetric mounting of the laser radar with its centerline inclined relative to the vertical direction. The support structure is designed to accommodate this inclined orientation, positioning the radar at an angle that optimizes obstacle detection coverage for forklift operations. This asymmetric configuration enhances sensing capability while the integrated support structure maintains installation simplicity by providing pre-configured mounting angles.