Lifting Platform Control With Overhead Obstacle Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The lifting platform of computer room inspection robots often collides with obstacles such as ceilings or hanging objects due to outdated maps or uncalibrated sensors, leading to potential damage and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A control device equipped with first and second distance measuring sensors and a safety redundant control circuit to measure and adjust the lifting platform's height dynamically, preventing collisions by generating elevation instructions and cutting power to the motor if necessary, ensuring safe operation even with map changes or sensor failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the lifting platform raises to inspect devices at higher positions, then the inspection capability is improved, but the risk of collision with overhead obstacles increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection capabilityVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using distance measuring sensors to detect obstacles before the lifting platform reaches heights that would cause collision. The system proactively identifies overhead obstacles and prevents the platform from rising to dangerous heights, thereby eliminating the collision risk before it can materialize.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control through distance measuring sensors that continuously monitor the space above the lifting platform. When an obstacle is detected within a safe distance, the system provides feedback to the control device, which then adjusts or stops the lifting operation to maintain a safe distance from the obstacle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If sensors are used to detect obstacles, then collision prevention is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical obstacle detection systems with electronic distance measuring sensors. Instead of using mechanical switches, pressure sensors, or complex mechanical linkages to detect obstacles, the system uses optical or electromagnetic sensing technologies that are more reliable, require less maintenance, and can be integrated more easily into the control system.

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

Prevents collisions with obstacles by dynamically adjusting the lifting platform's height and providing safety redundancy, enhancing operational safety and efficiency in computer room inspections.

Implementation Method 1

control the first distance measuring sensor to measure a first distance between the top of the detection device and an obstacle directly above the detection device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4080101B1Control device of lifting platform for detection device and detection device
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 JD DIGITS HAIYI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4080101B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4080101B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4080101B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a detection device (1) and a control device of a lifting platform (11) thereof, wherein the control device is used for controlling the lifting platform (11) of the detection device (1), wherein the control device comprises a first distance measuring sensor (121) arranged on the top of the detection device (1); a first processor (13) connected with the first distance measuring sensor (121) and used for obtaining a first distance measurement instruction and controlling the first distance measuring sensor (121) to measure a first distance between the top of the detection device (1) and an obstacle directly above the detection device (1) according to the first distance measurement instruction; the first processor (13) is further used for obtaining the first distance sent by the first distance measuring sensor (121), generating an elevation instruction according to the first distance, and controlling a lifting motor (14) of the detection device (1) to drive the lifting platform (11) to rise to the target position from the current position according to the elevation instruction, so that the lifting platform (11) does not collide with the obstacle.