Multi-field scanning tool for warehouse vehicle safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current materials handling vehicles lack effective object detection systems that can accurately identify occupants and obstacles within and around the vehicle, particularly in warehouse environments, leading to potential safety hazards and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a multi-field scanning tool with scanning hardware that establishes both occupancy and obstacle detection fields, using a combination of tower lasers and bumper laser assemblies to create intersecting laser fields that extend beyond the vehicle's lateral edges, allowing for comprehensive detection of objects and occupants within the vehicle's operational area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-field scanning tool with multiple laser fields is implemented, then object detection coverage and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system is divided into multiple independent laser fields (first laser field, second laser field, third laser field) that can be independently configured and operated. Each laser field targets specific detection zones (occupant detection, obstacle detection, blind spot detection), allowing the complex detection task to be segmented into manageable components while maintaining overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning tool is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously using a single integrated system. The same laser scanning hardware establishes multiple different laser fields that serve different detection purposes (occupants, obstacles, blind spots), making the device universal and multi-functional rather than requiring separate systems for each detection type
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If laser fields extend beyond lateral edges of the operator compartment, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different laser fields are configured with different spatial characteristics and detection zones tailored to their specific detection purposes. The first laser field focuses on the operator compartment interior for occupant detection, while the second and third laser fields extend outward to detect obstacles in blind spots and lateral areas, with each field optimized for its local detection requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple laser fields as intermediary detection zones between the operator compartment and external obstacles. These laser fields create intermediate detection planes that progressively monitor space from the operator compartment outward, providing early warning of obstacles before they enter critical zones, thus managing precision requirements across different spatial distances
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 safety by ensuring the presence of operators is detected within the vehicle and obstacles are identified outside, enabling safer navigation and operation of materials handling vehicles in warehouses, potentially reducing accidents and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The multi-field scanning tool comprises scanning hardware establishing a scan field
Implementation Method 2
The scanning hardware of the multi-field scanning tool is configured to generate the scan field from a point of origin that is elevated relative to the operator compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A materials handling vehicle comprises an operator compartment, a compartment tower, a multi-field scanning tool, and mechanisms that facilitate movement along a travel plane in a warehouse. The tool establishes a scan field, and, within scan field bounds, an occupancy detection field and an obstacle detection field. Tool scanning hardware is configured to generate the scan field from a point of origin that is elevated relative to the operator compartment and to expand the scan field such that it intersects the operator compartment and extends laterally beyond lateral edges of the operator compartment such that the occupancy detection field falls within the operator compartment, the obstacle detection field falls outside of the operator compartment, and the multi-field scanning tool is configured to indicate the presence of an occupant in the occupancy detection field and obstacles in the obstacle detection field.