Reach Truck Sensor Mounting for Adaptive Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial truck systems lack a simple and cost-effective method for comprehensive environmental monitoring, particularly around the vehicle and load area, to prevent collisions and optimize loading processes.
Innovation Solution
A thrust stippler equipped with a surveillance sensor mounted on a height-adjustable drawer between two radars, allowing for parameterized surveillance fields that adapt to the truck's position and speed, enabling reliable monitoring of the environment and road conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the monitoring sensor is mounted to move with the load-bearing element vertically, then the monitoring area adapts to the loading height, but the sensor position changes uncontrollably in the vertical direction causing unreliable monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring function into two independent parts: the sensor remains fixed on the vehicle body for stable positioning, while the monitoring area parameters are dynamically adjusted based on the load-bearing element's position. This separation ensures both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives position data from the load-bearing element and translates it into appropriate monitoring area parameters. This mediator ensures the monitoring area adapts to loading height without requiring the sensor itself to move vertically.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple sensors are added to monitor all areas around the vehicle, then the monitoring coverage is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic monitoring area adjustment based on the position of the load-bearing element. The monitoring area expands or contracts vertically according to loading height, providing comprehensive coverage during loading while reducing complexity during transport without requiring multiple physical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the monitoring area (particularly vertical extent) based on the load-bearing element's position. This parameter adaptation allows a single sensor to effectively cover different areas depending on the operational state, avoiding the need for multiple sensors.
3Area of stationary object
If the monitoring sensor is positioned at ground level, then the monitoring area is maximized, but the sensor is obstructed by the vehicle structure during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring area dynamically adjusts its vertical position and extent based on the load-bearing element's height. When the load-bearing element is lowered, the monitoring area extends to ground level for maximum coverage; when raised during loading, the area adapts to avoid obstruction while maintaining effective monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the obstruction problem by adding vertical dimensionality to the monitoring area adjustment. Instead of being fixed at ground level or mounted high on the vehicle, the monitoring area's vertical extent is continuously adjusted to navigate around the load-bearing element, effectively using the vertical dimension to avoid obstructions.
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
The solution provides effective and adaptive environmental monitoring, allowing for obstacle detection and prevention of collisions, while optimizing loading processes through parameterized surveillance fields that adjust based on the truck's position and speed, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
A 3D scanner can be used for this purpose. A 3D scanner can operate in a variety of technically different ways, including laser scanners with time-of-flight scanners and phase scanners
Implementation Method 2
laser scanners with time-of-flight scanners
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Reach truck (10) with a monitoring sensor (28) for environmental monitoring and a reach mast (12) movable between two radar arms (16), which has a height-adjustable load carrier (24), wherein the monitoring sensor is attached to the reach mast in such a way that the monitoring sensor moves with the reach mast in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and the monitoring sensor is attached to the reach mast at a predetermined height regardless of the height of the load carrier.