Self-Lifting Forklift Automation for Precise Alignment and Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-lifting forklifts require manual operation and lack self-propulsion, making them inefficient and unsafe for tasks that require precise alignment and weight management, especially in environments where visibility is obstructed.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system integrated into the forklift, comprising sensors, a processor, and a control component that automates lifting, lowering, and self-propulsion, using machine vision and context analysis to optimize operations and ensure safe load placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used to align and position the forklift, then the operator can control the forklift, but the alignment process is slow and tedious requiring multiple lifting cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated computer vision system. Sensors capture images of the truck bed, the processor analyzes the images to determine optimal positioning, and the control component automatically adjusts the forklift's position and lifting height, eliminating the need for repeated manual trial-and-error cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The forklift system performs self-positioning and self-alignment using its own sensors and control systems. The machine independently determines its position relative to the truck bed and automatically adjusts without continuous human intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in the alignment process.
2Ease of operation
If the operator determines alignment position by eyesight, then the operator can position the forklift, but the load can obscure the operator's vision making positioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human visual detection with electronic sensors and computer vision processing. The sensor captures images of the truck bed and surrounding environment, and the processor analyzes these images to determine the optimal positioning of the forklift relative to the truck bed, bypassing the limitation of human vision being blocked by the load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computer vision system between the forklift and the truck bed. Instead of the operator directly observing the positioning, the sensor and processor act as intermediaries that capture and analyze visual information, providing accurate positioning data even when the direct line of sight is blocked by the load.
3Extent of automation
If conventional self-lifting forklifts are used without automation, then the forklift can lift itself, but the forklift lacks self-propulsion requiring manual pushing and pulling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the forklift's capabilities by integrating multiple functions into a single automated system. The forklift now performs not only self-lifting but also self-propulsion, automatic positioning, and alignment, transforming it from a partially automated device into a fully autonomous multi-functional system.
4Reliability
If manual operation is used for lifting and positioning, then the operator can control the forklift, but operator fatigue increases and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The forklift system performs self-positioning, self-alignment, and self-lifting using its integrated sensors and control systems. The machine independently determines its position relative to the truck bed and automatically executes the lifting sequence without requiring continuous manual control, thereby eliminating operator fatigue and associated safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor the forklift's position and the processor compares the actual position with the target position. The control component automatically adjusts the forklift's position based on this feedback, ensuring precise and safe operation without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for facilitating automation of a self-lifting forklift. According to one or more embodiments, a system is provided that can be located on or within a forklift. The system can comprise a lifting system that provides for vertically lifting or lowering the forklift, a power supply, a memory that stores computer readable and executable components, and a processor that executes the computer readable and executable components stored in the memory. The processor can be operably couple to: a plurality of sensors that sense conditions associated with the forklift, a context component that determines context of the forklift, an analysis component that analyzes information from the plurality of sensors and the context component, and a control component that controls the forklift based on an output from the analysis component, wherein the control includes automatically lifting or lowering of the forklift.