Sensor Bearing Assembly With Anti-Rotation Support for Fork Height Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous forklifts face challenges in accurately measuring fork height due to delicate telemeter installation, varying precision under ambient conditions, and susceptibility to errors and impacts, lacking a compact and reliable measurement configuration.
Innovation Solution
A sensor bearing assembly with a non-circular shaped sensor body and impulse ring design, integrated anti-rotation means, and a sensor device with detection targets and a cable configuration to enhance compactness and reduce impact risk, incorporating a pulley unit for improved measurement reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a telemeter is separately mounted on a stationary part of the forklift to measure fork height, then measurement capability is achieved, but the installation becomes delicate and prone to positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the telemeter with the bearing assembly into an integrated sensor bearing assembly. The telemeter is mounted on the sensor body which is part of the bearing assembly, eliminating the need for separate mounting on stationary parts. This merging reduces installation complexity while maintaining measurement capability through the integrated design.
2Measurement precision
If a telemeter is separately mounted to measure fork height, then measurement function is provided, but the measurement precision varies under ambient operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor bearing assembly serves multiple functions: it provides bearing functionality for rotational support while simultaneously housing the telemeter for height measurement. The integrated design allows the telemeter to benefit from the stable mechanical platform of the bearing assembly, reducing sensitivity to ambient conditions while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If a telemeter is separately mounted for fork height measurement, then measurement capability is achieved, but the telemeter is susceptible to accidental impacts
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the telemeter into the bearing assembly structure, the telemeter benefits from the mechanical robustness of the bearing housing. The sensor body and bearing components provide structural protection, reducing susceptibility to accidental impacts while maintaining measurement functionality.
4Measurement precision
If a telemeter is separately mounted to measure fork height, then measurement function is provided, but a compact measuring apparatus cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the telemeter with the bearing assembly creates a compact measuring apparatus. The sensor body houses both the bearing and telemeter components in a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting space and achieving compactness while maintaining measurement accuracy.
5Ease of manufacture
If the sensor body has a circular cross-section for simple manufacturing, then manufacturing ease is improved, but anti-rotation means cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor body is designed with a non-circular cross-section (e.g., square or rectangular) instead of a circular one. This asymmetric shape inherently provides anti-rotation functionality by preventing rotational movement through geometric constraint, eliminating the need for separate anti-rotation mechanisms while remaining manufacturable.
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
Optimizes compactness and integration while enhancing measurement precision and reliability, reducing accidental impacts on the cable, and ensuring accurate rotational parameter detection.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device for detecting rotational parameters of the impulse ring comprising at least one sensor element supported by the sensor body and cooperating with the impulse ring
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor bearing assembly and associated sensing support and pulley unit. The sensor bearing assembly includes a sensor body (11) and a bearing (12). The bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring centred on an axis (X-X′). An impulse ring (14) is secured to the outer ring. The sensor bearing assembly can also include a sensor device (16) for detecting rotational parameters of the impulse ring. The sensor device includes at least one sensor element (17) supported by the sensor body (11) and cooperating with the impulse ring. The sensor body (11) has an inner through-hole (26) having a non-circular shaped section (28).