Industrial Truck Position Control via UWB Signal Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling industrial trucks, such as picking vehicles, face unclear situations due to operator movements within the detection range of optical sensors, leading to potential safety risks and injuries.
Innovation Solution
Equipping the industrial truck with at least three transmitting and receiving units in a predetermined spatial arrangement, along with an evaluation unit that determines the position of a portable unit using signal propagation times, allowing for control commands to be sent based on predefined spatial regions, including height evaluation for safety features like braking and load adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical sensors are used to monitor operator position, then safety monitoring is achieved, but unclear situations arise due to operator movements within detection range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical sensors with a radio-based positioning system (UWB technology) to detect operator position. This substitution eliminates the problems of optical sensors where operator movements within detection range cause unclear situations. The radio-based system provides precise position and height information without being affected by visual occlusions or movement-induced detection failures.
2Measurement precision
If transmitting and receiving units are added for position determination, then position accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable transmitting unit serves multiple functions: it determines both the operator's position and height above ground, and can trigger different control commands based on spatial region. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for different measurement tasks, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite adding radio-based positioning capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the operator's own portable transmitting unit as the measurement device, eliminating the need for separate complex sensor arrays on the industrial truck. The portable unit continuously transmits signals that are received by fixed receiving units, allowing the operator to carry the measurement device themselves, which simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If control commands are triggered by spatial regions, then operational safety is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is pre-configured with multiple spatial regions and associated control commands before operation. When the operator enters a predefined spatial region, the corresponding control command is automatically triggered. This preliminary configuration allows the system to respond safely to different operator positions without requiring complex real-time decision-making logic, thereby improving operational safety while keeping control system complexity manageable.
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
Ensures safe operation of the industrial truck by preventing collisions and allowing ergonomic working positions, with the ability to control speed and braking based on the position and height of the portable unit, enhancing safety and operational efficiency during tasks like picking goods.
Implementation Method 1
at least three transmitting and receiving units (6a, 6b, 6c), which are provided in a predetermined spatial arrangement with respect to one another on the drive portion (16), are configured to measure a propagation time with a portable transmitting and receiving unit (9)
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling an industrial truck with a drive portion including a traction drive portion, a steering portion, and a load portion, comprises a portable transmitting unit configured to be positioned away from the industrial truck. The system further comprises at least three transmitting and receiving units positioned in a predetermined spatial arrangement with respect to one another on the drive portion. An evaluation unit is provided that is configured to determine a position of the portable transmitting and receiving unit relative to the industrial truck by measuring signal propagation times. The industrial truck further comprises a control unit configured to send a control command for traction drive and/or steering if the relative position of the portable transmitting and receiving unit is located within a predetermined spatial region relative to the industrial truck.