Multi-field scanning tools in materials handling vehicles

US11661324B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Crown Equipment Corporation · US

Inventors

• Franz Pöschl · Erding, DE
• Timothy A. Wellman · Celina, US
• Stefan Hanneman · Munich, DE
• Martin Okroy · Munich, DE
• Stefan Sauer · Munich, DE
• Jess Donnely · Matamata, NZ

Key dates

• Filing date: May 31, 2022
• Grant date: May 30, 2023
• Expiry date: May 31, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B66F9/07572
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

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.