Dual bumper-light curtain obstacle detection sensor
US4968878A · kind A · utility
23Cited by
4References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1989 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0227
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An obstacle detection and position sensing system for autonomous mobile vehicles is described. The system includes two spaced-apart contact and position sensitive bumpers disposed across the frontal cross section of the vehicle. Light beams are directed by transceivers and retroreflectors across the frontal cross section area between the two bumpers, forming a light curtain. The combination of the bumpers and light curtain provides complete frontal coverage of the potential collision cross-section of a fairly large vehicle, without obstructing the field of view of sonar, optical, or other forward-looking sensors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.