Patent · US Expired

Travel control device for unmanned vehicle

US5036935A · kind A · utility

98Cited by
7References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 5, 1990
Grant dateAug 6, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 5, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/7072
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A travel control device for an unmanned vehicle automatically travelling along a predetermined travel path. The travel control device comprises non-contact type and contact type obstacle sensors for detecting an obstacle in front of the unmanned vehicle, and the unmanned vehicle is stopped when an obstacle is detected. A working area is predetermined along the travel path, and entrance and exit marks are provided to indicate the working area. When the unmanned vehicle enters the working area, a detection of signals output by the non-contact type obstacle sensor is disabled, to avoid unnecessary stops in the specific area and maintain a smooth travel of the unmanned vehicle. Further, a time counter is provided for counting a time from when the unmanned vehicle is stopped to a time when the unmanned vehicle is restarted, and when the unmanned vehicle is restarted, the unmanned vehicle is caused to travel at a speed higher than a previous speed at which it was travelling before being stopped, to recover a delay time incurred by the stop.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.