A materials handling vehicle includes a mast, a load handling structure supported on the mast, one or more operator controls, and a lifting structure having a chain structure for performing a lifting and lowering of the load handling structure. The materials handling vehicle further includes a height sensor for generating a height signal corresponding to vertical movement of the load handling structure relative to the mast, and a vehicle control module for processing the height signal received from the height sensor and an operator control signal received from the one or more operator controls. The vehicle control module evaluates the height signal and the operator control signal and disables one or more vehicle functions if the height signal does not correspond to the operator control signal.

The present disclosure provides an onboard object measurement system for a vehicle, such as a lift truck. The vehicle may have one or more sensors incorporated thereon, such as within one or more load handling fixtures. Control circuitry associated with the vehicle and/or the sensors is configured to receive data from the first sensor corresponding to changes in force in the first axis, receive data from the second sensor corresponding to changes in force in the second axis, correlate the changes in force along the first and second axes, and to determine one or more of a direction of motion, a thrust, or a position of a center of gravity associated with the load based on the correlation.

A low-lift industrial truck (2) and a method for operating the same. The industrial truck includes a load fork (4) for picking up a load. Fork tines (6a, 6b) of the load fork (4) each include at least one load roller (8) in a region of fork tine tips (28). The industrial truck also includes a load lifting assistance system having a distance sensor (16) and a processing unit (14). The distance sensor is configured to measure a distance between the load and a front wall (12) of the industrial truck facing the load fork. At least one distance between the load and the front wall is saved in the processing unit and corresponds to a predetermined stop position. The processing unit is configured to process measured values of the distance sensor and to generate a stop signal when a distance corresponding to the stop position (20a, 20b) is determined.

A method for calibrating a sensor unit disposed on a load-bearing device of an industrial truck includes the steps of: determining a first position of the sensor unit relative to an object located remotely from the industrial truck, displacing the sensor relative to the object in a first direction by a first distance, determining a second position of the sensor unit relative to the object, determining the spatial position or arrangement of the sensor unit relative to the load-bearing device based on the first and second positions, the direction of movement, and the distance between the first and second positions.

The scissor lift platform includes a frame resting on the ground by connecting members, a platform, a device for lifting the platform, including a set of jointed bars supporting the platform, so the elevation of the platform relative to the frame is variable and controlled by the set of bars, the set of bars including four lower bars defining parallel pairs hinged to four lower articulation blocks connected to the frame, the set of bars also including four upper bars defining parallel pairs hinged to four upper articulation blocks connected to the platform, and at least four sensors each measuring a reaction force, the sensors each having a lower or upper articulation block. Each articulation block/sensor includes first and a second portions. Each sensor is positioned between the first portion of the articulation block in which the sensor is mounted and the second portion of the articulation block.

A steer-by-wire control system adapted for use with a material handling vehicle such as a forklift includes a controller programmed to receive input indicative of a desired direction of travel of the material handling vehicle and to control an actuator coupled with the steered wheels of the material handling vehicle to change the direction of travel of the vehicle.

A location determination system for a material handling vehicle operating near a charging node. The system may include a power receptor configured to receive power from the charging node and provide current to the material handling vehicle. The system may include a sensor electrically coupled to the power receptor and configured to measure the current provided by the power receptor, and a controller configured to determine a current profile based on the measured current and determine a distance of the power receptor to the charging node based on the current profile. The system may determine the distance of the material handling vehicle from the charging node and may determine the location of the material handling vehicle based on a predetermined location of the charging node. The system may comprise multiple power receptors each with a current profile and may determine a speed and/or direction based on the multiple current profiles.

A side shift control device for a forklift truck, which is configured to cause a side shift unit to move a pair of forks holding a pallet in a right-left direction so that the pallet comes in contact with an object when the pallet is placed beside the object, includes: a side shift control unit configured to control the side shift unit so that the pair of forks begin to move toward the object after the pair of forks are inserted into a pair of fork holes formed in the pallet; a detecting unit configured to detect a movement of the pallet with the forks inserted in the fork holes; and a determining unit configured to determine, based on the movement of the pallet detected by the detecting unit, whether the pallet is in contact with the object.

A machine stability detection and indication for a load moving machine. The machine has a chassis, a boom mount carried by said chassis, a boom assembly pivotally affixed to said boom mount, and a load carrying structure affixed to an end of said boom mount. The machine may be configured in a desired load handling geometry by manipulating components including a boom assembly, a pivot arm connected to said boom assembly, and forks. A control system for facilitating a selected configuration of said load handling geometry. Position sensors generate position data of the components. Pressure cylinders move the components and pressure sensors operatively located on one or more said pressure cylinders generate pressure data. A computer processes the position data and the pressure data for determining a load moment and for calculating a weight of a load being lifted by utilizing said pressure data and said position data.

Automated systems and methods for deployment of mounting tubs that support photovoltaic modules are provided in which a feeder assembly includes a screw thread assembly and a pivot arm. The screw thread assembly has at least one rotatable threaded component, and two such components in exemplary embodiments, positioned within the feeder assembly. The rotatable threaded component supports the stack of mounting tubs and rotates to separate the individual mounting tub from the stack of mounting tubs and lower the individual mounting tub onto the pivot arm. The pivot arm is configured to interact with an individual mounting tub and pivots to dispense the individual mounting tub onto a mounting surface. A sensor may be provided to detect the positions of the individual mounting tubs as they are moved, and a control system communicates with the sensor and the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly and a hopper holding the stack of mounting tubs may be mounted on an autonomous cart.