Method for the Control of an Industrial Truck During Order Picking

Abstract

A method for the control of an industrial truck during order picking by an industrial truck with at least one environment sensor for the detection of the relative position of an operator in the environment of the industrial truck. The method includes moving the industrial truck using a control system. As the position of the operator changes, and when the operator stops, the industrial truck is stopped at a freely selectable distance specified in advance in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a reference point of a load handling device of the industrial truck and the position of the operator.

Claims

1. A method for control of an industrial truck during order picking by the industrial truck with at least one environment sensor for the detection of a relative position of an operator in an environment of the industrial truck, the method comprising the steps of: moving the industrial truck using a control system as a position of the operator changes; and when the operator stops, stopping the industrial truck at a freely selectable distance specified in advance in a longitudinal direction of the industrial truck between a reference point of a load handling device of the industrial truck and the position of the operator.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the control system stops the industrial truck at a freely selectable distance specified in advance in a transverse direction of the industrial truck between the reference point of the load handling device of the industrial truck and the position of the operator.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the freely selectable distance in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the operator, the freely selectable distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle from the operator, or the freely selectable distance in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the operator and the freely selectable distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle from the operator is set by a slider control.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a target corridor is input with a maximum tolerance from a stopping position so that, after the industrial truck has reached the target corridor, no position correction is performed.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the industrial truck transports two or more pallets on the load handling device, one pallet behind the other pallet in the longitudinal direction, and distances for the individual pallets are selected.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the distances are selected by a push button.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the industrial truck is a tow tractor for a tugger train, and distances for individual trailers of the tugger train are selected.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the industrial truck has a driver's workplace and the method is initiated as soon as the control system detects, using driver detection sensors, that the operator has left the driver's workplace.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the industrial truck and control system according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an industrial truck 1 next to a load shelf 2 with a plurality of pallets 3, and items 4 located on each of the pallets 3. The industrial truck is a pallet lift truck 5 with long load arms 6 on which a first pallet 7 and a second pallet 8 can be transported during order picking. In the illustrated situation, the industrial truck 1 is stopping, and according to the method, a control system of the industrial truck stops the industrial truck with reference to the center of the second pallet 8 at a longitudinal distance d from an operator 9. When the operator 9 has picked up an item and turned toward the industrial truck 1, he is at the specified distance from the first pallet 7 known as the load set-down position. By means of a switch (not shown), the operator can choose between a distance d for the first pallet 7 or an appropriate distance for the second pallet 8.

[0026] Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed aspects, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any aspect can be combined with one or more features of any other aspect.