FORK ARM SENSORS FOR DETECTING CROSS-TRAFFIC

Abstract

The invention relates to a forklift truck (101) with at least two environment sensors (105a, 105b) attached to different fork arms (103a, 103b). These are orientated with at least part of their detection zones (111a, 111b) directed outward and transversely to the forklift truck (101).

Claims

1. A forklift truck (101) having fork arms, the forklift truck comprising at least two environment sensors (105a, 106b) attached to different fork arms (103a, 103b), each of the at least two environment sensors (105a, 106b) having a detection zone, wherein the at least two environment sensors (105a, 105b) are orientated with at least part of the respective detection zone (111a, 111b) directed outward and transversely to the forklift truck (101).

2. The forklift truck (101) according to claim 1, further comprising a data processing device; wherein the data processing device is configured to recognize an approaching object (109) by virtue of one or more signals received from one or more of the at least two environment sensors (105a, 105b).

3. The forklift truck (101) according to claim 2, wherein the data processing device is configured, by virtue of the one or more signals received from the one or more of the at least two environment sensors (105a, 105b), to recognize a threatened collision between the approaching object (109) and the forklift truck (101).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] A preferred example embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows:

[0022] FIG. 1: A forklift truck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a birds-eye view of the forklift truck 101. Its lifting fork comprises a left-hand arm 103a and a right-hand arm 103b. A left-hand fork arm sensor 105a is attached to the left-hand fork arm 103a and a right-hand fork arm sensor 105b is attached to the right-hand fork arm 103b.

[0024] Alongside the forklift truck 101 there is an obstacle 107. This blocks the view of the driver of the forklift truck 101, in relation to cross-traffic approaching the forklift truck from the left. Thus, an approaching object 109 is hidden by the obstacle 107.

[0025] A detection zone 111a of the left-hand fork arm sensor 105a extends to the left, starting from the left-hand fork arm sensor 105a and in the direction transverse to the forklift truck 101. Correspondingly, a detection zone 111b of the right-hand fork arm sensor 105b extends to the right, starting from the right-hand fork arm sensor 105b and in the direction transverse to the forklift truck 101. The two detection zones 111a, 111b are directed outward, away from one another. Thus, the object 109 is within the detection zone 111a of the left-hand fork arm sensor 105a.

[0026] A threatened collision of the object 109 and the forklift truck 101 can be recognized automatically by appropriate algorithms implemented in a control unit of the forklift truck 101. Alternatively, the signals from the fork arm sensors 105a, 105b can be visualized for a driver of the forklift truck, possibly in the form of a display. The driver could also be warned of a threatened collision by an acoustic signal.

INDEXES

[0027] 101 Forklift truck [0028] 103a Left-hand fork arm [0029] 103b Right-hand fork arm [0030] 105a Left-hand fork arm sensor [0031] 105b Right-hand fork arm sensor [0032] 107 Obstacle [0033] 109 Object [0034] 111a Detection zone [0035] 111b Detection zone