Crown Equipment Corporation

Juergen Buchmann

Andreas Simon

Lewis Henry Manci

Sebastian Sick

Michael P Gallagher

Sebastian Theos

Rainer Bernhard Teufel

John P Jones

Dean E Davis

Christian Molnar

Donald E Luebrecht

René Konzack

Alfonso Costas

Ryan Robert Berger

Thornton K Lothrop

Henry J Rahn

Edgar Wahnemuehl

Jeffrey T Mauch

Ryan R Berger

Eric J Hanson

Jason R Lesko

Adam M Ruppert

Rainer B Teufel

Jason Kremer

Nicholas J Stein

Derek M Gamertsfelder

Joerg Nellen

David W Fox

Sebastian Theos (aka Sick)

Jason R Kremer

A control system for an industrial vehicle includes a badge communicator and an information linking device. The badge communicator has a transceiver for short range communication with electronic badges that are within a fixed short range of the badge communicator, defining a first zone. The information linking device is programmed to execute program code. The program code extracts a current state of an operating parameter read from an industrial vehicle network bus, generates a second zone within the first zone that is defined based upon the extracted industrial vehicle operating parameter, detects a presence of an electronic badge within the first zone, determines whether the electronic badge is within the second zone, performs a first action if the detected electronic badge is not within the second zone, and performs a second action if the electronic badge is within the second zone.

Indirect electronic badge tracking

A method is provided for controlling a light source device associated with a materials handling vehicle, wherein the materials handling vehicle includes one or more sensing devices, comprising: sensing via the one or more sensing devices a first distance from a left side of the vehicle to a first boundary object and a second distance from a right side of the vehicle to a second boundary object; controlling the light source device to designate a first area to the left side of the vehicle as either a limited operation area or a non-limited operation area and to designate a second area to the right side of the vehicle as either a limited operation area or a non-limited operation area.

Lighting floor on sides of material handling vehicle to indicate limited or non-limited area

A materials handling vehicle includes: a power unit including: a steered wheel, and a steering device for generating a steer control signal; a load handling assembly coupled to the power unit; a controller located on the power unit for receiving the steer control signal; and a sensing device on the power unit and coupled to the controller. The sensing device monitors areas in front of and next to the vehicle. Based on sensing device data, the controller may modify at least one of the following vehicle parameters: a maximum allowable turning angle or a steered-wheel-to-steering-device ratio.

Modify vehicle parameter based on vehicle position information

A materials handling vehicle includes: a power unit including: a steered wheel, and a steering device for generating a steer control signal; a load handling assembly coupled to the power unit; a controller located on the power unit for receiving the steer control signal; and a sensing device on the power unit and coupled to the controller. The sensing device monitoring areas in front of and next to the vehicle. Based on sensing device data, the controller may modify at least one of the following vehicle parameters: a maximum allowable turning angle or a steered-wheel-to-steering-device ratio.

A control system for an industrial vehicle includes a badge communicator and an information linking device. The badge communicator has a transceiver for short range communication with electronic badges that are within in a fixed short range of the badge communicator, defining a first zone. The information linking device is programmed to execute program code. The program code extracts a current state of an operating parameter read from an industrial vehicle network bus, generates a second zone within the first zone that is defined based upon the extracted industrial vehicle operating parameter, detects a presence of an electronic badge within the first zone, determines whether the electronic badge is within the second zone, performs a first action if the detected electronic badge is not within the second zone, and performs a second action if the electronic badge is within the second zone.

Industrial vehicle control based upon zones

A system for adjusting control of an industrial vehicle comprises a badge communicator that communicates with electronic badges that are in short range proximity of the industrial vehicle; and a controller coupled to memory, wherein the controller executes program code stored in the memory to adjust control of operating parameters of the industrial vehicle. The controller executes the program code to receive a badge identifier wirelessly transmitted by a detected electronic badge and identify a role associated with the badge identifier. Based on the role associated with the badge identifier, the controller modifies a set point of the industrial vehicle from a first set point to a second set point by communicating information concerning the set point to a vehicle control module of the electronic vehicle.

Adjusting control of an industrial vehicle based on an electronic badge

A system for controlling an industrial vehicle comprises an information linking device, a badge communicator, an operator badge, and a controller. The controller controls the industrial vehicle operating state by identifying that an operator possessing the operator badge has approached the industrial vehicle, communicating with the server via the information linking device to authenticate the operator as authorized to operate the industrial vehicle, and pairing the operator badge with the industrial vehicle upon determining that the operator is authorized to operate the industrial vehicle. Moreover, the controller controls the industrial vehicle operating state by controlling the industrial vehicle based upon a location of the operator badge relative to the industrial vehicle.

Electronic badge to authenticate and track industrial vehicle operator

Electronic badges are indirectly tracked by detecting, by a badge communicator on a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles, the presence of an electronic badge and performing a badge logging transaction in response to detecting the electronic badge. The badge logging transaction includes receiving, by the badge communicator, a badge identifier transmitted by the detected electronic badge. The badge logging transaction also includes determining, by the badge communicator, an offset measurement of the electronic badge relative to the select industrial vehicle, electronically determining a vehicle location of the select industrial vehicle, and identifying a badge location based upon the determined vehicle location and the measured offset. The badge logging transaction can also include generating a time stamp, and wirelessly communicating a badge locator message to a remote server, the badge locator message including the badge identifier, the badge location, and the timestamp.

A process uses electronic badges to convey a condition associated with an environment to an industrial vehicle. The process comprises identifying a condition in a limited, defined environment and associating the identified condition with a badge ID. The process also comprises programming an electronic badge based upon the identified condition and positioning the electronic badge within a work area of industrial vehicles. Still further, the process comprises receiving, by a processor on an industrial vehicle, information from the electronic badge including at least one of the associated badge ID and the identified condition. The information is received via a badge communicator that communicates with electronic badges that are within a predetermined range of the industrial vehicle via a first wireless communication link. The process also determines the condition from the information from the electronic badge, and controls the industrial vehicle to take a predetermined action based upon the determined condition.

Electronic badge as a talking marker

An industrial vehicle passing maneuver is authorized by an automated process. The process comprises receiving, by a processor, a first message, a second message and a third message. The first message indicates a position of a first industrial vehicle in a work environment. The second message indicates a position of an electronic badge that is detected by the first industrial vehicle. The third message indicates a position of a second industrial vehicle within the work environment. The processor determines that the second industrial vehicle intends to pass the first industrial vehicle, and determines an instruction comprising a select one of an instruction related to a passing maneuver or an instruction not to pass based upon the position of the first industrial vehicle, the position of the electronic badge, and the position of the second industrial vehicle. The instruction is communicated to the second industrial vehicle.

Use of electronic badges in aisle passing maneuvers

A materials handling vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a main body, a seat deck assembly including an operator seat, and structure for movably mounting the seat deck assembly to the main body. The seat deck assembly moves relative to the main body along a varying radius path.

Seat deck assembly or compartment cover for a materials handling vehicle

A work vehicle is provided comprising: a main frame including an engine compartment; an engine located in the engine compartment; and a cooling system comprising a rotating fan apparatus and a cooling assembly. The cooling assembly may comprise a heat exchanger for transferring energy in the form of heat from a coolant fluid to air and a filter apparatus positioned adjacent an engine-compartment side of the heat exchanger. The air may be moved through the heat exchanger by the fan apparatus. The filter apparatus may filter the air before the air passes through the heat exchanger. The filter apparatus may comprise filter structure and a suction device for removing debris from the filter structure. The suction device preferably expels the debris outside of the engine compartment.

Growing community of inventors

Pliening, Germany

Juergen Buchmann