US3824020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retroreflective fine position sensing means
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-19
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Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1991-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A position sensing method and apparatus for fine control of vehicles about a remote point comprising a strip of retroreflective material mounted adjacent the desired position and a plurality of sources of collimated light beams mounted on the vehicle together with means for sensing reflection of the light beams along the path of incidence.
Inventors
- 👤 L Pease
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for controlling fine movement of a load platform of a vehicle about a predetermined shelf location to allow transfer of material between said load platform and said shelf location, said device comprising: an elongated strip of retroreflective material mounted adjacent said shelf position to extend a predetermined distance on both sides of said shelf about which said load platform of said vehicle is to be alignably moved, a plurality of sensor heads stackably mounted on said platform of said vehicle to move with said platform and being operative to direct a collimated beam of light from each of said plurality of sensor heads, each of said sensor heads emitting an electrical signal in response to reflection of its light from said strip along the path of incidence of said light as said platform moves along said shelf location, all of said sensor heads emitting said electrical signal to indicate a first position having an aligned relation of said vehicle with respect to said shelf location about which said platform of said vehicle is moved, and all but the end mounted sensor heads at one end of said stackably mounted sensor heads emitting said electrical signal to indicate a second position wherein said platform of said aligned vehicle is moved into said shelf location to transfer material between said shelf and said platform.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for controlling fine movement of a load platform of a vehicle about a predetermined shelf location to allow transfer of material between said load platform and said shelf location, said device comprising: an elongated strip of retroreflective material mounted adjacent said shelf position to extend a predetermined distance on both sides of said shelf about which said load platform of said vehicle is to be alignably moved, a plurality of sensor heads stackably mounted on said platform of said vehicle to move with said platform and being operative to direct a collimated beam of light from each of said plurality of sensor heads, each of said sensor heads emitting an electrical signal in response to reflection of its light from said strip along the path of incidence of said light as said platform moves along said shelf location, all of said sensor heads emitting said electrical signal to indicate a first position having an aligned relation of said vehicle with respect to said shelf location about which said platform of said vehicle is moved, and all but the end mounted sensor heads at one end of said stackably mounted sensor heads emitting said electrical signal to indicate a second position wherein said platform of said aligned vehicle is moved into said shelf location to transfer material between said shelf and said platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said sensor heads comprises: a housing having an opening formed in one side thereof, a collimating lens mounted in said opening to direct said light normally to the plane of said strip, a light source mounted at the focal point of said lens, a partially-reflective mirror interposed between said light source and said lens and inclined at an angle with respect to the optical axis of said lens and serving to transit light from said source to said lens and to reflect light passing from said lens to said mirror, and a photocell positioned to detect light reflected from said mirror and emitting an electrical signal in response to such light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensor heads comprises three stacked sensor heads with all three sensor heads emitting said electrical signal to indicate a complete alignment of said vehicle with said shelf location about which said platform of said vehicle is to be moved, and with all but one of said end mounted sensor heads emitting said electrical signal to indicate a material transfer position of said platform with respect to said shelf.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the length of said strip is just sufficient to permit simultaneous reflections to all of said plurality of sensor heads as an indication of alignment of said vehicle with said position.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
182 words
The method of determining the position of a movable vehicle, having a movable platform, about a desired location to allow transfer of material between said platform and said desired location, said method comprising the steps of: mounting a strip of retroreflective material adjacent said desired location, mounting a plurality of sources of collimated light beams on said movable platform of said vehicle to emit light toward said strip of retroreflective material when said vehicle is moved substantially opposite said retroreflective material, sensing when the number of saId light beams reflected from said strip of retroreflective material is equal to the total number of said plurality of light sources to indicate the position of said vehicle as being in an aligned position with said desired location, moving said platform of said vehicle in a first direction away from said vehicle aligned position until all but one end source of said plurality of light sources is reflected from said strip of retroreflective material, and extending said platform into said desired location to allow material to be transferred between said platform and said desired location.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
182 words
The method of determining the position of a movable vehicle, having a movable platform, about a desired location to allow transfer of material between said platform and said desired location, said method comprising the steps of: mounting a strip of retroreflective material adjacent said desired location, mounting a plurality of sources of collimated light beams on said movable platform of said vehicle to emit light toward said strip of retroreflective material when said vehicle is moved substantially opposite said retroreflective material, sensing when the number of saId light beams reflected from said strip of retroreflective material is equal to the total number of said plurality of light sources to indicate the position of said vehicle as being in an aligned position with said desired location, moving said platform of said vehicle in a first direction away from said vehicle aligned position until all but one end source of said plurality of light sources is reflected from said strip of retroreflective material, and extending said platform into said desired location to allow material to be transferred between said platform and said desired location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 5 wherein: the number of said sources of light beams is three, and simultaneous reflection of only two of said light beams provides an indication of the position of said platform of said vehicle as being extendible into said desired location for transfer of material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 5 wherein: the number of said sources of light beams is three, and simultaneous reflection of all three of said light beams provides an indication of the position of said vehicle as being at said desired location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 5 further including the steps of: moving said platform of said vehicle in a second direction opposite to said first direction until all but a second end light source opposite said one end light source is reflected from said strip of retroreflective material, and retracting said platform from said desired location to allow said vehicle to be moved to another location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 including means for extending said platform of said vehicle into said predetermined shelf location after sensing said electrical signals indicative of said first position and said second position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |