JP7494766B2 - Industrial Vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an industrial vehicle.

Patent Document 1 discloses an obstacle detection system that is equipped in a work vehicle. The obstacle detection system includes a sensor that measures the distance to an obstacle in front of the vehicle and a sensor that measures the distance to an obstacle to the side of the vehicle. These sensors are positioned in front or to the side of the vehicle. This type of vehicle is capable of autonomous driving while avoiding obstacles by detecting the vehicle's surroundings.

JP 2019-174344 A

A vehicle may come into contact with an obstacle due to factors such as direct causes of the vehicle itself or other influences that are not a direct cause of the vehicle. For this reason, it is preferable for a vehicle equipped with a sensor to detect obstacles to have a vehicle structure that takes into account the possibility of coming into contact with an obstacle.

The industrial vehicle that solves the above problem is an industrial vehicle that transports loads and has a detection sensor that detects an obstacle on the side of the vehicle, the detection sensor being located at a specified location on the side of the vehicle, the specified location being in a bumper section that absorbs impact when the obstacle comes into contact with the side of the vehicle. With this configuration, the detection sensor can be protected even if the side of the vehicle comes into contact with an obstacle.

In the above industrial vehicle, the detection sensor arranged at the specified location is located outboard of the side of the wheel attached to the vehicle. This configuration prevents the detection range on the side of the vehicle from being narrowed by the wheel, and ensures a wide detection range.

In the above industrial vehicle, the bumper portion has a bumper member that functions as a bumper below the predetermined portion where the detection sensor is disposed, and the bumper member protrudes in the left-right direction of the vehicle beyond the outer surface of the detection sensor. With this configuration, by disposing the bumper member below the detection sensor, it is possible to protect the detection sensor from flying stones while driving, and also to prevent obstacles on the side from coming into contact with the bumper member.

In the above industrial vehicle, the bumper portion has a cover member that is located above the bumper member and the detection sensor that is located above the bumper member and covers a part of the detection sensor, the cover member is a member that functions as the bumper, and an opening is located between the bumper member and the cover member that exposes the outer surface of the detection sensor that is not covered by the cover member to the side of the vehicle. With this configuration, the detection sensor can also be protected by the cover member.

In the above industrial vehicle, the vehicle has front and rear wheels, the bumper is located near the front wheels, and the driver's seat is located between the bumper and the rear wheels. The bumper member extends from below the bumper toward the rear of the vehicle to the driver's seat access area, and also serves as a step for getting on and off the vehicle. With this configuration, the bumper member can function as a step for getting on and off the vehicle in addition to functioning as a bumper.

The present invention provides a vehicle structure that takes into account the possibility of contact with an obstacle.

1A is a perspective view of a towing tractor, FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the front portion, and FIG. (a) is a left side view of the towing tractor, and (b) is an enlarged view of the side portion. 4A is a front view of the towing tractor from the front, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the side portion. FIG.

Hereinafter, one embodiment embodied in a towing tractor will be described with reference to Figs.
The towing tractor 10 of this embodiment is a cabin type with a covered driver's seat. In the following description, the directions of front, rear, left, right, up, and down are based on a state in which an operator is seated in the driver's seat and facing the forward direction of the towing tractor 10 when in a driving position. The fore-and-aft direction of the towing tractor 10 is also the traveling direction of the towing tractor 10. The towing tractor 10 is a type of industrial vehicle. In this specification, an industrial vehicle is a vehicle used for loading and transporting goods.

[Overall configuration of towing tractor 10]
As shown in Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 2(a), a driver's seat 12 is provided near the center of a vehicle body 11 of the towing tractor 10. A housing chamber 13 for a drive means that applies a drive force for traveling is located in front of the driver's seat 12 in the vehicle body 11. The drive means of the towing tractor 10 may be either an engine or a motor. The upper part of the housing chamber 13 is covered with an openable and closable hood 14. A pair of front wheels 15 and a pair of rear wheels 16 are mounted on the lower part of the vehicle body 11. In the towing tractor 10, one of the front wheels 15 and the rear wheels 16 is a drive wheel, and the other is a steering wheel. The towing tractor 10 travels by transmitting the drive force applied by the drive means to the drive wheels via a power transmission mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), a coupling device 17 for coupling a towed vehicle such as a dolly is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 11. The towing tractor 10 can transport the load loaded on the towed vehicle by coupling the towed vehicle to the coupling device 17 and towing it.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the vehicle body 11 is equipped with a control device 18. The control device 18 includes a processing unit and a storage unit. The storage unit stores various programs for controlling the travel of the towing tractor 10. The control device 18 may include dedicated hardware for performing at least some of the various processes, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The control device 18 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that operate according to a computer program, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as ASICs, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes anything that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[Control configuration of towing tractor 10]
The control device 18 controls the drive means and steering means in accordance with a program stored in the memory unit, thereby operating the towing tractor 10. The towing tractor 10 of this embodiment is a vehicle that is capable of automatically performing the operations of driving and steering under the control of the control device 18 without operation by an operator.

The towing tractor 10 of this embodiment has multiple detection sensors. The multiple detection sensors include a forward detection sensor 20 whose detection range is in front of the vehicle, and a side detection sensor 21 whose detection range is the side of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the sides of the vehicle refer to both the left and right sides. Therefore, the towing tractor 10 of this embodiment has a side detection sensor 21 whose detection range is the left side of the vehicle, and a side detection sensor 21 whose detection range is the right side of the vehicle. Note that the side of the vehicle may be either the left side or the right side. In other words, the side detection sensor 21 may be provided on either the left side or the right side.

The forward detection sensor 20 and each side detection sensor 21 are sensors capable of measuring the distance and direction to a point. In this embodiment, a laser range finder is used. The forward detection sensor 20 and each side detection sensor 21 have an irradiation unit that irradiates a laser around the towing tractor 10 and a light receiving unit that receives the reflected light. In this embodiment, the forward detection sensor 20 and each side detection sensor 21 have a detection range of 180 degrees from the sensor center. The control device 18 receives measurement data from the forward detection sensor 20 and each side detection sensor 21. As a result, the control device 18 can detect the distance to an object in the surroundings by measuring the time from the irradiation of the laser to the reception of the light. In other words, the control device 18 can grasp the surrounding environment of the towing tractor 10. The control device 18 reflects the detection result of the surrounding environment in the driving control of the towing tractor 10. In addition, objects present around the towing tractor 10 include obstacles that impede the progress of the towing tractor 10, and objects that do not impede the progress of the towing tractor 10. In this embodiment, the forward detection sensor 20 is a detection sensor that detects obstacles that exist in the direction in which the vehicle can travel. The directions in which the vehicle can travel are the forward direction and the reverse direction. In this embodiment, each side detection sensor 21 is a detection sensor that detects obstacles that exist on the side of the vehicle.

[Arrangement of the forward detection sensor 20 and the side detection sensor 21]
The structure of the positions of the forward detection sensor 20 and the side detection sensors 21 on the vehicle body 11 will be described in detail below with reference to Figs.

First, the forward detection sensor 20 will be described.
The forward detection sensor 20 is disposed in a front portion 22 located at the front end of the vehicle. The front portion 22 in this embodiment also serves as a front bumper. The forward detection sensor 20 is fixed to a front portion of the vehicle body 11 that is exposed when the front portion 22 is removed. As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 4, the front portion 22 has a pointed portion 23 whose length along the left-right direction, which is the vehicle width direction, becomes shorter toward the front of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 4, the front portion 22 has a triangular shape when viewed from above the vehicle. In other words, the front portion 22 is configured so that the width in the left-right direction of the vehicle gradually narrows toward the tip in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The front portion 22 has a pointed portion 23 disposed in the center of the left-right direction of the vehicle, and has a pair of inclined wall surfaces 24 that extend obliquely from the pointed portion 23 toward the rear of the vehicle.

As shown in Figures 1(b) and 3(a), the front section 22 has an upper opening 25 that opens in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and extends diagonally to the left and right along the inclined wall surface 24. The upper opening 25 is located above the front section 22. The upper opening 25 has a symmetrical structure with the pointed portion 23 at the center. The left and right ends of the upper opening 25 are located so as to correspond to a pair of left and right headlights 26, respectively. The light of each headlight 26 passes through the upper opening 25 to illuminate the front of the vehicle.

The front section 22 has a lower opening 27 that opens in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and extends diagonally to the left and right along the inclined wall surface 24. The lower opening 27 is located below the front section 22 and lower than the upper opening 25. The lower opening 27 is located closer to the road surface than the upper opening 25. The lower opening 27 has a symmetrical structure with the sharp point 23 at the center. The left-right length of the lower opening 27 is shorter than the left-right length of the upper opening 25. In addition, the left and right ends of the lower opening 27 open toward the sides of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2(a).

A front plate member 29 is connected to the lower opening edge 28 of the lower opening 27. The front plate member 29 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle along the lower opening edge 28 and also in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the front plate member 29 is an iron plate having a desired thickness. When connected to the lower opening 27, the front plate member 29 has a left-right symmetrical structure with the sharp portion 23 at the center.

The forward detection sensor 20 is disposed within the opening area of the lower opening 27 so as to be located at a position corresponding to the sharp portion 23 and at the center in the left-right direction of the vehicle. A front plate member 29 is disposed below the forward detection sensor 20. The forward detection sensor 20 is disposed so that the outer surface of the forward detection sensor 20 is located within the flat area of the front plate member 29. In other words, the front plate member 29 protrudes forward from the outer surface of the forward detection sensor 20. Protruding forward can also be said to protrude in the direction in which the vehicle can travel. In addition, the forward detection sensor 20 is disposed so as not to protrude forward or to the left or right of the vehicle beyond the opening edge of the lower opening 27. The forward detection sensor 20 is disposed within the opening area of the lower opening 27 so as not to protrude outside the outer surface of the front part 22. As shown in FIG. 2(a), the forward detection sensor 20 is visible from the side of the vehicle because the left and right ends of the lower opening 27 are located rearward of the vehicle from the sharp portion 23. In this embodiment, the area inside the opening of the lower opening 27 is where the forward detection sensor 20 is located, and this location corresponds to a specific location in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

A front cover 30 is detachably attached to the front part 22 as a cover member that closes a part of the lower opening 27. The front cover 30 has a shape that extends left and right along the upper opening edge 31 of the lower opening 27. When attached to the lower opening 27, the front cover 30 has a left-right symmetrical structure with the sharp part 23 as the center. The vertical length of the front cover 30 is half the vertical length of the lower opening 27. The front cover 30 has a desired thickness in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The front cover 30 is molded from the same material as the front part 22. For example, the material is polypropylene, fiber-reinforced plastic, or ABS resin. The front cover 30 is located forward of the forward detection sensor 20. As a result, a part of the outer surface of the forward detection sensor 20 is covered by the front cover 30. In other words, the forward detection sensor 20 is covered by the front cover 30 so that the laser irradiation part and the light receiving part are exposed within the opening area of the lower opening 27. When the front cover 30 is attached to the lower opening 27, the gap between the front plate member 29 and the front cover 30 is open. The outer surface of the forward detection sensor 20 that is not covered by the front cover 30 is exposed to the front and sides of the vehicle by opening the gap between the front plate member 29 and the front cover 30. In this embodiment, the opening area of the lower opening 27 that is open between the front plate member 29 and the front cover 30 becomes the opening that exposes the outer surface of the forward detection sensor 20.

Next, the side detection sensor 21 will be described.
The structures of the locations of the side detection sensors 21 disposed on both the left and right sides of the vehicle are symmetrical, i.e., they have the same structure.

Each side detection sensor 21 is disposed on each side portion 35 located on the side of the vehicle between the front wheels 15 and the driver's seat 12. Each side portion 35 also serves as a side bumper. Each side detection sensor 21 is fixed to a side portion of the vehicle body 11 that is exposed when each side portion 35 is removed.

As shown in FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 2(b), each side portion 35 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular block when the vehicle is viewed from the side. Each side portion 35 has a front portion 36 disposed in front of the vehicle and a rear portion 37 disposed behind the front portion 36. Each side portion 35 has a front portion 36 and a rear portion 37 integrated together. As shown in FIG. 1(c), FIG. 2(b), and FIG. 4, the front portion 36 has a first front portion 38 and a second front portion 39 that extend obliquely from the front to the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is viewed in a plan view from above so as to widen the width of the vehicle in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the first front portion 38 is located above the second front portion 39. Each of the first front portion 38 and the second front portion 39 has a front side surface 40 that can become the vehicle side surface when the side portion 35 is attached to the vehicle body 11. Compared to the first front portion 38, the second front portion 39 extends less from the front to the rear of the vehicle to widen the width of the vehicle in the left-right direction. In other words, when the edges of the first front portion 38 and the second front portion 39 that are closer to the front wheel 15 are taken as the starting points of each, the end of the second front portion 39 is located further rearward of the vehicle than the end of the first front portion 38. As a result, the second front portion 39 extends so as to be wider in the left-right direction of the vehicle than the first front portion 38.

The rear portion 37 has a first rear portion 41 that is continuous with the first front portion 38, and a second rear portion 42 that is continuous with the second front portion 39. As shown in FIG. 1(c), FIG. 2(b), and FIG. 4, the first rear portion 41 and the second rear portion 42 extend straight or almost straight from the front to the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is viewed in plan from above. The first rear portion 41 is located above the second rear portion 42. Each of the first rear portion 41 and the second rear portion 42 has a rear side surface 43 that can become the vehicle side surface when the side portion 35 is attached to the vehicle body 11. The first rear portion 41 extends from the front to the rear of the vehicle more than the second rear portion 42. The first rear portion 41 is located inward from the second rear portion 42 in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The first rear portion 41 and the second rear portion 42 are connected via a step portion 44. As shown in Figures 2(b) and 3(b), the step portion 44 has a surface that protrudes outward in the left-right direction of the vehicle beyond the rear side surface 43 of the first rear portion 41, and the surface extends in both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the vehicle.

As shown in Figures 1(a) and 3(a), the front portion 36 and rear portion 37 of each side portion 35 protrude outward, that is, in the left-right direction of the vehicle, from the tire side surfaces that are exposed to the outside when the front wheels 15 and rear wheels 16 are mounted on the vehicle. The tire side surface is a surface that includes the shoulder portion, the sidewall portion, and the bead portion. In the rear portion 37, the first rear portion 41 and the second rear portion 42 are connected in a stepped shape, so that the first rear portion 41 portion forms a recess that is recessed inward along the left-right direction of the vehicle.

A side plate member 45 is connected to the lowermost portion of each side portion 35 including the front portion 36 and the rear portion 37. The side plate member 45 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the lowermost portion of the side portion 35 and also in the left-right direction of the vehicle. As shown in Figs. 1(a) and 3(a), each side plate member 45 of this embodiment protrudes in the left-right direction of the vehicle beyond the tire side of each front wheel 15 and rear wheel 16. The side plate member 45 of this embodiment is an iron plate having a desired thickness. Also, as shown in Figs. 1(a) and 2(a), each side plate member 45 of this embodiment extends further rearward from the lowermost portion of each side portion 35. Each side plate member 45 extends to below the driver's seat 12. As a result, the portion of each side plate member 45 corresponding to the position of the boarding and disembarking portion 12a of the driver's seat 12 also functions as a step 46 for boarding and disembarking to the driver's seat 12.

Each side detection sensor 21 is disposed within a region of the recess including the first rear portion 41 and the step portion 44. A side plate member 45 is disposed below each side detection sensor 21. Each side detection sensor 21 is disposed so that the outer surface of the side detection sensor 21 is located within the flat area of the side plate member 45. In other words, the side plate member 45 protrudes in the left-right direction of the vehicle from the outer surface of the side detection sensor 21. Each side detection sensor 21 is disposed so as not to protrude forward, backward, or to the left and right of the vehicle from the side portion 35 and the side plate member 45. As shown in FIG. 2(b) and FIG. 3(b), each side detection sensor 21 is visible from the front and rear of the vehicle because the first rear portion 41 and the second rear portion 42 are connected in a step shape. In this embodiment, the region of the recess including the first rear portion 41 and the step portion 44 is the arrangement portion of the side detection sensor 21, and the arrangement portion corresponds to a predetermined portion on the side of the vehicle.

A side cover 47 is detachably attached to each side portion 35 as a cover member that closes a part of the first rear portion 41. The side cover 47 is shaped to extend forward and backward along the rear side surface 43 of the first rear portion 41. The vertical length of the side cover 47 is shorter than the vertical length of the rear side surface 43 of the first rear portion 41. The side cover 47 has a desired thickness in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The side cover 47 is molded from the same material as the side portion 35. For example, the material is polypropylene, fiber-reinforced plastic, or ABS resin. The side cover 47 is located in the left-right direction from the side detection sensor 21. As a result, a part of the outer surface of the side detection sensor 21 is covered by the side cover 47. In other words, the side detection sensor 21 is covered by the side cover 47 so that the laser irradiation part and the light receiving part are exposed in the area of the recess including the first rear portion 41 and the step part 44. When the side cover 47 is attached to the first rear portion 41, the gap between the second rear portion 42 and the side cover 47 is open. The outer surface of the side detection sensor 21 that is not covered by the side cover 47 is exposed to the sides, front, and rear of the vehicle by opening the gap between the second rear portion 42 and the side cover 47. In this embodiment, the open portion between the second rear portion 42 and the side cover 47 is the open portion that exposes the outer surface of the side detection sensor 21.

[Action]
The operation of the towing tractor 10 of this embodiment will be described below.
The forward detection sensor 20 is disposed above the front plate member 29 so as not to be exposed further forward than the front plate member 29. As a result, when the towing tractor 10 comes into contact with an obstacle in front of the vehicle, the front plate member 29 functions as a bumper. Furthermore, when the towing tractor 10 comes into contact with an obstacle in front of the vehicle, the front cover 30 that covers a part of the forward detection sensor 20 also functions as a bumper. In other words, in this embodiment, the front portion 22 in which the forward detection sensor 20 is disposed functions as a bumper portion that absorbs impact when coming into contact with an obstacle. Furthermore, the front portion 22 has the front plate member 29 that functions as a bumper.

In addition, the lower opening 27 of the front part 22 leaves the front of the front part 22 and the left and right sides of the front part 22 open. In other words, the lower opening 27 also extends to the sides of the forward detection sensor 20. As a result, there is nothing in front of the front part 22 or on the left and right sides of the front part 22 that blocks the laser light emitted by the forward detection sensor 20. Therefore, the detection range of the forward detection sensor 20 extends to the left and right sides of the front part 22 in addition to the front of the front part 22. In other words, the lower opening 27 does not affect the detection range of the forward detection sensor 20. As a result, the detection range of the forward detection sensor 20 extends to a range of 180 degrees around the forward detection sensor 20.

The front section 22 also has a shorter length along the left-right direction of the vehicle as it approaches the front of the vehicle. In other words, the front section 22 is not wider than the left-right width of the hood 14 located behind it. Therefore, even if the front section 22 is structured to double as a front bumper, it does not affect the turning radius of the towing tractor 10. In Figure 4, the trajectory of the front section 22 when the towing tractor 10 turns is shown by a two-dot chain line.

The side detection sensor 21 is positioned above the side plate member 45 so that it is not exposed to the left or right of the side plate member 45. As a result, when the towing tractor 10 comes into contact with an obstacle on the side of the vehicle, the side plate member 45 functions as a bumper. Furthermore, when the towing tractor 10 comes into contact with an obstacle on the side of the vehicle, the side cover 47 that covers a part of the side detection sensor 21 also functions as a bumper. In other words, in this embodiment, the side portion 35 on which the side detection sensor 21 is positioned functions as a bumper portion that absorbs the impact when it comes into contact with an obstacle. Furthermore, the side portion 35 has a side plate member 45 that functions as a bumper.

In addition, the step portion 44 that connects the first rear portion 41 and the second rear portion 42 in a step shape leaves the front of the side portion 35 open when the side portion 35 is viewed from the front in the left-right direction. As a result, there is nothing blocking the laser light emitted by the side detection sensor 21. In addition, the step portion 44 that connects the first rear portion 41 and the second rear portion 42 in a step shape leaves the front and rear of the side portion 35 open when the side portion 35 is viewed from the front in the front-rear direction. In other words, the step portion 44 also extends to the side of the side detection sensor 21 along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. As a result, there is nothing blocking the laser light emitted by the side detection sensor 21. Therefore, the detection range of the side detection sensor 21 extends to the front and rear of the side portion 35 in addition to the front of the side portion 35. In other words, the step portion 44 creates an opening in the side portion 35, and the opening in the side portion 35 does not affect the detection range of the side detection sensor 21. As a result, the detection range of the side detection sensor 21 extends over a 180-degree range centered on the side detection sensor 21.

[Effects of the embodiment]
As described above, according to the towing tractor 10 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) By making the front portion 22 function as a bumper, the forward detection sensor 20 disposed at the front of the vehicle can be protected even if the front of the towing tractor 10 comes into contact with an obstacle. As a result, a vehicle structure can be provided that takes into account the possibility of contact with an obstacle in front of the vehicle, as a vehicle equipped with a sensor that detects obstacles at the front of the vehicle.

(2) By making the side portion 35 function as a bumper, the side detection sensor 21 disposed on the side of the vehicle can be protected even if the side of the towing tractor 10 comes into contact with an obstacle. As a result, a vehicle structure can be provided that takes into account the possibility of contact with an obstacle on the side of the vehicle, as a vehicle equipped with a sensor that detects an obstacle on the side of the vehicle.

(3) A vehicle structure that can protect the sensor that detects obstacles can prevent damage to the sensor even if the vehicle comes into contact with an obstacle. As a result, the deterioration of the vehicle's obstacle detection function can be prevented.

(4) The front section 22 includes a front plate member 29 that functions as a bumper, as well as a front cover 30 that covers a portion of the forward detection sensor 20. This allows the front cover 30 to also function as a bumper. As a result, the protection function of the forward detection sensor 20 in the front section 22 can be further strengthened.

(5) By arranging the forward detection sensor 20 in the lower opening 27 of the front portion 22, the detection range of the forward detection sensor 20 can be secured to be wide. As a result, the performance of detecting obstacles in front of the vehicle can be improved.

(6) The shape of the front section 22 is configured so that the length along the left-right direction of the vehicle becomes shorter as it moves forward. Therefore, even when the front section 22 is installed, the turning radius of the vehicle can be prevented from increasing. As a result, a vehicle with small maneuverability can be provided, and a vehicle structure can be provided that can protect the sensor that detects obstacles without degrading driving performance.

(7) The forward detection sensor 20 is disposed above the front plate member 29, but is not fixed to the front plate member 29. In other words, the forward detection sensor 20 and the front plate member 29 are not physically connected. This makes it possible to prevent the impact generated when the front of the vehicle comes into contact with an obstacle from being transmitted to the forward detection sensor 20 through the front plate member 29. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the forward detection sensor 20.

(8) In addition to the side plate member 45 that functions as a bumper, the side portion 35 is provided with a side cover 47 that covers a portion of the side detection sensor 21. This allows the side cover 47 to also function as a bumper. As a result, the protection function of the side detection sensor 21 in the side portion 35 can be further strengthened.

(9) The first rear portion 41 and the second rear portion 42 of the side portion 35 are connected in a stepped manner, and the side detection sensor 21 is disposed in that area, thereby ensuring a wide detection range for the side detection sensor 21. As a result, the performance of detecting obstacles on the sides of the vehicle can be improved.

(10) The side detection sensor 21 is disposed above the side plate member 45, but is not fixed to the side plate member 45. In other words, the side detection sensor 21 and the side plate member 45 are not physically connected. This makes it possible to prevent the impact generated when the side of the vehicle comes into contact with an obstacle from being transmitted to the side detection sensor 21 through the side plate member 45. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the side detection sensor 21.

(11) The side plate member 45 extends to below the driver's seat 12. Therefore, in addition to functioning as a bumper, the side plate member 45 can also function as a step 46 for getting in and out of the driver's seat 12. This allows one part to have multiple functions, and prevents an increase in the number of parts.

[Example of change]
The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows: The above-described embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent.

The position of the forward detection sensor 20 in the front section 22 may be changed. In the embodiment, the forward detection sensor 20 is positioned almost at the bottom of the front section 22, but it may also be positioned, for example, in the upper opening 25 where the headlights 26 are located. In other words, the vertical position of the forward detection sensor 20 may be changed. If the forward detection sensor 20 is positioned closer to the road surface, it is possible to detect smaller obstacles and to expand the detection range.

The position of the side detection sensor 21 in the side portion 35 may be changed. In the embodiment, the side detection sensor 21 is disposed near the center of the side portion 35 in the vertical direction, but the vertical position may be changed to the top or bottom.

The number of forward detection sensors 20 and the number of side detection sensors 21 may be changed.
The front cover 30 of the front portion 22 and the side covers 47 of the side portions 35 may be omitted. In this case, the front portion 22 exhibits a bumper function by the front plate member 29. Also, the side portions 35 exhibit a bumper function by the side plate members 45.

The front plate member 29 is a plate-shaped member, but its configuration may be modified to be a bumper member. For example, multiple rigid columnar members may be arranged side-by-side at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

The side plate member 45 is a plate-shaped member, but its configuration may be modified to be a bumper member. For example, multiple rigid pillar-shaped members may be arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

○ The side plate member 45 is configured to function as the step 46, but may be configured separately. In other words, the side plate member 45 may be disposed only below the side portion 35. On the other hand, the step 46 may be disposed as a separate component from the side plate member 45, or the towing tractor 10 may be configured without the step 46.

The towing tractor 10 may be configured to selectively travel either automatically or manually. During automatic travel, the driver's seat 12 may be manned or unmanned.
The towing tractor 10 may be a non-cabin type in which the driver's seat 12 is not covered.

The industrial vehicle may be any vehicle used for loading and transporting goods, such as a forklift. When the technology of the embodiment is applied to a forklift, a detection sensor that detects obstacles may be disposed at the rear of the vehicle. In addition, a detection sensor that detects obstacles may be disposed to the side of the forklift.

[Additional Notes]
The technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below.
(A) An industrial vehicle for transporting loads has a detection sensor for detecting an obstacle present in a direction in which the vehicle can travel, the detection sensor is disposed at a predetermined location in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the predetermined location being in a bumper section that absorbs impact when the vehicle comes into contact with the obstacle in the direction in which the vehicle can travel. With this configuration, the detection sensor can be protected even if the vehicle comes into contact with an obstacle in the direction in which the vehicle can travel.

(b) The bumper portion has a bumper member that functions as a bumper below the predetermined portion where the detection sensor is disposed, and the bumper member protrudes beyond the outer surface of the detection sensor in the direction in which the vehicle can travel. With this configuration, by disposing the bumper member below the detection sensor, it is possible to protect the detection sensor from flying stones and the like while driving, and also to prevent obstacles on the side from coming into contact with the bumper member.

(c) The bumper portion has a cover member that is located above the bumper member and the detection sensor that is located above the bumper member and covers a part of the detection sensor, the cover member is a member that functions as the bumper, and an opening is located between the bumper member and the cover member that exposes the outer surface of the detection sensor that is not covered by the cover member to the front and sides of the vehicle. With this configuration, the detection sensor can also be protected by the cover member.

(d) In the above industrial vehicle, the bumper is configured so that the width in the left-right direction of the vehicle gradually narrows toward the front-rear end of the vehicle. With this configuration, it is possible to make the bumper not affect the turning radius of the vehicle.

In the above industrial vehicle, the bumper portion is located at the front of the vehicle. With this configuration, the detection sensor can be protected even if the front of the vehicle comes into contact with an obstacle.

10...towing tractor, 12...driver's seat, 12a...boarding area, 15...front wheels, 16...rear wheels, 20...forward detection sensor, 21...side detection sensor, 22...front section, 29...front plate member, 30...front cover, 35...side section, 45...side plate member, 46...step, 47...side cover.

Claims (4)

In industrial vehicles that transport cargo,
A detection sensor is provided for detecting an obstacle present on the side of the vehicle.
The detection sensor is disposed at a predetermined position on a side of the vehicle,
the predetermined portion is in a bumper portion that absorbs an impact when the obstacle comes into contact with the side of the vehicle,
the bumper portion has a bumper member that functions as a bumper below the predetermined portion where the detection sensor is disposed,
the bumper member protrudes in the left-right direction of the vehicle beyond an outer surface of the detection sensor,
The vehicle has front and rear wheels,
the bumper portion is located near the front wheels, and a driver's seat is located between the bumper portion and the rear wheels,
The bumper member extends from below the bumper portion toward the rear of the vehicle to the driver's seat boarding area and also serves as a step for boarding and alighting from the driver's seat . In industrial vehicles that transport cargo,
A detection sensor is provided for detecting an obstacle present on the side of the vehicle.
The detection sensor is disposed at a predetermined position on a side of the vehicle,
the predetermined portion is in a bumper portion that absorbs an impact when the obstacle comes into contact with the side of the vehicle,
the bumper portion has a bumper member that functions as a bumper below the predetermined portion where the detection sensor is disposed,
the bumper member protrudes in the left-right direction of the vehicle beyond an outer surface of the detection sensor,
the bumper portion includes a cover member that is located above the bumper member and the detection sensor disposed above the bumper member and covers a part of the detection sensor,
the cover member is a member that is detachably attached to the bumper portion and functions as the bumper,
An industrial vehicle characterized in that an opening is located between the bumper member and the cover member, exposing an outer surface of the detection sensor that is not covered by the cover member to the side of the vehicle . The opening portion is open in a left-right direction of the vehicle and extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle,
the cover member extends in a front-rear direction of the vehicle to define an upper opening edge of the opening portion solely with the cover member,
The industrial vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the detection sensor is disposed at a position away from the front-rear end of the cover member. 4. The industrial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the detection sensor arranged at the predetermined portion is positioned outward from a side surface of a wheel mounted on the vehicle.