Range and position determination system and method

A range and position determination system for a lift machine, the range and position determination system comprising:

• a human machine interface structured to identify a desired position;
• and
• a base unit structured to be coupled to a frame of the lift machine and to:
• determine a platform position, of a platform coupled to the frame, relative to the frame;
• receive a total weight of the platform;
• determine distance and orientation information of the desired position relative to frame;
• query a load map including an operational envelope using the distance and orientation information and the total weight;
• return an acceptable status when the distance and orientation information and the total weight are within the operational envelope;
• return an unacceptable status when the distance and orientation information and the total weight are outside the operational envelope;
• and
• output the acceptable status or the unacceptable status to the human machine interface;
• wherein the human machine interface includes:
• a cradle structured to be rigidly coupled to the platform and defining a calibration orientation;
• and
• a sighting device movable relative to the cradle and including a sensor array,
• wherein the desired position is defined relative to the calibration orientation, and
• wherein the base unit determines a relative position of the desired position with respect to the base unit.

A lift machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a platform movable relative to the frame and structured to support a user;
• and
• a range and position determination system including:
• a base unit coupled to the frame and structured to determine a platform position relative to the frame;
• a human machine interface structured to identify a desired position and including a user input device;
• and
• one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• receive a total weight of the platform;
• determine distance and orientation information of the desired position;
• query a load map including an operational envelope using the distance and orientation information and the total weight;
• return an acceptable status when the distance and orientation information and the total weight are within the operational envelope;
• return an unacceptable status when the distance and orientation information and the total weight are outside the operational envelope;
• output the acceptable status or the unacceptable status to the human machine interface for display to the user;
• receive actuation information from the user input device of the human machine interface;
• and
• automatically control the lift machine to move the platform to the desired position in response to (a) outputting the acceptable status and (b) information received from the user input device;
• wherein the human machine interface includes an aiming unit positioned on the platform, and
• wherein the aiming unit includes a laser distance meter structured to determine a distance from the aiming unit to the desired position.

A lift machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a platform movable relative to the frame and structured to support a user;
• and
• a range and position determination system including:
• a base unit coupled to the frame and structured to determine a platform position relative to the frame;
• a human machine interface structured to identify a desired position and including a user input device;
• and
• one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• receive a total weight of the platform;
• determine distance and orientation information of the desired position;
• query a load map including an operational envelope using the distance and orientation information and the total weight;
• return an acceptable status when the distance and orientation information and the total weight are within the operational envelope;
• return an unacceptable status when the distance and orientation information and the total weight are outside the operational envelope;
• output the acceptable status or the unacceptable status to the human machine interface for display to the user;
• receive actuation information from the user input device of the human machine interface;
• and
• automatically control the lift machine to move the platform to the desired position in response to (a) outputting the acceptable status and (b) information received from the user input device;
• wherein the human machine interface includes an aiming unit positioned on the platform,
• wherein the aiming unit includes
• a cradle rigidly coupled to the platform;
• and
• a sighting device movable relative to the cradle and including a sensor array, and
• wherein the one or more memory devices are further configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a relative position of the desired position with respect to the base unit.

A lift machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a platform movable relative to the frame and structured to support a user;
• and
• a range and position determination system including:
• a base unit coupled to the frame and structured to determine a platform position relative to the frame;
• a human machine interface structured to identify a desired position and including a user input device;
• and
• one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• receive a total weight of the platform;
• determine distance and orientation information of the desired position;
• query a load map including an operational envelope using the distance and orientation information and the total weight;
• return an acceptable status when the distance and orientation information and the total weight are within the operational envelope;
• return an unacceptable status when the distance and orientation information and the total weight are outside the operational envelope;
• output the acceptable status or the unacceptable status to the human machine interface for display to the user;
• receive actuation information from the user input device of the human machine interface;
• and
• automatically control the lift machine to move the platform to the desired position in response to (a) outputting the acceptable status and (b) information received from the user input device;
• wherein the human machine interface includes an aiming unit positioned on the platform, and
• wherein the aiming unit includes a zero position defined when a sighting device is within or engaged with a cradle rigidly coupled to the platform.