Lift collision avoidance system

A system for controlling a lift device, the system comprising:

• at least one hand control adapted to control the lift device;
• at least one drive adapted to move the lift device;
• at least one controller operatively coupled to the at least one hand control and to the at least one drive, the controller adapted to interrupt operation of the at least one drive when the lift device at least one of approaches and touches an object;
• at least one first sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the at least one first sensor adapted to sense at least one of an approach to and a contact with an object above the lift device, and to transmit a corresponding detection signal to the controller, wherein the at least one first sensor includes at least one optical proximity detector and at least one through-beam detector.

A system for controlling a lift device, the system comprising:

• at least one hand control adapted to control the lift device;
• at least one drive adapted to move the lift device;
• at least one controller operatively coupled to the at least one hand control and to the at least one drive, the controller adapted to interrupt operation of the at least one drive when the lift device at least one of approaches and touches an object;
• at least one first sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the at least one first sensor adapted to sense at least one of an approach to and a contact with an object above the lift device, and to transmit a corresponding detection signal to the controller;
• and
• at least one display linked to the controller, the at least one display adapted to indicate a presence of the object proximate to the lift device, wherein the at least one display includes a directional display adapted to display a direction the lift device will move if the at least one drive is activated.

A system device for sensing objects, the device comprising:

• a moveable platform having a drive assembly;
• a module coupled to the platform and including adapted to hold a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors including;
• at least one first sensor configured attached to the module adapted to sense objects proximate to the system device;
• at least one through-beam receiver configured attached to the module adapted to receive a light beam that may be interrupted by the proximity of objects;
• and
• at least one through-beam emitter configured attached to the module adapted to emit a light beam that may be interrupted by objects proximate to the module;
• a controller operatively coupled to the module and to the drive assembly, the controller configured to interrupt operation of the drive assembly in response to a detection signal from the module;
• and
• a display coupled to the drive assembly and configured to indicate a presence of the object proximate to the lift device, and further configured to indicate a direction drive assembly will move the platform if activated.

A display system, comprising:

• a lift device including a steering mechanism,
• a direction indicator operatively connected to the steering mechanism, the direction indicator adapted to indicate an angle the steering mechanism is oriented;
• at least one sensor device adapted to detect a presence of an object proximate to the lift device;
• and
• at least one proximity display operatively connected to the at least one sensor device, the at least one proximity display adapted to indicate the presence of an object proximate to the lift device detected by the at least one sensor device.

A method for controlling a lift device, comprising:

• providing a sensor module adapted to monitor a plurality of scanning regions proximate the lift device for the presence of an approaching object and to detect the approaching object prior to physical contact with the approaching object, wherein at least two of the scanning regions are approximately orthogonally disposed relative to each other;
• providing a sensor module includes providing a sensor module having at least one through-beam detector, and wherein detecting an approaching object includes detecting an approaching object using the through-beam detector;
• monitoring the plurality of scanning regions for an approaching object;
• moving at least a portion of the lift device using a drive assembly;
• detecting an approaching object within at least one of the scanning regions proximate to the lift device;
• and
• interrupting the operation of the drive assembly in response to the detection of the approaching object.

A method for assembling aircraft, comprising:

• approaching an aircraft component with a lift device;
• indicating a direction a steering device of the lift device is turned;
• detecting the aircraft component proximate to a portion of the lift device;
• interrupting a motion command from being communicated to a drive component driving a motion of the lift device towards the aircraft component;
• and
• stopping the lift device.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a lift device including a drive assembly;
• at least one sensor module operatively coupled to the lift device, the sensor module being adapted to monitor a plurality of scanning regions proximate the lift device for the presence of an approaching object and to detect the approaching object prior to physical contact with the approaching object, wherein at least two of the scanning regions are approximately orthogonally disposed relative to each other;
• wherein the sensor module includes a first proximity sensor adapted to monitor a first scanning region approximately along a first scanning axis, and a second through-beam sensor adapted to monitor a second scanning region approximately along a second scanning axis, wherein the first and second scanning axes are approximately orthogonal;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the sensor module and operatively coupled to the drive assembly, the controller being adapted to interrupt operation of the drive assembly in response to a detection signal from the sensor module.