Obstacle detection system for an aerial work platform
A platform assembly includes a work platform including a platform floor and a safety rail extending from the platform floor to a rail height, and a primary sensor unit secured to the work platform and positioned adjacent the platform floor. The primary sensor unit is configured to monitor an area from the platform floor to a space above the rail height and forward and aft of the work platform. The platform assembly enhances protection for an operator from sustained involuntary operation resulting in an impact with an obstruction or structure.
1. A platform assembly comprising:
a work platform including a platform floor and a safety rail extending from the platform floor to a rail height; and
a primary sensor unit secured to the work platform and positioned adjacent the platform floor, the primary sensor unit being configured to singly monitor an area from the platform floor to a space above the rail height and forward and aft of the work platform.
2. A platform assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the primary sensor unit comprises two sensors facing in different directions, each of the sensors defining a fan of coverage, wherein the sensors are positioned relative to each other such that the fans of coverage at least partially overlap.
3. A platform assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the two sensors are oriented 90° relative to each other.
4. A platform assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the work platform is rectangular shaped with two long sides and shorter front and back ends, and wherein the primary sensor unit is positioned on at least one of the two long sides.
5. A platform assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the work platform comprises a platform extension that is displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position and extends the platform floor in at least one of a forward and a rearward direction in the extended position, the platform assembly further comprising a secondary sensor unit positioned adjacent the platform extension and configured to monitor at least an area directly below the platform extension.
6. A platform assembly according to claim 5 , further comprising a target panel positioned on the platform extension and displaceable with the platform extension, wherein the target panel is in a sight line of the secondary sensor in the extended position, and wherein the target panel is out of the sight line of the secondary sensor in the retracted position.
7. A scissor lift comprising:
a wheeled chassis;
an arm stack supported on the wheeled chassis and displaceable between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation; and
a platform assembly supported on the arm stack and displaceable with the arm stack, the platform assembly including:
a work platform including a platform floor and a safety rail extending from the platform floor to a rail height, and
a primary sensor unit secured to the work platform and positioned adjacent the platform floor, the primary sensor unit being configured to singly monitor an area from the platform floor to a space above the rail height and forward and aft of the work platform.
8. A scissor lift according to claim 7 , wherein the primary sensor unit comprises two sensors facing in different directions, each of the sensors defining a fan of coverage, and wherein the sensors are positioned relative to each other such that the fans of coverage at least partially overlap.
9. A scissor lift according to claim 7 , wherein the work platform comprises a platform extension that is displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position and extends the platform floor in at least one of a forward and a rearward direction in the extended position overhanging the arm stack, the platform assembly further comprising a secondary sensor unit positioned adjacent the platform extension and configured to monitor at least an area directly below the platform extension.
10. A scissor lift according to claim 9 , further comprising a target panel positioned on the platform extension and displaceable with the platform extension, wherein the target panel is in a sight line of the secondary sensor in the extended position, and wherein the target panel is out of the sight line of the secondary sensor in the retracted position.
11. A platform assembly comprising:
a work platform including a platform floor, two long sides, and a safety rail extending from the platform floor to a rail height; and
two primary sensor units secured to the work platform and positioned adjacent the platform floor on each of the two long sides, respectively, the primary sensor units being configured to monitor an area from the platform floor to a space above the rail height and forward and aft of the work platform,
wherein the primary sensor units each comprise two sensors facing in different directions, each of the sensors defining a fan of coverage, and wherein the sensors are positioned relative to each other such that the fans of coverage on each side of the platform at least partially overlap.
12. A platform assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the two sensors in each of the primary sensor units are oriented 90° relative to each other.
13. A platform assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the work platform comprises a platform extension that is displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position and extends the platform floor in at least one of a forward and a rearward direction in the extended position, the platform assembly further comprising a secondary sensor unit positioned adjacent the platform extension and configured to monitor at least an area directly below the platform extension.
14. A platform assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising a target panel positioned on the platform extension and displaceable with the platform extension, wherein the target panel is in a sight line of the secondary sensor in the extended position, and wherein the target panel is out of the sight line of the secondary sensor in the retracted position.