Controlled direction non-contact detection system for automatic guided vehicles

摘要

A non-contact collision avoidance system for an automatically guided vehicle is disclosed for preventing collisions between the vehicle and obstacles in the path of the vehicle during vehicle maneuvers, including relatively sharp turns. A sensor device mounted on the vehicle provides panoramic sensing of obstacles in the path of the vehicle. The field of view of the sensor device is altered as a function of the vehicle steering angle. Also disclosed is a steering angle sensor comprising an optical shutter system for providing a signal representing the steering angle of the vehicle.