Newly developed ultrasonic sensor makes logistics safe and efficient

The ultrasonic sensor system provides non-touch detection of both humans as well as objects and is unaffected by dirt, extraneous noise, air flows and moisture. In comparison to other solutions, the Mayser ultrasonic concept has a decisive advantage: Two very small ultrasonic transducers can be connected to each electronic system as sensors. These can be positioned flexibly and geometrically independent of the electronic system and as a result can be mounted locally, directly at the danger area.

The transducers can, for example, be installed in the forks of a forklift truck and detect the surroundings unaffected by the load. They create an elliptical sound field that also detects very small objects. Consequently, with the help of the ultrasonic industrial sensor USi^®, storage spaces in a high-bay warehouse can be checked without the driver having to look into the rack.

In combination with Ultrasonic safety, the possibility of positioning the transducers directly in the forks provides new areas of application for personnel safety. With a loaded fork the detection field is not obstructed, and the ultrasonic sensor system reliably detects whether there is an object or a human in the danger area. The field not only recognises if someone is standing in front or beside the fork, the employee can even be detected during lowering, and the forks are stopped in time. With autonomous driving forklift trucks, the goods no longer need to be pulled, but can be pushed without danger. The ultrasonic sensor can also be used for monitoring the rear area or as heel protection on lift trucks. A teach-in function also enables the system to learn the complete measuring environment as a standard environment. The system thus only responds to deviations from the target state.

In order to achieve functionally more reliable safety of personnel, Ultrasonic safety was developed in addition to the ultrasonic industrial sensor USi^®. It features a dual channel design and is the only ultrasonic sensor in the world that is certified according to ISO 13849-1:2015 category 3 PL d for personnel safety. Up to two transducers can be connected to Ultrasonic safety, which each create a protective and a warning field. Both fields can be adapted individually to the application. With a maximum range of the protective field of 200 cm, Ultrasonic safety enables higher travel speeds of automated processes, as it reduces the speed in time, before a dangerous collision with personnel occurs. As a result, it is possible for humans to work safely next to automated tools or vehicles.

Mayser not only offers non-touch sensors, but also tactile system components for other logistics applications. Consequently, driverless transport systems (FTS) can be equipped with safety bumpers. Thanks to short overtravel distances, these provide inexpensive collision protection. For the protection of the side flanks, safety bumpers or even safety edges can also be used, which have proven successful for the high demands on protection devices in public transport or other industrial applications.