Patent Description:
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication <CIT> discloses a work vehicle that includes a rear monitoring camera, a rear obstacle sensor, and a positioning detection device. Each of the rear monitoring camera, the rear obstacle sensor, and the positioning detection device is a device for assisting autonomous driving of the work vehicle. The rear monitoring camera and the rear obstacle sensor are disposed at a rear portion of the roof of the work vehicle. The positioning detection device is disposed on an upper surface of the roof. In addition, the work vehicle disclosed in the above publication includes, for example, two indicator lights. Each indicator light distinctively displays, for example, whether an anomaly has occurred in the work vehicle or whether an obstacle has been detected. The two indicator lights are disposed on the left and right sides of the roof, respectively. <CIT> discloses a forklift having the features in the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose further prior art.

In recent years, the autonomous driving of a work vehicle can be assisted using only a single device. For the single device to completely acquire information on the area around the work vehicle from all directions, the single device needs to be disposed at an appropriate position in the work vehicle. Further, it is desired that the number of indicator lights be reduced. However, in this case, a decrease in the visibility of the indicator light needs to be limited. The object of the present invention is to overcome the above discussed shortcomings in the prior art.

The above object is solved by a cargo handling vehicle according to claim <NUM>.

Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

However, the examples described are thorough and complete, and convey the full scope of the invention to one of ordinary skill in the art.

An embodiment of a sensor and indicator light mounting structure and a cargo handling vehicle will now be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, a cargo handling vehicle <NUM> is a reach forklift. The cargo handling vehicle <NUM> may be a counterbalance forklift. The cargo handling vehicle <NUM> operates automatically. The operation mode of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> may be switchable so that the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> is operated autonomously or manually. In the following direction, the "front," "rear," "left," and "right" directions are defined with reference to the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>.

The cargo handling vehicle <NUM> includes a vehicle body <NUM>. The cargo handling vehicle <NUM> includes reach legs <NUM>. Two reach legs <NUM> are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The reach legs <NUM> extend forward from the vehicle body <NUM>.

The cargo handling vehicle <NUM> includes front wheels <NUM>. Each reach leg <NUM> has a corresponding front wheel <NUM>. The cargo handling vehicle <NUM> includes rear wheels <NUM>. The rear wheels <NUM> are disposed on the vehicle body <NUM>.

The cargo handling vehicle <NUM> includes a cargo handling device <NUM>. The cargo handling device <NUM> is located in front of the vehicle body <NUM>. The cargo handling device <NUM> includes a mast <NUM>. The mast <NUM> is guided by the reach legs <NUM>. The mast <NUM> is provided with left and right forks <NUM> via a lift bracket <NUM>. The forks <NUM> are elevated and lowered relative to the mast <NUM> by the lift bracket <NUM>. The mast <NUM> moves in the front-rear direction. Since the lift bracket <NUM> tilts in the front-rear direction, the forks <NUM> tilt together with the lift bracket <NUM>.

The vehicle body <NUM> includes a driver's cabin <NUM>. The driver's cabin <NUM> is located at a rear portion of the vehicle body <NUM> on one side in the left-right direction. The driver's cabin <NUM> is of a standing type. The vehicle body <NUM> includes an instrument panel 19a. The instrument panel 19a is located on the front side of the driver's cabin <NUM> of the vehicle body <NUM>. The vehicle body <NUM> includes operation levers 19b and a steering device 19c. The operation levers 19b and the steering device 19c are disposed on the instrument panel 19a.

As shown in <FIG>, the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> includes an upper frame <NUM>. The upper frame <NUM> includes two side frames <NUM> and a head cover <NUM>. Each of the two side frames <NUM> is located at a front portion of the vehicle body <NUM>. The two side frames <NUM> extend vertically. The head cover <NUM> is located at upper ends of the two side frames <NUM>. The head cover <NUM> covers the driver's cabin <NUM> from above. A mounting plate 20a is fixed to an upper surface of the head cover <NUM>. The mounting plate 20a is fixed to a front portion and a side portion of the head cover <NUM>.

The cargo handling vehicle <NUM> includes an obstacle detection device <NUM>. The obstacle detection device <NUM> detects an obstacle that hinders the movement of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. The obstacle detection device <NUM> includes a control device <NUM> and a single sensor <NUM>. The control device <NUM> is located on a lower surface of the head cover <NUM>. The control device <NUM> detects an obstacle based on the observation result of the sensor <NUM>. The method for detecting an obstacle performed by the obstacle detection device <NUM> is known, and thus will not be described in detail.

The sensor <NUM> observes an obstacle located around the vehicle body <NUM> of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is capable of measuring the distance to a point and the direction of the point. In the present embodiment, the sensor <NUM> is a laser distance meter. The laser distance meter may be referred to as a laser imaging detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor or a laser rangefinder.

As shown in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. A sensor center axis L1 passing through the center of the cylinder of the sensor <NUM> extends vertically. The sensor <NUM> emits a laser beam as an emission wave over a range of <NUM>° around the sensor center axis L1. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, preferably, the emission range ER of the laser beam emitted from the sensor <NUM> may be set so as not to interfere with the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>, specifically, not to interfere with even a part of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> such as the head cover <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is a distance meter capable of recognizing its surrounding environment by receiving a laser beam (reflected light) reflected from the point where the laser beam hits. Thus, the sensor <NUM> observes the obstacle by emitting the emission wave to an area around the vehicle body <NUM> and receiving a reflection of the reflected emission wave. In this context, the obstacle includes an obstacle that interferes with the movement of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> and an object that does not interfere with the movement of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> includes a cable 25a for outputting a detection signal or inputting a signal. Although not shown in detail, the cable 25a passes through the head cover <NUM> and the mounting plate 20a to be connected to the control device <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> has a diameter R.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> includes an indicator light <NUM>. The indicator light <NUM> is disposed to notify people around the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> of the state and presence of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. The indicator light <NUM> has a quadrangular prism shape. The indicator light <NUM> includes a mounting portion 31a and a rotating beacon light 31b. The mounting portion 31a and the rotating beacon light 31b are vertically continuous with each other. The mounting portion 31a is mounted on a mounting member <NUM>, which will be described later. The rotating beacon light 31b is visible to people around the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>.

A center axis L2 passing through the center of the quadrangular prism of the indicator light <NUM> extends vertically. The rotating beacon light 31b lights up over a range of <NUM>° around the center axis L2. The rotating beacon light 31b has a dimension M in each of the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The dimension M of the rotating beacon light 31b is slightly different from the diameter R of the sensor <NUM>. However, the dimension M of the rotating beacon light 31b may be equal to the diameter R of the sensor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> includes the mounting member <NUM>. The mounting member <NUM> is disposed to mount the sensor <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> on the vehicle body <NUM>. In the embodiment, the mounting member <NUM> is disposed to mount the sensor <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> on the head cover <NUM> of the vehicle body <NUM>. The mounting member <NUM> is located on an upper surface of the mounting plate 20a fixed to the head cover <NUM>. Thus, the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a is a part of the upper surface of the vehicle body <NUM> on which the mounting member <NUM> is mounted.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the mounting member <NUM> includes a mounting portion body <NUM>, legs <NUM> extending from the mounting portion body <NUM>, and two ribs <NUM>. The legs <NUM> extend in a direction intersecting the mounting portion body <NUM>. The mounting member <NUM> is formed by machining a sheet of metal. Specifically, the mounting member <NUM> is formed by machining a sheet of metal into a shape that allows for formation of the mounting portion body <NUM>, the four legs <NUM>, and the ribs <NUM>, and then bending the legs <NUM> and the ribs <NUM> relative to the mounting portion body <NUM>.

The mounting portion body <NUM> has an elongated rectangular plate shape. The long sides of the mounting portion body <NUM> extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body <NUM>. The short sides of the mounting portion body <NUM> extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle body <NUM>. One of the two ribs <NUM> extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body <NUM> along one of the long sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>. The other rib <NUM> extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body <NUM> along the other long side of the mounting portion body <NUM>. The two ribs <NUM> are located on the left and right sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>, respectively.

The legs <NUM> are disposed at four corners of the mounting portion body <NUM>, respectively. Two legs <NUM> are disposed on each of the left and right sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>. One of the two legs <NUM> on one of the left and right sides of the mounting portion body <NUM> extends forward and outward from a front end of the mounting portion body <NUM>, and the other of the two legs <NUM> extends rearward and outward from a rear end of the mounting portion body <NUM>. In a plan view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> seen from above, the four legs <NUM> extend radially from the mounting portion body <NUM>. The thickness direction of each of the four legs <NUM> substantially coincides with the left-right direction of the vehicle body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, on each of the front and rear sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>, the two legs <NUM> face each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle body <NUM>. On each of the front and rear sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>, the two legs <NUM> are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle body <NUM>. On each of the front and rear sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>, a first gap S1 is defined between the two legs <NUM> in the left-right direction. The dimension of the first gap S1 in the left-right direction gradually decreases from bottom to top. Thus, the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the left-right direction are tilted toward the mounting portion body <NUM> from their lower ends toward their upper ends.

As shown in <FIG>, on each of the left and right sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>, the two legs <NUM> are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. On each of the left and right sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>, a second gap S2 is defined between the two legs <NUM> in the front-rear direction. The dimension of the second gap S2 in the front-rear direction gradually decreases from bottom to top. Thus, the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the front-rear direction are tilted toward the mounting portion body <NUM> from their lower ends toward their upper ends. The rib <NUM> extends between the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, each of the four legs <NUM> includes a mounting piece 42a. The mounting piece 42a is bent from the leg <NUM> to be parallel to the mounting portion body <NUM>. The mounting piece 42a has a rectangular plate shape. A fixing member <NUM> is inserted through each mounting piece 42a. The fixing member <NUM> is a bolt. A male screw of the fixing member <NUM> is fastened to a female screw in the head cover <NUM> or the mounting plate 20a. Thus, each leg <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a, and the mounting member <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a.

As shown in <FIG>, the mounting member <NUM> is disposed at a central portion of the head cover <NUM> in the left-right direction and located closer to a front end of the head cover <NUM> in the front-rear direction. The mounting portion body <NUM> is disposed at the central portion of the head cover <NUM> in the left-right direction and located closer to the front end of the head cover <NUM> in the front-rear direction. The four legs <NUM> are used to dispose the mounting portion body <NUM> above the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a. The position of the mounting portion body <NUM> elevated from the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a can be adjusted by adjusting the protruding lengths of the legs <NUM> from the mounting portion body <NUM>.

The head cover <NUM> covers the driver's cabin <NUM> from above. Thus, the mounting member <NUM> is positioned higher than a person riding in the driver's cabin <NUM>. Thus, the indicator light <NUM> mounted on the mounting member <NUM> is positioned higher than people around the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. For the indicator light <NUM> to be visible to people around the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>, the protruding lengths of the legs <NUM> are adjusted.

As shown in <FIG>, the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> may include a cover member <NUM> that is integrated with the mounting member <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> is mounted on a rear portion of the mounting portion body <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> is disposed at a rear portion of the mounting portion body <NUM> and along the two legs <NUM> at the rear portion of the mounting portion body <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> includes an upper cover <NUM> and two leg covers <NUM>. The upper cover <NUM> covers a part of the upper surface of the mounting portion body <NUM> at the rear portion of the mounting portion body <NUM>, and extends downward from a rear end edge of the mounting portion body <NUM>.

Each of the two leg covers <NUM> includes a first portion 52a laterally extending from a side surface of the upper cover <NUM> in the left-right direction, and a second portion 52b extending downward from the first portion 52a. The first portions 52a are disposed along the rear end edge of the mounting portion body <NUM>. The second portions 52b are disposed along a rear end edge of the leg <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting portion body <NUM>. On the upper surface of the mounting portion body <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> is mounted in front of the upper cover <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. The mounting member <NUM> is used to elevate the sensor <NUM> from the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a. The sensor <NUM> is thus located at the highest position in the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>.

The mounting portion body <NUM> is sized so as not to fall within the emission range ER of the laser beam emitted from the sensor <NUM>. Thus, the mounting portion body <NUM> does not block the laser beam emitted from the sensor <NUM>. Accordingly, the mounting portion body <NUM> does not hinder the sensor <NUM> from observing an obstacle located around the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cable 25a of the sensor <NUM> is wired along the upper surface of the mounting portion body <NUM> and along the inner surface of one leg <NUM> at the rear portion of the mounting portion body <NUM>. A part of the cable 25a that is wired along the upper surface of the mounting portion body <NUM> is covered by the upper cover <NUM> from above, and a part of the cable 25a that is wired along the inner surface of the leg <NUM> is covered the leg cover <NUM> from behind.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> vertically overlap each other, with the mounting portion body <NUM> located therebetween, to be mounted on the mounting member <NUM>. That is, the sensor <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> are vertically arranged side by side. The indicator light <NUM> is disposed below the sensor <NUM>. Specifically, the mounting portion 31a of the indicator light <NUM> is mounted on the lower surface of the mounting portion body <NUM>. The rotating beacon light 31b is mounted on the lower surface of the mounting portion body <NUM> via the mounting portion 31a. Thus, the indicator light <NUM> is mounted on the lower surface of the mounting portion body <NUM>.

The view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> from the front as shown in <FIG> is referred to as a front view. The view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> from the rear as shown in <FIG> is referred to as a rear view. The view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> from the left or right as shown in <FIG> is referred to as a side view.

As shown in <FIG>, in the front view, the indicator light <NUM> is disposed between the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the left-right direction. Each of the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the left-right direction is separated from the indicator light <NUM>. As a result, the indicator light <NUM> is visible from the first gap S1, which is defined in the front portion of the mounting portion body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the rear view, the indicator light <NUM> is disposed between the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the left-right direction. Each of the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the left-right direction is separated from the indicator light <NUM>. Although the mounting portion 31a is not visible due to the cover member <NUM>, the rotating beacon light 31b protrudes downward from a lower end of the upper cover <NUM> and a lower end of the first portion 52a. Thus, the rotating beacon light 31b is visible from the first gap S1, which is defined in the rear portion of the mounting portion body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the side view, the indicator light <NUM> is disposed between the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the front-rear direction. Each of the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the front-rear direction is separated from the indicator light <NUM>. In the two legs <NUM> facing each other in the front-rear direction, the distance between the front leg <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> in the front-rear direction is shorter than the distance between the rear leg <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> in the front-rear direction. Although the mounting portion 31a is not visible due to the rib <NUM>, the rotating beacon light 31b protrudes downward from the lower end of the rib <NUM>. Thus, the rotating beacon light 31b is visible from the second gap S2, which is defined in a side portion of the mounting portion body <NUM>. Hence, the legs <NUM> are separated from the indicator light <NUM> in the front view, the rear view, and the side view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. Further, the rotating beacon light 31b is visible in the front view, the rear view, the left view, and the right view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>.

The rotating beacon light 31b is elevated from the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a by the mounting member <NUM>. A gap is defined between the lower surface of the rotating beacon light 31b and the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a.

The sensor center axis L1 of the sensor <NUM> and the center axis L2 of the indicator light <NUM> are coaxial. As described above, the dimension M of the rotating beacon light 31b is equal to or slightly different from the diameter R of the sensor <NUM>. Thus, in the front view, the rear view, and the side view, the side surface of the sensor <NUM> and the side surface of the rotating beacon light 31b are vertically aligned on a straight line. The sensor <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> vertically overlap each other, with the mounting portion body <NUM> located therebetween. As the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> is viewed from above, the sensor <NUM> is located within the upper surface of the indicator light <NUM>. That is, the entire sensor <NUM> overlaps the indicator light <NUM>.

The indicator light <NUM> is separated from the edge of the mounting portion body <NUM> toward the center of the mounting portion body <NUM>. As described above, the mounting portion body <NUM> does not block the laser beam emitted from the sensor <NUM>. Thus, the indicator light <NUM> located closer to the center than to the edge of the mounting portion body <NUM> does not block the laser beam emitted from the sensor <NUM>. Accordingly, the indicator light <NUM> is located outside the emission range ER of the laser beam from the sensor <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting portion body <NUM> of the mounting member <NUM>. Thus, the sensor <NUM> is disposed above the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a by the mounting member <NUM>. Accordingly, an obstacle around the vehicle body <NUM> can be observed with only a single sensor <NUM>.

The indicator light <NUM> is mounted on the lower surface of the mounting portion body <NUM> of the mounting member <NUM>. Thus, the indicator light <NUM> vertically overlaps the sensor <NUM> below the sensor <NUM>. Since the sensor <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> are mounted on the mounting member <NUM>, the indicator light <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> are not disposed on the same plane as the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a. Accordingly, the indicator light <NUM> is not located around the sensor <NUM>.

The above embodiment has the following advantages.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows. The above embodiment the following modifications can be combined as long as the combined modifications remain technically consistent with each other.

A part of the rotating beacon light 31b may overlap the legs <NUM> in the front view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. Instead, a part of the rotating beacon light 31b may overlap the legs <NUM> in the rear view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. Alternatively, a part of the rotating beacon light 31b may overlap the legs <NUM> in the side view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. In short, if the visibility of the rotating beacon light 31b is not significantly reduced, a part of the rotating beacon light 31b may overlap the leg <NUM> in the front view, the rear view, or the side view.

The arrangement of the four legs <NUM> may be changed.

The ribs <NUM> may extend in the left-right direction of the vehicle body <NUM> along the short sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> may be arranged along the long and short sides of the mounting portion body <NUM>. Alternatively, the ribs <NUM> may be omitted.

The mounting member <NUM> may include the mounting portion body <NUM> and one leg <NUM> extending from the mounting portion body <NUM>. In this case, the leg <NUM> protrudes from the central portion of the lower surface of the mounting portion body <NUM>. Further, the sensor <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting portion body <NUM>, and the indicator light <NUM> is mounted on the lower surface of the mounting portion body <NUM> to be disposed around the leg <NUM>. In this configuration, the visibility of the indicator light <NUM> is not reduced by the leg <NUM>.

If the sensor <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> are mounted on the mounting member <NUM> to vertically overlap each other and the indicator light <NUM> is located outside the emission range ER of the laser beam from the sensor <NUM>, the sensor center axis L1 and the center axis L2 of the indicator light <NUM> may be shifted from each other. For example, if the indicator light <NUM> is located outside the emission range ER of the laser beam from the sensor <NUM>, one edge of the indicator light <NUM> may protrude outward from the edges of the sensor <NUM> in plan view of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>.

The dimension M of the indicator light <NUM> may be larger than the diameter R of the sensor <NUM> if the sensor <NUM> and the indicator light <NUM> are mounted on the mounting member <NUM> to vertically overlap each other and the indicator light <NUM> is located outside the emission range ER of the laser beam from the sensor <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> is not limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, the sensor <NUM> may have a quadrangular prism shape. The indicator light <NUM> is not limited to a quadrangular prism shape. For example, the indicator light <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape.

The number of the legs <NUM> may be two, three, five, or more.

The mounting member <NUM> may be formed by integrating the mounting portion body <NUM> and the leg <NUM> through welding.

The mounting member <NUM> may be formed of a resin material. In this case, the mounting portion body <NUM> and the leg <NUM> are integrally formed.

The cargo handling vehicle <NUM> may be an unmanned vehicle that operates automatically. In this case, the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> does not need to include the driver's cabin <NUM> and thus does not include the upper frame <NUM>. The mounting member <NUM> is preferably mounted on the upper surface of the mast <NUM> as the upper surface of the vehicle body <NUM>. On the upper surface of the mast <NUM>, the sensor <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting portion body <NUM> of the mounting member <NUM>, and the indicator light <NUM> is mounted on the lower surface of the mounting portion body <NUM>. In this configuration, the mast <NUM> does not hinder the sensor <NUM> from emitting a laser beam.

If the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> is an unmanned vehicle in which the cargo handling device <NUM> does not include the mast <NUM> or the upper frame <NUM>, the upper surface of the vehicle body <NUM> may be the instrument panel 19a. In this case, at a position relatively near from the instrument panel 19a, the sensor <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting portion body <NUM> of the mounting member <NUM>, and the indicator light <NUM> is mounted on the lower surface of the mounting portion body <NUM>.

In this case, the instrument panel 19a is located at a position lower than the line of sight of a person. Thus, the mounting member <NUM> is disposed at a position lower than the line of sight of a person. Accordingly, the indicator light <NUM> mounted on the mounting member <NUM> is disposed at a position lower than the line of sight of a person around the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. This allows the indicator light <NUM> to be readily seen from around the cargo handling vehicle <NUM>. Hence, the protruding lengths of the legs <NUM> in this configuration may be shorter than those in the embodiment.

Even if the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> is an unmanned vehicle that operates autonomously, the upper surface of the vehicle body <NUM> may be the instrument panel 19a.

The indicator light <NUM> may be mounted on the mounting portion body <NUM> such that the lower surface of the indicator light <NUM> extends along the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a.

To adjust the height of the mounting portion body <NUM>, a spacer may be disposed between the mounting pieces 42a and the mounting plate 20a. For example, to elevate the front portion of the mounting portion body <NUM>, a spacer is disposed between the upper surface of the mounting plate 20a and the lower surfaces of the mounting pieces 42a of the two front legs <NUM> of the mounting portion body <NUM>. In this case, the front portion of the mounting portion body <NUM> is elevated as compared to when there is a no spacer.

In this configuration, since the spacer is disposed under the two front legs <NUM>, the front portion of the mounting portion body <NUM> is not elevated only on one side. Thus, the front portion of the mounting portion body <NUM> is elevated without being tilted left or right. The same applies to the case of elevating a rear portion of the mounting portion body <NUM> and the case of elevating a left or right portion of the mounting portion body <NUM>.

For the height of the mounting portion body <NUM> to be adjustable, a ball screw or a suspension may be disposed on each leg <NUM>.

The mounting member <NUM> may be mounted on the upper surface of the head cover <NUM> without using the mounting plate 20a. In this case, the upper surface of the head cover <NUM> is the upper surface of the vehicle body <NUM>.

The indicator light <NUM> may be a state indicator light that indicates the travel speed of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> by color. In short, the content indicated by the indicator light <NUM> may be changed depending on the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> on which the indicator light <NUM> is mounted.

The mounting member <NUM> may separately include a mounting member for the sensor <NUM> and a mounting member for the indicator light <NUM>. In this case, the sensor <NUM> is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting member for the sensor <NUM>. Further, the mounting member for the indicator light <NUM> is disposed below the mounting member for the sensor <NUM>, and the indicator light <NUM> is mounted on the mounting member for the indicator light <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> may be an ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic sensor can measure a distance by emitting an ultrasonic wave, which corresponds to an emission wave.

The type of the cargo handling vehicle <NUM> may be a tow tractor or a forklift.

Claim 1:
A cargo handling vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
a vehicle body (<NUM>);
a single sensor (<NUM>) configured to observe an obstacle by emitting an emission wave to an area around the vehicle body (<NUM>) and receiving a reflection of the emission wave;
a single indicator light (<NUM>) configured to notify a person around the vehicle body (<NUM>) of a presence of the cargo handling vehicle (<NUM>); and
a mounting member (<NUM>) configured to mount the sensor (<NUM>) and the indicator light (<NUM>) on the vehicle body (<NUM>), wherein
the mounting member (<NUM>) is disposed on an upper surface of the vehicle body (<NUM>),
the sensor (<NUM>) and the indicator light (<NUM>) vertically overlap each other to be mounted on the mounting member (<NUM>),
the indicator light (<NUM>) is arranged below the sensor (<NUM>),
the mounting member (<NUM>) includes a mounting member body (<NUM>) and legs (<NUM>) extending from the mounting member body (<NUM>),
the legs (<NUM>) are mounted on the upper surface of the vehicle body (<NUM>), and
the mounting member (<NUM>) is formed by bending a sheet of metal, characterized in that
the sensor (<NUM>) is mounted on an upper surface of the mounting member body (<NUM>) and the indicator light (<NUM>) is mounted on a lower surface of the mounting member body (<NUM>), whereby the sensor (<NUM>) and the indicator light (<NUM>) vertically overlap each other, with the mounting member body (<NUM>) located therebetween.