OBSTACLE DETECTOR

PURPOSE:To inexpensively and rapidly detect the presence or absence of an obstacle and the approximate size and distance thereof with the simple device by perpendicularly moving a scanning bar provided with plural range finder on a holding plate mounted with a position detector. CONSTITUTION:The scanning bar 4 mounted with the plural range finder 5 is perpendicularly movably provided above the holding plate 1 and the position detector 6 of the bar 4 is disposed. The distance up to the front obstacle is detected by the distance meters 5. The width of the obstacle is roughly detected from the intervals of the range finder 5 by providing the plural range finder 5 at equal intervals. The height at which the bar 4 moves vertically along the plate 1 is detected by the position detector 6. The approximate recognition of the distance up to the obstacle and the shape of the front surface thereof is executed if the information obtd. in such a manner is processed. The extremely inexpensive device is thus obtd. and this device is utilized for an unmanned carrier, robot, etc.