System and method for detecting loss of cargo

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for detecting a loss of cargo transported using a vehicle, in which the loading state of the vehicle is monitored, in which a route to be traveled by the vehicle is divided into a plurality of segments (X, Y, Z) that are seamlessly joined at respective road junction points (A, B, C, D), in which a control unit (SCX, SCY, SCZ) is activated at each road junction point (A, B, C, D), and in which the control unit (SCX, SCY, SCZ) is activated at each road junction point (A, B, C, D). The control unit determines the overall weight (FGA, FAB) and individually determines the weight (GBS) of the working medium consumed by the vehicle, a difference (GVL) is calculated as a function of the overall weight (FGA) of the previous road section junction (A, B, C, D), the overall weight (FGB) of the current road section junction (A, B, C, D) and the weight (GBS) of the working medium consumed, and if the difference (GVL) is greater than a predetermined threshold value (SW), the loss of cargo is determined and the respective section (X, Y, Z) is determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cargo loss detection method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a cargo loss detection system according to the preamble of claim 9. Background Art

[0002] Detecting lost cargo (lost cargo) is a huge challenge, especially for highly automated vehicles. Due to the small size of the lost objects, it is difficult for the vehicle's environmental sensors (e.g. radar, camera, lidar, ultrasound, etc.) to recognize these objects and distinguish them from the surrounding environment.

[0003] DE 10 2021 000 241 A1 describes a method for detecting the loss of cargo from a vehicle, wherein the loss of cargo is determined by monitoring the loading state of the vehicle and the loss of cargo is additionally verified by evaluating at least one sensor signal of at least one sensor that monitors the rear region of the vehicle. The loading state of the vehicle is monitored by evaluating the compression state of the vehicle suspension using at least one spring travel sensor and the height position of the lost cargo is taken into account when verifying the loss of cargo. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and a novel system for detecting the loss of a load transported by a vehicle.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a system having the features of claim 9 .

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] In the method for detecting the loss of cargo transported by a vehicle according to the present invention, the loading status of the vehicle is monitored, wherein the route of the vehicle is divided into a plurality of sections which are seamlessly connected at the intersections of the sections, wherein a control unit is started at each intersection of the sections, the control unit determines the weight of the entire vehicle and separately determines the weight of the working medium consumed by the vehicle, wherein a difference is calculated based on the weight of the entire vehicle at the intersection of the previous section, the weight of the entire vehicle at the intersection of the current section, and the weight of the working medium consumed, wherein when the difference is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the cargo is lost and the corresponding section is determined.

[0008] The solution of the present invention can improve traffic safety by determining the loss of cargo. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1A schematic diagram for explaining a method for positioning a vehicle transport cargo is shown, and

[0011] Figure 2 A schematic diagram is shown for explaining an algorithm executed within the control unit.

[0012] Parts that correspond to one another are provided with the same reference symbols in all the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a system and method for detecting cargo that is lost during travel while being transported by a vehicle.

[0014] In order to be able to reliably determine the loss of small cargo, according to the present invention, it is recommended to divide the driving route into a plurality of seamless sections, wherein a control unit is started at each intersection of the sections, the control unit starts weighing the entire vehicle, and determines the weight of the working medium by weighing it separately, and then the collected weight data are subtracted in a computer, and then the calculation results of successive intersections are compared with each other, and when the value generated by the difference exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold value, it is determined that cargo loss has occurred and the corresponding section is determined.

[0015] In one embodiment, the road segmentation is performed manually by the driver or the team leader.

[0016] In one embodiment, the road segmentation is performed by a backend (eg, cloud) equipped with a corresponding logistics program or by a frontend (eg, an onboard computer).

[0017] In one embodiment, the back end or the front end communicates with a control unit that performs the weighing process.

[0018] In one embodiment, the road segments are divided according to the terrain, route direction and / or real-time traffic conditions.

[0019] In one embodiment, the vehicle weight is measured at a corresponding external site.

[0020] In one embodiment, the vehicle's own measuring device (on-board) is used to determine the vehicle's total vehicle weight.

[0021] In one embodiment, each result is sent to a superior control center.

[0022] In one embodiment, when a threshold is exceeded, a warning is sent to a control center and / or the driver.

[0023] In one embodiment, the control center takes measures to control traffic on the corresponding determined road section and recover the cargo.

[0024] In one embodiment, traffic control is performed by controlling traffic lights on the road section and / or issuing warnings to vehicles passing through the road section about the danger of abandoned cargo in the surrounding area.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for detecting a loss of cargo transported by a vehicle.

[0026] The motor vehicle travel route is divided into sections X, Y, and Z. In the illustrated embodiment, three sections X, Y, and Z are shown. In other examples, any different number of sections X, Y, and Z can be provided. Each section X, Y, and Z has a starting point and an end point. In this example, the starting point of section X is section junction point A. The end point of section X (and therefore also the starting point of section Y) is section junction point B. The end point of section Y (and therefore also the starting point of section Z) is section junction point C. The end point of section Z is section junction point D.

[0027] Each section X, Y, Z is provided with a control unit SCX, SCY, SCZ for executing algorithmic operations, the calculation results of which are sent to the superior control center CC after confirmation.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram for illustrating the execution of the algorithm by the control unit (taking SCX as an example). When the vehicle passes through the section junction A, in step S1, the vehicle weight FGA and / or the vehicle mass at the section junction A are measured. This can be done by a weighing station (weighing station, i.e. offline), or it can be done online by on-board weight measurement software (for example, see https: / / automobilkonstruktion.industrie.de / elektronik-software / software-loloesu-von-fev-zur-gewichtsermittlung-bei-fahrzeugen / , access date September 25, 2020. The reference is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). When the vehicle passes through the section junction B after traveling a certain distance, in step S2, the vehicle weight FGB and / or the vehicle mass are re-measured by the control unit SCX. Furthermore, in step S3, the vehicle measures the weight GBS and / or mass of the working medium (e.g., fuel, windshield washer fluid, condensed water) consumed on the section X from the section junction A to the section junction B. Then, in step S4, the weight GVL of the lost cargo is calculated by subtracting the two vehicle weights FGA, FGB or the two vehicle masses and the weight GBS and / or mass of the consumed working medium.

[0029] GVL=FGA-FGB-GBS

[0030] In step S5, the control unit SCX checks whether the weight GVL of the lost goods (e.g. taking into account the error) exceeds a certain threshold SW and, if so, issues a warning to the control center CC. The control center can now implement traffic control for the corresponding section X by controlling traffic lights (installed at the beginning of section X) or directly issuing corresponding danger warnings to vehicles.

[0031] The method is also carried out in an analogous manner for the other sections Y, Z by means of the respectively assigned control units SCY, SCZ.

[0032] List of reference numerals:

[0033] The intersection of sections A, B, C, and D

[0034] CC Control Center

[0035] FGA, FGB vehicle weight

[0036] GBS Weight of working medium consumed

[0037] GVL The weight of the lost goods, i.e. the difference

[0038] SCX, SCY, SCZ control units

[0039] SW Threshold

[0040] Steps S1, S2, S3, S4, S5

[0041] X, Y, Z segments

Claims

1. A method for detecting loss of cargo transported by a vehicle, wherein: Monitor the loading status of the vehicle, It is characterized in that The route to be traveled by the vehicle is divided into a plurality of sections (X, Y, Z) which are seamlessly connected at the intersection points (A, B, C, D) of each section, wherein a control unit (SCX, SCY, SCZ) is started at each section intersection point (A, B, C, D), and the control unit determines the weight of the whole vehicle (FGA, FAB) and the weight of the working medium consumed by the vehicle separately (GBS), wherein a difference (GVL) is calculated based on the weight of the whole vehicle (FGA) at the intersection point (A, B, C, D) of the previous section, the weight of the whole vehicle (FGB) at the intersection point (A, B, C, D) of the current section, and the weight (GBS) of the consumed working medium, wherein when the difference (GVL) is greater than a predetermined threshold value (SW), it is determined that the cargo is lost and the corresponding section (X, Y, Z) is determined.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The division of the sections (X, Y, Z) is performed manually by the driver or the fleet manager, or by a backend equipped with a logistics program or by a frontend, such as a cloud, and the frontend is such as an on-board computer.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The back end or the front end communicates with a control unit (SCX, SCY, SCZ) for determining the weight (FGA, FGB, GBS).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The sections (X, Y, Z) are divided according to the terrain, route direction and / or current traffic conditions.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The gross vehicle weight (FGA, FGB) is determined by corresponding external stations or using the vehicle's own measuring devices.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Report the cargo loss and the corresponding segment (X, Y, Z) to the superior control center (CC) and / or the vehicle driver.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The control center (CC) takes measures to control traffic in the corresponding identified sections (X, Y, Z) and recover the cargo.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that For traffic control, the traffic lights on the section (X, Y, Z) are controlled and / or vehicles passing through the section (X, Y, Z) are warned of the danger of cargo being left behind in the surrounding area.

9. A system for detecting loss of cargo transported by a vehicle, wherein: A device is provided for monitoring the loading status of the vehicle, It is characterized in that the system is configured to divide the route to be traveled by the vehicle into multiple sections (X, Y, Z) that are seamlessly connected at the intersection points (A, B, C, D) of each section or take such division into consideration, wherein a corresponding control unit (SCX, SCY, SCZ) is set for each section (X, Y, Z), and the control unit is configured to start and determine the weight of the entire vehicle (FGA, FAB) at each section intersection point (A, B, C, D) and separately determine the weight of the working medium consumed by the vehicle (GBS), and calculate the difference (GVL) based on the weight of the entire vehicle (FGA) at the intersection point of the previous section (A, B, C, D), the weight of the entire vehicle (FGB) at the intersection point of the current section (A, B, C, D) and the weight of the working medium consumed (GBS), and when the difference (GVL) is greater than a predetermined threshold value (SW), it is determined that the cargo is lost and the corresponding section (X, Y, Z) is determined.

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