commercial vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a commercial vehicle (1) with at least one top-fillable container (3), comprising - at least one extendable camera for loading or shunting operations, configured to observe the container (3) from above, - a computing unit configured by means of algorithms or an artificial intelligence configured for image processing to estimate a charge level in different areas of the container (3) from images captured by the camera, - one mirror replacement camera on each left and right side of the commercial vehicle (1) with each an integrated laser projector (5) configured to project the information on the load level onto the ground next to the container (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a commercial vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] When loading trucks with an excavator or wheel loader, a common problem is that the height difference between the excavator's or wheel loader's cab and the truck's container, such as a semitrailer or dump body, prevents the excavator or wheel loader driver from seeing inside the container. The driver loading the truck must therefore estimate the load and load the container based on their experience. Even with extensive experience, the trailer is usually not fully utilized.

[0003] DE 10 2020 206 369 A1 describes a method for assisting a driver of a transport vehicle and / or a transport vehicle, in particular an autonomous transport vehicle, when assuming a loading position in a defined loading area of ​​a loading machine, in particular an excavator, with the following steps: - Detection of the transport vehicle in the defined loading area by means of a sensor unit, in particular an optical one; - Determining a target trajectory of the transport vehicle from a current position to the loading position by means of a control unit; - Outputting a signal depending on the determined target trajectory of the transport vehicle by means of the control unit in order to assist the driver of the transport vehicle and / or the, in particular autonomous, transport vehicle in assuming the loading position.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a novel commercial vehicle.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a commercial vehicle having the features of claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] A commercial vehicle with at least one container that can be filled from above is proposed. According to the invention, the commercial vehicle has the following: - at least one camera that can be extended for a loading or shunting operation and is configured to observe the container from above, - a computing unit configured to estimate a loading level in different areas of the container from images captured by the camera, using algorithms or an artificial intelligence configured for image processing, - One mirror replacement camera on each of the left and right sides of the commercial vehicle, each with an integrated laser projector configured to project the load level information onto the ground next to the container.

[0008] The inventive solution enables gains in safety and efficiency.

[0009] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0010] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a commercial vehicle with a top-loading container and a loading vehicle.

[0011] The only Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic view of a commercial vehicle 1 with a tractor unit 2 and a semi-trailer 3. The semi-trailer 3 is designed as a container 3 that can be filled from above. In other embodiments, the container 3 can also be a trailer instead of the semi-trailer 3 or a tipping body. Furthermore, the tractor unit 2 can have a container 3, for example in the form of a tipping body, whereby at least one trailer can be provided with each additional container 3.

[0012] Next to the commercial vehicle 1 is Fig. 1 at least one loading vehicle 4, for example an excavator or wheel loader.

[0013] The tractor 2 has at least one camera (not shown) that can be extended for a loading or maneuvering operation and is configured to observe the container 3. Using algorithms or an artificial intelligence configured for image processing, which can be implemented in a computing unit (not shown) of the commercial vehicle 1, a load level in different areas of the container 3 can be estimated.

[0014] The tractor 2 further comprises at least one projector 5, in particular a laser projector 5, by means of which the information on the load level can be projected onto the ground next to the container 3 in order to transmit this information to the at least one loading vehicle 4. For this purpose, the projector 5 can be arranged in the housing of a mirror-replacement camera (Mirrorcam). In particular, one projector 5 can be arranged on each of the left and right sides of the commercial vehicle 1 (for example, in each of the mirror-replacement cameras) in order to project the information onto the ground to the left and right of the container 3.

[0015] It can be provided that the projector 5 projects the information onto the floor as a diagram 6. This diagram 6 shows the loading level for the area of ​​the container 3 located at the same longitudinal position on the floor next to the container 3. Fig. In Figure 1, diagram 6 is shown on the left side of container 3 as a bar chart and on the right side as a line chart. It is understood that diagram 6 can also be projected in other forms and in the same or different forms on both sides.

[0016] It can be provided that the projection is switched off or dimmed when there is no loading vehicle 4 in the field of view of the mirror replacement camera.

[0017] By means of the information projected onto the ground, a driver of a loading vehicle 4 or an automated loading vehicle 4 can recognize from a distance which areas are not yet fully loaded and should be approached, and which areas are already fully loaded and should therefore be avoided.

[0018] The computing unit can also be configured to estimate the maximum volume that can be unloaded during each unloading process and to project a recommendation as to which areas in the container 3 are to be filled with how many trips and when it is time to move the next container 3 to the starting position. For example, in Fig. 1 In each bar of the bar chart projected on the left side of the container 3, a remaining number of filling units that can still be loaded for the respective area is shown.

[0019] In one embodiment, it can be provided that the commercial vehicle 1 and the loading vehicle 4 have means for V2V communication, so that the information can be transmitted to the loading vehicle 4 and displayed there on a display. The information can also be used to operate various assistance functions in the loading vehicle 4. List of reference symbols 1 commercial vehicle 2 tractors 3 trailers, containers 4 loading vehicle 5 Projector, laser projector 6 Diagram QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2020 206 369 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Commercial vehicle (1) with at least one container (3) that can be filled from above, characterized by - at least one camera extendable for a loading or shunting operation, which is configured to observe the container (3) from above, - a computing unit configured by means of algorithms or an artificial intelligence configured for image processing to estimate a loading level in different areas of the container (3) from images captured by the camera, - one mirror replacement camera each on a left and a right side of the commercial vehicle (1), each with an integrated laser projector (5) configured to project the information on the load level onto the ground next to the container (3). [2] Commercial vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the projector (5) is configured to project the information onto the floor as a diagram (6) which shows the loading level for the area of ​​the container (3) which is in the same longitudinal position. [3] Commercial vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the chart is a bar chart or a line chart. [4] Commercial vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the computing unit is configured to switch off or dim the projection when there is no loading vehicle (4) in a field of view of the mirror replacement camera. [5] Commercial vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the computing unit is configured to estimate the maximum volume that will be unloaded during each unloading process and to project a recommendation as to which areas in the container (3) will be filled with how many trips and when it is time to move the next container (3) to a starting position. [6] Commercial vehicle (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that the computing unit is configured to display in each bar of the bar chart a remaining number of fill units that can still be loaded for the respective area. [7] Commercial vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the commercial vehicle (1) has means for V2V communication in order to transmit the information to a loading vehicle (4) in order to display it there on a display.

Images