Load monitoring device for monitoring a load in at least one transport space

Abstract

A load monitoring device for monitoring a load (2) in at least one transport space (3) is proposed, comprising at least one pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit (4) on which the load (2) to be transported in the transport space (3) can be arranged and which is designed to detect the load (2).

Description

The invention relates to a load monitoring device for monitoring a load in at least one transport space. The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising the charge monitoring device. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for monitoring a load in at least one transport space.Transport spaces, for example of semi-trailers, are known from the prior art. These are usually loaded manually and the load is controlled by the driver.A load monitoring device for monitoring a load in at least one transport space is proposed. The charge monitoring device comprises at least one pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit, on which the charge to be transported in the transport space can be arranged. The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit is provided to detect the charge.Preferably, a vehicle comprises the transport space. The vehicle is preferably designed as a land vehicle, in particular as a road vehicle. For example, the vehicle may be configured as a semi-trailer, a trailer, a truck, a van, or another land vehicle that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the vehicle is designed as a watercraft, for example as a cargo ship, as a rail vehicle, for example as a freight car, or as an aircraft, for example as a transport aircraft. The transport space is provided in particular for receiving the load. "Provided" is to be understood in particular as being specially programmed, specially equipped and / or specially designed. The fact that an object is provided for a function is to be understood in particular as meaning that the object carries out the function in at least one operating state.The transport space preferably comprises at least one floor, for example a loading surface, on which the load can be arranged. In addition, it is conceivable for the transport space to have side walls and / or a ceiling, in particular to be designed as a closed space. Preferably, the load is transported in the transport space. The load can comprise in particular pallets, containers, boxes, cartons or the like. The load can in particular also comprise unpackaged objects.The load monitoring device is preferably provided to monitor the load at least in a state arranged in the transport space. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the load monitoring device is provided to monitor a loading process and / or an unloading process of the load. In particular, the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit is provided to detect the load in a state arranged in the transport space, during a loading process and / or during an unloading process.The charge can preferably be placed on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit, in particular fixed on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit. In particular, a mechanical and / or thermal connection may exist between the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit and at least a part of the charge. For an arrangement on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit, the charge in particular does not have to be in direct contact with the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit. In particular, at least one intermediate layer, such as an anti-slip mat, can be arranged between the load and the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit.The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit is provided in particular for detecting at least one parameter, preferably a plurality of different parameters, of the load. The parameter can be, in particular, a presence of at least a part of the load, a absence of at least a part of the load, a weight of the load, a temperature of the load, a position of the load, a stability of a placement of the load or the like.In particular, the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of, in particular different, sensors. The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit can in particular comprise at least one pressure sensor, at least one temperature sensor and / or at least one vibration sensor. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit comprises at least one sensor which can detect at least two different measurement variables, for example a combined pressure, temperature and vibration sensor.The configuration of the load monitoring device according to the invention advantageously allows automated monitoring of a load in a transport space. Advantageously, a particularly precise monitoring can be made possible. A correct loading, discharge and / or charge protection can advantageously be made possible.Furthermore, it is proposed that the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit is arranged in a floor of the transport space and / or in at least one mat that can be arranged on the floor. In particular, the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit can be embedded in the bottom of the transport space. In particular, the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit can be arranged on or under a covering layer of the floor. The mat can be designed in particular as an anti-slip mat, as a shock-absorbing mat or the like. The mat may preferably be disposed between the floor and the load. Advantageously, a coupling of the charge to the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit and thus a particularly precise charge detection can be made possible.It is further proposed that the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit comprises at least one fiber sensor. The fiber sensor is preferably designed as a combined pressure, temperature and vibration sensor.The fiber sensor operates in particular with optical signals. In particular, the fiber sensor is provided to measure as a function of optical signals, in particular changes in the optical signals, pressures, temperatures and vibrations. Advantageously, a particularly precise and trouble-free pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit can be provided.It is furthermore proposed that the fiber sensor comprises at least one light guide, in particular an light guide, with at least one fiber Bragg grating. The light guide is preferably designed as a glass fiber. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the light guide is formed as a plastic optical fiber (POF). The light guide preferably comprises a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings, in particular up to 80 fiber Bragg gratings, arranged in particular equidistantly with respect to one another along the light guide. The fiber Bragg gratings serve in particular as optical interference filters. In particular, a portion of light fed into the light guide is reflected at the fiber Bragg grating and can subsequently be detected. In particular, depending on different pressures, temperatures and / or vibrations acting on the fiber Bragg grating, in particular pressures, temperatures and vibrations, the fiber Bragg grating is deformed differently and light of different wavelengths is reflected. Depending on the wavelength of the received reflected light, it is possible to infer, in particular, a pressure, a temperature and / or a vibration in the region of the fiber Bragg grating, in particular the charge arranged on the fiber Bragg grating. Preferably, the light guide comprises a plurality of different fiber Bragg gratings which differ in terms of the reflected wavelengths. In particular, depending on the wavelength of the received reflected light, the corresponding fiber Bragg grating can be deduced and the detected parameters can be assigned to a part of the charge which is arranged on the corresponding fiber Bragg grating. Advantageously, a spatially resolved detection can be made possible.It is also proposed that the fiber sensor comprises at least one silicone photonics sensor element. The silicon photonics sensor element is preferably optically coupled to the light guide at one end of the light guide. In particular, the silicon photonics sensor element is provided to sense the light reflected at the fiber Bragg gratings and to determine weight, temperature and / or vibrations of the part of the charge arranged on the corresponding fiber Bragg grating as a function of the wavelength of the light. The silicon photonics sensor element is in particular a silicon chip which can evaluate the received optical signals. Preferably, the silicon photonics sensor element is at least partially formed of a silicon nitride. A silicon photonics sensor element made of silicon nitride offers, in particular, particularly low propagation losses of the light, low temperature sensitivity and the possibility of high power consumption. The silicon photonics sensor element is preferably manufactured in CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) technology. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable for the fiber sensor to comprise a sensor element, for example a photodiode, embodied differently from a silicone photonics sensor element. The silicon photonics sensor element is preferably provided for feeding light into the light guide. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the fiber sensor comprises a separate light source in order to feed light into the light guide. A particularly compact sensor element can advantageously be provided.Furthermore, it is proposed that at least a part of the fiber sensor is arranged in meandering fashion in the transport space. In particular, the light guide is arranged in meandering fashion in the transport space. In particular, the part of the fiber sensor is arranged in meandering fashion along the bottom of the transport space and / or in the mat arranged on the bottom. Preferably, the part of the fiber sensor is arranged in meandering fashion in the transport space in such a way that the part extends at least in sections over a complete width and / or a complete length of the transport space, in particular of the floor. Advantageously, comprehensive monitoring in the transport space can be made possible.It is furthermore proposed that the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit has a plurality of measurement points which are arranged in the transport space in the manner of a grid, in particular along the floor. Preferably, the fiber Bragg gratings form the measurement points. In particular, the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit can detect the load at the measurement points.In particular, a grid of the measurement points is predefined by the meandering arrangement of the part of the fiber sensor, in particular of the light guide. Advantageously, detailed monitoring in the transport space can be made possible.It is furthermore proposed that the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit is provided to detect removal of at least part of the load and / or at least one intruder in the transport space. In particular, the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit is provided to detect theft of at least part of the load. In particular, the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit can detect an intruder in the transport space, which intruder is standing on the floor of the transport space or on the mat arranged on the floor. In particular, a pressure and / or a temperature acting on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit changes by the intruder at least in the region of at least one measurement point, which in particular enables detection. In particular, vibrations are generated by a moving intruder at least in the area of at least one measurement point, which in particular enables detection. In particular, by removing at least a part of the charge, at least in the region of at least one measurement point, a pressure acting on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit changes, which in particular enables detection. Preferably, depending on a detection of a removal of at least a part of the load and / or an intruder in the transport space, an alarm, a warning message or the like can be triggered, in particular automatically. Advantageously, an anti-theft function can be provided.It is also proposed that the charge monitoring device comprises at least one contactless sensor unit for detecting the charge and / or at least one intruder in the transport space. The contactless sensor unit preferably comprises at least one contactless sensor for detecting the load and / or at least one intruder in the transport space. The contactless sensor can be designed in particular as a camera, as a lidar (light detection and ranging) sensor, as a radar (radio detection and ranging) sensor, as an ultrasonic sensor, in particular a 3D ultrasonic sensor, as a ToF (time of flight) sensor or as another sensor that appears expedient to a person skilled in the art. In particular, the contactless sensor unit can comprise a plurality of, in particular different, contactless sensors.The contactless sensor is preferably arranged above the floor of the transport space, in particular above the load, for example on a ceiling or a side wall of the transport space. The contactless sensor unit is preferably provided to detect a removal of at least a part of the charge, a position of the charge, a type of the charge, a tie-up of the charge, a height of the charge and / or further parameters of the charge that appear expedient to a person skilled in the art, in particular redundant to the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit. In particular, the contactless sensor unit is provided to detect parts of the charge that cannot be detected by the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit, for example because they are so small that they are arranged outside a detection range of a measurement point. In particular, the contactless sensor unit is provided to detect loose parts of the load, in particular parts detached from a pallet. The contactless sensor unit is preferably provided to detect suitable locations for a lashing of the charge. Advantageously, multidimensional monitoring can be made possible.Furthermore, a vehicle is proposed. The vehicle comprises at least one transport space. The vehicle comprises at least one load monitoring device according to the invention. The vehicle is preferably designed as a utility vehicle. The vehicle is preferably designed as an automatically operable vehicle and / or is provided for use with an automatically operable vehicle, for example an autonomous tractor-trailer. A "vehicle that can be operated automatically" is to be understood in particular as a vehicle having one of the automation levels 1 to 5 of the standard SAE J3016. In particular, the automatically operable vehicle has technical equipment which is required for these automation levels. The technical equipment comprises in particular environment recognition sensors, such as radar sensors, lidar sensors, cameras and / or acoustic sensors, control units or the like. Advantageously, a vehicle that can be operated efficiently and in a traffic-proof manner can be provided.Furthermore, a method for monitoring a load in at least one transport space is proposed. The charge is detected by means of at least one pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit, on which the charge to be transported in the transport space can be arranged. Advantageously, a method can be provided which enables automated and particularly precise monitoring.The invention is illustrated by an exemplary embodiment in the following figures. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows an interior view of a vehicle according to the invention in a schematic perspective illustration, FIG. 2 shows a further inner view of the vehicle according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a schematic perspective illustration, and FIG. 3 shows a part of a charge monitoring device according to the invention of the vehicle according to the invention from FIGS. 1 and 2 in a schematic perspective illustration.FIG. 1 shows an interior view of a vehicle 11 in a schematic perspective illustration. In the present exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 11 is designed, for example, as a land vehicle, in particular as a semi-trailer. The vehicle 11 comprises at least one transport space 3. The vehicle 11 comprises at least one load monitoring device 1. the load monitoring device 1 is provided for monitoring a load 2 in the at least one transport space 3 (cf. FIG. 2 ).The charge monitoring device 1 comprises at least one pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4, on which the charge 2 to be transported in the transport space 3 can be arranged. The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 is provided to detect the load 2. In FIG. 1, the vehicle 11, in particular the transport space 3, is shown without the load 2 for the sake of clarity. FIG. 2 shows the vehicle 11, in particular the transport space 3, partially loaded.The load monitoring device 1 is provided to monitor the load 2 at least in a state arranged in the transport space 3. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the load monitoring device 1 is provided to monitor a loading process and / or an unloading process of the load 2. The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 is provided to detect the load 2 in a state arranged in the transport space 3, during a loading process and / or during an unloading process.The load 2 can be placed on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4, in particular fixed on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4. A mechanical and / or thermal connection may exist between the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 and at least a part of the charge 2. For an arrangement on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4, the charge 2 does not have to be in direct contact with the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4. Between the load 2 and the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 at least one intermediate layer, such as an anti-slip mat, can be arranged.The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 is provided to detect at least one parameter, preferably a plurality of different parameters, of the load 2. The parameter may be a presence of at least a part of the cargo 2, a absence of at least a part of the cargo 2, a weight of the cargo 2, a temperature of the cargo 2, a position of the cargo 2, a stability of a placement of the cargo 2, or the like. In the present exemplary embodiment, the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 comprises, for example, a single sensor, in particular a fiber sensor 6, which can detect at least two different measurement variables.The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 is arranged in a floor 5 of the transport space 3, as for example in the present exemplary embodiment, and / or in at least one mat that can be arranged on the floor 5.The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 comprises the at least one fiber sensor 6. The fiber sensor 6 operates with optical signals. The fiber sensor 6 is provided to measure as a function of optical signals, in particular changes in the optical signals, pressures, temperatures and vibrations.The fiber sensor 6 comprises at least one light guide 12, in particular an light guide, with at least one fiber Bragg grating 13. The light guide 12 comprises a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings 13 arranged in particular equidistantly to one another along the light guide 12.The fiber sensor 6 comprises at least one silicone photonics sensor element 14. the silicone photonics sensor element 14 is optically coupled to the light guide 12 at one end of the light guide 12. The silicon photonics sensor element 14 is provided to detect light reflected at the fiber Bragg gratings 13 and to determine weight, temperature and / or vibrations of the part of the charge 2 arranged on the corresponding fiber Bragg grating 13 as a function of a wavelength of the light. The silicon photonics sensor element 14 is a silicon chip that can evaluate the received optical signals. The silicon photonics sensor element 14 is manufactured in CMOS technology. The silicon photonics sensor element 14 is provided to feed light into the light guide 12. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the fiber sensor 6 comprises a separate light source in order to feed light into the light guide 12.At least a part of the fiber sensor 6 is arranged in meandering fashion in the transport space 3. The light guide 12 is arranged in meandering fashion in the transport space 3. The part of the fiber sensor 6 is arranged in meandering fashion along the bottom 5 of the transport space 3. The part of the fiber sensor 6 is arranged in meandering fashion in the transport space 3 in such a way that the part extends at least in sections over a complete width and / or a complete length of the transport space 3, in particular of the base 5.The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 has a plurality of measurement points 7, which are arranged in the transport space 3, in particular along the floor 5, in a grid-like manner. The fiber Bragg gratings 13 form the measurement points 7. A grid of the measurement points 7 is predefined by the meandering arrangement of the part of the fiber sensor 6, in particular of the light guide 12.In the present exemplary embodiment, the load monitoring device 1 comprises, by way of example, at least one automatically operable lashing unit 8, which is provided to tie the load 2 firmly in the transport space 3. The lashing unit 8 is provided to fix, in particular to dig down, the load 2 in the transport space 3, in particular to the base 5 of the transport space 3. The lashing unit 8 comprises at least one actuator element, preferably a plurality of actuator elements, in order to actuate the lashing elements 15 (not illustrated here). The lashing unit 8 is provided to tie the load 2 in the transport space 3 automatically. For example, the supply unit 8 can be controlled by a control unit of the charge monitoring device 1 and / or of the vehicle 11. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the supply unit 8 is controllable by an operator, in particular a driver of the vehicle 11.The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 is provided to measure a lashing force with which the load 2 is to be lashinged. The lashing unit 8 can be controlled as a function of the measured lashing force, in particular in order to increase or decrease the lashing force. The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 is provided to detect a position of the load 2 in the transport space 3 in order to enable an actuation of the matching lashing element 15 of the lashing unit 8.The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 is provided to detect removal of at least a part of the load 2 and / or at least one intruder in the transport space 3. The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 is provided to detect theft of at least a part of the load 2. The pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 can detect an intruder in the transport space 3 standing on the floor 5 of the transport space 3. At least in the region of at least one measurement point 7, a pressure and / or a temperature acting on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 changes as a result of the intruder, which in particular enables detection. Vibrations are produced by a moving intruder at least in the area of at least one measuring point 7, which in particular enables detection. By removing at least a part of the load 2, a pressure acting on the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 changes at least in the region of at least one measurement point 7, which in particular enables detection. Depending on a detection of a removal of at least a part of the load 2 and / or of an intruder in the transport space 3, an alarm, a warning message or the like can be triggered, in particular automatically.The charge monitoring device 1 comprises at least one contactless sensor unit 9 for detecting the charge 2 and / or at least one intruder in the transport space 3. the contactless sensor unit 9 comprises at least one contactless sensor 16, 17, 18, 19 for detecting the charge 2 and / or at least one intruder in the transport space 3.The contactless sensors 16, 17, 18, 19 are arranged above the floor 5 of the transport space 3, in particular above the load 2. Contactless sensor unit 9 is provided to detect a removal of at least a part of charge 2, a position of charge 2, a type of charge 2, a lashing of charge 2, a height of charge 2 and / or further parameters of charge 2 that appear expedient to a person skilled in the art, in particular redundant to pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4. contactless sensor unit 9 is provided to detect parts of charge 2 that cannot be detected by pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4, for example because they are so small that they are arranged outside a detection range of a measurement point 7. The contactless sensor unit 9 is provided to detect loose parts of the load 2, in particular parts detached from a pallet. The contactless sensor unit 9 is provided to detect suitable locations for a lashing of the charge 2. The supply unit 8 can be controlled as a function of a detection of the contactless sensor unit 9.In the present exemplary embodiment, the load monitoring device 1 comprises, by way of example, at least one arithmetic unit 10, which is provided to evaluate sensor data of at least the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4 in order to determine an axle load of at least the vehicle 11 which comprises the transport space 3. The computing unit 10 is provided for additionally evaluating sensor data of the contactless sensor unit 9 in order to determine the axle load of at least the vehicle 11 which comprises the transport space 3. The computing unit 10 can be provided to determine an axle load of at least one further vehicle which is coupled to the vehicle 11 which comprises the transport space 3 (not illustrated here). The arithmetic unit 10 is provided to use a detected weight of the load 2 for the determination of the axle load.FIG. 2 shows a further interior view of the vehicle 11 from FIG. 1 in a schematic perspective illustration. FIG. 2 shows the vehicle 11, in particular the transport space 3, partially loaded. The charge 2 is to be cut down by means of a lashing element 15 of the lashing unit 8, in particular fixed to the base 5. The load 2 is arranged on a part of the light guide 12 and on a plurality of measurement points 7.FIG. 3 shows a part of the charge monitoring device 1 of the vehicle 11 from FIGS. 1 and 2 in a schematic perspective illustration. FIG. 3 shows a subsection of the light guide 12 with a fiber Bragg grating 13. A portion of light fed into the light guide 12 is reflected at the fiber Bragg grating 13 and can subsequently be detected, in particular by the sensor element 14. Depending on different pressures, temperatures and / or vibrations acting on the fiber Bragg grating 13, in particular pressures, temperatures and vibrations, the fiber Bragg grating 13 is deformed differently and light of different wavelengths is reflected. Depending on the wavelength of the received reflected light, a pressure, a temperature and / or a vibration in the region of the fiber Bragg grating 13, in particular the charge 2 arranged on the fiber Bragg grating 13, can be deduced. For illustration purposes, FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, two light beams 20, 21 which represent light of different wavelengths fed into the light guide. A first light beam 20 is reflected at the fiber Bragg grating 13, while a second light beam 21 is transmitted through the fiber Bragg grating 13. The light guide 12 has a plurality of different fiber Bragg gratings 13 which differ in terms of the reflected wavelengths. Depending on the wavelength of the received reflected light, the corresponding fiber Bragg grating 13 can be deduced and the detected parameters can be assigned to a part of the charge 2 which is arranged on the corresponding fiber Bragg grating 13.In a method for monitoring the charge 2 in the at least one transport space 3, the charge 2 is detected by means of the at least one pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 4, on which the charge 2 to be transported in the transport space 3 can be arranged.Reference numerals denote reference numerals1 Charge monitoring device 2 Charge 3 Transport space 4 Pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit 5 Floor 6 Fiber sensor 7 Measurement point 8 Supply unit 9 Contactless sensor unit 10 Computing unit 11 Vehicle 12 Light guide 13 Fiber Bragg grating 14 Silicon photonics sensor element 15 Supply element 16 Contactless sensor 17 Contactless sensor 18 Contactless sensor 19 Contactless sensor 20 Light beam 21 Light beam

Claims

Charge monitoring device for monitoring a charge (2) in at least one transport space (3), comprising at least one pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit (4) on which the charge (2) to be transported in the transport space (3) can be arranged and which is provided for detecting the charge (2).Load monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit (4) is arranged in a floor (5) of the transport space (3) and / or in at least one mat that can be arranged on the floor (5).Charge monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit (4) comprises at least one fibre sensor (6).Charge monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein the fibre sensor (6) comprises at least one light guide (12) with at least one fibre Bragg grating (13).Charge monitoring device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the fibre sensor (6) comprises at least one silicon photonics sensor element (14).Load monitoring device according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least a part of the fiber sensor (6) is arranged in meandering fashion in the transport space (3).Load monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit (4) has a plurality of measurement points (7) which are arranged in the transport space (3) in a grid-like manner.Load monitoring device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit (4) is provided to detect a removal of at least a part of the load (2) and / or at least one intruder in the transport space (3).Load monitoring device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one contactless sensor unit (9) for detecting the load (2) and / or at least one intruder in the transport space (3).Vehicle comprising at least one transport space (3) and at least one load monitoring device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.Method for monitoring a load (2) in at least one transport space (3), wherein the load (2) is detected by means of at least one pressure, temperature and / or vibration sensor unit (4) on which the load (2) to be transported in the transport space (3) can be arranged.

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