SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING LOST CARGO

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for detecting lost cargo according to the preamble of claim 1 and a system for detecting lost cargo according to the preamble of claim 9.

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

[0003] DE 10 2021 000 241 A1 describes a method for detecting a loss of cargo from a vehicle, wherein a loss of cargo is detected by monitoring the vehicle's load state and the loss is additionally validated by evaluating at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor monitoring a rear area of ​​the vehicle. The vehicle's load state is monitored by evaluating the compression state of the vehicle's suspension using at least one suspension travel sensor, and the vertical position of the lost cargo is taken into account when validating the plausibility of a lost load.

[0004] Further state of the art is represented by patents US 2022 / 073030A1 and US 6236911B1.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a novel method and a novel system for detecting lost cargo transported by means of a vehicle.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a system having the features of claim 9.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] In an inventive method for detecting lost cargo transported by a vehicle, the vehicle's loading status is monitored, wherein a route to be traveled by the vehicle is divided into several sections that seamlessly connect to one another at respective route transfer points, wherein a control unit is activated at each route transfer point, which determines a vehicle weight and separately the weight of the operating materials consumed by the vehicle, wherein a difference is calculated between the vehicle weight at the previous route transfer point, the vehicle weight at the current route transfer point and the weight of the consumed operating materials, wherein a loss of cargo is detected and the corresponding section is identified if the difference is greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0009] The solution according to the invention enables an increase in road safety by detecting lost cargo.

[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0011] This shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic view to illustrate the method for locating cargo transported by vehicles, and Fig. 2 is a schematic view to illustrate an algorithm that is carried out in a control unit.

[0012] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0013] The present invention relates to a system and a method for locating cargo transported by vehicles that is lost during the journey.

[0014] In order to reliably determine losses even with small loads, the invention proposes that the route to be traveled be divided into several seamlessly connected sections, with a control unit being activated at each transfer point. This unit initiates a weighing of the vehicle weight and, in a separate weighing, the weight of the operating materials. The recorded weight data are then subtracted from each other in a computer. The subtracted results of successive transfer points are then compared, and if a predetermined threshold value resulting from this difference is exceeded, a loss of cargo is detected and the corresponding route section is identified.

[0015] In one embodiment, the division into route sections is carried out manually by a driver or a fleet manager.

[0016] In one embodiment, the division into route sections is carried out by a backend equipped with a corresponding logistics program, for example a cloud, or by a frontend, for example an on-board computer.

[0017] In one embodiment, the backend or the frontend communicates with the control unit to execute the weighing process.

[0018] In one embodiment, the division into route sections depends on the topography, the route layout and / or the current traffic situation.

[0019] In one embodiment, the vehicle weight is measured at respective external stations.

[0020] In one embodiment, the vehicle weight is determined by means of an onboard measurement system.

[0021] In one embodiment, the results are sent to a higher-level control center.

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

[0023] In one embodiment, the control center initiates measures to regulate traffic on the respective identified section of the route and to recover the cargo.

[0024] In one embodiment, traffic lights on the section of track are controlled to regulate traffic and / or vehicles passing the section of track are warned of the danger of cargo lying around.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic view illustrating the procedure for detecting lost cargo transported by means of a vehicle.

[0026] A route traveled by a motor vehicle is divided into sections X, Y, Z. In the illustrated embodiment, three sections X, Y, Z are shown. In other examples, any other number of sections X, Y, Z can be provided. Each section X, Y, Z has a beginning and an end. In the present example, the beginning of section X is a route transition point A. The end of section X, and thus the beginning of section Y, is a route transition point B. The end of section Y, and thus the beginning of section Z, is a route transition point C. The end of section Z is a route transition point D.

[0027] For each section X, Y, Z, a control unit SCX, SCY, SCZ is provided, on which an algorithm is executed, the calculation result of which is sent to a higher control center CC after determination.

[0028] Figure 2This is a schematic view illustrating the algorithm, which is executed, for example, in the SCX control unit. When a vehicle passes the track transfer point A, the vehicle weight FGA and / or the vehicle mass is determined at this track transfer point A in a step S1. This can be done either offline using a weigh station or online in the vehicle using weight determination software (for example, described in https: / / automobilkonstruktion.industrie.de / elektronik-software / softwareloesung-von-fev-zur-gewichtsermittlung-bei-fahrzeugen / (Accessed on September 25, 2020. The source is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference into this application). If the vehicle passes the track transfer point B after traveling a certain distance, the vehicle weight FGB and / or the vehicle mass are recalculated by the control unit SCX in step S2. Additionally, in step S3, the vehicle determines the weight GBS and / or the mass of consumed operating fluids (e.g., fuel, windshield washer fluid, condensate) on section X from track transfer point A to track transfer point B. Subsequently, in step S4, the weight GVL of lost cargo is calculated by subtracting the two vehicle weights FGA, FGB, or masses, as well as the weight GBS and / or the mass of the consumed operating fluids. GVL=FGA-FGB-GBS

[0029] In step S5, the control unit SCX checks whether the weight of lost cargo (GVL) exceeds a certain threshold SW, for example due to tolerances, and if so, sends a warning to the control center CC. The CC then has the option of closing the road to traffic in the affected section X, either by controlling traffic lights (which are installed at the beginning of section X) or by directly warning vehicles of the hazard.

[0030] The procedure is carried out analogously for the other sections Y, Z by their respective assigned control units SCY, SCZ. Reference symbol list

[0031] A, B, C, D Route transfer point CC Control center FGA, FGB Vehicle weight GBS Weight of consumed operating fluids GVL Weight of lost cargo, difference SCX, SCY, SCZ Control unit SW Threshold value S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 Step X, Y, Z Section

Claims

1. A method for the detection of lost cargo transported by means of a vehicle, the loading status of the vehicle being monitored, a stretch of route to be covered by the vehicle being divided into a plurality of sections (X, Y, Z) that each run seamlessly into the next at transition points (A, B, C, D), a control unit (SCX, SCY, SCZ) that determines a vehicle weight (FGA, FGB) and, separately, the weight of the fuel consumed (GBS) by the vehicle being activated at each transition point (A, B, C, D), a difference (GVL) being calculated from the vehicle weight (FGA) of the previous transition point (A, B, C, D), the vehicle weight (FGB) of the current transition point (A, B, C, D) and the weight of the consumed fuel (GBS), and a loss of cargo being established and the associated section (X, Y, Z) being identified where the difference (GVL) is greater than a predetermined threshold value (SW).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the division into sections (X, Y, Z) is carried out manually by a driver or a fleet manager or by a backend system equipped with a logistics program, e.g. a cloud, or by a frontend system, e.g. an on-board computer.

3. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the backend system or the frontend system communicates with the control unit (SCX, SCY, SCZ) in order to determine the weights (FGA, FGB FGC).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the division into sections (X, Y, Z) takes place dependant on a topography, a stretch of route and / or a current traffic situation.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vehicle weight (FGA, FGB) is determined in external stations or by means of in-vehicle measurement.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the loss of cargo and the associated section (X, Y, Z) are reported to a higher-level control centre (CC) and / or to a driver of the vehicle.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterised in that measures to regulate the traffic on the section (X, Y, Z) identified and to recover the cargo are initiated by the control centre (CC).

8. A method according to claim 7, characterised in that, in order to regulate traffic, traffic lights on the section (X, Y, Z) are triggered and / or that vehicles using the section (X, Y, Z) are warned of the risk of lost cargo lying on the road.

9. A system for the detection of lost cargo transported by means of a vehicle, the loading status of the vehicle being monitored, the system being configured to divide a stretch of route to be covered by the vehicle into a plurality of sections (X, Y, Z) that each run seamlessly into the next at transition points (A, B, C, D) and to take such a division into account, there being provided for each section (X, Y, Z) a control unit (SCX, SCY, SCZ) that is configured to be activated at each transition point (A, B, C, D) and to determine a vehicle weight (FGA, FGB) and, separately, the weight of the fuel (GBS) consumed by the vehicle, to calculate a difference (GVL) from the vehicle weight (FGA) for the previous route transition point (A, B, C, D), the vehicle weight (FGB) for the current route transition point (A, B, C, D) and the weight of the consumed fuel (GBS) and to establish the loss of cargo and identify the associated section (X, Y, Z) where the difference (GVL) is greater than a predetermined threshold value (SW).