Loading Dock Equipment Control With Adaptive Touchscreen Sequencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional loading dock control panels are prone to operator confusion due to numerous operational choices, leading to errors and delays, and existing solutions either interlock operations sequentially or automate without flexibility, failing to adapt to different loading dock configurations.

Innovation Solution

A touchscreen control panel that presents dock operators with a sequence of control elements appropriate for the current operation stage, based on authorization level and loading dock conditions, ensuring only one piece of equipment is operable at a time, with intelligent sub-sequences and authorization-based functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional control panels present multiple operational choices simultaneously, then operators have flexibility in determining operations, but operator confusion increases leading to errors and delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidoperator confusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel segments operational choices into a sequential sequence of control elements. Instead of presenting all operations simultaneously, the system divides the loading dock operation sequence into discrete, manageable steps where only one piece of equipment is operable at a time. This segmentation reduces operator confusion while maintaining operational flexibility through the sequential progression of controlled elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If control panels interlock operations sequentially, then operator errors are reduced, but adaptability to different loading dock configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror reductionVSAvoidconfiguration adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel employs dynamic interlocking that adapts to different loading dock configurations. The sequence of control elements and the interlocking logic are not fixed but can be dynamically adjusted based on the specific dock setup. This allows the system to maintain error reduction through sequential control while becoming adaptable to various configurations through dynamic reconfiguration of the control sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control panel changes parameters such as the sequence order, available control elements, and interlocking rules based on the detected loading dock configuration. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the system maintains reliable sequential operation while adapting to different dock setups, resolving the contradiction between error reduction and configuration adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If control panels present all control elements at once, then operators have complete control options, but time is wasted determining which controls to actuate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol accessibilityVSAvoidoperational delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel performs preliminary action by pre-determining and presenting only the relevant control elements for the current operation stage. Before the operator needs to actuate any control, the system has already filtered and prepared the appropriate sequence of control elements based on the current state. This eliminates time wasted searching through all controls while ensuring complete control options remain accessible through the sequential sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12454426B2Control systems for operation of loading dock equipment, and associated methods of manufacture and use

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYST AB

AI summary

Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are described herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a sequence of operations. The sequence of operations can include different sub-sequences based on loading dock conditions. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of control elements that enable operation of the loading dock equipment. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment. Some functionality of the control panel can be enabled or disabled based on a current level of authorization.