Autonomous Trailer Handover for Continuous Worksite Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for loading and unloading trailers at work sites, such as in port areas, result in significant idle time for transporting vehicles and loaders due to manual operations, leading to inefficiencies and reduced productivity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where trailers are at least partly autonomous and/or remotely controllable, allowing for the handover of control from transporting vehicles to loading equipment, enabling trailers to be loaded/unloaded without the vehicle's presence, and enabling vehicles to attach to available trailers for continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual operations are used for loading and unloading trailers, then control and monitoring are straightforward, but significant idle time occurs for transporting vehicles and loaders

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoididle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The trailer is equipped with autonomous capabilities including self-positioning, self-coupling, and self-loading functions. The trailer can independently navigate to the loading equipment, couple with it, and receive loading operations without requiring a transporting vehicle to remain present, thereby eliminating idle time for the transporting vehicle while maintaining operational control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The trailer performs preliminary actions such as self-positioning and self-coupling before the loading operation begins. The trailer autonomously navigates to the correct position, couples with the loading equipment, and prepares itself for loading, allowing the transporting vehicle to depart and perform other tasks before the trailer completes its loading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the transporting vehicle stays present with the trailer during loading operations, then direct control is maintained, but the vehicle remains idle and unproductive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidcontrol

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the trailer communicates its status, position, and operational needs to the transporting vehicle and control systems. Sensors and communication systems provide real-time information about the trailer's state during autonomous operations, allowing the transporting vehicle to monitor and intervene if necessary while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If manual queue management is used, then simple coordination is possible, but transporting vehicles and loaders spend excessive time waiting

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidwaiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous useful action by allowing transporting vehicles to immediately pick up new trailers after delivering one, while the delivered trailer autonomously positions itself for loading. The loading equipment continuously loads trailers as they arrive, eliminating waiting periods in the queue and maintaining constant productive activity for all system components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4300241B1A method for handling handover of control of trailers in a work site

Publication Date: 2025.07.16 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

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AI summary

A method for handling at least one trailer (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) in a work site (100) is provided. The at least one trailer (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) is at least partly autonomous and/or remotely controllable. A first trailer (20) is attached to a first transporting vehicle (10). The method comprises performing a handover of control of the first trailer (20). The handover triggers an initiation of a first loading and/or unloading operation to be performed by a first loading equipment (30) on the first trailer (20). When detecting that the candidate trailer (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) is available to be transported by the first transporting vehicle (10), the method comprises attaching the candidate trailer (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) to the first transporting vehicle (10).