Autonomous Industrial Truck Load Detection for Slip-Safe Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous industrial trucks face issues with load security during transport, particularly due to power failures which can result in loss of load or require complex resets, and the need for additional holding measures to prevent slipping or unexpected lowering of the lifting platform.
Innovation Solution
An industrial truck equipped with a control system, evaluation unit, and detector device that includes a safe load sensor (Dolly Detection Sensor) to automatically stop the vehicle if the load deviates from a predetermined arrangement or the lifting platform is lowered unexpectedly, and a power-failure-proof memory to resume transport processes without resetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical clamping or additional holding measures are used to secure the load, then load security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical clamping and holding measures with an electronic detection and control system. The detector device monitors load arrangement and lifting platform position, and the control system automatically stops the truck if deviations are detected, eliminating the need for mechanical clamps while maintaining load security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the industrial truck to monitor and secure its own load automatically. The detector device and control system work together to detect load deviations and trigger automatic stopping without external intervention, making the truck self-securing rather than requiring additional mechanical holding devices.
2Extent of automation
If electronically stored information about loading status is used, then automation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to power failure data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection and recording of load arrangement and lifting platform position before transport begins. This advance detection ensures that the initial state is captured and can be used for comparison during transport, enabling automatic resumption after power failures without requiring complex reset procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector device continuously monitors load arrangement and lifting platform position, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect deviations during transport and automatically stop the truck, maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring rather than relying solely on stored information.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of load arrangement is implemented, then safety is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector device performs periodic detection of load arrangement and lifting platform position at key moments (before transport, during transport at intervals, and after transport). This periodic monitoring maintains safety while consuming less energy than continuous monitoring, as the system activates detection at specific intervals rather than continuously.
Data Source
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AI summary
Industrial truck (1), equipped for driverless, autonomous operation for transporting a load (2), comprising at least: - a control system (3) that controls and steers the industrial truck (1), - an evaluation unit (4) that generates a signal to stop the industrial truck (1), wherein a detector device (5) for detecting the arrangement of the load (2) and/or a lifting platform (16) is connected to the control system (3) and wherein the deviation of the detected from a predetermined arrangement of the load (2) and/or unexpected lowering of the lifting platform (16) automatically stops the industrial truck (1).