Autonomous Cab-Less Yard Truck Trailer Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle storage management systems fail to efficiently utilize space, optimize movement time, prevent collisions, and ensure accurate trailer positioning, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns in distribution centers.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous cab-less yard truck system equipped with sensors and a control module that communicates via an application program to manage trailer movement, docking, and storage, allowing for precise positioning and collision avoidance without the need for human intervention, enabling efficient use of space and time while reducing operational costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an existing computer system is used for vehicle storage area management, then the system can perform basic management functions, but it cannot efficiently and effectively account for space, time, material, and risk factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyard management efficiencyVSAvoidtrailer positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical yard management operations with an autonomous cab-less yard truck system equipped with sensors, control modules, and application programs. This substitution enables automated decision-making for trailer movement, positioning, and storage, significantly improving both productivity and reliability while eliminating human error in trailer placement and collision prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If the space of the vehicle storage area is not fully utilized, then operational costs increase, but improving space utilization may lead to increased collision risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveyard space utilizationVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous yard truck system incorporates multiple sensors (cameras, LIDAR, ultrasonic sensors) that continuously monitor the yard environment, trailer positions, and truck movements. This real-time feedback enables the control module to dynamically adjust positioning and navigation to maximize space utilization while maintaining safe distances and preventing collisions, thus resolving the contradiction between dense packing and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary planning and simulation of trailer movement paths before execution. The control module calculates optimal routes and positioning strategies in advance, ensuring that space is maximized while collision risks are identified and avoided before actual movement occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If the time of moving a vehicle is unreasonably long, then productivity decreases, but reducing movement time may compromise safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer movement timeVSAvoidmovement safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous yard truck system operates continuously without interruption for breaks, shifts, or fatigue. Multiple trucks can operate simultaneously in coordination, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action. The system optimizes movement sequences to minimize total time while maintaining safety through real-time monitoring and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Ease of operation

If manual operations are used for trailer movement and positioning, then operational flexibility is maintained, but human error increases and costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidhuman error

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous yard truck system performs all operations independently without human intervention. The control module makes decisions about trailer movement, positioning, and storage based on sensor data and pre-programmed logic. The system manages its own navigation, collision avoidance, and task execution, eliminating human error while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10514700B2System and method for managing a vehicle storage area

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

An autonomous system for managing a vehicle storage area includes a control module configured to communicate, via an application program, with an autonomous yard truck. The control module instructs and facilitates the autonomous yard truck to move, dock, and/or store a trailer in the vehicle storage area. The autonomous yard truck includes a cab-less truck having a first end including a first trailer hookup and a second end including a second trailer hookup, a first set of sensors configured to position the autonomous yard truck in the vehicle storage area, a second set of sensors configured to maneuver the trailer, and a third set of sensors configured to prevent the autonomous truck from colliding with an object.