Beach Cleaning Vehicle Weighing System for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beach cleaning vehicles face issues with driving stability due to overloaded collecting containers, which can lead to tipping, and inefficient emptying processes that do not ensure optimal utilization of the container capacity.
Innovation Solution
A weighing system integrated with a position sensor and control unit that ensures the collecting container is only weighed when it is in a freely supported position, preventing false readings and allowing for controlled emptying only when the container is sufficiently filled, thus maintaining driving stability and preventing overloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the collection container is filled to maximum capacity to improve productivity, then the cleaning vehicle's driving stability deteriorates due to overloading and tipping risk
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing system continuously monitors the collection container's weight and provides feedback to the control unit. When the weight reaches a predefined threshold indicating optimal utilization without overloading, the system triggers an emptying operation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the container is filled to the optimal level for productivity while maintaining driving stability by preventing overloading.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the collection container is emptied frequently to maintain driving stability, then productivity decreases due to unnecessary emptying operations
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing system provides continuous weight feedback to the control unit, which only triggers emptying operations when the predefined weight threshold is reached. This ensures emptying occurs at the optimal moment - neither too early (wasting productivity) nor too late (compromising stability). The feedback mechanism eliminates unnecessary emptying operations while maintaining driving stability.
3Loss of time
If the collection container is weighed in any position to improve measurement speed, then measurement precision deteriorates due to false readings from ground contact
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism automatically raises the collection container to a predetermined weighing position before the weighing process begins. This preliminary action ensures the container is fully supported by the lifting mechanism and not in contact with the ground, eliminating a source of measurement error. The position is prepared in advance, so no time is lost during the actual weighing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The position sensor provides feedback to the control unit to confirm the collection container has reached the correct weighing position. Only when the sensor confirms proper positioning does the weighing process commence, ensuring measurement precision is not compromised. This feedback mechanism prevents weighing at incorrect positions while minimizing time loss through automated verification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures reliable and economical operation by ensuring the beach cleaning vehicle is not overloaded, reducing the risk of tipping and optimizing the emptying process, thereby enhancing the vehicle's stability and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the position sensor comprises an induction sensor stationary relative to the chassis and an electrical conductor arranged on a movable component of the lifting mechanism, which enters an electromagnetic field of the induction sensor when the collection container reaches the weighing position
Data Source
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AI summary
A beach cleaning vehicle comprising a chassis and at least one wheel axle, a cleaning system arranged on the chassis, and at least one collection container for receiving beach debris picked up by the cleaning system, as well as a lifting mechanism for moving the collection container between different functional positions relative to the chassis, is known. According to the invention, the lifting mechanism is equipped with position sensors for detecting the weighing position of the collection container, and a weighing system for weighing the collection container in the weighing position is provided. This weighing system can be activated by a control unit depending on sensor signals from the position sensors indicating that the weighing position has been reached.