3D Center-of-Gravity Detection for Container Transport Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies fail to accurately determine the 3D center-of-gravity location of container cargo vehicles, leading to unstable travel motions and cargo pile collapses during transportation, especially on curved road sections, due to unknown loading conditions.

Innovation Solution

A center-of-gravity detection system that uses the logical theory of dynamics to derive the 3D center-of-gravity location without requiring correction coefficients, employing a disc-shaped coupling member and angular velocity sensors to calculate the center of gravity relative to the travel direction and a cross-section surface, facilitating universal application across various container transport vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional loading measurement technologies are used, then cargo loading conditions can be detected, but the 3D center-of-gravity location cannot be accurately determined, leading to unstable travel motions and cargo pile collapses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter-of-gravity location detection accuracyVSAvoidtravel stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical loading measurement systems with a dynamics-based calculation system. Instead of using physical sensors to directly measure center-of-gravity position, the system uses angular velocity sensors to detect vehicle shaking characteristics and applies logical theory of dynamics to calculate the 3D center-of-gravity location. This substitution enables accurate determination of center-of-gravity coordinates (Xg, Yg, Zg) without direct mechanical contact, thereby improving both measurement precision and travel stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct position measurement to indirect parameter-based calculation. The system measures shaking parameters (angular velocity, frequency, amplitude) and uses these dynamic parameters to derive center-of-gravity location through dynamics equations. This parameter transformation allows accurate 3D center-of-gravity determination while avoiding the limitations of conventional direct measurement methods, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and travel reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If correction coefficients are used in center-of-gravity calculation, then calculation accuracy may be improved, but the system cannot be universally applied to various container transport vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication universalityVSAvoidcenter-of-gravity location accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal center-of-gravity detection system based on the logical theory of dynamics that can be applied to any container transport vehicle regardless of its specific configuration. The system uses fundamental dynamics equations that are independent of vehicle-specific parameters, allowing the same calculation methodology to work across different vehicle types, container sizes, and loading conditions without requiring vehicle-specific correction coefficients or calibration data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential dynamic characteristics of center-of-gravity location from vehicle-specific details. By focusing on the fundamental relationship between vehicle shaking and center-of-gravity position described by dynamics theory, the system removes the need for correction coefficients that would be required for each specific vehicle type. This extraction of universal dynamic principles enables broad applicability while maintaining calculation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If elastic coefficients and weights are measured for each vehicle, then accurate center-of-gravity calculation is possible, but the system becomes complex and time-consuming to set up

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter-of-gravity calculation accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to automatically determine center-of-gravity location using only the shaking characteristics of the vehicle itself, without requiring external measurement of elastic coefficients or weights. The angular velocity sensors capture the vehicle's natural dynamic response, and the logical theory of dynamics calculations directly yield the center-of-gravity coordinates. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex preliminary measurements and setup procedures, reducing system complexity while maintaining high calculation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system provides high reliability in determining the 3D center-of-gravity location, enabling the estimation of lateral rollover limit velocity and cargo weight, thus preventing unstable travel and cargo collapses, and can be applied to any type of container transport vehicle without measuring elastic coefficients or weights.

Implementation Method 1

a shake detector for detecting shakes in both directions of the self-weight and width of the container cargo vehicle in motion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAngular velocity detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

when the shake in the self-weight direction corresponds to a vertical reciprocation motion and the shake in the width direction corresponds to a horizontal simple pendulum motion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPendulum motion: Pendulum

Implementation Method 3

based upon physical quantities that correlate with the shakes... derive, based upon the frequency of the simple pendulum motion, the location of the center of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2090874B1Device for detecting gravity center, device for predicting critical speed for lateral overturn, and device for predicting cargo weight
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 NAT UNIV CORP TOKYO UNIV O
  • EP2090874B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2090874B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2090874B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A center-of-gravity detection system (100) of the present invention includes a vehicle (11, 12) capable of carrying cargo and adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle, a shake detector (14) configured to detect shakes in the directions of the self-weight and width of the towed vehicle (11, 12) during travel of the towed vehicle (11, 12), and an arithmetic unit (15). The arithmetic unit (15) is configured to derive, based upon physical quantities that correlate with the shakes, the location of the center of gravity, in three-dimensional space, of the towed vehicle (11, 12).