Container Chassis Clearance Detection During Locking-Point Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human error in unlocking locking mechanisms between containers and road chassis can lead to unsafe lifting conditions, potentially causing the container to remain attached to the chassis during transfer to a crane.
Innovation Solution
A clearance investigating device and system using view capturing devices, such as cameras or LiDAR, to analyze the clearance between the container and road chassis during lifting, determining if the container can be safely lifted based on real-time analysis and clearance thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual unlocking of locking mechanisms is performed, then operational simplicity is maintained, but safety reliability deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical unlocking process with an automated optical detection system. View capturing devices (cameras) and analysis devices automatically detect the clearance between container and road chassis, eliminating the need for manual checking while improving safety reliability through objective, error-free detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the container-lifting operation to automatically verify its own safety conditions. The clearance investigation system autonomously detects whether the locking mechanism has been properly unlocked by measuring the clearance gap, without requiring human intervention or judgment.
2Reliability
If automated clearance investigation is implemented, then safety reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis device serves multiple functions: it processes images from different view capturing devices, determines clearance presence, identifies locking mechanism status, and controls the lifting operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary analysis device that acts as a bridge between the simple view capturing devices and the lifting control system. This intermediary processes the visual information and translates it into actionable safety decisions, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high reliability.
3Reliability
If real-time clearance detection is performed during lifting, then safety reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs due to additional inspection steps
Solution Approach 1:
The clearance investigation is performed preliminarily during the lifting process itself rather than as a separate pre-check step. The view capturing devices continuously or periodically capture images during lifting, and the analysis device determines clearance status in real-time, integrating the safety check into the main operation flow to minimize time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The clearance detection operates continuously during the lifting process rather than as discrete interrupted steps. The view capturing devices and analysis system work continuously to monitor the clearance gap, ensuring safety reliability is maintained throughout the entire lifting operation without significant time interruptions.
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
Ensures safe lifting of containers by preventing them from being lifted if there is no clearance, reducing the risk of the container remaining attached to the chassis and enhancing operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a current view of at least one region of interest
Implementation Method 2
view capturing devices, such as cameras or LiDAR
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes obtaining a view of a region of interest in which the container is fastenable to the road chassis via a locking mechanism, the view being obtained when the container is being lifted from the road chassis, obtains an analysis of the view comprising a determination of whether there is a clearance between the container and the road chassis at the locking mechanism in the region of investigation and determines whether lifting of the container can be continued or not based on the analysis, where the container can be continued to be lifted when there is a clearance and cannot be continued to be lifted if there is no clearance.