Digital Twin for Truck Cargo Loading and Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for loading and unloading cargo from transport units, such as trucks or freight wagons, lack detailed information about the packing status, leading to inefficient use of space, time-consuming unloading processes, and difficulties in optimizing automated loading and unloading operations.
Innovation Solution
Creating a digital twin of the loading unit's state during the loading process, which includes information about the type, position, and characteristics of individual cargo items, allowing for precise planning and optimization of the unloading process through data collection from various sensors and systems, and storing this information for retrieval during unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional loading methods are used without tracking, then loading speed is maintained, but unloading time increases significantly due to lack of cargo location information
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital twin of the cargo layout during the loading process, storing position and identification data of all cargo items before unloading begins. This preliminary digital record enables rapid retrieval and guidance during unloading, eliminating the need for physical searching and significantly reducing unloading time without requiring complex physical tracking infrastructure during the unloading phase itself
2Measurement precision
If manual cargo tracking is used, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of cargo position and type deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically tracking each cargo item, the system creates a digital copy (digital twin) of the cargo layout by collecting data from sensors during loading. This digital replica contains precise information about cargo positions, types, and identifiers, enabling accurate retrieval without requiring continuous physical monitoring or complex manual tracking systems during unloading
Solution Approach 2:
The digital twin acts as an intermediary between the physical cargo and the unloading control system. It mediates the information flow by storing and retrieving cargo location and identification data, eliminating the need for direct complex sensor systems or manual intervention during the unloading process while maintaining high measurement precision
3Volume of moving object
If cargo is loaded without optimization data, then loading process is simpler, but space utilization in the loading unit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the digital twin to provide feedback about cargo positions and loading unit utilization. This information feeds into optimization algorithms that can recalculate and suggest improved loading arrangements, enabling continuous improvement of space utilization while maintaining efficient loading and unloading operations through data-driven decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for loading and unloading a loading unit (7), in particular a loading platform (7a) of a truck (1) or a freight wagon, wherein, in at least one loading operation, cargo (3) is loaded into the loading unit (7) using at least one industrial truck (2), and in at least one unloading operation, cargo (3) is unloaded from the loading unit (7) using at least one industrial truck (2). It is proposed that during the loading operation, a digital twin of the loading state of the loading unit (7) is created from data of the loading operation in an electronic data processing unit (10), wherein the digital twin contains information about the type and position of the individual cargo items (3) in the loading unit (7), and the information of the digital twin is made available for the unloading operation.