Loading Dock Proximity Sensing for Safe Vehicle Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loading and unloading operations at loading docks are inefficient and hazardous due to manual distance measurement between vehicles and loading docks, leading to potential injuries, damage, and production losses, as vehicles can move during parking, creating gaps that are difficult to detect and manage.

Innovation Solution

A loading dock system equipped with a sensing device that determines the proximity of a vehicle to the dock by using a base, sensor, and indicating device to generate alerts when the distance is within a threshold, ensuring safe and accurate positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual distance measurement methods are used to monitor vehicle positioning, then personnel can detect gaps between vehicles and loading docks, but the process is inefficient, costly, and prone to errors that may go undetected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidloading and unloading operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an automated optical sensing system. The sensing device uses optical sensors to automatically detect and measure the distance between the vehicle and loading dock, eliminating the need for personnel to physically measure distances and reducing human error while improving operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing device performs self-monitoring of vehicle positioning without requiring external human intervention. The system automatically detects distance changes, generates alerts when thresholds are exceeded, and continuously monitors vehicle creep, enabling the system to service itself and eliminate the need for repeated manual inspections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If frequent manual inspections are conducted to detect vehicle movement and gap changes, then safety risks can be identified, but significant production losses occur due to the time required for each inspection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing device provides continuous monitoring of vehicle positioning throughout the entire loading and unloading operation. The optical sensor continuously tracks distance changes without interruption, ensuring that vehicle creep or movement is detected in real-time without requiring periodic stoppages for manual inspection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates immediate feedback through alert generation when the distance between vehicle and loading dock exceeds the predetermined threshold. This feedback mechanism notifies personnel instantly of unsafe conditions, enabling rapid response while eliminating the need for repeated manual checking intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If persons manually measure and monitor distances between vehicles and loading docks, then safety can be maintained, but the process is complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury risk to personnelVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the measurement and monitoring functions from human personnel and assigns them to an automated sensing device. The optical sensor and alert system are separated from the loading operation itself, performing the safety monitoring function independently without requiring personnel involvement in the measurement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing device acts as an intermediary between the vehicle positioning system and personnel safety. Instead of personnel directly measuring and assessing risks, the optical sensor serves as an intermediary that objectively detects distance changes and communicates safety status through automated alerts, reducing human exposure to hazardous conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12371283B2Vehicle proximity sensor for positioning a vehicle at a dock

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP

AI summary

A loading dock having a sensing device to determine proximity of a vehicle to the loading dock is disclosed. The loading dock includes a loading bay. The loading dock also includes a driving platform that receives a vehicle approaching the loading dock. The driving platform is positioned beneath the loading bay. The loading dock include a loading platform extending from the loading bay. The loading dock is equipped with a sensing device attached to the loading platform. The sensing device determines and monitors a distance between the vehicle and the loading platform. The loading dock also includes an indicating device that generates a signal when the distance between the vehicle and the loading platform is less than a threshold distance.