Goods Carrier Length Detection Using a Single Truck Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial trucks require a large number of sensors for mixed operation, leading to increased material and inventory costs and reduced uptime due to higher failure risk.
Innovation Solution
A method using a single sensor device, such as a laser scanner, to detect the length of a goods carrier by traversing a predefined path and evaluating wheel positions, eliminating the need for multiple sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect goods carrier position and length, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensor device on the industrial truck is made multi-functional by using it both for safety monitoring (detecting objects in warning/protective zones) and for detecting goods carrier position and length. The sensor device performs multiple detection tasks without requiring additional specialized sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through software-based differentiation of detection signals.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed, then measurement precision is improved, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensor device is utilized for multiple detection purposes including safety monitoring and goods carrier position/length detection. This eliminates the need to purchase and install additional specialized sensors, thereby reducing material costs while maintaining detection precision through the sensor's capability to distinguish between different detection targets using software algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device serves multiple functions, eliminating the need to maintain inventory of multiple different sensor types. The control unit software handles the differentiation of detection purposes, reducing spare parts inventory requirements and associated costs while maintaining detection precision through software-based signal interpretation.
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
Reduces sensor count while maintaining operational reliability, thereby lowering costs and minimizing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
detecting, in particular by means of a sensor device on the industrial truck
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for acquiring information about the propagation (1) of a goods carrier (2), which can be transported by means of an at least partially automated industrial truck (3), in at least one propagation direction (4), in which at least the following steps are carried out automatically by the industrial truck (3): a) approaching a predefined initial position (5) relative to the goods carrier (2), wherein the reaching of the initial position (5) is detected by means of a sensor device (6) of the industrial truck (3), b) traveling along a predefined route (7) along the propagation direction (4), starting from the initial position (5), c) performing a further detection process by means of the same sensor device (6) of the industrial truck (3) after the predefined route (7) has been traveled.