Handling Machine Remote Loading Control via Wireless Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The operation of loading or unloading a handling machine, such as a forklift truck, relative to a carrier vehicle is tedious and potentially dangerous for the operator due to the lack of efficient control mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A handling machine equipped with a control system that includes a radio communication module, a processor, and a memory storing carrier-vehicle identifiers and associated command sequences, allowing the operator to control the loading or unloading process remotely using a terminal, such as a smartphone, which reduces the risk of errors and enhances safety by adapting the sequence of commands to the specific carrier vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator manually controls the loading or unloading of the handling machine, then the operator can directly observe and adjust the process, but the operation becomes tedious and potentially dangerous due to close proximity to moving equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperator intervention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A remote terminal serves as an intermediary device between the operator and the handling machine. The terminal communicates wirelessly with the machine's control system, allowing the operator to send control commands and receive status information without being physically present near the moving equipment. This resolves the contradiction by enabling safe remote operation while maintaining operational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical control system (manual levers, pedals, and direct operator manipulation) with an electronic communication system. The terminal transmits digital control signals to the handling machine's control unit, which then actuates the loading and unloading mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for direct mechanical interaction, improving safety while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a remote control terminal is implemented for loading or unloading, then operator safety is improved and remote operation is enabled, but the system complexity increases due to additional communication modules and control interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal is designed as a multi-functional device that can control multiple handling machines and work with different carrier vehicles. The control system in the handling machine is also designed to be universal, accepting commands for various operations (loading, unloading, positioning) through a single interface. This universality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the communication functions (radio module, processor, memory) directly into the existing control system of the handling machine. Rather than adding a completely separate control system, the communication capabilities are integrated with the actuation system and handling controls. This integration approach minimizes the increase in device complexity while enabling remote operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If command sequences are adapted to specific carrier vehicles, then positioning accuracy and reliability are improved, but the time required to configure and select appropriate command sequences increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Command sequences for different carrier vehicle types are pre-configured and stored in the memory of the handling machine's control system. Before operation, the operator simply selects the appropriate carrier vehicle type from a list, and the corresponding pre-programmed command sequence is automatically loaded. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site configuration, resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and configuration time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide information about the current operational status and carrier vehicle identification to the terminal. This feedback allows the control system to automatically select and apply the appropriate command sequence based on the detected carrier vehicle type, reducing manual configuration time while maintaining positioning accuracy. The feedback loop ensures that the correct pre-configured sequence is used without requiring extensive manual setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3674251B1Industrial truck, loadable and unloadable relative to a carrier vehicle, system and method therefor

Publication Date: 2021.06.23 MANITOU BF SA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a material handling machine (2) comprising a material handling system and a control system (200) with carrier vehicle identifiers (IDV1, IDV2), and handling system command sequences (SC1, SC2) associated with these carrier vehicle identifiers (IDV1, IDV2). The control system (200) is configured to transmit the carrier vehicle identifiers (IDV1, IDV2) to a terminal (1), receive a request to select one of the command sequences, and receive a loading or unloading request and execute the selected command sequence according to the loading or unloading request.