Hooklift Platform Length Determination via Roller Contact Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of demountable platforms on hooklifts is time-consuming and prone to errors due to manual estimation of platform length, leading to potential rear overhang issues or platform drop during loading/unloading.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determines the length of a demountable platform by detecting physical quantities related to the hooklift's position and orientation during lifting, using sensors to calculate the platform length trigonometrically, enabling accurate and automatic positioning without driver assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual visual estimation is used to determine platform length, then the driver can perform the operation without additional equipment, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation with an automated sensor-based measurement system. Sensors detect the moment when the platform contacts the rear rollers during lifting, and a calculation unit automatically computes the platform length based on detected physical quantities, eliminating the need for driver estimation and significantly improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the hooklift to automatically determine platform length without external assistance. The sensors and calculation unit work autonomously to detect contact moments and compute length, allowing the system to self-determine the required positioning parameters without driver intervention.
2Productivity
If manual positioning is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the positioning time increases and positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual positioning operations with an automated control system. Sensors detect the contact moment between the platform and rear rollers, and the calculation unit automatically determines platform length and positioning requirements, enabling both faster and more accurate positioning compared to manual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the contact moment between the platform and rear rollers during lifting, providing real-time feedback about the platform's position. This feedback is used by the calculation unit to automatically compute the platform length and determine the correct positioning, creating a closed-loop control system that improves both speed and accuracy.
3Reliability
If the platform is moved too far forward to avoid rear overhang, then the rear overhang problem is eliminated, but the platform may drop from the rear rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual judgment about platform positioning with an automated calculation system. Based on sensor-detected contact moments and measured platform length, the system automatically determines the precise positioning required to prevent both rear overhang and platform drop, eliminating the uncertainty and complexity of manual judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines the correct platform positioning in advance by calculating the required position based on measured platform length and detected contact moments. This preliminary determination of positioning requirements prevents both rear overhang and platform drop before the actual positioning operation occurs, ensuring reliable and safe operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining the length of a demountable platform. In the method, a hooklift is used to lift the demountable platform from the ground onto a vehicle, magnitudes of one or more physical quantities related to a position of the hooklift are determined at a moment when the demountable platform comes into contact with rear rollers of the hooklift, and the length of the demountable platform is calculated based on the determined magnitudes of the one or more physical quantities and the position and orientation information of the hooklift relative to the ground. The present invention also relates to a system for determining the length of a demountable platform.