Laser Scanner Positioning for Container Locking Pins
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The loading of containers into vehicles, particularly trailer lorries, is challenging due to the need for precise alignment of locking pins, which is difficult for crane operators to achieve manually, and existing systems, such as camera-based computer vision, suffer from reliability issues under varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
Installing laser scanners in the loading area to determine the position of locking pins relative to the ground and relaying this information to a crane's positioning system, allowing for accurate calculation of pin positions and improved reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual operation by crane operator is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but positioning precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate due to restricted visibility and manual limitations
Solution Approach 1:
A laser scanner is introduced as an intermediary measuring device between the crane operator and the locking pins. The laser scanner automatically measures the position of locking pins and relays this information to the positioning system, eliminating the need for the operator to visually locate pins while maintaining system simplicity through automated measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual inspection and positioning method is replaced with an automated laser scanning system. The laser scanner optically measures pin positions without mechanical contact, and the positioning system automatically calculates and guides the container placement, substituting manual mechanical positioning with automated optical measurement and computational guidance.
2Extent of automation
If camera-based computer vision systems are used, then automation extent is improved, but reliability deteriorates under varying environmental conditions such as lighting changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces camera-based computer vision with a laser scanning system. The laser scanner uses active laser illumination and time-of-flight or phase-shift measurement principles that are independent of ambient lighting conditions, providing reliable automated measurement in various environmental conditions where camera systems fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement principle is changed from passive optical detection (camera) to active laser-based measurement. By using laser emission and measuring the reflected or returned laser signal, the system becomes immune to ambient lighting variations, maintaining consistent measurement reliability across different environmental conditions.
3Measurement precision
If laser scanners are installed in the crane body, then measurement capability is improved, but the crane's own positioning system becomes unnecessary and additional complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The laser scanner is integrated with the existing crane positioning system rather than operating as a separate entity. The positioning system uses both the laser scanner's pin position measurements and the crane's own positioning data to calculate the container's target position, merging multiple measurement sources into a unified control system that eliminates redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes laser scanner data for pin position detection, incorporates crane positioning information, calculates container placement targets, and guides the spreading operation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate systems while maintaining measurement precision.
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
The system provides higher accuracy and reliability compared to prior art, ensuring precise container positioning and reducing the risk of material damage from inaccurate measurements.
Implementation Method 1
laser scanners for determining the position of the lock pins in the vehicle and/or its trailer
Implementation Method 2
measuring systems based on laser scanners
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention concerns a system for determination of a container's position in a vehicle and/or in its trailer to be loaded with containers (13) in a loading area for containers (13), such as a container freight terminal, where the container or containers (13) are loaded into a vehicle (16) and/or into its trailer and, correspondingly, they are unloaded from this/these by a crane (10b) for handling containers which travels in the loading area above the traffic lane or traffic lanes (26b). The crane is equipped with a container spreader (23b) gripping the containers (13) from above and with a positioning system for the crane (10b) and for the container spreader (23b). The vehicle (16) and, correspondingly, its trailer have locking pins locking into pin holes in the corners of the container (13), whereby the system has laser scanners for determination of the position of the locking pins in the vehicle (16) and/or in its trailer and for determination of the container's position depending on these. The laser scanner/laser scanners are arranged to determine the positions in relation to the ground of the locking pins in the vehicle (16) and/or its trailer parked in the loading area, and the system is arranged to relay the position information determined by the laser scanner to the crane (10b), whereby based on the position information of the crane (10b) and the container spreader (23b) the crane's positioning system is adapted to calculate the position of the locking pins in relation to the crane (10b).