Lifting Device Collision Avoidance via GNSS Sensor Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of lifting devices, such as cranes, face challenges in monitoring load positions and orientations, and detecting potential collisions and hazards due to limited visibility and situational awareness, especially in environments with multiple lifting devices in operation.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device sensor unit equipped with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, load monitor, and wireless transceiver, which provides real-time position and orientation data of the load, as well as collision and hazard alerts, to a display unit, enabling efficient load delivery, collision avoidance, and hazard prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an operator manually monitors load position and detects hazards using visual observation, then the operator can identify potential collisions and dangers, but the operator's limited visibility and situational awareness prevent effective monitoring, especially in blind lift scenarios or when multiple lifting devices are operating simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensor units as intermediary devices that attach to lifting devices and loads to detect position, orientation, and potential hazards. These sensors act as mediators between the physical lifting operation and the operator, transmitting data wirelessly to a base station that processes and displays information. This resolves the visibility limitation by providing indirect sensing capabilities where direct visual observation is impossible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual observation system with an electronic sensing and communication system. Instead of relying on the operator's visual capabilities and manual monitoring, the system uses GNSS receivers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and wireless transmitters to automatically detect and report load position, orientation, and hazard conditions. This substitution enables reliable monitoring in scenarios where visual observation fails.
2Loss of information
If real-time position and orientation data of the load is provided to the operator, then situational awareness and collision avoidance are improved, but the system complexity and cost of additional sensors and communication equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed as a multi-functional integrated system that performs multiple tasks: GNSS positioning, acceleration sensing, orientation detection via gyroscopes, wireless data transmission, and hazard detection. By consolidating these functions into a single attachable unit, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to implementing separate systems for each function. The modular design allows the same sensor unit to serve multiple lifting devices and load monitoring needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit operates autonomously, self-powering via battery and automatically collecting, processing, and transmitting data without requiring manual intervention. The system self-calibrates and maintains operation, reducing the operational complexity burden on users. The base station automatically processes incoming data from multiple sensor units and generates alerts when hazards are detected, eliminating the need for manual data compilation and analysis.
3Productivity
If multiple lifting devices operate simultaneously in the same work area, then productivity increases, but the risk of collision between devices or between devices and loads increases due to reduced operator awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The base station receives real-time position and status data from multiple sensor units attached to different lifting devices and loads. It continuously processes this information and provides feedback to operators through visual and audible alerts when potential collisions or hazardous conditions are detected. This feedback mechanism enables safe simultaneous operation of multiple devices by maintaining situational awareness and providing early warning of dangerous situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary hazard detection and alerting before actual collisions occur. By continuously monitoring relative positions and trajectories of multiple lifting devices and loads, the base station can predict potential collision scenarios and warn operators in advance, allowing them to take preventive action. This preliminary warning capability enables safer concurrent operation of multiple devices compared to reactive monitoring.
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
Enhances operator safety and efficiency by providing real-time load monitoring and collision avoidance capabilities, reducing the risk of accidents and improving productivity in lifting operations.
Implementation Method 1
A first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver is coupled with the housing and is configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions
Implementation Method 2
A wireless transceiver is coupled with the housing and is configured for wirelessly providing information including the load position, the load orientation, and the sensor unit position, to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method of lifting device collision avoidance is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a three dimensional position of a collision avoidance sensor unit coupled with a load line of a first lifting device, the determining performed by a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with a housing of the collision avoidance sensor unit, generating a geofence for the first lifting device based at least in part on the collision avoidance sensor unit position, monitoring for a collision related hazard indicated by encroachment between the first geofence and a second geofence associated with a second lifting device and initiating at least one collision hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of the collision related hazard.