Load Carrier Loading State Detection via Neural Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for tracking load carriers in industrial environments rely on sensors or trackers that cannot provide information about the loading status of the carriers, limiting their functionality.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize sensors and a neural network to detect the loading state of load carriers by analyzing environmental data, allowing for the display of the load carrier's position and loading status in an industrial environment without the need for trackers on the carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If trackers are attached to load carriers to locate them, then the position of the load carrier can be determined, but the loading status cannot be provided and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading status informationVSAvoidtracker attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital twin (virtual copy) of the industrial environment that mirrors the physical warehouse. Sensors detect load carriers and their loading states in the physical environment, and this information is replicated in the digital twin environment, allowing position and loading status to be determined without attaching complex trackers to each load carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both the position of load carriers and their loading status simultaneously. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate trackers for position determination and loading status monitoring, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If sensors are mounted on load carriers to detect loading status, then loading state information can be obtained, but the risk of sensor damage or theft increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading state informationVSAvoidsensor damage or theft
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces stationary sensors mounted on the infrastructure (ceiling or wall) as intermediaries between the load carriers and the detection system. These stationary sensors detect load carriers passing by and determine their loading status without being attached to the moving load carriers, thereby eliminating the risk of damage or theft associated with mobile sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The load carriers themselves provide information about their loading status through their interaction with the stationary sensor field. The sensors detect changes in the environmental area as load carriers move, and the neural network processes this data to determine loading state, allowing the system to obtain information without physically contacting or attaching sensors to the load carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If conventional tracking methods are used, then position can be monitored, but loading status information is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading status informationVSAvoidsensor system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameters from simple position tracking to environmental area analysis. Instead of using trackers that only provide position data, the stationary sensors detect changes in the environmental area (light, sound, or other physical parameters) as load carriers move, and the neural network processes these parameter changes to determine both position and loading status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical trackers attached to load carriers with an optical or electromagnetic field-based detection system. Stationary sensors use light, sound waves, or other electromagnetic fields to detect load carriers and determine their loading status without mechanical contact, simplifying the overall system while providing additional information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4300395A1Automatic detection of a loading state of a load carrier
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 STILL GMBH
  • EP4300395A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4300395A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4300395A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method (300) for automatically detecting the loading state of a charge carrier, wherein the charge carrier is located in an industrial environment, comprising the following features: detecting (301) an environmental area of ​​the charge carrier by at least one sensor to obtain detected environmental data; selecting (303) an electronic loading state attribute from a plurality of electronic loading state attributes based on the detected environmental data by means of a neural network, wherein the neural network is configured to select electronic loading state attributes, wherein the neural network is executed by a control device, and wherein the electronic loading state attribute represents the loading state of the charge carrier; assigning (305) the selected electronic loading state attribute to a position of the charge carrier in the industrial environment;and display (307) the position of the load carrier on an electronic display.;