Load Carrier Visual Sensor for Drop Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load-carrier vehicles, particularly autonomous ones, face challenges with large or unevenly distributed loads that can lead to material falling off during transport, causing damage and requiring manual intervention, which is difficult to manage with human interaction.
Innovation Solution
A load-carrier vehicle equipped with a visual sensor device, such as a LIDAR sensor, at the upper load level to detect and monitor objects, triggering signals for potential load drops and communicating this information to central or loader vehicle systems for proactive management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual monitoring by driver using side view mirrors is used, then human interaction is possible to detect dropped load, but continuous monitoring is not possible and detection is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual monitoring system (side view mirrors and driver observation) with an optical sensor system (camera or LIDAR) that automatically detects load drops. This substitution enables continuous monitoring without human intervention, resolving the contradiction between reliable detection and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs self-monitoring of the load condition without requiring driver attention or manual inspection. The system automatically detects, tracks, and alerts about load drops, making the monitoring process autonomous and continuously available regardless of driver workload.
2Reliability
If no load monitoring system is used, then vehicle operation is simple, but load drops occur causing damage and additional work
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors load position and provides feedback through alerts or signals to the driver or control system when load drops are detected. This feedback mechanism enables timely response to prevent damage, justifying the added system complexity through improved reliability and reduced operational disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects load drops early in the transport process and can trigger alerts or corrective actions before the dropped load causes damage or blocks roads. By performing preliminary detection and warning, the system prevents the harmful consequences that would otherwise require additional cleanup work and vehicle downtime.
3Measurement precision
If visual sensor device is added to monitor upper load level, then load drops can be detected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical sensing technology (camera or LIDAR) to precisely measure load position and detect drops. These optical systems provide high measurement precision for detecting the upper load level and material position, achieving accurate monitoring while keeping the system relatively simple compared to mechanical measurement alternatives.
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 effectively prevents load drops by alerting operators or systems to potential issues, enabling timely intervention and reducing damage by allowing vehicles to adjust their movements accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
A light emitting unit, typically a pulsed laser, may be arranged to scan the upper load level
Implementation Method 2
A LIDAR sensor is capable of detecting objects in a monitored layer or area
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a load-carrier vehicle (1) comprising: a load container (2, 20); and a visual sensor device (3, 30) arranged at an upper part of the load container (2, 20), wherein the visual sensor device (3, 30) is arranged to monitor an upper load level (4, 40) of the load container (2, 20) and detect an object (8) present at the upper load level (4, 40).