Loader Arm Collision Avoidance with Virtual Truck Cab Safety Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision avoidance systems fail to reliably prevent collisions between loader arms and truck cabs, particularly in dump trucks without a cab, leading to operator discomfort and injury risks due to the need for frequent manual dismounting.
Innovation Solution
A system with active and passive sensors on both the loader and truck to detect a virtual safety area around the truck cab, controlling the loader arm to avoid collisions by using a controller that prevents the arm from entering this safety zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a loader arm is used to load material into a truck, then loading efficiency is improved, but the risk of collision with the driver's cab increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the driver's cab position using sensors before the loader arm moves. A virtual safety zone is pre-calculated based on the detected cab position, and the loader arm's movement is restricted before collision can occur. This proactive approach allows continuous operation without requiring the driver to leave the cab.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual safety zone as an intermediary between the loader arm and the driver's cab. This invisible barrier, defined by sensor detection and control system calculations, mediates the interaction by preventing the loader arm from entering the dangerous zone while allowing normal loading operations to proceed.
2Reliability
If the driver must leave the cab during loading to avoid collision, then safety is improved, but operational time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the driver to remain in the cab throughout the entire loading process. The sensor-based detection and automated control system serves itself by continuously monitoring the environment and adjusting the loader arm's movement, eliminating the need for the driver to manually intervene or leave the cab for safety reasons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that monitor the position of the loader arm and the truck cab. This real-time information feeds back to the control system, which automatically adjusts the loader arm's movement to maintain safe distances, allowing the driver to remain in the cab without compromising safety.
3Speed
If the loader arm moves freely without restrictions, then loading speed is increased, but collision with the truck occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the loader arm's movement based on real-time sensor data. The virtual safety zone is not a fixed restriction but adapts continuously as the truck and loader arm move. This dynamic control allows the loader arm to operate at high speeds while automatically adjusting its path to avoid the truck, maintaining loading speed without causing collisions.
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
Effectively prevents collisions with truck cabs, ensuring safe loading operations without the need for operators to leave the cab, thereby enhancing safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The obstacle detection (4) comprises at least one active sensor (11) assigned to the truck (3), which is directed towards the surroundings of the truck (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
A collision avoidance system between a loading device (1) with a loading arm (2) and a truck (3) is described. This system comprises a position detection system for the loading arm (2) assigned to the loading device (1), an obstacle detection system (4) assigned to the loading device (1) for detecting obstacles in the vicinity of the loading arm (3), and a control system (5) for activating loading functions depending on a distance (a) between the loading arm (2) and an obstacle detected by the obstacle detection system (4). To increase collision safety, it is proposed that the obstacle detection system (4) determines the position of the truck (3) in space, that a virtual safety zone (9) encompassing a driver's cab (8) is detected and/or calculated, and that the control system (5) controls the loading arm (2) in such a way as to avoid a collision of the loading arm (2) with the virtual safety zone (9) and, if applicable, with the tipper body (6).