Loading Ramp Height Detection Using Vehicle-Mounted Markings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the height of a loading ramp are error-prone, time-consuming, and often require costly infrastructure, making it difficult to achieve precise alignment between a transport vehicle's loading platform and the ramp.
Innovation Solution
A method using sensors on the transport vehicle to capture images of loading ramp markings, identify and derive the ramp height, and adjust the vehicle's loading platform height accordingly, without the need for external communication or infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated determination of loading ramp height is implemented using existing infrastructure (e.g., servers, communication channels), then loading platform height can be determined automatically, but the system becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transport vehicle performs the height determination itself using its own sensor and processing unit, without needing external servers or communication infrastructure. The vehicle autonomously captures images, identifies markings, derives height information, and adjusts its loading platform, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating complex external infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the height determination function from external infrastructure (servers, communication channels) and relocates it to the transport vehicle itself. By removing the dependency on external systems and embedding all necessary functionality within the vehicle, the solution simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining automated operation
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of loading platform height is performed, then the system remains simple, but the process becomes error-prone and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated optical-mechanical system. A sensor (camera) captures images of the loading ramp, processing unit automatically identifies markings and calculates height, then controls the loading platform's height adjustment mechanism. This substitution eliminates manual intervention, reducing errors and time consumption while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image-based marking system as an intermediary between the loading ramp and the height determination process. Instead of directly measuring physical dimensions, the system uses visual markings that can be easily captured and processed, simplifying the measurement process and enabling automated control without complex sensing infrastructure
3Extent of automation
If loading ramp height is determined using existing automated systems, then height alignment can be achieved, but integration with existing loading ramps requires considerable effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the height determination into two independent parts: passive visual markings attached to the loading ramp and active image processing by the transport vehicle. This segmentation allows the markings to be applied to any existing loading ramp without modifying the ramp's structure, while the vehicle handles all processing, enabling easy integration with diverse existing infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct physical measurement to visual image analysis. By using optical markings and image processing instead of physical measurement infrastructure, the system can be applied to any loading ramp regardless of its physical characteristics, greatly enhancing adaptability and reducing integration effort
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure includes, among other things, a method comprising: - capturing, by means of a sensor of the transport vehicle, at least one image of at least one part of a loading ramp, - identifying at least one marking element attached to the loading ramp based on at least one image, - deriving, based on the at least one attached marking element, a loading ramp height, - determining a loading platform height of a loading platform of the transport vehicle adapted to the derived loading ramp height, and - adjusting the loading platform height of the transport vehicle to the determined adapted loading platform height.