Loading Truck Sensor Corridor for Safe Trailer Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for loading and unloading trucks lack effective safety measures to prevent accidents by ensuring no person is in the trailer, as conventional sensor systems fail to reliably distinguish between persons and cargo in tightly packed trailers, and existing solutions require complex infrastructure or restrict flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A dual-sensor system comprising stationary and mobile sensors creates a controlled 'drive-through corridor' around the loading vehicle, using anthropometric dimensions to prevent unauthorized access and ensuring the vehicle's path is clear of objects, with communication between sensors to adapt and respond to potential hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensor systems are used to monitor the loading space, then object detection is possible, but the system cannot reliably distinguish between persons and cargo in tightly packed trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent sensor systems (first sensor system for access zone, second sensor system for loading space) that work together. Each sensor system has a specific monitoring responsibility, and the combined information enables reliable person detection despite tight packing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The access zone acts as an intermediary controlled area between the external environment and the loading space. By monitoring and controlling access through this zone, the system can detect persons attempting to enter while the loading vehicle is present, without requiring direct monitoring of every cargo position.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the entire activity zone is blocked to ensure safety, then accident prevention is improved, but operational flexibility and personnel presence are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of blocking the entire activity zone, safety monitoring is applied locally to specific critical areas: the access zone monitored by the first sensor system and the loading space monitored by the second sensor system. This localized approach maintains safety while allowing personnel to remain in non-monitored areas for operational tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor systems provide continuous feedback about the presence of persons or objects in monitored zones. This feedback enables dynamic safety management where the loading vehicle can operate freely when zones are clear, while automatically responding when persons are detected, thus maintaining both safety and operational flexibility.
3Extent of automation
If autonomous vehicles are used for loading and unloading, then automation level is improved, but the ability to ensure no person is in the trailer is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Before the autonomous loading vehicle enters the loading space, the first sensor system monitors the access zone to detect any persons attempting to enter. The second sensor system then monitors the loading space during the autonomous operation. This preliminary and continuous monitoring ensures person detection reliability while maintaining high automation levels.
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
This approach enables safe, automated loading and unloading without blocking the entire activity zone, allowing personnel to be present and reducing the risk of accidents, while maintaining operational flexibility and adhering to safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor system (10) is used to safeguard the access zone (12)
Implementation Method 2
The second sensor system (14) is used to safeguard the loading vehicle (16)
Data Source
AI summary
A method of loading and/or unloading a loading space is provided having a loading vehicle that drives into the loading space at least once to place down and/or to collect at least one load object, wherein an access zone of the loading space is safeguarded by at least one first sensor and the loading vehicle is safeguarded by at least one second sensor, In this respect, on driving into the loading space, the loading vehicle first drives to a first position that is so close to the safeguarded access zone that no person fits between the loading vehicle and the safeguarded access zone and the safeguarding of the access zone is then adapted by the first sensor such that a drive-through corridor for the loading vehicle is created.