Material Unloading Control to Prevent Wrong-Site Dumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
At large construction sites, there is a recurring issue of unloading the wrong type of material at intended locations, leading to costly and time-consuming clean-up efforts, as existing systems are not specifically adapted to handle multiple similar loading and unloading zones effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves receiving signals indicative of the material on a load-delivering unit and the intended material for a load-receiving unit, comparing this information, and determining whether the materials match, with the load-delivering unit being set to a non-loading/non-unloading mode if they do not, thereby preventing incorrect unloading or loading by disabling the normal dumping function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drivers rely on memory or radio instructions to determine where to dump material, then operational simplicity is maintained, but the risk of unloading wrong material types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the control unit continuously receives information about the vehicle's current location and compares it with the intended destination. This automatic feedback mechanism eliminates the need for drivers to rely on memory or radio instructions, while simultaneously ensuring accurate material unloading by preventing dumping at wrong locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the vehicle to automatically verify its own location and determine whether it is at the correct dumping site without external assistance. The control unit processes location data and autonomously controls the dumping function, making the system self-sufficient rather than relying on driver knowledge or additional workers.
2Reliability
If additional workers are involved to check material type and guide drivers, then material unloading accuracy improves, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to automatically verify its own location and determine whether it is at the correct dumping site without external assistance. The control unit processes location data and autonomously controls the dumping function, making the system self-sufficient rather than relying on driver knowledge or additional workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human workers physically checking material and guiding drivers with an electronic control system. The control unit uses GPS location data and pre-stored destination information to automatically determine correct dumping sites, substituting human labor with automated electronic control.
3Reliability
If checkpoints are arranged to verify material type before unloading, then material unloading accuracy improves, but implementation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal location verification mechanism that works across all dumping sites without requiring site-specific infrastructure. The control unit compares the vehicle's current GPS coordinates with pre-stored destination coordinates for any dumping site, eliminating the need for physical checkpoints or site-specific verification infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human workers physically checking material and guiding drivers with an electronic control system. The control unit uses GPS location data and pre-stored destination information to automatically determine correct dumping sites, substituting human labor with automated electronic control.
4Reliability
If GPS positioning and wireless communication systems are implemented, then material unloading accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves as an intermediary that simplifies the interaction between the GPS positioning system, wireless communication module, and dumping mechanism. Rather than requiring direct complex integration of all components, the control unit processes location data and coordinates with the body control module to enable or disable dumping, acting as a mediating layer that manages system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling loading/unloading of a material (5, 15) from a load-delivering unit (1, 11) to a load-receiving unit (2, 12), wherein at least one of the load-delivering unit and the load-receiving unit is a working machine vehicle (2, 11) configured to transport a load of material from a first location (3) to a second location (4), and wherein at least the load-delivering unit (1, 11) is provided with a control unit (7, 17) configured to control operation of the load-delivering unit (1, 11). The method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving (S1) a first signal indicative of the material (5, 15) associated with the load-delivering unit (1, 11); receiving (S2) a second signal indicative of the material intended to be received by the load-receiving unit (2, 12); comparing (S3) material information related to the first signal with material information related to the second signal; determining (S4), based on said comparison, whether the material (5, 15) associated with the load-delivering unit (1, 11) is to be loaded/unloaded to the load-receiving unit (2, 12); and, when an outcome of the determining step(S4) is that the material (5, 15) associated with the load-delivering unit (1, 11) is not to be loaded/unloaded to the load-receiving unit (2, 12), setting (S5a), by means of the control unit (7, 17), the load-delivering unit (1, 11) in a non-loading/non-unloading operation mode where a normal material dumping function of the load-delivering unit (1, 11) is disabled.