Optical Cargo Positioning Signaling for Commercial Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicles face limitations in cargo capacity and user-friendliness due to uneven weight distribution caused by incorrect cargo placement, which can lead to unbalanced loads and reduced drivability, and existing solutions do not effectively address these issues without compromising cargo capacity or requiring structural changes.
Innovation Solution
A commercial vehicle equipped with an optical signaling unit activated by an evaluation electronics unit, which determines the optimum cargo position based on load forces and inertial measurements, using existing sensors to indicate the correct placement through a light-based system, thereby maximizing cargo capacity and user-friendliness without altering the vehicle's chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a margin is taken into consideration in axle load calculations to handle non-optimum cargo positioning, then user-friendliness is improved, but total cargo capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the user through optical signaling (light bars) indicating whether the cargo is positioned optimally or not. The detection units continuously monitor axle load forces and provide feedback signals that guide the user to adjust cargo position, thereby achieving good user-friendliness without needing to reduce cargo capacity for safety margins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of reducing cargo capacity to account for improper loading with an electronic sensing and optical signaling system. Instead of designing for worst-case scenarios, the system actively detects and communicates loading status, substituting passive mechanical margins with active electronic guidance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user does not know the optimum position of cargo, then cargo placement flexibility is improved, but weight distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains cargo placement flexibility by allowing users to place cargo anywhere while providing real-time feedback through optical signals. The detection units monitor axle load forces and the evaluation electronics determine optimal positions, communicating this information back to the user via light bar signals, thus ensuring weight distribution uniformity without restricting placement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes in the optical signaling unit (light bar) to communicate cargo positioning status. Different colors or lighting patterns indicate whether the cargo is optimally positioned or needs adjustment, providing intuitive visual feedback that guides users to achieve uniform weight distribution while maintaining placement flexibility.
3Device complexity
If existing sensors are used for cargo position indication, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for cargo positioning may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using existing vehicle sensors (acceleration sensors, wheel speed sensors) for multiple purposes - both for standard vehicle operation and for detecting cargo position. The evaluation electronics process these existing sensor signals to determine cargo loading states, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving sufficient measurement precision through sophisticated signal evaluation.
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 ensures uniform weight distribution, enhances cargo capacity, and improves driving behavior by providing clear visual cues for optimal cargo placement, all while being cost-effective and not requiring structural modifications to the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a detection unit for detecting compression movements on at least one wheel suspension of the commercial vehicle
Implementation Method 2
at least one inertial measuring unit for detecting movements of a sprung mass of the commercial vehicle
Implementation Method 3
at least one optical signaling unit, which is arranged in the cargo space and is electrically activatable using an evaluation electronics unit
Data Source
AI summary
A commercial vehicle with a cargo space includes a detection unit for detecting movement of a wheel suspension and/or an inertial measuring unit for detecting movements of a sprung mass of the vehicle in order to evaluate a loading state of cargo in the cargo space. To provide improved cargo capacity, improved user-friendliness, and improved driving behavior, the commercial vehicle has an optical signaling unit arranged in the cargo space which is electrically activatable using an evaluation electronics unit, wherein the evaluation electronics unit is configured to activate the signaling unit on the basis of signals of the detection unit and/or the inertial measuring unit which are generated upon placement of the cargo on a cargo surface of the cargo space in such a way that an optimum position of the cargo surface is displayable by means of the signaling unit.