Refuse Vehicle Cab-Exit Detection for Automatic Safe Parking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refuse vehicle control systems lack effective mechanisms to ensure operator safety by automatically detecting when an operator is exiting the vehicle and preventing collisions with surrounding objects.
Innovation Solution
The refuse vehicle is equipped with sensors and processing circuits that monitor the operator's position and the vehicle's configuration, generating alerts and controlling the vehicle's movements to ensure safe parking and prevent collisions with approaching objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the refuse vehicle is equipped with sensors and processing circuits to automatically detect operator position and control vehicle movements, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into multiple independent sensors (proximity sensors, cameras, ultrasonic sensors) distributed around the vehicle, each detecting specific zones. The processing circuits are segmented into separate modules that handle different sensor inputs and control functions independently, making the overall system more manageable and less complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of operator position outside the cab before allowing vehicle movement. The processing circuits pre-assess the environment and predict potential collision risks before the vehicle moves, enabling preventive safety measures rather than reactive responses.
2Reliability
If the processing circuits automatically determine operator position and generate contact alerts, then collision prevention is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing technologies (optical cameras, ultrasonic sensors, proximity sensors) are merged into a unified detection system. Each sensor type compensates for the limitations of others, providing redundant verification of operator position and reducing the precision burden on any single sensor while improving overall collision prevention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors operator position through multiple sensors and provides real-time feedback to the control circuits. When the operator is detected outside the cab, the system generates contact alerts and adjusts vehicle movements based on ongoing sensor feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions.
3Reliability
If the vehicle automatically places itself in parking configuration when operator exits, then safety is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle performs self-service by automatically detecting when the operator has exited the cab through sensor inputs and autonomously transitioning to a safe parking configuration without requiring manual operator input. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually control vehicle movements after exiting, prioritizing safety over operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the operator to manually control the vehicle into a safe position after exiting, the system inverts the control logic by having the vehicle automatically reposition itself. The burden of safety management shifts from the operator to the automated system, ensuring protective actions are taken even if the operator is unaware of surrounding hazards.
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle includes a driveline configured to transport the refuse vehicle, a cab defining a cab opening configured to receive an operator of the refuse vehicle therein, one or more sensors configured to generate sensor data corresponding to at least one of the refuse vehicle or the operator, and one or more processing circuits. The one or more processing circuits are configured to acquire, from the sensors, the sensor data, determine, based on the sensor data, an operator of the refuse vehicle is at least one of exiting the cab opening or is positioned outside of the cab opening, determine, based on the sensor data, that the refuse vehicle is in a non-parking configuration, and operate the refuse vehicle to place the refuse vehicle in a parking configuration.