Ship Unloader Position Sensing for Weather-Resistant Anti-Collision

The patent replaces the automotive radar system with a photoelectric limit sensor system. The photoelectric limit sensors use optical fields instead of radar electromagnetic waves, eliminating the weather interference issues. The system uses photoelectric switches mounted on poles along the track to detect the ship unloader's position, providing reliable anti-collision detection without the calibration and maintenance problems of radar systems.

The patent introduces photoelectric limit sensors as intermediary detection devices between the ship unloader and the control system. These sensors act as mediators that provide precise position information through optical fields, serving as a reliable intermediary that avoids the direct weather sensitivity of radar systems while maintaining collision detection capability.

The patent divides the terminal area into multiple zones by installing photoelectric limit sensors at regular intervals along the track. Each sensor detects the ship unloader's position at specific zones, segmenting the continuous position detection into discrete zones. This segmentation simplifies the control logic while maintaining precise position detection, as the system only needs to identify which zone the unloader is in rather than continuously tracking exact coordinates.

The patent implements automatic calibration functionality where the system automatically adjusts and calibrates the photoelectric limit sensor positions during operation. The calibration process is performed self-service by the control system using the existing sensor data, eliminating the need for manual calibration operations and reducing overall system complexity despite having multiple sensors.