Swap Body Alignment Using Three Distance Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for aligning vehicles under swap bodies lack precision in determining the position and orientation, leading to inefficiencies in the receiving process.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing three longitudinally oriented distance sensors, including two laterally spaced sensors and one positioned higher, emits measurement beams parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis to detect predefined points on the swap body, with a calibration system ensuring accurate alignment and autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three distance sensors are used to improve measurement precision, then position and orientation determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement task into three separate distance sensors positioned at different locations (two laterally spaced sensors and one higher positioned sensor), each measuring distance to different predefined points on the swap body. This segmentation allows precise determination of both position and orientation through coordinated measurement from multiple points.
Solution Approach 2:
The third distance sensor is positioned at a different height (vertically) compared to the other two sensors, adding a vertical dimension to the measurement configuration. This three-dimensional arrangement of sensors enables comprehensive spatial measurement, allowing the system to determine both longitudinal position and orientation angles of the swap body.
2Ease of operation
If measurement beams are directed parallel to the longitudinal axis to simplify alignment, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensors are pre-calibrated during manufacturing or installation so that their measurement beams are directed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This preliminary alignment action eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments during operation, simplifying the ease of use while maintaining measurement precision through the calibrated geometric relationship between sensors and measurement points.
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
Enables precise alignment and positioning of the vehicle under the swap body, improving the efficiency and accuracy of the receiving process through autonomous operation and precise distance measurement.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the three distance sensors can emit a measurement beam for measuring the distance
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for determining a position and orientation of a swap body in relation to a vehicle while aligning the vehicle under the swap body. The system has three distance sensors which can be placed on the vehicle oriented in the longitudinal direction thereof, each of which is configured to determine a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and predetermined measurement points on the swap body, and output a corresponding signal. The system has a signal processing device that is configured to determine a relative position and/or relative orientation of the swap body to the vehicle based on the signals output by the three distance sensors, and output a corresponding output signal.