Trailer Signal Processing for Precise Roll Container Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring roll containers between trucks and trailer vehicles are inefficient due to the need for precise alignment, which is challenging without skilled drivers and can result in unsafe conditions and increased operational time.
Innovation Solution
A trailer vehicle equipped with a signal processing device that includes sensors, a target signal generator, and a signal transmission system to detect and align the position of the truck and roll container relative to the trailer vehicle, providing control instructions to facilitate precise and automated transfer processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment methods are used for transferring roll containers, then operational flexibility is maintained, but alignment precision and transfer safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously detect the actual position of the truck and roll container relative to the trailer vehicle, compare it with the target position, and generate control instructions to minimize deviation. This closed-loop feedback system ensures high alignment precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated system comprising sensors, signal processing devices, and transmission systems. This substitution eliminates the need for skilled drivers to perform precise manual alignment, thereby improving alignment precision while the modular automated system keeps overall complexity controlled.
2Productivity
If skilled drivers are relied upon for alignment, then alignment quality can be maintained, but operational efficiency and safety deteriorate due to human dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the transfer system to perform alignment operations autonomously through self-service automation. The sensor system, signal processing device, and transmission system work together to automatically detect positions, calculate deviations, and generate control instructions without human intervention, thereby improving both operational efficiency and reliability by eliminating human dependency.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated feedback control system continuously monitors alignment status and adjusts positioning in real-time, ensuring consistent safety and efficiency regardless of driver skill level. This eliminates the variability inherent in manual operations and provides reliable, repeatable transfer processes.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment is achieved through manual methods, then transfer accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous position detection and real-time control instruction generation, allowing the alignment process to proceed without interruptions or repeated adjustments. The sensor system continuously monitors the transfer process, and the signal processing device continuously generates control instructions, ensuring uninterrupted useful action that reduces transfer time while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing manual alignment operations with automated sensor-based detection and control systems, the patent eliminates the time-consuming nature of manual trial-and-error alignment. The automated system rapidly detects positions and calculates control instructions, significantly reducing transfer time while maintaining or improving transfer accuracy.
4Reliability
If automated signal processing systems are implemented, then alignment precision and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automated alignment system into distinct functional modules: sensor systems for position detection, signal processing devices for deviation calculation and control instruction generation, and transmission systems for communicating instructions. This segmentation manages device complexity by organizing functions into independent, manageable components while maintaining high safety through integrated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism provides inherent safety through continuous monitoring and automatic correction, reducing the need for complex safety interlocks or redundant systems. The closed-loop control naturally compensates for deviations and prevents unsafe conditions, improving reliability while keeping system complexity manageable through elegant control theory rather than mechanical redundancy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer vehicle with a transport area for transport containers, comprising: - a signal processing device, - at least one sensor for detecting a position of a transport container and/or a truck relative to the trailer vehicle and for generating a sensor signal, - a signal transmission device for transmitting a signal (S) between the trailer vehicle and the truck and/or a display device, - a target signal generator for providing a target position of the transport container and/or truck (200) relative to the trailer vehicle.The signal processing device is connected to the at least one sensor, the target signal transmitter, and the signal transmission device and is configured: - to determine the actual position of the transport container and/or truck relative to the trailer from the sensor signal of the at least one sensor, - to compare the actual position with the target position of the transport container and/or truck relative to the trailer, - to generate guidance information based on a deviation between the actual position and the target position of the transport container and/or truck relative to the trailer, such that the guidance information contains control instructions for control interventions on the truck that reduce the deviation between the actual position and the target position of the transport container relative to the trailer.The signal transmission device is designed to transmit the guidance information to the truck and/or to a display device for the driver via the signal transmission device.