Truck Loading Identification Using Movement and Vibration Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for identifying trucks in excavation environments face challenges in accurately determining which truck is being loaded by an excavator, particularly in harsh mining site conditions, due to environmental factors and complexities in signal strength analysis.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors on trucks to generate movement data, transmitters to send truck identification and movement data, and a management system on the excavator to receive and process this data to accurately identify the loaded truck, using a combination of acceleration, deceleration, and vibration data to differentiate between trucks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID tags are used to communicate truck identification data, then truck identification capability is provided, but accurate identification of the currently loaded truck is compromised due to signal strength variations and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensor system that detects physical characteristics of trucks (position, movement, vibration) to mediate between the RFID identification system and the final identification decision. This intermediary layer filters out false signals and confirms the identity of the currently loaded truck by correlating RFID data with real-time physical state data, thereby resolving the contradiction between identification capability and reliability in harsh conditions.
2Productivity
If multiple trucks are queued within range of the excavator receiver, then continuous loading operation is enabled, but differentiation between the loaded truck and queued trucks becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by continuously monitoring the physical state of trucks (movement, position, vibration patterns) rather than relying on static RFID identification alone. The system dynamically updates the identification of the currently loaded truck based on real-time sensor data, enabling accurate differentiation between the loaded truck and queued trucks even when all are within receiver range, thus maintaining both productivity and precision.
3Measurement precision
If signal strength analysis is used to identify the loaded truck, then identification is attempted, but accuracy is reduced due to environmental factors and equidistant truck positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from relying solely on signal strength (one-dimensional measurement) to incorporating multiple dimensions of data including truck position, movement patterns, vibration characteristics, and RFID identification. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to accurately identify the loaded truck even when trucks are equidistant from the excavator or when environmental factors affect signal strength, as the additional dimensions provide discriminative information to resolve ambiguity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an equipment identification system, the equipment preferably, although not exclusively, in the form of a truck, the system comprising a sensor located on the truck, the sensor configured to sense movement of the truck and generate movement data associated with the truck; a transmitter configured to transmit truck identification data associated with the truck and the movement data; a receiver in communication with the transmitter, the receiver configured to receive the truck identification data and the movement data from the transmitter; and a management system in communication with the receiver, the management system configured to identify the truck and also determine whether the truck is currently being loaded by an excavator based on the truck identification data and the movement data.