Underride Shuttle Load Carrier Detection With Sensor Bit Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underride shuttles lack an efficient and reliable method to automatically detect and identify load carriers, which affects safety-relevant operating parameters and can lead to faulty detections, requiring a cost-effective and simple solution for installation and service.
Innovation Solution
A device with sensor units arranged on the outer side of the underride shuttle to detect load carriers, outputting sensor bits that are processed by an evaluation unit to derive load carrier codes and types, utilizing inductive sensors and a memory unit for mapping key-value pairs, ensuring robust and accurate identification with a plausibility check.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor units are arranged on the outer side of the underride shuttle to detect load carriers, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensor units arranged on the outer side of the underride shuttle. Each sensor unit detects specific properties at different detection positions, and their combined outputs form a unique sensor bit pattern that reliably identifies load carrier types while maintaining modular simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with a field of sensor units that use electromagnetic or optical fields to detect load carrier properties. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving detection reliability through non-contact sensing
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor units are used to derive load carrier codes, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor units perform the same basic detection function but at different positions and for different properties. This universal approach allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through pattern recognition rather than through complex individual sensors, reducing overall manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single complex sensor, the system uses multiple simpler sensor units that copy the basic detection function. The combination of these simple sensor outputs creates a unique pattern for each load carrier type, achieving high identification accuracy while keeping individual sensor units simple and cost-effective to manufacture
3Loss of information
If sensor units detect multiple properties at different positions, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The information gathering function is segmented across multiple sensor units positioned at different locations on the underride shuttle. Each sensor detects a specific property at its position, and the collective data from all sensors provides complete information about the load carrier type without requiring any single sensor to be overly complex
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
The solution enables reliable and cost-effective detection of load carriers, adapting operating parameters, and ensuring correct orientation and positioning, thereby enhancing safety and workflow efficiency in logistics operations.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing inductive sensors and a memory unit for mapping key-value pairs
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (20) for detecting a load carrier (30) carried on an underride shuttle (10), comprising a field (22) of sensor units (22a-22e) to be arranged on an outer side of the underride shuttle (10), each of which is configured to detect a respective detection position (40a-40e) of the load carrier (30; 30′) and to output a corresponding sensor bit depending on a presence of a predetermined property at the detection position (40a-40e), a memory unit (26) in which data are stored which produce an allocation of load carrier codes to respective load carrier types; and an evaluation unit (24), which is operatively coupled to the sensor units (22a-22e) and the memory unit (26) and is designed to receive the sensor bits output by the sensor units (22a-22e). to derive the load carrier code from at least a part of the sensor bits and to derive the load carrier type of the currently carried load carrier (30) on the basis of the load carrier code and the data stored in the memory unit (26). Furthermore, the invention relates to an underride shuttle (10) equipped with such a device (20), a system formed from such a underride shuttle (10) and a load carrier (30), and a method for detecting a load carrier (30) carried on an underride shuttle (10) by means of such a device (20) according to the invention.