Underride Shuttle Load Carrier Detection via Dual Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underride shuttles face challenges in accurately detecting and handling different types of load carriers, which can lead to incorrect positioning and potential safety issues during transport, especially when handling heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a first sensor arrangement for detecting correct pickup of load carriers and a second sensor arrangement for identifying the type of load carrier, both integrated with a control unit to adjust operating parameters of the underride shuttle based on the detected type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor arrangement is used to detect both pickup correctness and load carrier type, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to the inability to accurately distinguish between multiple load carrier types (several dozen to over 100 types)
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into two distinct sensor arrangements: a first sensor arrangement (e.g., optical sensors, light barriers) for detecting correct pickup of the load carrier, and a second sensor arrangement (e.g., RFID readers, barcode scanners) for identifying the type of load carrier. This segmentation allows each sensor arrangement to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring high measurement precision for load carrier type detection while maintaining manageable device complexity through specialized sensor selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different types of load carriers are handled, then adaptability is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to the need to distinguish between several dozen or over 100 different types
Solution Approach 1:
An identification element (such as RFID tags, barcodes, or data matrices) is introduced as an intermediary carrier of load carrier type information. This intermediary provides a standardized interface between the diverse load carrier types and the second sensor arrangement, enabling the system to distinguish between several dozen or over 100 different load carrier types through a unified detection mechanism, thereby managing detection difficulty while maintaining high adaptability.
3Reliability
If operating parameters are adapted based on load carrier type detection, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for real-time parameter adjustment control
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives detection results from both sensor arrangements and automatically adjusts operating parameters (such as speed, acceleration, and protective field configuration) based on the identified load carrier type. This feedback mechanism ensures that safety-critical parameters are optimized for each specific load carrier type without requiring complex manual intervention, thereby improving transport safety while maintaining control system manageability through automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (22) for detecting and handling different types of load carriers on an underride shuttle (10), comprising a first sensor arrangement (18) which is designed to detect correct pickup of a load carrier on a load-carrying platform (14) of the underride shuttle (10) and to output corresponding first sensor data, a second sensor arrangement (20) which is of a different sensor type than the first sensor arrangement (18) and is designed to detect information regarding the type of load carrier and to output corresponding second sensor data, and a control unit (24) which is operatively coupled to the first sensor arrangement (18) and the second sensor arrangement (20) in order to obtain the first and second sensor data, wherein the control unit (24) is designed to output control signals based on the detected type of load carrier when the first sensor arrangement (18) detects correct pickup of the load carrier, which control signals are intended for adapting at least one operating parameter of the underride shuttle (10).