Transport Vehicle Loading Container Identifier Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overloading processes for transport vehicles are unreliable in poor lighting conditions and heavy dust environments, leading to unsafe and partially manual control of the loading process, as the edges of the loading container cannot be accurately recognized by cameras.
Innovation Solution
Applying identifiers, such as a checkerboard pattern, to the top end region of the loading container to enable robust detection by an overloading camera, ensuring accurate identification of the filling area regardless of lighting conditions or container design, and providing additional identifiers on the side for synchronization with harvesting machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the loading container edges are detected based on contour contrast and stored geometries, then the detection method can work for various container designs, but the detection reliability deteriorates in poor lighting conditions and heavy dust environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-contrast visual identifiers (checkerboard patterns, bright colors, or fluorescent markings) on the loading container edges. These identifiers create strong optical contrast that remains detectable in poor lighting conditions and heavy dust environments, resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability by ensuring consistent detection across different container designs regardless of environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces artificial identifiers as intermediary elements between the camera and the container edges. These identifiers serve as reliable visual mediators that transmit position information accurately through challenging environmental conditions (poor lighting, dust), enabling the camera to reliably detect container edges without relying on subtle contour contrasts
2Ease of operation
If automatic control of the loading process is implemented, then the driver's workload is reduced, but the system becomes vulnerable to detection failures in adverse conditions
Solution Approach 1:
By applying high-contrast identifiers to the loading container, the system ensures that automatic control can reliably detect container positions and edges even in poor lighting or dusty conditions, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and system reliability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the loading process using the camera and adjusts operations based on real-time feedback from identifier detection. This feedback mechanism ensures that automatic control remains reliable by adapting to changing environmental conditions through continuous visual verification of container positions
3Reliability
If identifiers are applied to the loading container, then detection reliability in adverse conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple visual identifiers such as checkerboard patterns, bright colored stripes, or fluorescent markings applied directly to the container edges. These straightforward marking systems significantly improve detection reliability in adverse conditions while adding minimal complexity compared to complex recognition systems
Solution Approach 2:
The identifiers can be implemented using simple, inexpensive materials such as adhesive strips, painted markings, or detachable signs that can be easily applied and removed. This approach improves reliability without requiring expensive or complex permanent modification systems
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transport vehicle with a loading container arrangement (2) comprising a loading container (2a), wherein the loading container arrangement (2) has a filling area (3) for filling the loading container (2) with harvested crop by a harvesting machine (4) or loading machine in a transfer operation, and with at least one identifier (5) which can be detected by a transfer camera (7) for at least semi-automated control of the transfer operation by a control unit (6). It is proposed that the at least one identifier (5) be applied to the upper end region of the loading container arrangement (2) in such a way that it identifies the filling area (3) for the control unit (6) and can be detected by the transfer camera (7).