Vehicle Positioning Under Crane Using Intermediary Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for positioning land vehicles relative to a crane in port infrastructure are imprecise, particularly in the lateral direction, and require sequential positioning, which is inefficient and not suitable for simultaneous placement of multiple vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method where a second vehicle detects the position of a first vehicle already positioned under the crane, allowing simultaneous positioning of multiple vehicles by calculating differential coordinates and transmitting guidance indications in real time, enabling accurate and flexible positioning relative to both the crane and other vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a global referencing system centered on the crane is used for positioning vehicles, then the positioning can be performed simultaneously for multiple vehicles, but the system complexity increases and the lateral positioning accuracy remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary vehicle (the first vehicle positioned under the crane) that serves as a reference point for other vehicles. Instead of using the crane as the central reference, the first vehicle acts as a mediator that other vehicles detect and position themselves relative to, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining simultaneous positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a relative coordinate system based on the first vehicle's position, effectively copying the positioning reference from the crane-centered global system to a vehicle-centered relative system. This allows multiple vehicles to position themselves simultaneously relative to the first vehicle without requiring complex crane-centered calculations
2Device complexity
If manual guidance of the driver by the crane operator is used, then the system complexity is low, but the positioning accuracy is insufficient and only one vehicle can be positioned at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables vehicles to perform their own positioning automatically by detecting the first vehicle and calculating their relative positions. The drivers do not need manual guidance from the crane operator, as the system provides autonomous positioning capability to each vehicle, thereby increasing productivity without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the second vehicle detect the position of the first vehicle and use this information to adjust its own positioning. This automatic feedback loop replaces manual guidance, allowing multiple vehicles to position themselves simultaneously with improved accuracy and efficiency
3Device complexity
If ground markings and traffic light systems are used for positioning, then the system complexity is low, but the lateral positioning accuracy is imprecise and the positioning is not reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ground marking system with an optical/electronic detection system. Instead of relying on visual markings on the ground, the system uses detectors on vehicles to automatically detect and measure positions, significantly improving lateral positioning accuracy while maintaining relatively simple system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the physical positioning reference by detecting the first vehicle's position and using it as a virtual reference point. This digital reference system provides more accurate and reliable positioning information compared to physical ground markings, while requiring minimal additional infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for relative positioning of land vehicles under a crane in order to load and unload a load, such as a container, onto and from the vehicles, includes guiding a first vehicle relative to the crane and guiding other vehicles relative to the first vehicle that is already positioned or is still being guided under the crane, so that the second vehicle following the first vehicle is correctly placed behind it.