Vehicle Restraint Sensor System for Dock Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle restraint systems at loading docks often require manual operator intervention to ensure accurate positioning of vehicles relative to the restraint system, leading to potential misalignment and damage due to inaccurate positioning, and may fail to release the vehicle restraint due to geometric issues, resulting in undesired vehicle movement during loading and unloading operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vehicle restraint system that includes horizontal and vertical RIG sensors, a barrier sensor, and a vertical movement sensor, along with a controller that analyzes data from these sensors to enable or disable barrier actuation and issue alerts to drivers, ensuring proper engagement and disengagement of the vehicle restraint, and automatically adjusting for different vehicle positions and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual operator intervention is used to position vehicles, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but positioning accuracy and safety are reduced leading to potential misalignment and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning operations with an automated sensor-based system. Multiple sensors (horizontal RIG sensor, vertical RIG sensor, barrier sensor, vertical movement sensor) detect vehicle position and restraint movement, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and improving positioning accuracy while preventing damage through automated monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that monitor vehicle position relative to the restraint system. The horizontal RIG sensor detects when the vehicle is properly positioned, the vertical movement sensor monitors restraint movement, and this feedback loop enables automated adjustment and maintains precise positioning without manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the restraint system is designed to be simple and robust, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to detect and respond to positioning issues is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical restraint operation with an automated sensor-controlled system. The controller receives signals from multiple sensors (horizontal RIG sensor for positioning, vertical movement sensor for engagement detection, barrier sensor for obstacle detection) and automatically controls restraint actuation, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the restraint mechanism. It processes information from the horizontal RIG sensor, vertical movement sensor, and barrier sensor, then automatically controls the actuator to engage or disengage the restraint, bridging the gap between simple operation and complex monitoring requirements.
3Measurement precision
If automated sensor-based positioning control is implemented, then positioning accuracy and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring function into multiple specialized sensors: horizontal RIG sensor for lateral positioning, vertical RIG sensor for height detection, barrier sensor for obstacle detection, and vertical movement sensor for restraint movement monitoring. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing comprehensive positioning accuracy and safety monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it processes data from all sensors, determines vehicle positioning accuracy, controls restraint actuation, monitors barrier position, and detects vertical movement. This multi-functionality consolidates complex control logic into a single device, managing system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through coordinated sensor operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the barrier is kept in a fixed position, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different vehicle positions and sizes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic barrier system that can move between a raised operational position and a lowered stored position. The horizontal RIG sensor detects when a vehicle is properly positioned, and the controller automatically actuates the barrier to the raised position to engage the vehicle, then lowers it when disengagement is needed. This dynamic positioning enables adaptation to different vehicles while the automated control manages the complexity of movement and positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for sensing RIG positioning and vehicle restraint movement. An example method includes determining a presence of a RIG and enabling a barrier to move to an operational position when the RIG is present.