Load-Carrying Vehicle Unloading Control for Processing Device Queues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction sites face inefficiencies in material processing due to the need to determine whether a load-carrying vehicle should unload directly into a material processing device or a local storage, leading to potential waiting times and resource misallocation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize sensors and control units to monitor the current material level in the processing device, directing vehicles to either the processing device or local storage based on threshold levels, thereby optimizing unloading decisions to prevent material shortages and reduce waiting times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle is directed to dump its load directly into the processing device, then the material supply to the processing device is ensured, but the vehicle may have to line up and wait before dumping
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the processing device's material level and queue status before the vehicle arrives. Based on this advance information, the routing decision is made in advance, allowing the vehicle to proceed directly to the optimal unloading point without waiting or unnecessary maneuvering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the material level in the processing device and the queue status, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust routing decisions. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures that vehicles are directed to the processing device only when it can immediately accept loads, eliminating waiting time while maintaining continuous material supply.
2Loss of time
If the vehicle is directed to dump its load at the local storage, then the vehicle can avoid waiting time, but additional resources are required to move material from storage to the processing device
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the processing device to serve itself by automatically determining when it has capacity to receive material directly. The intelligent routing system acts as a self-regulating mechanism that directs vehicles to the processing device when it can immediately unload, eliminating the need for additional transfer resources while maintaining continuous operation.
3Reliability
If the vehicle waits in line to unload at the processing device, then material supply continuity is maintained, but production efficiency decreases due to waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of processing device capacity and queue status before vehicle arrival. This advance knowledge allows the routing decision to be made in advance, directing vehicles to the processing device only when it can immediately accept loads, thereby maintaining material supply continuity while eliminating waiting time and maximizing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback on processing device material levels and queue status to dynamically control vehicle routing. This feedback mechanism ensures that the processing device receives continuous material supply while vehicles experience minimal or no waiting time, thereby maintaining both reliability and high productivity.
4Productivity
If more vehicles are directed to the processing device, then material processing throughput increases, but vehicle queue length increases leading to more waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vehicle routing based on real-time conditions at the processing device. When the device has capacity, vehicles are directed there to maximize throughput. When the device is full or queue length is excessive, vehicles are routed to alternative locations. This dynamic adjustment maintains high productivity while preventing excessive queue formation and waiting time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for controlling unloading of a vehicle transporting a load of unprocessed material from a first location to a second location are described, wherein the second location includes a material processing device and a storage for unprocessed material. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of a level of unprocessed material contained in the material processing device; determining, based on the signal, whether an estimated level of unprocessed material contained in the material processing device is below or above a threshold at an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle at the material processing device; and, directing the vehicle towards the material processing device when the estimated level of unprocessed material contained in the material processing device is below the first threshold; or directing the vehicle towards the storage when the estimated level of unprocessed material contained in the material processing device is above the first threshold.