Voxel-Based Trailer Utilization Assessment for Non-Conforming Freight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional systems in the commercial freight industry struggle to accurately determine trailer utilization, especially when freight is non-conforming, leading to inefficient loading and potential delays, as they cannot effectively handle non-conventionally packaged, non-uniform, or fragile items that prohibit the placement of other freight nearby.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generate a 3D map of a trailer's interior using voxels to identify non-conforming objects and unusable space, allowing for the determination of trailer utilization by associating volumes and displaying container utilization on a user interface, thereby accounting for constraints imposed by non-conforming freight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional systems are used to calculate trailer utilization, then the system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision deteriorates when freight is non-conforming or chaotically arranged
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer interior is divided into a three-dimensional voxel grid, where each voxel represents a small volumetric element. This segmentation allows the system to precisely track and calculate the space occupied by each piece of freight, even when items are non-conforming or chaotically arranged, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex manual measurement procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional two-dimensional or one-dimensional utilization calculations to a full three-dimensional voxel-based model. By representing the trailer interior as a 3D grid and tracking freight positions in all three dimensions, the system achieves accurate utilization measurements for complex loading scenarios that traditional methods cannot handle
2Productivity
If traditional loading assessment methods are used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the productivity deteriorates due to inefficient loading and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of freight dimensions and characteristics before loading begins. By pre-calculating optimal placement strategies and identifying potential space utilization issues in advance, the system enables more efficient loading operations and reduces delays without requiring complex real-time decision-making during the loading process
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors trailer loading progress and provides real-time feedback on utilization metrics. This feedback mechanism allows operators to adjust loading strategies dynamically, identify underutilized spaces, and optimize freight arrangement, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated guidance
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-conforming freight is loaded into the trailer, then the adaptability increases to handle diverse cargo, but the measurement precision of trailer utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voxel-based system applies local quality analysis by examining the specific spatial characteristics of each freight item and its relationship to surrounding voxels. For non-conforming freight with irregular shapes, the system precisely maps the actual volume occupied and identifies adjacent unusable spaces, maintaining measurement precision while accommodating diverse cargo types with varying geometries and handling requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for assessing container utilization are disclosed herein. The method determines a total volume of a container, detects an object being loaded into the container, and determines whether the object is non-conforming or conforming. The method, responsive to determining the object is non-conforming, associates a volume of the non-conforming object with an occupied volume of the container, and associates a volume of at least one space proximate to the non-conforming object with the occupied volume of the container. The method, responsive to determining the object is conforming, associates a volume of the conforming object with the occupied volume of the container. The method determines container utilization based on the occupied volume of the container and the total volume of the container, and displays, on a user interface, the container utilization for a user.