Dolly Identification via Wireless Pairing for Load Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for operators to track and confirm the loads on multiple connected dollies towed by a vehicle due to blocked line of sight and varying load sizes, which can lead to decoupling and collision risks, especially in busy facilities like airports and seaports, and existing systems require significant power and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A dolly identification system using wireless transceivers on each dolly that pair with a towing vehicle's scanner via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, transmitting logistics data such as location, pairing status, and load information, allowing real-time tracking and management through a logistics computing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If operators visually track loads on multiple connected dollies, then they can identify loads and monitor dolly positions, but line of sight is blocked by loads and varying dolly sizes making tracking difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection system with an electronic wireless communication system. Transceivers on dollies and scanners on towing vehicles automatically transmit and receive data about dolly positions, loads, and coupling status, eliminating the need for visual line-of-sight tracking by operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless transceivers and scanners as intermediary devices between the dollies and operators. These devices act as mediators that automatically collect, transmit, and process information about dolly status and position, relaying this information to operators without requiring direct visual contact with the dollies.
2Reliability
If operators constantly check dolly coupling status, then they can detect decoupled dollies and prevent collisions, but this is impractical in busy facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where transceivers on dollies continuously transmit coupling status information to scanners on towing vehicles. The system automatically detects when a dolly becomes decoupled by monitoring the presence or absence of wireless signals, providing real-time feedback to operators without requiring manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-monitoring of dolly coupling status through automatic wireless communication between transceivers and scanners. The dollies effectively monitor their own coupling status and report it automatically, eliminating the need for operators to perform manual checks.
3Loss of information
If wireless transceivers are positioned on dollies to transmit pairing signals, then real-time identification and tracking is enabled without line of sight, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic transmission of pairing signals by transceivers instead of continuous transmission. The transceivers broadcast their identification and status information at regular intervals, allowing scanners to detect and track dollies while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A dolly identification system including a towing vehicle including a coupler, a towing vehicle pairing scanner positioned on a towing vehicle, a dolly for carrying a load, wherein the dolly is capable of being removably coupled to the towing vehicle via the mechanical coupler, a wireless transceiver positioned on the dolly and configured to broadcast pairing signals, the towing vehicle pairing scanner configured to wirelessly pair with the wireless transceiver thereby wirelessly pairing the dolly to the towing vehicle to define a wireless connection, wherein the towing vehicle pairing scanner is configured to receive data signals including one or more logistics data from the wireless transceiver after the wireless connection is established.