FI3760987T3

FI3760987T3 - Method and device for load monitoring

Info

Publication number: FI3760987T3
Application number: FIEP19184134.5T
Authority: FI
Inventors: Andreas Strauch
Original assignee: Koskisen Oy
Priority date: 2019-07-03
Filing date: 2019-07-03
Publication date: 2023-03-17
Also published as: EP3760987B1; ES2938917T3; DK3760987T3; EP3760987A1; PL3760987T3

Claims

1 19184134.5 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LOAD MONITORING

The invention relates to a method for load monitoring of a load resting on at least one panel.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for load monitoring.

The transport of goods, for example by logistics providers such as freight forwarders, is often carried out on wood panels.

These wood panels may be arranged, for example, on the floor of containers, in cargo holds or in warehouses.

Often the wood panels consist of layers of plywood or other laminates.

For a freight forwarder, it is essential to make the best possible use of the available cargo space for goods to be transported, while at the same time ensuring compliance with permissible total weights, whether this is given by the maximum load capacity of a wood panel, other mechanical structures or by restrictions on the weight of certain transport units.

The relevant parameters can be monitored by arranging sensors, in particular weight sensors, in the area of the cargo space.

Devices for load monitoring are already known from the state of the art, which have sensors for detecting the load.

WO 2017/163 105 Al discloses a transport container with a carrier structure in the area of the container floor, wherein floor panels are arranged above the carrier structure.

Load cells are arranged on the carrier structure, on which the floor panels rest, such that the mass of the floor panels and of any load located on the floor panels can be detected.

Furthermore, the use of volumetric sensors to detect the content of the container is disclosed.

In US 2017 307 433 Al a cargo container having weight sensors arranged under floor panels for detecting the mass of the load of the cargo container is disclosed.

EP 2 821 761 Al discloses a container having a plurality of load cells arranged spaced apart from each other in the area of the floor of the container.

The load cells serve to detect the mass of the load resting on the cells in the respective area.

In EP 2 261 613 Al, the use of weighing devices for detecting the mass and the acceleration of the load of a container is disclosed, wherein the weighing devices are arranged between the floor of the container and floor panels.

2 19184134.5

From WO 2017/17 9985 Al, a pallet for transporting of loads is already known, in which a support panel is supported by supporting feet.

Tags are arranged in the area of the supporting feet, which are equipped with weight sensors.

According to a further embodiment, corresponding tags are positioned in the area of the upper panel.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved device for load monitoring.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device for load monitoring including the features of claim 1.

The device for load monitoring enables an optimization of the load distribution and/or an exploitation of an available storage space.

Furthermore, the device for load monitoring enables a connection to terminal devices such as smartphones or logistics devices of transport vehicles.

A further task of the invention is to provide a method for load monitoring that enables improved exploitation of the cargo hold.

This task is solved by a method including the features of claim 10.

The features described below are part of the invention both individually and in all practicable combinations.

A device for load monitoring according to the invention includes at least one panel on which load can be positioned.

In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one panel is about rectangular.

In various embodiments of the invention, the external dimensions of the at least one panel are selected in a range of 500 mm x 500 mm to 2500 mm x 14000 mm with a thickness of 9 mm to 60 mm.

According to the invention, the panel includes at least three layers, wherein an inner layer is made of a flexible material and the two outer layers are made of wood, in particular multilayer wood, such as plywood.

The flexible layer is preferably made of a permanently flexible material.

For example, the flexible layer is made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or a flexible plastic.

In preferred embodiments, the layer thicknesses of a panel built up from three layers of a device for load monitoring according to the invention are at least about 4.5 mm for the useful side (upper side) of the panel in case of using plywood, about 0.5 mm to 4 mm for the flexible layer, and at least about 4.0 mm for the lower layer.

3 19184134.5

The total thickness of the panel(s) and the layer thicknesses of the individual layers depend on the intended application and the accompanying overall construction as well as the expected weight loads.

The integration of the sensor technology improves the manageability of the at least one panel of a device for load monitoring according to the invention with regard to the assembly, and also protects the sensors from environmental influences to a reasonable extent.

In a preferred embodiment, the latter includes a plurality of sensors integrated into the at least one panel.

According to the invention, at least part of the sensors and/or electronic circuitry is arranged in and/or on a flexible layer of the panel.

In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, all of the sensors are arranged in or on a flexible layer of the panel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least part of the sensors is designed as weight sensors.

For example, the weight sensors may be designed as resistive, piezoresistive, capacitive, inductive or optical sensors.

According to the invention, force measuring resistors and/or area and/or strip sensors are preferably used as weight sensors.

The use of strain gauges is also contemplated.

In an embodiment of the invention, the arrangement of the sensors within the at least one panel is adapted to the intended application of the panel(s). For example, the sensors are arranged in a division corresponding to the freight, such as associated pallet dimensions, boxes, transport racks or the like.

For this purpose, the arrangement of the sensors can be realized in point and/or area and/or grid and/or strip form.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, strip-shaped weight sensors are used.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least a part of the sensors is applied as printed electronics to at least a part (a layer or area of the surface) of the flexible layer.

In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible layer of the device for load monitoring includes at least one film, for example a PET film, a PEN film, or a polyimide film, to which at least a part of the sensors is applied as printed electronics.

4 19184134.5

In an embodiment of the invention, the device for load monitoring includes at least one transmission unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one transmission unit is assigned to each panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the transmission unit assigned to a panel is arranged in the panel.

For this purpose, the transmission unit may be arranged in a recess in the panel, for example.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transmission unit of a panel is arranged therein in an opening/recess and is fixed in a watertight manner by potting.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transmission unit is arranged on the back or underside of the respective panel in a recess.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensors integrated in a panel are connected to the transmission unit with the aid of an interface, such that the measured values that can be detected with the aid of the sensors can be transmitted to the transmission unit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the latter includes an evaluation unit with which the measured values detectable with the aid of the sensors can be evaluated.

In an embodiment of the invention, the measured values detected with the aid of the sensors integrated in a panel can be transmitted to the evaluation unit with the transmission unit assigned to the panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one panel includes at least one integrated evaluation unit with which the detected measured values can be evaluated.

In another embodiment of the invention, the latter includes at least one evaluation unit not arranged in a panel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the measured values detected with the aid of the sensors integrated in a panel can be transmitted wirelessly to the evaluation unit with the transmission unit assigned to the panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the latter includes a plurality of panels each having an assigned transmission unit, wherein the measured values detected with the aid of the sensors integrated in the respective panel can be transmitted to a central evaluation unit with the aid of the respective assigned transmission unit.

In another embodiment of the invention, the transmission units assigned to the panels are connected to one another in groups or as a whole according to a master-slave principle, wherein only the master transmission unit(s) communicate(s) with a central

19184134.5 evaluation unit and the sensor measured values of the respective assigned slave group are transmitted to the evaluation unit together with the measured values of the respective master.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the master units includes

5 an evaluation unit integrated in the panel, with which the measured values of the assigned slave units and of the respective master unit can be evaluated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one virtual matrix assigned to at least one panel can be generated for evaluating the measured values with the aid of at least one evaluation unit, by means of which matrix the detected measured values can be related to the respective location of detection.

In an embodiment of the invention, during the evaluation of the measured values with the aid of the at least one evaluation unit, the manufacturing tolerances and/or the different effect of the possible substructures on the measurements can additionally be corrected.

In another embodiment of the invention, during the evaluation of the measured values with the aid of the at least one evaluation unit, reference values can be used, for example, for matching the sensor technology with the weight data at 100 kg, 250 kg, 500 kg, 1000 kg and/or 2000 kg.

In another embodiment of the invention, this includes sensors for measuring light and/or bending and/or moisture and/or pressure.

In another embodiment of the invention, this includes sensors or electronics for determining the location of the device or parts of the device.

For example, the use of a position determination system such as GPS or Galileo is contemplated.

In an embodiment of the invention, the measurement data detected with the aid of the sensors are used to monitor the transported goods with regard to the parameters relevant to the condition of the transported goods, such as temperature and/or humidity.

In another embodiment of the invention, the latter includes in the area of at least one panel an RFID tag and/or an identification unit readable by means of RFID devices.

In an embodiment of the invention, the transmission unit includes an energy storage device that is used to supply energy to the transmission unit and/or the sensors integrated in the respective panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the energy storage device is designed as an accumulator or a battery.

6 19184134.5

In another embodiment of the invention, the latter includes an energy generation device.

The energy generation device is designed as, for example, a device for generating energy from vibrations and/or pressure load and/or motion and/or braking energy and/or vibrations of the whole or parts of the panel(s) or sub-areas working against each other.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor measurement data can be evaluated with the aid of an evaluation unit and used to control at least one loading and/or unloading robot.

Based on the sensor measurement data, a loading and/or unloading robot can be controlled in such a way that a distribution of the load on at least one panel of a device for load monitoring according to the invention can be optimized with regard to the exploitation of the cargo space/loading area and/or with regard to the load distribution on the at least one panel and/or the loading or unloading sequence.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor measurement data can be evaluated with the aid of an evaluation unit and can be used to generate indications and/or instructions for a human loading and/or unloading assistant, such that the distribution of the load on at least one panel of a device for load monitoring according to the invention can be optimized with regard to the exploitation of the cargo space / loading area and/or with regard to the load distribution on the at least one panel and/or the loading or unloading sequence.

In an embodiment of the invention, the data on the mass acting on a sensor and the mass distribution on at least one panel, which can be determined with the aid of the at least one evaluation unit, can be transmitted to at least one user device,

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one user device is designed to be able to provide a user of the user device with the aid of optical and/or acoustic output devices with the data that can be transmitted by the evaluation unit.

In an embodiment of the invention, warning messages, for example regarding overloading or slipping of the load, can be output to a user of a user device with the aid of optical and/or acoustic output devices.

In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one user device includes at least one evaluation unit for evaluating the transmitted sensor readings.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one user device is designed as a smartphone.

An application is installed on the user device designed as a smartphone, with which the output of the data transmitted by the evaluation unit can be controlled.

7 19184134.5 In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one user device is designed as a logistics device, for example for use in transport vehicles. In an embodiment of the invention, data can be transmitted to the evaluation unit of a device for load monitoring with the aid of a user device. For example, the transmission of data for calibration of the system, in particular of reference weights arranged on the at least one panel of the device, is envisaged. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of panels, at least some of which are made of wood, are arranged in a planar manner such that the edges of the panels are relatively close to each other. Where the panels include sides having different lengths, respective long and short sides of the panels are adjacent to each other. Each of the panels includes a plurality of weight sensors, each of which is connected to a transmission unit assigned to the panel for transmission of the measured values. With the aid of the transmission unit, the measurement data of the sensors of one panel can be transmitted in bundled form to an evaluation unit, with which the sensor measurement data of all panels of the system can be evaluated. In an embodiment, a method for load monitoring according to the invention includes the following steps:

1. detecting measurement data with the aid of at least one weight sensor in at least one panel

2. transmitting the measurement data of the at least one weight sensor to a transmission unit for each panel

3. transmitting of the sensor measurement data from the respective transmission unit to an evaluation unit

4. evaluating the sensor measurement data to ascertain the load distribution on the at least one panel. In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the measurement data of a group of weight sensors in a panel are detected and the measurement data are transmitted to an evaluation unit by a transmission unit assigned to the group of sensors. In a preferred embodiment of the method for load monitoring according to the invention, a device for load monitoring according to the invention is used.

8 19184134.5

In a further embodiment variant of the method according to the invention, the mass distribution on at least one panel ascertained with the aid of the evaluation unit is used for generating control commands for at least one loading and/or unloading robot.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the mass distribution on at least one panel ascertained with the aid of the evaluation unit is used to generate instructions for at least one human loading and/or unloading assistant.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the mass distribution ascertained with the aid of the evaluation unit is transmitted to at least one user device, such that the mass data can be called up by a user of the user device.

In an embodiment of the invention, slipping of the load can be detected with the aid of the device for load monitoring.

In another embodiment of the invention, with the aid of the device for load monitoring, a control signal can be generated when the load slips and can be transmitted to a user device and/or the vehicle electronics of the vehicle transporting the load, such that a vehicle reaction, for example an automated braking process of the vehicle, can be initiated directly or indirectly.

In another embodiment of the invention, with the aid of the device for load monitoring, indications for securing the load can be generated for a loader on the weight data of the load detected with the aid of the sensors, and can be output to the loader with the aid of a user device.

For example, on the basis of the mass of the load and, if necessary, additional parameters to be specified, such as the coefficient of friction of an anti-slip mat used under the load, an indication can be generated for the loader which gives a recommendation regarding the number and/or strength of the tension belts to be used for securing the load.

In another embodiment, the tension of the tension belts that may be used to secure the load can be monitored with the aid of the sensors of the device for load monitoring, such that a loader and/or the driver of a transport vehicle can be given an indication of whether the tension belts are sufficiently or insufficiently tensioned.

In an embodiment of the invention, only the sensors integrated in the panel or panels of the device are used for this purpose.

9 19184134.5

In a further embodiment of the invention, sensors arranged exclusively or additionally outside the at least one panel of a device for load monitoring according to the invention are used for this purpose.

In a further application of a device according to the invention, the device is integrated into the floor of an escape route, such that objects placed in the escape route can be detected with the aid of the device.

Thus, monitoring and ensuring free escape routes is made possible.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures.

The following shows:

Figure 1: The panel of a device for load monitoring according to the invention in a perspective view from above,

Figure 2: The panel of a device for load monitoring according to the invention in a perspective view from below, Figure 3: A schematic representation of a transmission unit of a load monitoring device according to the invention,

Figure 4: A cross-section of a panel of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring according to the invention,

Figure 5: A block diagram of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring according to the invention,

Figure 6: A schematic representation of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring according to the invention in use with a truck, and

Figure 7: A block diagram of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring according to the invention with a master unit and several slave units.

In Figure 1, a panel (10) of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring (1) according to the invention is shown in a perspective view from above.

The upper side (11) of the panel (10) is indistinguishable from conventional plywood panels.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the panel (10) of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring (1) according to the invention, shown in figure 1, in a perspective view from below.

The underside (12) of the panel (10) includes a sealed opening in which a transmission unit (20) is arranged.

Figure 3 schematically shows a transmission unit (20) of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring (1) according to the invention.

In addition to the reguired

10 19184134.5 semiconductor components and the associated peripherals, the transmission unit (20) includes an energy storage device {21) designed as a battery and an antenna (22). For the connection of sensors (30), the transmission unit {20) also includes a connection device (23) with which sensors (30) can be connected to the transmission unit (20) via sensor cables (31).

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a panel (10) of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring (1) according to the invention The panel {10) includes three layers, wherein the layers lie on top of each other.

The upper and lower layers are designed as plywood layers (13) and the middle layer is designed as a flexible layer (14). A sensor (30) is arranged in the flexible layer (14). The upper side (11) of the panel (10) is realized by the outer surface of the upper plywood layer (13), and the underside (12) of the panel (10) is realized by the outer surface of the lower plywood layer (13). The sensor (30) is arranged on the inner surface of the lower plywood layer (13) within the flexible layer (14).

Figure 5 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring

(1) according to the invention.

Three sensors (30) are arranged in a panel (10), which are connected to a transmission unit (20) with the aid of sensor cables (31) via the connection device (23), which is implemented, for example, by a plug and socket system.

With the aid of the transmission unit (20), the measurement data detected with the aid of the sensors (30) can be transmitted wirelessly to terminal devices (40) of the device for load monitoring (1). In the embodiment example shown, one terminal device (40) is designed as a smartphone (41) and one terminal device (40) is designed as a logistics device (42), for example the logistics device (42) of a truck.

Figure 6 shows in a schematic representation the use of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring (1) according to the invention with a truck (50). Eight panels (10) are arranged on the loading area (51) of the truck (50), each containing a transmission unit (20). With the aid of the transmission units (20), the measurement data detected with the sensors (30) of the respective panel (10) can be transmitted to a logistics device (42) of the truck (50) and/or to a smartphone (41).

Figure 7 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a device for load monitoring

(1) according to the invention with four panels (10) and a transmission unit (20) in each case.

The transmission unit (20) of one panel (10) is designed as a master unit (24). The transmission units (20) of the remaining panels (10) are designed as slave units (25). With the aid of the slave units (25), the measurement values detected with the sensors (30) of

11 19184134.5 the respective panel (10) can only be transmitted to the master unit (24). With the aid of the master unit (24), the measurement data of the slave units {25) and the measurement values detected with the aid of the sensors (30) of the panel (10) of the master unit (24) can be transmitted bundled wirelessly to a terminal device (40) or to an evaluation unit.