Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method for the protection of containers from tunnels and underpass bridges during transportation on a truck. Specifically, it addresses the problem of ensuring safe passage for trucks and containers through underpass bridges and tunnels by detecting and preventing collisions caused by height miscalculations. The invention utilizes advanced sensor technology and automated control systems to prevent damage to both the vehicle and infrastructure during transportation in challenging environments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In modern transportation systems, trucks frequently encounter tunnels and underpass bridges during their journeys. However, truck drivers often face difficulty in accurately assessing the clearance height of underpass bridges or tunnels, especially when driving in unfamiliar areas or when the truck is loaded with containers of varying heights. This miscalculation can lead to collisions, where the truck or container may hit the ceiling of the underpass, causing severe damage to both the vehicle and the bridge. These accidents also result in costly repairs, traffic jams, and disruptions to transportation schedules.
The lack of reliable systems to prevent such accidents has led to a need for an effective solution that can detect the height clearance in advance and alert the driver or automatically take corrective action. Traditional methods, such as relying on manual judgment or signage, are prone to errors and may not offer the real-time response required to avoid accidents. As transportation routes and underpass bridge heights vary across regions, an automated system that continuously monitors the truck's height relative to the clearance is essential to avoid these costly and potentially hazardous collisions.
In this context, the present invention proposes a system that uses proximity sensors mounted on the truck to continuously monitor the height of the vehicle and container in relation to the underpass bridge or tunnel. The system provides timely alerts to the driver and, if integrated with the truck's engine control system, can even automatically stop or adjust the vehicle to prevent a collision. This invention aims to eliminate the risk of such accidents, offering a safer, more reliable transportation system for trucks and containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
The system is composed of multiple key components that work together to ensure the safe transportation of containers on trucks, specifically in relation to underpass bridges and tunnels. At the heart of the system are the proximity sensors installed on the top of the truck or container. These sensors are designed to measure the clearance height of the underpass bridge or tunnel, ensuring that the truck’s load will fit without causing a collision. The sensors are strategically placed on both sides of the container to accurately gauge the space above, measuring the gap between the truck's container and the ceiling of the underpass bridge.
Additionally, another sensor is installed at the bottom of the truck or container to monitor the level of the road surface directly beneath the truck as it approaches the underpass. This sensor helps determine the truck's position relative to the road level and is essential for calculating the overall height clearance, considering both the height of the truck/container and the road's current level. The combined data from both the top and bottom sensors provides a comprehensive understanding of the truck's overall height and its clearance under the bridge.
These sensors are connected to a central control system located inside the driver’s cabin. The central control unit serves as the brain of the system, collecting and processing data from all the sensors in real-time. It continuously monitors the height measurements and compares the clearance height of the underpass bridge with the height of the truck and container. In the event that the system detects a clearance issue — such as the truck's height exceeding the available clearance — the control system triggers an alarm to alert the driver. This alert can come in the form of an audible sound, a visual display, or a combination of both, providing immediate warning to the driver of the potential danger.
To further enhance safety and efficiency, the central control system can be integrated with the truck’s engine control system. This integration allows the system to take automated actions if a risk of collision is identified. For example, if the system determines that there is insufficient clearance for the truck to safely pass under the bridge, it can automatically engage the vehicle’s braking system or reduce the truck's speed. The automatic response ensures that the driver has more time to react, potentially preventing a dangerous collision with the bridge.
Together, these components work in unison to ensure that the truck's height is always within the permissible limits when passing through tunnels and underpass bridges. The combination of proximity sensors, central processing, and integrated control systems makes this solution highly effective in preventing accidents, reducing property damage, and safeguarding human lives. The system not only provides an automated, real-time solution to the common problem of truck height clearance but also improves overall transportation safety by minimizing human error and allowing for proactive intervention before potential accidents occur.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
Truck top will be installed with proximity sensors to detect the roof height before the truck enters the underpass bridge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The present invention provides a system and method for protecting containers during transportation on a truck from potential collisions with tunnels and underpass bridges. The system includes proximity sensors that are installed on the top of the truck or container to detect the clearance height of the underpass bridge. Additionally, a sensor is placed at the bottom of the truck/container to measure the road surface level beneath the underpass. These sensors are connected to a central control system located in the driver's cabin, which receives the data from the sensors regarding the height of the truck/container in relation to the bridge clearance.
The central control system processes the height data and compares the truck/container height with the available clearance under the bridge. If a potential collision is detected, the system activates an alarm to notify the driver. This alarm alerts the driver about the height discrepancy and prompts immediate action to avoid the collision. In some implementations, the system is integrated with the truck's engine control system, allowing it to automatically initiate safety measures such as stopping the vehicle if the risk of collision is high.
The system is designed to prevent accidents, damage to both the vehicle and the bridge, and the disruption of traffic caused by these types of collisions. By using sensors and real-time data, the system provides a proactive solution to ensure the safe passage of trucks under bridges and tunnels. This method not only protects the vehicle and container from structural damage but also safeguards human lives, including the truck driver, from potential harm caused by the collision. The system offers significant advantages over traditional manual assessment methods, as it automates the detection and response process, reducing the likelihood of human error and enhancing overall safety during transportation.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
1. Easy to use
2. Locally created low oxygen creation within the refrigerator
3. No moving parts
4. Easy availability of nitrogen gas in cylinders
5. Process of filling and sealing is easy
6. Economical for domestic operation
, Claims:1. A system for protecting containers from tunnels and underpass bridges during transportation on a truck, comprising: At least one proximity sensor installed on the top of the truck/container to detect the height of the underpass bridge ceiling; A sensor installed at the bottom of the truck/container to measure the level of the road surface under the underpass; A central control system configured to receive data from the sensors and process the height comparison; An alarm system integrated with the central control system and the truck’s engine control system to alert the driver and initiate vehicle control actions when a collision risk is detected; wherein the proximity sensors are mounted on the top of the truck/container and configured to detect the ceiling height of the underpass bridge, providing a continuous height measurement.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor at the bottom of the truck/container measures the clearance of the road surface in relation to the underpass bridge's height to determine the safe passage height for the vehicle.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central control system is connected to the truck’s engine control system and configured to trigger automatic intervention to stop the vehicle when a collision risk is detected, reducing the possibility of impact with the underpass bridge ceiling.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central control system includes a display that communicates real-time clearance information to the driver, providing an early warning for safe navigation.
5. The method as claimed in protection for containers from tunnels and underpass bridges during transportation on a truck, comprising the steps of: Detecting the height of the underpass bridge ceiling using proximity sensors mounted on the top of the container; Measuring the level of the road surface under the underpass using a sensor at the bottom of the truck/container;
Sending the height comparison data to a central control system; Issuing an alarm to alert the driver and trigger the truck’s engine control system to stop the vehicle if the clearance is insufficient for safe passage.
6. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the alarm system provides both visual and audible warnings to the driver, ensuring prompt response to the clearance issue.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the truck’s engine control system is configured to automatically apply the brakes and stop the vehicle if the risk of collision with the underpass bridge ceiling is detected, reducing the risk of property damage.
8. A system as claimed in claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximity sensors are connected to the central control system through a wireless communication interface to reduce the complexity of wiring and improve system flexibility.
9. A system as claimed in claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximity sensors are capable of detecting container heights for various standard truck sizes, including 40 ft and 20 ft containers, ensuring accurate detection for a wide range of truck types.