Vehicle alignment systems for loading docks

Abstract

Example vehicle alignment systems for use at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example vehicle alignment system includes a first switch positioned on a first lateral edge of a doorway of the loading dock. The first switch is to be engageable by a first side surface of the vehicle. A second switch is positioned on a second lateral edge of the doorway opposite the first lateral edge. The second switch to be engageable by a second side surface of the vehicle opposite the first side surface. A controller is to receive a first feedback signal from the first switch and a second feedback signal from the second switch. The controller is to compare the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal to detect a lateral deviation of the vehicle relative to a reference.

1 . A vehicle alignment system to monitor an alignment of a vehicle at a loading dock, the vehicle alignment system including:
 a first switch positioned on a first lateral edge of a doorway of the loading dock, the first switch to be engageable by a first side surface of the vehicle;   a second switch positioned on a second lateral edge of the doorway opposite the first lateral edge, the second switch to be engageable by a second side surface of the vehicle opposite the first side surface; and   a controller to receive a first feedback signal from the first switch and a second feedback signal from the second switch, the controller to compare the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal to detect a lateral deviation of the vehicle relative to a reference.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second switches are limit switches. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller determines that the lateral orientation of the vehicle relative to the reference is within an acceptable threshold when the first feedback signal provides an indication that the first switch is in a non-triggered state and the second feedback signal provides an indication that the second switch is in a non-triggered state. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 3 , wherein the controller determines that the lateral orientation of the vehicle relative to the reference deviates from the acceptable threshold when at least one of the first feedback signal provides an indication that the first switch is in a triggered state or the second feedback signal provides an indication that the second switch is in a triggered state. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 4 , wherein the first feedback signal provides the indication of the triggered state when the first side surface of the vehicle directly contacts the first switch, and the first feedback signal provides the indication of the non-triggered state when the first side surface is spaced from the first switch. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 4 , wherein the second feedback signal provides the indication of the triggered state when the second side surface of the vehicle directly contacts the second switch, and the second feedback signal provides the indication of the non-triggered state when the second side surface is spaced from the second switch. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first switch is oriented toward the second switch. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first switch and the second switch are oriented toward a vehicle path associated with the doorway of the loading dock. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display to vary an output signal in response to the detected lateral deviation of the vehicle relative to the reference. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first switch and the second switch includes a mechanical actuator that is to move between a first position and a second position different than the first position, the mechanical actuator being in the first position when the vehicle is not in engagement with the mechanical actuator, and the mechanical actuator being in the second position when the vehicle is in engagement with the mechanical actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first switch and the second switch are positioned adjacent an outside perimeter of a doorway of the loading dock. 
     
     
         12 . A vehicle alignment system to monitor an alignment of a vehicle at a loading dock; the vehicle alignment system including:
 a plurality of switches positioned adjacent a perimeter of a vehicle pathway leading to a doorway of the loading dock, a respective one of the switches to provide a feedback signal when the respective one of the switches is engaged by the vehicle; and   a controller to receive the feedback signal from the respective one of the switches, the controller to detect a lateral deviation of the vehicle relative to the vehicle pathway when the respective one of the switches provides the feedback signal, the controller to provide an output signal via a display in response to the detected lateral deviation.   
     
     
         13 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the switches includes a mechanical actuator that project toward the vehicle pathway. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical actuator does not project within the vehicle pathway. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 12 , wherein the switches are to be engaged by at least a first side surface of the vehicle or a second side surface of the vehicle opposite the first side surface. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 12 , wherein the switches include at least a first switch positioned adjacent a first lateral edge of the doorway and a second switch positioned adjacent a second lateral edge of the doorway. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 12 , wherein the switches are electromechanical switches. 
     
     
         18 . A method for monitor an alignment of a vehicle at a loading dock, the method comprising:
 receiving a first feedback signal from a first switch positioned along a first side of a vehicle path leading to a doorway of the loading dock when a first side surface of the vehicle engages the first switch;   receiving a second feedback signal from a second switch positioned along a second side of the vehicle path leading to the doorway of the loading dock when a second side surface of the vehicle opposite the first side surface engages the second switch; and   detecting a lateral deviation of the vehicle relative to the vehicle path when at least one of the first switch provides the first feedback signal or the second switch provides the second feedback signal.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including providing an output signal via a display in response to the detected lateral deviation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first switch and the second switch are electromechanical switches.