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 an outer sensor pair to detect a surface of the vehicle. The outer sensor pair is to obtain a first feedback signal representative of an orientation of the detected surface relative to a reference as the vehicle approaches a doorway of the loading dock. An inner sensor pair is to detect the surface of the vehicle. The inner sensor pair is to obtain a second feedback signal representative of the orientation of the detected surface relative to the reference as the vehicle approaches the doorway of the loading dock. A controller is to detect a threshold deviation in the orientation of the detected surface of the vehicle relative to the reference based on at least one of the first feedback signal or the second feedback signal. A display is to vary an output signal in response to the detected threshold deviation in the orientation of the detected surface relative to the reference.

1 . A vehicle alignment system to monitor a vehicle at a loading dock, the vehicle alignment system comprising:
 an outer sensor pair to detect a surface of the vehicle, the outer sensor pair to obtain a first feedback signal representative of an orientation of the detected surface relative to a reference as the vehicle approaches a doorway of the loading dock;   an inner sensor pair to detect the surface of the vehicle, the inner sensor pair to obtain a second feedback signal representative of the orientation of the detected surface relative to the reference as the vehicle approaches the doorway of the loading dock;   a controller to detect a threshold deviation in the orientation of the detected surface of the vehicle relative to the reference based on at least one of the first feedback signal or the second feedback signal; and   a display to vary an output signal in response to the detected threshold deviation in the orientation of the detected surface relative to the reference.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner sensor pair and the outer sensor pair are coupled above an opening of the doorway of the loading dock and project in a downwardly orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer sensor pair includes a first sensor positioned adjacent a first lateral side of the doorway and a second sensor positioned adjacent a second lateral side of the doorway opposite the first lateral side. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 3 , wherein the inner sensor pair includes a third sensor positioned between the first sensor and the first lateral side of the doorway and a fourth sensor positioned between the second sensor and the second lateral side of the doorway. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first feedback signal provides an indication of a misalignment of the vehicle relative to the reference when a first sensor of the outer sensor pair is in an interrupted state and a second sensor of the outer sensor pair is in an uninterrupted state. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first feedback signal provides an indication of alignment of the vehicle relative to the reference when a first sensor of the outer sensor pair is in an uninterrupted state and a second sensor of the outer sensor pair is in an uninterrupted state. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the second feedback signal provides an indication of a misalignment of the vehicle relative to the reference when a first sensor of the inner sensor pair is in an interrupted and a second sensor of the inner sensor pair is in an uninterrupted state. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the second feedback signal provides an indication of alignment of the vehicle relative to the reference when a first sensor of the inner sensor pair is in an uninterrupted state and a second sensor of the inner sensor pair is in an uninterrupted state. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the orientation comprises a lateral orientation, and wherein the controller is to:
 compare at least one of the first feedback signal or the second feedback signal to a lateral orientation threshold; and   vary a blinking frequency of a light of the display in response to an extent to which the lateral orientation of the vehicle deviates from the lateral orientation threshold.   
     
     
         10 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the orientation comprises a lateral orientation, and wherein the controller is to:
 compare at least one of the first feedback signal or the second feedback signal to a lateral orientation threshold; and   vary in color a light of the display in response to an extent to which the lateral orientation of the vehicle deviates from a target orientation value.   
     
     
         11 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the display includes a light to provide a visual illusion of movement that is to vary based on the orientation. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the display includes a rotational direction arrow that is to indicate the orientation. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the vehicle comprises a rear surface of the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . A vehicle alignment system to monitor a vehicle at a loading dock, the vehicle alignment system comprising:
 a plurality of overhead sensors to detect at least one of a presence or alignment of the vehicle relative to a reference, the overhead sensors to provide at least one of a first feedback signal or a second feedback signal;   a controller to detect a threshold deviation in an orientation of a surface of the vehicle relative to the reference based on the at least one of the first feedback signal or the second feedback signal; and   a display to vary an output signal in response to the detected threshold deviation in the orientation of the surface relative to the reference.   
     
     
         15 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 14 , wherein the overhead sensors are coupled above an opening of a doorway of the loading dock and project in a downwardly orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 14 , wherein the first feedback signal provides an indication of a misalignment of the vehicle relative to the reference when a first inner sensor of the overhead sensors is interrupted and a second inner sensor of the overhead sensors is uninterrupted. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 14 , wherein the second feedback signal provides an indication of a misalignment of the vehicle relative to the reference when a first outer sensor of the overhead sensors is interrupted and a second outer sensor of the overhead sensors is uninterrupted. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle alignment system of  claim 14 , wherein the overhead sensors include a plurality of discrete sensors that detect an upper surface of the vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . A method of detecting alignment of a vehicle at a loading dock, the method comprising:
 detecting, via an inner sensor pair, a surface of the vehicle;   obtaining, via the inner sensor pair, a first feedback signal representative of an orientation of a surface relative to a reference as the vehicle approaches a doorway of the loading dock;   detecting, via an outer sensor pair, the surface of the vehicle;   obtaining, via the outer sensor pair, a second feedback signal representative of the orientation of the surface relative to the reference as the vehicle approaches the doorway of the loading dock;   determining, via a controller, a threshold deviation in the orientation of the surface of the vehicle relative to the reference based on at least one of the first feedback signal or the second feedback signal; and   varying, via a display, an output signal in response to the threshold deviation in a orientation of the surface relative to the reference.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including determining a misalignment of the vehicle relative to the reference when the first feedback signal provides an indication of a first sensor of the inner sensor pair being in an interrupted state and a second sensor of the inner sensor pair being in an uninterrupted state. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further including determining a misalignment of the vehicle relative to the reference when the second feedback signal provides an indication of a first sensor of the outer sensor pair being in an interrupted state and a second sensor of the outer sensor pair being in an uninterrupted state. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the orientation comprises a lateral orientation, and the method further including:
 comparing, via the controller, at least one of the first feedback signal or the second feedback signal to a lateral orientation threshold; and   varying at least one of a color of light or a blinking frequency of a light of the display in response to an extent to which the lateral orientation of the vehicle deviates from the lateral orientation threshold.