Autonomous Excavation Vehicle Control for Precise Earth Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current excavation methods rely heavily on manual operators, leading to high costs, limited operational hours, and increased risk of human error due to labor shortages and the necessity for daytime operations.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation system equipped with sensors that navigate and control excavation vehicles, allowing for precise excavation routines and reduced labor needs by using sensor data to execute excavation tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual operators are used to operate excavation vehicles, then the vehicles can be controlled with simple systems, but the operational costs increase and labor shortages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to control excavation vehicle operations. The system substitutes human operators with electronic control mechanisms including depth sensors, position sensors, and automated hydraulic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The excavation vehicle system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment through integrated sensors that continuously track tool depth, position, and excavation parameters. The system automatically adjusts operational parameters without external human intervention, enabling the vehicle to serve itself in maintaining optimal excavation conditions.
2Duration of action of moving object
If manual operators work during daytime only, then operational safety is maintained, but the duration of excavation projects extends and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated excavation system enables continuous operation without interruption by eliminating the need for operator shifts, breaks, and daytime-only restrictions. The system maintains uninterrupted excavation operations through automated monitoring and control, allowing 24-hour productivity while maintaining consistent operational standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops through sensors that monitor excavation depth, tool position, and operational parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures operational reliability by automatically detecting and correcting deviations from safe operating parameters, maintaining safety standards during extended operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual operators control excavation tools, then the system remains simple to operate, but human error increases and work quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual control with automated electronic control systems that use sensors, processors, and actuators to precisely control excavation tool positioning and depth. The system substitutes human manual operation with electronic feedback loops that maintain consistent precision without human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital replicas of the desired excavation profile using survey data and design specifications. This digital model is then used to guide the automated excavation tool, ensuring precise replication of the planned excavation geometry with consistent accuracy throughout the project.
Data Source
AI summary
This description provides an autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation vehicle that is capable of navigating through a dig site and carrying an excavation routine using a system of sensors physically mounted to the excavation vehicle. The sensors collect one or more of spatial, imaging, measurement, and location data representing the status of the excavation vehicle and its surrounding environment. Based on the collected data, the excavation vehicle executes instructions to perform an excavation routine by excavating earth from a hole using an excavation tool positioned at a single location within the site. The excavation vehicle is also able to carry out numerous other tasks, such as checking the volume of excavated earth in an excavation tool, navigating the excavation vehicle over a distance while continuously excavating earth from a below surface depth, and preparing a digital terrain model of the site as part of a process for creating the excavation routine.