Autonomous Excavation Vehicle Control Using Terrain Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current excavation methods rely on manual operators, leading to high costs, extended project durations, and increased risk of human error due to labor shortages and the inability to operate excavation vehicles at night.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation system equipped with sensors that navigate and control excavation vehicles to execute excavation routines, generating digital terrain models and target tool paths for precise earth removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual operators are used to operate excavation vehicles, then the vehicles can be controlled with simple systems, but labor costs increase and project duration extends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcavation speedVSAvoidproject duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The excavation vehicle is equipped with sensors, processors, and control systems that enable it to autonomously perform excavation tasks without continuous human intervention. The system self-manages navigation, digging operations, and tool positioning, transforming the vehicle into a self-servicing system that eliminates dependency on manual operators and significantly reduces project duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical control system (manual operation) with an automated system comprising sensors, processors, and control algorithms. This substitution enables the excavation vehicle to operate autonomously, increasing productivity while reducing the time loss associated with manual operation limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual operators are required for excavation vehicles, then operational flexibility is maintained, but labor costs increase and skilled labor shortages occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidexcavation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The excavation vehicle autonomously manages its own operation through integrated sensors and control systems, eliminating the need for skilled manual operators. The system self-adjusts to varying excavation conditions, maintaining operational flexibility while dramatically improving excavation efficiency and eliminating labor cost constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If excavation is performed during daytime only with manual operators, then safety and quality control are easier to maintain, but project duration extends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework qualityVSAvoidexcavation duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous excavation system enables continuous operation without interruption by eliminating dependencies on manual operators' working hours, fatigue, and shift changes. The vehicle can operate continuously day and night while maintaining consistent work quality through automated control, significantly reducing total excavation duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual operation with automated control systems that maintain consistent precision and quality standards regardless of operating hours. This substitution eliminates variability introduced by human operators, ensuring reliable work quality while enabling extended operational duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If manual operators operate excavation vehicles, then system complexity remains low, but human error risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoiderror rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual control with an automated system comprising sensors, processors, and control algorithms. This substitution eliminates human error while managing system complexity through integrated design. The automated system provides consistent, precise control that significantly improves reliability compared to manual operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous excavation system incorporates sensors and processors that continuously monitor operational parameters and provide feedback for real-time adjustments. This feedback mechanism ensures precise control and eliminates human error, maintaining high reliability while the integrated design manages system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11668070B2Excavating earth from a dig site using an excavation vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 BUILT ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

This description provides an autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation vehicle that is capable of navigating through a dig site and carrying out an excavation routine using a system of sensors physically mounted to the excavation vehicle. The sensors collect any 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 carry out an excavation routine. The excavation vehicle is also able to carry out numerous other tasks, such as checking the volume of excavated earth in an excavation tool and helping prepare a digital terrain model of the site as part of a process for creating the excavation routine.