Autonomous Excavation Vehicle Control for Precise 24/7 Digging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current excavation methods rely heavily on manual operators, leading to high costs, extended project durations, 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 to record site data, generate digital terrain models, and execute precise excavation routines, reducing the need for manual labor and improving operational efficiency and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operators are used to operate excavation vehicles, then the vehicles can be controlled with simple systems, but the operation costs increase and project duration extends due to labor shortages and daytime-only operations
Solution Approach 1:
The excavation vehicle is equipped with a sensor assembly and control system that enable it to perform excavation operations autonomously without continuous human intervention. The system self-navigates to excavation sites, self-monitors tool positions, and self-adjusts excavation parameters based on sensor feedback, thereby eliminating the need for manual operators and enabling continuous 24/7 operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical control system operated by human operators with an automated control system that uses sensor assemblies (including GPS, inertial sensors, and depth sensors) to perceive the environment and automatically control excavation vehicle movements and tool operations, substituting human mechanical operation with sensor-based automated control
2Reliability
If manual operators are deployed for excavation work, then the system remains simple, but the risk of human error increases and work quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly continuously monitors excavation parameters including tool position, depth, and ground conditions, and feeds this information back to the control system which automatically adjusts excavation operations to maintain precision and avoid errors, creating a closed-loop control system that enhances reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple functions including navigation, excavation control, sensor data processing, and automatic tool positioning into a single unified system that manages all aspects of excavation operations, reducing the need for multiple separate systems while improving overall reliability
3Productivity
If excavation operations are limited to daytime hours with manual operators, then energy consumption remains moderate, but productivity is reduced due to extended project durations
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous excavation system enables continuous operation without interruption by eliminating the need for operator shifts, breaks, or nighttime restrictions. The vehicle can operate 24 hours a day, performing excavation tasks continuously without the downtime associated with manual operation schedules, thereby significantly increasing productivity
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 out an excavation routine using a system of sensors physically mounted to the excavation vehicle. The sensors collects 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.