Autonomous Ripping Pass Detection for Earthmoving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous machines require substantial manual intervention to detect and perform ripping passes, leading to inefficiencies and productivity losses due to hard sections in the terrain, as existing automated systems still rely on operator input for identifying and initiating ripping sequences.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and control system that monitors machine and profile parameters to automatically detect predefined trigger conditions indicative of the need for a ripping pass, generating a request for a ripping pass when these conditions are met, thereby minimizing operator involvement and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operator intervention is used to identify and initiate ripping passes, then the operator can control when ripping is needed, but productivity decreases due to frequent manual intervention and operator involvement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring machine parameters and profile parameters to detect hard sections and trigger ripping passes without operator intervention. The autonomous machine monitors its own operation parameters (blade angle, force, position) and work surface profile parameters to identify when ripping is needed, eliminating the need for manual detection and initiation of ripping sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring machine parameters (blade angle, force, position) and profile parameters during normal cutting operations. When parameters indicate a hard section is encountered, the system uses this feedback to automatically trigger a ripping pass, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to terrain conditions without operator input.
2Extent of automation
If automated ripper control is implemented, then operator involvement is reduced, but the system still requires manual intervention to identify hard sections and initiate ripping sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves complete automation by making the autonomous machine self-service capable. It monitors its own machine parameters (blade angle, force, position) and work surface profile parameters to automatically detect hard sections and initiate ripping passes without requiring operator identification or initiation of the ripping sequence.
3Manufacturing precision
If ripping passes are performed frequently to address hard sections, then terrain consistency is improved, but time consumption increases due to the frequency of ripping operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by monitoring machine and profile parameters during normal cutting operations to detect hard sections before they cause significant profile deviations. By triggering ripping passes proactively rather than reactively, the system prevents terrain inconsistencies from developing while minimizing the frequency and duration of ripping operations needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for automatically detecting a need for a ripping pass to be performed by a machine along a work surface is provided. The method may include monitoring one or more of machine parameters of the machine and profile parameters of the work surface, determining whether one or more predefined trigger conditions suggestive of the need for the ripping pass are met based on the machine parameters and the profile parameters, and generating a ripping pass request if one or more of the trigger conditions are satisfied.