Bearing Course Elevation Control via Satellite and Laser Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS systems lack adequate vertical measurement accuracy for determining the thickness of bearing courses and road surface elevation during road construction, requiring expensive base stations or time-consuming manual methods, which increases costs and slows down the construction process.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use satellite positioning and laser scanning to determine the elevation of a reference level based on unchanged terrain surrounding the road route, allowing for accurate and efficient formation of bearing courses by comparing the target level to the reference level in real-time, eliminating the need for traditional manual methods and expensive base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS system is used for determining elevation, then horizontal location accuracy is adequate, but vertical measurement accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference surface (existing road surface or terrain) that serves as a mediator between the GPS system and the target bearing course. By measuring vertical deviations from this reference surface rather than attempting direct absolute elevation measurement, the system achieves adequate vertical accuracy without requiring expensive base stations or complex correction systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the reference surface (existing road or terrain) by sampling points along the route and storing their coordinates. This digital replica serves as the basis for calculating target elevation values, allowing the system to work with relative height information derived from GPS data without needing absolute vertical precision.
2Measurement precision
If base stations are set up to enhance elevation accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing road surface or terrain itself as the reference, eliminating the need for external infrastructure like base stations. The reference surface serves itself as the benchmark for elevation measurement, requiring no additional expensive apparatus or specialized personnel for setup and maintenance.
3Measurement precision
If manual methods (level or tachymeter) are used to determine heights, then measurement accuracy is adequate, but construction speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods (leveling instruments, tachymeters) with an automated system combining GPS positioning and digital calculation. The system automatically determines reference surface coordinates, calculates target elevation values, and provides real-time guidance to construction equipment, eliminating the need for manual measurements while maintaining adequate accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous operation by providing real-time elevation guidance to automated construction equipment. Unlike intermittent manual measurements, the system continuously monitors position and calculates target heights, allowing the bearing course formation to proceed without interruption and at full machine capacity.
4Measurement precision
If traditional GPS alone is used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but vertical accuracy for bearing course thickness determination is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the GPS system multi-functional by combining position determination with reference surface modeling and target elevation calculation. The same GPS receiver used for horizontal positioning also provides vertical deviation data when combined with the digital reference surface, eliminating the need for separate measurement equipment while expanding the system's capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves the accuracy of height determination, reduces construction costs, and automates the construction process, ensuring higher quality and faster progress in road construction projects, especially for lower priority routes like forest roads and pedestrian paths.
Implementation Method 1
The location of the traffic route chosen as the reference level is determined as plane coordinate points (x n , y n ) in the terrain
Implementation Method 2
in each coordinate point the elevation z n of the existing bearing course chosen as the reference level is determined
Implementation Method 3
the cross sectional figure of the reference level is determined, which cross sectional figure extends from the unchanged terrain on the first side of the traffic route over the surface of the traffic route to the unchanged terrain on the second side
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
In the method some existing surface of a bearing course (120) of a traffic route is first chosen as the reference level (100), in relation to which the target level (150) of a surface of a bearing course to be formed is determined. For example the upper surface of a surface layer of a traffic route can be chosen as the reference level. After this the forming procedure of a bearing course is performed, in which the surface of a bearing course is brought to the target level. Typically the forming procedure of a bearing course comprises spreading, levelling and compacting of a soil layer on the surface of the reference level. The location of a traffic route is determined in the terrain as plane coordinate points (xn, yn) and the elevation zn of an existing bearing course chosen as the reference level is determined in each coordinate point (xn, yn) as cross sectional figures extending from the unchanged terrain on the first side of the traffic route over the surface of the traffic route to the unchanged terrain on the second side of the traffic route. The coordinate points (xn, yn) of the location are determined with a satellite positioning method. The measurement data is saved as spatial coordinate points (xn, yn, znr) into a given value data file (242), which is used in the later stages of the forming of the bearing course. The elevations znm of the level of the upper surface of the bearing course formed and the elevations znr of the reference level are determined in the coordinate point (xn, yn) of the traffic route with laser scanning. The laser scanning can be performed form a vehicle (300) travelling along the traffic route and/or a construction machine participating in the forming of the bearing course, travelling along the traffic route.