Blended Position Solutions for Road Construction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional road construction control systems face inefficiencies due to the need to cease operations when transitioning between positioning devices, leading to discontinuities in the road surface and increased project time and expense.
Innovation Solution
A control system for road-forming machines that allows seamless transition between multiple positioning devices without interrupting operations, using a method to determine and apply weighting factors to blended position data from multiple sources, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing surface discontinuities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single positioning device is used to control road-forming machines, then positioning precision is maintained, but operations must be interrupted when the device needs to be moved or recalibrated
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges data from multiple positioning devices (total stations and/or GNSS receivers) into a unified position solution. The control system receives position data from multiple sources and combines them to provide continuous, accurate positioning information without requiring interruption of machine operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to accept and process positioning data from multiple different device types (total stations and GNSS receivers), making the system universally compatible with various positioning technologies. This multi-functionality allows seamless transitions between different positioning sources.
2Productivity
If multiple positioning devices are used simultaneously, then continuous operation is enabled, but the control system must handle complex data from multiple sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation and filtering of position data from multiple devices before combining them. The control system pre-processes the data to ensure quality and compatibility, making the subsequent blending operation simpler and more reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that receives, validates, and blends data from multiple positioning devices. It mediates between the various data sources and the machine control functions, providing a unified interface that simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Loss of time
If transitions between positioning devices are made quickly, then operational efficiency is improved, but errors and discontinuities in position data may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the weighting and selection of positioning device data based on current operational conditions. During transitions, the control system continuously monitors data quality and adjusts the contribution of each positioning device to maintain accuracy while enabling smooth transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors position data from multiple devices and uses feedback to detect transitions and adjust blending parameters. When a transition is detected, the system adjusts the weighting factors to ensure smooth transitions and maintain position accuracy throughout the changeover process.
Data Source
AI summary
Novel tools and techniques for determining a blended position solution for a vehicle, using data from multiple positioning devices, some of which can be external to the vehicle. Some techniques allow a control system of a vehicle to transition from receiving position data from one positioning device to receiving data from another device without ceasing operation and/or while limiting any resulting discontinuity the position solution (and any resulting work performed by the vehicle) to within acceptable tolerances.