CAD-Based Unloading Control for Dusty Vehicle Fill Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural and construction vehicles face challenges in efficiently loading material into receiving vehicles due to environmental dust and obscurants, which hinder accurate identification of receiving vehicle parameters, leading to inefficiencies and material spillage.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a calibration operation to determine calibrated offset values between receiving vehicle parameters and a reference point on the following vehicle, allowing for accurate location determination without real-time image processing, and utilizes CAD files to track and control the unloading operation based on vehicle dimensions and volume profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time image processing is used to identify receiving vehicle parameters, then measurement precision may be improved, but device complexity and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing CAD files containing receiving vehicle parameters (dimensions, volume profiles, geometric features) before the unloading operation. This allows the system to retrieve pre-processed geometric data instead of performing complex real-time image processing, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through accurate pre-captured CAD models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by retrieving receiving vehicle parameter data from pre-stored CAD files rather than creating new measurements in real-time. The CAD files serve as digital copies of the receiving vehicle's geometric information, which can be accessed and used directly for control decisions without requiring complex imaging and processing equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operator manually controls unloading spout position, then adaptability to different conditions is improved, but productivity decreases due to operator attention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using GPS location data of the receiving vehicle to automatically determine spout position and unloading rate adjustments. The system continuously monitors receiving vehicle position and feedstuck characteristics, then automatically adjusts spout positioning and unloading parameters to maintain optimal performance across different vehicles and conditions without requiring operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by automatically controlling the unloading process based on pre-stored CAD files and real-time GPS positioning. The automated control system independently adjusts spout position, unloading rate, and monitoring parameters without operator input, allowing the operator to focus on harvesting operations while the system handles unloading adaptability.
3Productivity
If unloading control is automated using GPS and CAD files, then productivity increases, but measurement precision requirements increase for accurate volume tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing detailed CAD files containing receiving vehicle volume profiles, geometric dimensions, and characteristic points before the unloading operation. This pre-prepared geometric data enables the automated system to accurately calculate volume filled and track position without requiring complex real-time measurements, thereby supporting high productivity while maintaining measurement precision through pre-validated CAD models.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer aided design (CAD) files for a plurality of different kinds of receiving vehicles are loaded to a remote server. Based on a receiving vehicle identifier, a corresponding CAD file or information derived from a CAD file is sent to a leading vehicle that is performing an unloading operation to load material into the receiving vehicle. An unloading control system controls the unloading operation based on the CAD file or information.