Compactor Path Monitoring for Operator-Intent Compaction Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control systems for compactors lack the ability to effectively determine and confirm an operator's intent to create a compaction area during autonomous operation, leading to inefficiencies in generating and implementing compaction plans.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes a position sensor, steering system, and controller capable of receiving position data, saving it, determining operator intent, generating a compaction plan, and implementing autonomous steering based on operator-steered paths within the compaction area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the control system uses traditional virtual boundary methods to define compaction areas, then the system can operate autonomously, but the system cannot accurately determine operator intent to create compaction areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of determining operator intentVSAvoidcomplexity of intent determination system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by recording operator-steered paths before autonomous operation begins. The controller stores position data and identifies potential compaction areas based on where the operator manually steered the compactor, establishing a foundation for subsequent automated compaction without requiring complex real-time intent analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism - the recorded operator path - that mediates between the operator's manual steering actions and the autonomous compaction system. This path record serves as evidence of operator intent, allowing the controller to infer where compaction areas should be created without directly reading the operator's mind or requiring complex communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the control system records position data during operator steering to identify compaction areas, then operator intent can be determined, but time is required to record and process the position data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of compaction area identificationVSAvoidtime for data recording and processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs position data recording as a preliminary action during the operator's manual steering phase, before autonomous operation begins. This eliminates the need for time-consuming data collection during automated compaction, as all necessary position information is already captured and stored in memory for immediate use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically recording position data and identifying compaction areas without requiring external intervention or manual analysis. The controller continuously monitors position sensor data and autonomously determines where the operator steered, converting raw position data into meaningful compaction area definitions without human involvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If the compactor operates in fully autonomous mode without operator steering input, then automation is maximized, but the system cannot generate accurate compaction plans based on operator preferences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelevel of autonomous operationVSAvoidability to adapt to operator preferences

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures operator preferences through preliminary manual steering actions before autonomous operation begins. The operator's preferred paths and compaction area selections are recorded and stored, allowing the highly automated system to adapt to specific operator preferences without requiring continuous manual input during autonomous compaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the operator's intended compaction areas based on recorded position data from manual steering. This digital representation of the operator's preferred compaction zones is then used by the autonomous system to execute compaction plans that reflect operator preferences without requiring the operator to be present or continuously controlling the machine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12252849B2Active path monitoring control system and method for compactor

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 CATERPILLAR PAVING PROD INC

AI summary

Various control systems and methods for a working machine such as a compactor are disclosed. The control system can include any one or combination of components including a controller in communication with at least a steering system and a position sensor. The controller can be configured to: receive position data from the position sensor including during operator implemented steering of the compactor, save the position data to a memory, determine from the position data saved in the memory a possible intent by an operator to create a compaction area, generate a prompt on an operator interface to confirm an actual intent of the operator, and generate a compaction plan for autonomously steering the compactor to compact in the compaction area. The compaction plan can be based at least partially upon the operator implemented steering of the compactor. The controller can implement the compaction plan via autonomous steering.