Concrete Pump Position Data Linking via Sensor Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for truck-mounted concrete pumps face challenges in automatically and reliably linking operating data to construction site coordinates, often resulting in forgotten data transmissions and incorrect allocation of operating data due to the need for manual intervention by the driver.

Innovation Solution

A software routine in the central computer correlates position data from on-board systems with specific operating states detected by sensors, such as support leg extension, boom placement, and power take-off activation, to automatically determine and transmit construction site coordinates without driver intervention, using a correlation window for data linkage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual intervention by the driver is used to trigger position determination and data transmission, then the system can capture construction site coordinates, but the data transmission is frequently forgotten and allocation reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata allocation reliabilityVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting when the concrete pump arrives at a construction site through sensor monitoring of operating states (support legs extension, boom placement, power take-off activation). Position data is captured and stored in advance without requiring driver intervention, ensuring the data is transmitted reliably before any forgetting can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically linking operating data to position data through a software routine that monitors sensor signals. The concrete pump operator does not need to manually trigger data transmission; the system autonomously performs the entire process of detecting construction site arrival, capturing position data, and transmitting it to the central computer, thereby eliminating human error.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If the driver consciously triggers position determination, then position data can be transmitted, but the process requires manual intervention and increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data completenessVSAvoidsystem operational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from monitoring sensors that detect operating states of the concrete pump (support legs, boom placement, power take-off). When these sensors detect specific sequences indicating arrival at a construction site, the system automatically triggers position data capture and transmission, ensuring complete position data recording without adding manual steps for the driver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The software routine acts as an intermediary between the physical sensors and the data transmission system. It monitors sensor signals, interprets operating states, and automatically initiates position data capture and transmission when construction site conditions are detected, simplifying the overall process by removing the need for driver consciousness and manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If coordinates are stored in the central computer before pump arrival, then construction sites can be pre-defined, but new construction sites without pre-stored coordinates cannot be automatically registered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction site registration flexibilityVSAvoidautomatic data linking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to both pre-defined and new construction sites. When a pump arrives at a site, the software routine detects operating states and automatically determines whether the position data corresponds to a pre-stored construction site or a new one. For new sites, it automatically registers them by linking position data with operating data, providing flexible adaptability while maintaining reliable automatic data linking through consistent sensor-based detection methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1983488B1Operating information capturing system for automatic concrete pumps and method for recording work processes of automatic concrete pumps
Publication Date: 2012.04.04 PUTZMEISTER ENG GMBH
  • EP1983488B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1983488B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The system has a monitoring sensor and/or signal generator attached to a board computer (BC) of automatic concrete pumps and for detecting operating conditions. A data transmission system communicates between the board computer and a central processor. A software routine is provided in the central processor for combining position data of on-board position determination systems e.g. global positioning systems. The sensor and/or signal generator includes an evaluation routine for automatic determination of a correlation window for site-based operating conditions and position data. An independent claim is also included for a method for computer-aided capturing of work processes of automatic concrete pumps.