Autonomous Construction Machine Positioning via Landmark Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction machines traveling autonomously in mines may stop operations due to inaccuracies in global navigation satellite system positioning caused by ionospheric abnormalities, leading to decreased mine productivity.
Innovation Solution
A construction machine control system that includes a position detection unit, a determination unit, a non-contact sensor, and a map information storage unit, which extracts and stores vertical projection data from non-contact sensor detections when position errors are within a predetermined threshold, allowing the machine to travel safely and accurately along designated routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the construction machine uses global navigation satellite system for position detection, then the machine can travel autonomously along a travel route, but the position detection accuracy decreases when ionospheric abnormalities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-contact sensor as an intermediary device to detect vertical projections (landmarks) in the environment. When GPS accuracy deteriorates due to ionospheric abnormalities, the system switches to using these detected landmarks for position measurement, thereby maintaining autonomous travel capability without direct dependence on satellite signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the position detection method based on GPS accuracy parameters. When the determined position error exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system transitions from GPS-based positioning to landmark-based positioning, effectively adapting to changing environmental conditions to maintain measurement precision.
2Reliability
If the construction machine stops operation when GPS accuracy decreases, then position detection reliability is maintained, but mine productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and extraction of vertical projections (landmarks) along the travel route and stores them as map information in advance. When GPS accuracy decreases, this pre-stored landmark data is immediately available for position measurement, eliminating the need to stop operation and maintain continuous productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit continuously monitors GPS accuracy and provides feedback to the position measurement unit. When position error exceeds the threshold, the system activates alternative position measurement using landmarks, and when accuracy is sufficient, it returns to GPS-based positioning, ensuring both reliability and continuous operation.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses non-contact sensor to detect landmarks for position measurement, then position accuracy is maintained under GPS abnormalities, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-contact sensor serves multiple functions: it detects vertical projections for landmark identification, measures distances to these landmarks, and provides data for both map information creation and real-time position measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The construction machine itself performs the landmark detection and map information creation using its own non-contact sensor, rather than relying on external infrastructure. The machine autonomously extracts vertical projections from sensor data and stores them as map information, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A construction machine control system for a construction machine that travels along a travel route, includes: a position detection unit that detects a position of the construction machine; a determination unit that determines whether an error in the position detected by the position detection unit is equal to or smaller than a predetermined error; a non-contact sensor that detects a position of an object around the construction machine; and a map information storage unit that extracts a detection result related to a vertical projection that protrudes vertically from a detection result of the non-contact sensor and stores the extracted detection result related to the vertical projection as map information when the determination unit determines that the error in the position detected by the position detection unit is equal to or smaller than the predetermined error.