Crane Boom Positioning via Satellite Differential Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current crane positioning systems face challenges in achieving high precision, particularly during remote hoisting operations, due to low wireless positioning accuracy and reliance on visual measurements, which can lead to errors and safety risks such as 'slant pulling' or overthrow accidents.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing real-time dynamic differentiation measurement, where a reference station and two mobile stations collect and process satellite positioning information to determine the boom extension length, pitch angle, and rotating angle with high precision, enabling accurate positioning of the hoisting object and automatic adjustment of the crane's boom to prevent errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If civil pseudocode wireless positioning is used, then the positioning system can be implemented, but the positioning precision is low (about 10m)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidoperation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional civil pseudocode wireless positioning system with a satellite positioning system (GPS/Beidou) that provides real-time coordinate information. This substitution enables high-precision positioning (within several centimeters) by using satellite signals to directly determine the spatial coordinates of the hoisting object, eliminating the 10m precision limitation of civil pseudocode methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the satellite positioning system continuously provides real-time coordinate information about the hoisting object's position. The control system uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the crane boom's extension length and pitch angle, ensuring the hook remains vertically aligned with the object even during movement, thereby maintaining positioning precision and operational safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If visual measurement and operator experience are used for hoisting operation, then the operation can be completed, but the positioning accuracy and safety are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to perform self-service by automatically determining the hoisting object's position using satellite positioning data and autonomously calculating the required boom extension length and pitch angle. The control system automatically generates control instructions without requiring visual measurement or operator experience, allowing unattended or remote operation while maintaining high positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the human-dependent visual measurement method with an automated satellite positioning-based measurement system. The satellite positioning receiver continuously tracks the hoisting object's coordinates, and the control system automatically processes this data to determine precise positioning parameters, eliminating the imprecision and subjectivity inherent in visual estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If field staff command and multiple adjustments are used, then the hoisting operation can be coordinated, but the hoisting duration increases and uncertainty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehoisting efficiencyVSAvoidoperation uncertainty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the satellite positioning system automatically tracks the hoisting object's position and the control system autonomously calculates and executes the required boom adjustments. This eliminates the need for field staff coordination and repeated manual adjustments, significantly reducing hoisting duration and eliminating the uncertainty associated with human judgment and communication delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous automated monitoring and adjustment through the satellite positioning system, which continuously provides real-time coordinate data. The control system continuously processes this data and makes necessary adjustments without interruption, maintaining optimal positioning throughout the hoisting operation without the gaps and delays inherent in manual coordination processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly increases the positioning precision of the work object, allowing for safe and accurate hoisting operations by automatically adjusting the boom to within predetermined ranges, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

collecting, in real time, by a reference station, satellite positioning information as a reference station current measurement value D0

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSatellite positioning:

Implementation Method 2

performing real-time kinematic processes on D0 and D1 to obtain relative coordinate information of the first mobile station

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReal-time kinematic:

Data Source

PatentEP3190081B1Target positioning method and system for construction machine operation
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 XUZHOU HEAVY MASCH CO LTD
  • EP3190081B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3190081B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3190081B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a method and system for positioning an engineering machinery work object. The method comprises: a reference station collects in real time satellite positioning information as a reference station current measurement value D0, and transmits D0 to first and second mobile stations; the first mobile station and the second mobile station respectively collect in real time satellite positioning information as a first mobile station current measurement value D1 and a second mobile station current measurement value D2, and respectively perform dynamic differential processes on D0 and D1 and D0 and D2 to obtain relative coordinate information of the first mobile station and the second mobile station; a crane resolving unit determines the boom extension length, the boom pitch angle and boom rotating angle based on the relative coordinate information of the first mobile station and the second mobile station; based on the boom extension length, the boom pitch angle and the boom rotating angle, a crane controller controls the boom to move to a hoisting position of the object to hoist the object. The present disclosure can greatly increase the precision of positioning the work object, and can also automatically track the boom to avoid errors and risks resulting from visual adjustment.