Street Sweeper Curb-Follow Control With 3D Camera-Guided Brooms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current street cleaning machines require skilled operators to manually control brooms and steering, leading to inefficiencies, reduced quality, and ergonomic challenges due to the complexity of simultaneously managing broom movement, debris collection, and traffic awareness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 3D camera and pattern recognition software integrated with the cleaning machine's control system allows for automated broom positioning and steering, enabling the machine to accurately follow road curves and curbs, reducing operator strain and improving cleaning efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control of brooms and steering is used, then the operator can respond to traffic conditions, but the complexity of simultaneous control reduces cleaning quality and increases operator fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent parts: automated curb-following mode for broom positioning and manual steering control for traffic awareness. This allows the operator to focus on traffic while the automated system handles broom positioning, reducing overall operational complexity and fatigue
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own rear wheel rotation to automatically position the brooms along the curb through image recognition feedback. The brooms self-adjust their position relative to the curb without operator intervention, eliminating the need for complex manual coordination
2Manufacturing precision
If automated curb-following is implemented, then cleaning quality improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear wheel rotation mechanism serves dual purposes: it provides steering control for the vehicle and simultaneously drives the broom positioning system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate automated positioning mechanisms, lowering system complexity while maintaining high positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously captures images of the curb, processes them to detect curb position, and provides real-time feedback to adjust broom positioning. This closed-loop feedback ensures high positioning accuracy while using simple, readily available camera technology
3Reliability
If the rear wheel rotation is limited to 1-50 degrees, then the machine can follow curves accurately, but the steering flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two steering modes: automated curb-following mode with limited rear wheel rotation (1-50 degrees) for high-precision curve following, and manual steering mode for general traffic navigation. This dynamic mode switching maintains both accuracy and flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is in the field of a mobile installation for street cleaning, also referred to as a cleaning machine for a road or pavement or gutter, for removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface. These machines are used to remove objects, such as small items, such as leaves, and debris, and dirt from a road or the like, using a broom system for cleaning the road or the like, and typically a storage for removed objects and dirt.