Excavation Vehicle Obstacle Handling for Autonomous Dig Site Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current excavation methods rely heavily on manual operators, leading to high costs, labor shortages, and increased risk of human error, as excavation vehicles can only operate during the day and require skilled labor, limiting project efficiency and quality.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation system that integrates sensors into excavation vehicles to navigate and control the excavation process, using a combination of sensors to record site conditions and generate digital representations for optimized route planning and tool path execution, reducing the need for manual labor and improving precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual operators are used to operate excavation vehicles, then the vehicles can be operated with simple control systems, but the labor costs increase and the risk of human error increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidoperation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The excavation vehicle is equipped with sensors, processors, and control systems that enable it to autonomously detect obstacles, plan routes, and execute excavation tasks without continuous human intervention. The system serves itself by making autonomous decisions based on sensor data and pre-programmed excavation plans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect the environment and processors to generate control signals. This substitution eliminates human operators while maintaining precise control over the excavation vehicle's movements and actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual operators are required during the entire excavation process, then the excavation work can be performed with human judgment, but the project duration extends and the costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcavation efficiencyVSAvoidproject duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous excavation system enables continuous operation without breaks, shifts, or interruptions associated with manual labor. The vehicle can operate continuously based on pre-programmed plans, eliminating downtime and extending productive work hours beyond standard working days.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If excavation vehicles are operated manually during the day only, then the operation can be supervised by operators, but the project timeline extends and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation supervisionVSAvoidexcavation duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous system enables the excavation vehicle to operate independently during nighttime and other periods when human supervision is unavailable. The vehicle makes its own navigation and excavation decisions based on sensor input and pre-programmed instructions, eliminating the need for continuous human presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If skilled manual operators are required to meet demand, then the excavation quality can be maintained, but the labor force becomes insufficient and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcavation precisionVSAvoidlabor availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces skilled human operators with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and pre-programmed excavation plans to achieve precise and consistent excavation results. This substitution eliminates the limitation of skilled labor availability while maintaining or improving excavation precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Device complexity

If manual operators are used to operate excavation vehicles, then the system can be simpler without advanced sensors and processors, but the quality of work decreases and human error increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidwork quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual operation with an automated system that uses sensors to detect the environment and processors to execute precise excavation paths. This substitution eliminates human error while achieving consistent, high-quality excavation results through programmed precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11709496B2Obstacle detection and manipulation by a vehicle within a dig site

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 BUILT ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

This description provides an autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation vehicle that is capable determining a route between a start point and an end point in a site and navigating over the route. The sensors collect any or more of spatial, imaging, measurement, and location data to detect an obstacle between two locations within the site. Based on the collected data and identified obstacles, the excavation vehicle generates unobstructed routes circumventing the obstacles, obstructed routes traveling through the obstacles, and instructions for removing certain modifiable obstacles. The excavation vehicle determines and selects the shortest route of the unobstructed and obstructed route and navigates over the selected path to move within the site.