Drone-Assisted Crane Control for Blind Hook Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Material transfer and construction machines, such as cranes and excavators, often operate in visually restricted areas, making it difficult for operators to control equipment like lifting hooks or buckets without a clear view, relying on signals or limited downward-facing cameras that do not aid in controlling lifting hook height or placement.
Innovation Solution
Employing a remote-controlled aerial drone equipped with imaging sensors, such as cameras or time-of-flight sensors, to provide a three-dimensional perspective of the equipment and environment from various angles, allowing better visualization and depth perception, and enabling the drone to automatically follow machine movements or be manually controlled for optimal positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a downward-facing camera is installed at the trolley to monitor the lifting hook, then the lifting hook position can be automatically determined with image evaluation, but the camera image does not provide sufficient help for controlling lifting hook height and placement since the camera looks down in a perpendicular manner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aerial drone that captures images from above (vertical dimension) in addition to the traditional downward-facing camera at the trolley. This multi-dimensional imaging approach provides comprehensive spatial information about the lifting hook position relative to the ground, enabling both automatic position determination and effective height control. The drone's overhead perspective complements the trolley camera's lateral view, resolving the limitation of perpendicular viewing angle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the crane operator relies on instructions from a signaler to work in visually restricted areas, then the load can be placed at locations not visible to the operator, but the operator works blind and control precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aerial drone equipped with imaging sensors as an intermediary between the crane operator and the load placement area. The drone captures real-time images from above and transmits them to the operator, providing visual feedback without requiring the operator to be in direct line of sight of the load. This intermediary imaging system enables precise control in visually restricted areas by bridging the information gap between operator and load location.
3Loss of information
If a video camera is attached to the hook-type bottom block to transmit images to the operator's cab, then the operator can see the load, but the downward-looking camera is subject to the same restrictions as other fixed mounting positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed mounting positions with a dynamic aerial drone that can freely adjust its position and viewing angle. Instead of attaching cameras to fixed structures like the bottom block or trolley, the drone hovers above the work area and can orient its imaging sensors to capture optimal views of the load and surrounding environment. This dynamic positioning provides adaptable visibility from multiple angles, overcoming the limitations of fixed camera mounts.
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
Enhances the operator's ability to visualize and control equipment in restricted areas by providing a realistic and depth-sensing image of the working environment, improving precision and safety by allowing better visualization and control of lifting hooks and their environments from different angles.
Implementation Method 1
remote-controlled aerial drone which is equipped with at least one imaging sensor... such as cameras or time-of-flight sensors
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to the control of material transfer machines and/or construction machines having camera assistance. The invention here in particular relates to a method and to an apparatus for controlling a material transfer machine and/or a construction machine, in particular in the form of a crane, of an excavator, or of a crawler-type vehicle, wherein an image of the piece of working equipment is provided to a machine operator and/or to a machine control by an imaging sensor. The invention furthermore also relates to the material transfer machine and/or construction machine itself, in particular to a crane, having a display apparatus for displaying an image of the piece of working equipment and/or of the environment of the piece of working equipment. It is proposed to use a remote-controlled aerial drone which is equipped with at least one imaging sensor and by means of which the desired image of the piece of working equipment and/or of the equipment environment can be provided from different directions of view.