Dump Truck Side Obstacle Sensing Beyond Front Wheel Blind Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
In work machines with steered front wheels, the detection range of obstacle sensors is narrowed due to the front wheels blocking the detection target range during steering, creating blind spots and reducing the effective detection area.
Innovation Solution
The obstacle sensor is positioned between the front and rear wheels on the machine body frame, with a virtual plane aligned to the maximum steering angle of the front wheel, ensuring it remains unaffected by the front wheel's movement, and a controller calculates the front wheel's region to determine if obstacles are outside this area before notifying the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the obstacle sensor is positioned to detect obstacles in the front wheel's movement range, then the detection coverage is improved, but the front wheel blocks the detection target range during steering and narrows the detection range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the detection target range variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the detection target range based on the front wheel's steering angle and position. When the front wheel is steered, the detection range is automatically adjusted to exclude the wheel's movement area, preventing the wheel from blocking the detection beam and narrowing the effective detection range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the detection system by adjusting the detection target range according to the front wheel's steering angle and position. The controller modifies the detection parameters in real-time to account for the front wheel's movement, ensuring that the detection range is optimized and not blocked by the wheel during steering maneuvers.
2Reliability
If the detection target range is set to include the front wheel's steering movement area, then comprehensive obstacle detection is achieved, but the front wheel position changes during steering and blocks the detection range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the front wheel's steering angle sensor and position information to continuously adjust the detection target range. The controller receives feedback from the wheel's actual position and steering angle, and automatically modifies the detection range to maintain optimal detection coverage while excluding the wheel's movement area, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying its own detection target range based on the front wheel's position and steering angle. The controller autonomously calculates the appropriate detection range exclusions without requiring external intervention, allowing the system to maintain reliable obstacle detection while adapting to the wheel's movement.
3Area of stationary object
If the obstacle sensor is positioned on the machine body frame side of the virtual plane along the inner side face of the front wheel, then the detection range is maintained wide, but the sensor positioning becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the virtual plane along the inner side face of the front wheel and determining the optimal sensor position relative to this plane before actual installation. The controller is pre-programmed with the geometric relationships and virtual plane definitions, allowing the sensor to be positioned in advance at the correct location that maintains wide detection range while accounting for the front wheel's movement envelope.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dump truck includes front wheels disposed on left and right of a machine body frame to be steered, rear wheels disposed on the left and the right of the machine body frame, a side obstacle sensor that is provided on a side of the machine body frame to detect an obstacle, and a controller configured to output a notification signal to a notification device when an obstacle is detected by the side obstacle sensor. In the dump truck, the side obstacle sensor is provided at a position between the front wheel and the rear wheel on the side of the machine body frame, at which a virtual plane along an outer side face of the front wheel positioned correspondingly to a maximum steering angle steered in the maximum in a direction in which the front wheel becomes an inner wheel crosses an outer side face of the machine body frame. Consequently, a detection range of the obstacle sensor can be suppressed from being narrowed.