Earth-Moving Vehicle Sensor Architecture for Autonomous Obstacle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous control systems for powered earth-moving vehicles are limited by reliance on bulky and expensive hardware for processing camera images, inability to perform fully autonomous operations with on-site obstacles, and lack of coordination between multiple vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A hardware component architecture with multiple types of sensors and a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) that processes sensor data to enable fully autonomous operations, including positional, location, and track alignment sensors, allowing for autonomous control of earth-moving vehicles to perform tasks despite obstacles and coordinate actions between multiple vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If camera images are processed to enable autonomous operations, then autonomous control capability is improved, but hardware size and cost increase due to bulky processing systems and cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical image processing hardware with sensor-based detection systems that provide direct data about the operating environment. Instead of using bulky camera systems requiring extensive processing power and cooling, the invention uses sensors (proximity, temperature, humidity, gas detection) that directly measure environmental parameters and feed this data to control algorithms, eliminating the need for large imaging hardware and associated cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the type of data being processed from visual images to environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, gas composition, proximity measurements). This parameter change allows the system to use smaller, less expensive sensors and processing units that do not require bulky cooling systems, while still enabling autonomous operation through multi-parameter environmental monitoring and analysis.
2Device complexity
If limited sensor types are used for autonomous operations, then hardware cost is reduced, but ability to handle on-site obstacles and perform fully autonomous operations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional sensor system where each sensor type serves multiple purposes. For example, proximity sensors detect obstacles, monitor material levels, and track equipment positioning. Temperature and humidity sensors monitor both environmental conditions and equipment thermal states. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle diverse on-site challenges including obstacles, material variations, and equipment maintenance needs using a relatively small, cost-effective sensor array.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite sensing system that integrates multiple types of sensors (proximity, temperature, humidity, gas detection) working together as a unified system. This composite approach allows the system to detect and respond to various on-site conditions including obstacles, material properties, environmental factors, and equipment status, providing versatile obstacle handling capability without requiring expensive specialized hardware for each function.
3Productivity
If multiple vehicles operate autonomously on-site, then productivity is improved, but coordination and communication between vehicles becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements inter-vehicle feedback systems where each autonomous vehicle continuously monitors its own environmental sensors and communicates this data to other vehicles and a central coordination system. This feedback loop allows vehicles to share information about obstacles, material locations, and operational status, enabling coordinated actions without requiring complex centralized control. Each vehicle uses the received feedback data to adjust its own operations and avoid conflicts with other vehicles.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are described for implementing autonomous control of powered earth-moving vehicles (e.g., construction and/or mining vehicles), including to automatically determine and control movement around a site. For example, the systems/techniques may determine and implement autonomous operations of earth-moving vehicles by determining current location and positioning of an earth-moving vehicle on the site, determining a command for the earth-moving vehicle, and causing the earth-moving vehicle to perform the command—the autonomous operations may in some situations further include obtaining and integrating data from sensors of multiple types on the earth-moving vehicle, implementing coordinated actions of multiple earth-moving vehicles of one or more types, etc.