AI Earth-Moving Vehicle Blade Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional earth-moving vehicles (EMVs) face challenges in accurately and efficiently grading surfaces, particularly in maintaining a desired blade depth on slopes and varying terrain, which can lead to inefficiencies and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically controls the blade of an EMV by computing a target depth and using sensors to adjust the blade boom angle and machine pitch, ensuring the blade maintains the desired depth relative to sea level, even on slopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional EMVs operate on slopes and varying terrain, then the vehicle can cover diverse ground conditions, but the blade depth cannot be maintained accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the blade boom angle in real-time based on terrain conditions, slope angle measurements, and blade depth feedback. The control system continuously modifies hydraulic cylinder commands to maintain accurate blade depth control across varying terrain, transforming a static control system into an adaptive dynamic one that resolves the contradiction between precision and terrain adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control by continuously measuring actual blade depth using sensors, comparing it to the target depth, and adjusting the blade position accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables accurate blade depth maintenance on slopes by compensating for gravitational effects and terrain variations, resolving the contradiction between precision control and terrain versatility
2Reliability
If manual operation is used to adjust blade depth on slopes, then the operator can respond to terrain changes, but safety risks and operational errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-control by automatically measuring slope angles, calculating required blade adjustments, and executing position corrections without human intervention. The autonomous control system monitors terrain conditions and adjusts blade depth independently, eliminating operator exposure to safety risks while maintaining reliable control through automated decision-making algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and hydraulic actuators. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to physically adjust blade controls in hazardous conditions, improving safety while the sophisticated control algorithms manage the increased system complexity
3Productivity
If the blade depth is not dynamically adjusted on slopes, then the control system remains simple, but grading accuracy and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the required blade boom angle adjustments based on measured slope angles and target depth requirements before actual blade movement. By pre-computing the necessary corrections for gravitational effects and terrain slope, the system enables rapid responsive action that improves grading productivity without requiring complex real-time iterative control during the actual grading operation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of controlling an earth-moving vehicle (EMV) are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes an EMV having a boom joint, a boom connected at the boom joint, a blade connected to an end of the boom, and a controller communicably coupled to the EMV, the boom and the blade. The controller is configured to move the EMV along a path, compute a target depth for the blade, position the blade to have the target depth, and dynamically adjust the blade to maintain the target depth as the EMV moves along the path.