Excavation Material Tagging System with Map Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current material tagging systems lack the ability to accurately verify the identity of materials being excavated and moved, leading to potential errors in excavation and supply, which can result in inefficiencies and quality issues in mining and construction projects.
Innovation Solution
A material tagging system for excavation machines equipped with a locating device, communication device, operator input device, and sensors, which compares the identified material with an electronic map to generate an error flag and set up avoidance zones when discrepancies are found, ensuring accurate tracking and management of materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If material tagging is performed using conventional systems without verification, then the excavation process can proceed quickly, but errors in material identification occur leading to incorrect excavation and supply
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by comparing the identified material type with the expected material type from the electronic map and generating an error flag when discrepancies are detected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to self-correct and verify material identification accuracy without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by checking material identity against the electronic map before excavation proceeds. By establishing expectation criteria in advance and comparing actual material against these criteria, the system prevents errors rather than correcting them after occurrence.
2Measurement precision
If verification processes are added to check material identity, then material identification accuracy improves, but the time required for excavation and tracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial verification by checking only the critical aspect of material identity (material type classification) rather than performing exhaustive verification of all material properties. This selective verification approach provides sufficient accuracy for excavation decisions while minimizing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual material verification processes with automated electronic verification using sensors, locating devices, and computer-based comparison against electronic maps. This substitution reduces the time required for verification while maintaining or improving accuracy.
3Reliability
If manual monitoring of material tagging is performed, then system complexity remains low, but errors in material tracking and excavation cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification by automatically comparing material identification data with expected values from the electronic map and generating error flags without requiring external manual intervention. This self-service capability provides reliable error detection while maintaining reasonable automation levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary verification layer that acts as a mediator between material identification and excavation execution. The error flagging mechanism serves as an intermediary signal that alerts operators to potential errors without completely halting the automated process.
Data Source
AI summary
A material tagging system is disclosed for use with an excavation machine. The material tagging system may have a locating device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a location of the excavation machine at a worksite, and a communication device. The material tagging system may also have at least one of an operator input device and a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of an identity of material in a work tool, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive an electronic map of the worksite predicting locations of different types of material, and to make a comparison of the identity of the material with a type of material predicted to be at a location where the excavation machine was located when the material was loaded. The controller may further be configured to selectively generate and communicate an error flag based on the comparison.