Excavation Tool Positioning With GPS-Laser Distance Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing civil engineering methods face challenges in achieving precise positioning of soil cultivation tools due to deviations caused by bearing play, mast adjustments, and tool modifications, especially when high accuracy is required for coordinated works.

Innovation Solution

A civil engineering device and method that incorporates a measuring device to determine the distance between the GPS unit and the soil cultivation tool, allowing for real-time corrections and high accuracy by using a non-contact fan laser or a combination of GPS and measuring device to ensure precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the GPS unit is positioned at the mast head close to the working area, then the position determination accuracy is improved, but the GPS unit becomes more exposed to environmental factors and maintenance becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidexposure to environmental factors
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the GPS unit from the soil cultivation tool, placing the GPS unit on the carrier device at a protected position while using a measuring device (laser distance meter) to continuously measure the distance between the GPS unit and the tool. This segmentation allows the GPS unit to be positioned safely while maintaining accurate position determination through continuous distance measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the GPS unit is positioned at a protected location away from the working area, then maintenance becomes easier and the unit is less exposed to environmental factors, but the position determination accuracy deteriorates due to deviations from constant distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidposition determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures the actual distance between the GPS unit and the soil cultivation tool using a laser distance meter, and this measured distance is fed back into the position calculation. This feedback mechanism compensates for any variations in distance caused by mast adjustments, bearing play, or tool replacements, maintaining high position determination accuracy regardless of GPS unit location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the assumption of a constant mechanical distance with an optical measurement system (laser distance meter). Instead of relying on fixed mechanical relationships that are subject to wear and adjustment, the system uses non-contact optical measurements to continuously determine the actual distance, eliminating the need for precise mechanical positioning of the GPS unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a fixed distance value is used for position calculation, then the system is simpler to operate, but position accuracy deteriorates due to bearing play, mast adjustments, and tool modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidposition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static, fixed distance value to a dynamic, continuously measured distance. The laser distance meter continuously updates the distance between the GPS unit and the soil cultivation tool, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions such as mast adjustments, bearing play, and tool modifications while maintaining high position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables precise and flexible determination of the soil cultivation tool's position, correcting for deviations and maintaining high accuracy even under changing conditions, with minimal maintenance and exposure to environmental factors.

Implementation Method 1

using a non-contact fan laser or a combination of GPS and measuring device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3296467B2Excavation equipment and method
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 BAUER SPEZIALTIEFBAU GMBH
  • EP3296467B2 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The application relates to a civil engineering machine and a civil engineering method using a civil engineering machine. The machine comprises a carrier device, a soil cultivation tool that works the soil at a working point, and at least one GPS unit, which is arranged on the carrier device and is designed to determine the position of the working point, wherein the GPS unit is positioned at a distance from the soil working point. In addition to the GPS unit, the civil engineering machine includes a measuring device, wherein the measuring device is designed to determine the distance between the GPS unit and the working tool.