Excavator Grade Management With Real-Time Dig Depth Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction vehicles lack effective systems for precisely controlling the depth of digging operations, leading to potential over digging and inefficiencies in material removal and excavation processes.
Innovation Solution
A grade management system equipped with an arm assembly, implement position sensors, and a control system that detects the implement's position relative to the vehicle, allowing for real-time monitoring and adjustment to achieve a targeted digging depth, thereby preventing over digging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional digging operations are performed without a grade management system, then the operation process is simple, but the digging depth precision is poor leading to over digging
Solution Approach 1:
The grade management system continuously monitors the implement position using sensors and provides real-time feedback to the operator through the display. The system compares actual digging depth with the planned depth profile and alerts the operator when the implement approaches the target depth, enabling precise depth control without requiring complex automated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual depth measurement and estimation with electronic sensing and digital display systems. Implement position sensors electronically track the implement location, and the control system processes this data to provide depth information on a display, substituting mechanical measurement methods with electronic alternatives to improve precision.
2Productivity
If manual monitoring of digging depth is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the material removal efficiency is low due to inability to detect target depth accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual depth assessment with electronic sensors and digital processing. The implement position sensors continuously track the implement location, and the control system calculates depth based on this data, providing accurate real-time depth information that enables efficient material removal while maintaining high depth detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The grade management system acts as an intermediary between the implement and the operator. The sensors detect implement position, the control system processes this information, and the display presents processed depth data to the operator, enabling accurate depth detection without requiring the operator to directly measure or estimate depth.
3Productivity
If over digging occurs during excavation, then the digging operation can be completed quickly, but subsequent remediation work is required increasing total time
Solution Approach 1:
The grade management system takes preliminary action to prevent over digging by continuously monitoring implement position and alerting the operator before the implement exceeds the target depth. The system proactively provides depth information and warnings, enabling the operator to stop digging at the correct depth and avoid the need for remediation work.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback on digging depth through the display, allowing the operator to maintain excavation speed while avoiding over digging. The real-time depth information enables the operator to work efficiently without repeatedly stopping to check depth, thereby preventing both time loss from remediation and unnecessary reductions in excavation speed.
4Manufacturing precision
If real-time implement position monitoring is implemented, then digging depth control is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements practical feedback through relatively simple implement position sensors and a display interface. Rather than complex closed-loop control systems, the patent uses sensors to detect implement position and provides this information to the operator, achieving good depth control precision with moderate system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grade management system uses the vehicle's existing hydraulic control system to actuate the implement based on operator input and sensor feedback. The system leverages available vehicle resources rather than requiring completely independent control mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining depth control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A grade management system configured to control a depth of a dig includes a vehicle including an arm assembly coupled to an implement, the implement configured to dig into a surface, and an implement position sensor coupled to the arm assembly, the implement position sensor configured to detect a position of the implement relative to the vehicle, wherein in response to digging into the surface with the implement, detecting the position of the implement relative to the vehicle and determining whether any portion of the implement reaches a targeted depth into the surface.