Excavator-UAV Proximity Control for Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The possibility of contact between a work machine, such as a crawler excavator, and an unmanned aircraft increases when the excavator is operated without consideration for the aircraft's position, leading to potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a work machine control unit with a contact possibility recognition element and a contact avoidance operation control element that recognizes the relative position of the unmanned aircraft and adjusts its flight mode to avoid collisions by transmitting signals to the aircraft to maintain a safe distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the excavator operates without considering the flying body position, then the excavator can work efficiently and continuously, but the possibility of contact with the unmanned aircraft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the unmanned aircraft's position and trajectory before collision occurs. The detection unit continuously monitors the flying body's location, and the control unit pre-calculates potential collision risks, allowing the excavator to take preventive action before the actual threat materializes, thus maintaining both productivity and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a closed-loop feedback mechanism where the detection unit provides real-time position information about the unmanned aircraft to the control unit, which then adjusts the excavator's operations accordingly. This continuous feedback allows the excavator to dynamically adapt its work pattern to avoid contact while minimizing interruptions to productivity
2Reliability
If the excavator stops or changes operation frequently to avoid contact, then collision risk decreases, but work efficiency and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the excavator's operation based on the real-time position and movement trajectory of the unmanned aircraft. Rather than using fixed stop-and-go patterns, the system continuously adapts the excavator's movements, allowing for smooth, continuous operation that avoids collision while maintaining work flow and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as excavator arm position, bucket position, and movement speed based on the detected aircraft location. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the excavator can navigate around the unmanned aircraft without complete stops, thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring collision avoidance
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a work machine and the like that can reduce the possibility of contact with an unmanned aircraft flying around. The degree of possibility of contact between a working mechanism (140) and an unmanned aircraft (40) is recognized on the basis of the relative position of the unmanned aircraft (40) with reference to the working mechanism (140). If it is recognized that the contact possibility is high, then a specified signal is transmitted to the unmanned aircraft (40), and the flight mode of the unmanned aircraft (40) is controlled such that the unmanned aircraft (40) moves away from the working mechanism (140).