Field Rover Path Control for Tight-Radius Civil Engineering Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelled civil engineering machines face challenges in accurately navigating small, complex structures with tight radii without incurring high costs and complications in plotting reference points, especially when using guiding wires or satellite-based GPS systems.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with means for presetting geometrical shapes and determining reference point positions independently of the machine's orientation, utilizing a satellite-based or non-satellite positioning system, and a field rover to define and adjust desired curves for precise movement along the desired path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a guiding wire or line is used to control the civil engineering machine, then elongated objects can be produced effectively, but the method is disadvantageous when structures of small dimensions with tight radiuses are to be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical guiding wire system with a satellite-based positioning system (GPS) that uses electromagnetic signals from satellites to determine the machine's position and guide its movement along the desired curve, enabling effective control of both elongated objects and small structures with tight radiuses
2Measurement precision
If a satellite-based GPS system is used to control the civil engineering machine, then positioning can be achieved, but the plotting of positions of various reference points calls for a great deal of technical cost and complication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex ground-based reference point plotting system by using only satellite-based positioning, which determines the machine's position directly from satellite signals without requiring extensive ground reference infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite-based positioning system serves multiple functions: it provides positioning accuracy for both large and small structures, eliminates the need for separate ground reference plotting, and works universally across different construction scenarios without requiring additional specialized equipment
3Reliability
If project data is amended off the site in the office, then discrepancies between plans and actual local facts can be corrected, but this incurs relatively high cost and requires re-reading the amended data on the site
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the machine operator to directly input and adjust project data on-site using the positioning system and control unit, eliminating the need to return to the office for amendments and enabling immediate correction of discrepancies between plans and actual conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A civil engineering machine has a machine control unit configured to determine data which defines the position and/or orientation of a reference point on the civil engineering machine in relation to a reference system independent of the position and orientation of the civil engineering machine. A geometrical shape to be produced on the ground is preset in either a machine control unit or a field rover control unit. The field rover is used to determine a position of at least one identifiable point of the preset geometrical shape in the independent reference system. Curve data defining a desired curve in the independent reference system, corresponding to the preset shape, is determined at least partially on the basis of the position of the at least one identifiable point of the preset geometrical shape in the independent reference system.