Forward-Looking Sensor for Motor Grader Grade Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor graders face inefficiencies when grading surfaces with irregularities such as gullies, ravines, and ridges, as the blade deviates from the desired grade, leading to suboptimal surface reshaping.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle grade control system that includes image sensors to detect surface irregularities, a processor to determine the necessary blade adjustments, and a control circuitry to adjust the implement's position in real-time to achieve the desired grade target, allowing for precise grading of surfaces with varying angles and elevations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the motor grader uses traditional blade control without forward-looking sensors, then the device complexity is lower, but the manufacturing precision of the graded surface deteriorates when encountering irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The forward-looking sensor detects surface irregularities before the blade reaches them, allowing the control system to anticipate and adjust blade position in advance. This preliminary detection and adjustment maintains grade precision by preventing deviations before they occur, rather than reacting after deviations happen.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor surface conditions and blade position, feeding this information back to the control system. The control system adjusts blade angle and position based on this real-time feedback, maintaining precise grading even on irregular surfaces through closed-loop control.
2Manufacturing precision
If the blade position is adjusted constantly to achieve target slope and angle, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to continuous adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic grade control system performs the constant blade adjustments itself based on sensor data and pre-programmed target parameters, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention. The system self-regulates blade position to maintain grade accuracy, freeing the operator from repetitive adjustment tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical blade adjustment with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to continuously manually adjust the blade, maintaining precision while significantly improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the motor grader encounters surface irregularities like gullies and ridges, then the productivity decreases due to blade deviation, but the adaptability to various surface conditions improves with proper adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The forward-looking sensor detects irregularities such as gullies, ridges, and variations in surface elevation before the blade reaches them. The control system uses this advance warning to adjust blade position and angle proactively, maintaining grading efficiency by preventing deviations before they reduce productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts blade angle, position, and slope in real-time based on detected surface conditions. The control system adapts blade parameters on-the-fly to match varying terrain conditions, maintaining both high productivity and adaptability to diverse surface geometries.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle grade control system and method of controlling an implement position of a motor grader moving along a path of a surface. The motor grader includes a frame supported by wheels and an implement adjustably coupled to the frame. The control system includes a processor and a memory configured to receive a grade target to grade the surface to a desired grade with the implement based on the grade target. Surface irregularities of the surface in a path of the motor grader are located. An angle of the frame is determined based on the located surface irregularities and a difference between the identified angle of the frame and the grade target is determined. A position of the implement with respect to the frame based on the determined difference is identified and the surface is graded with the identified position of the implement.