GNSS Survey Pole for Construction Vehicle Edge Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for tracking the position of a working edge on construction vehicle implements, such as buckets or blades, are complex, costly, and require multiple sensors, which can lead to hardware duplication and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified system using a survey pole with a GNSS receiver that provides tilt compensation, coupled to a rigid member of the construction vehicle, allows for the tracking of a working edge by determining the position, tilt, and heading of the GNSS unit, and using an angle sensor to provide rotation information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple GNSS units and angle sensors are used to track the position of the working edge, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (position tracking, tilt measurement, heading determination) into a single integrated GNSS receiver with IMU. This single unit performs what previously required multiple separate sensors, reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision through internal sensor fusion algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The GNSS receiver is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: determining position coordinates, measuring tilt angles, and calculating heading. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement type, directly addressing the contradiction between precision and complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed on the construction vehicle, then measurement precision is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging position sensing, tilt measurement, and heading determination into one integrated GNSS receiver unit, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, installed, and calibrated. This consolidation directly reduces hardware costs while preserving measurement precision through the unit's multi-functional capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The single GNSS receiver performs multiple measurement functions that would traditionally require separate expensive sensors, making the system more cost-effective while maintaining the precision needed for accurate working edge tracking
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of repair worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of separate sensor components from multiple to one integrated GNSS receiver unit. This consolidation means fewer components can fail, less diagnostic troubleshooting is needed, and maintenance personnel need to service only one unit rather than multiple separate sensors, directly improving ease of repair while maintaining precision
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
This solution reduces hardware requirements, improves accuracy, and lowers costs by using a single GNSS unit and a single angle sensor, while maintaining effective tracking of the working edge across the full range of motion.
Implementation Method 1
a GNSS unit coupled to the survey pole, the survey pole arranged relative to the stick so that the GNSS unit remains free from contact with any part of the excavator, the bucket, or the stick during a full range of motion of the stick, the GNSS unit including an antenna arranged in a known spatial relationship with the pivot point between the stick of the excavator and the bucket, the GNSS unit configured to determine a position of the antenna and a tilt and a heading of the GNSS unit
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system for tracking a position of a working edge on an implement of a construction vehicle includes a GNSS with an antenna. The GNSS unit is configured to determine a position of the antenna and a tilt and a heading of the GNSS unit. A mount is configured to couple the GNSS unit to a rigid member of the construction vehicle. The mount is configured to couple the GNSS unit to the rigid member so that the antenna is arranged in a known spatial relationship with a pivot point between the rigid member and the implement. A mobile controller is configured for wireless communications with the GNSS unit and an angle sensor that is configured to determine rotation of the implement. The mobile controller is configured to receive the position of the antenna, the tilt, and the heading from the GNSS unit, to receive the rotation of the implement from the angle sensor, and to determine coordinates of the working edge of the implement in a real world coordinate frame.