Grade Control System Spillage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In earth grading operations, excess spillage and inefficiencies such as dig-ins occur due to deep or long cuts, leading to reduced efficiency and the need for additional grading passes to achieve a proper flat grade.
Innovation Solution
A mobile work machine equipped with sensors and a grade control system that detects operation characteristics, calculates spillage metrics, and generates actuator control signals to minimize spillage and optimize grading efficiency by adjusting blade depth, angle, and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the work machine takes deeper or longer cuts to grade the worksite quickly, then the grading speed is improved, but excess spillage occurs leading to reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors to detect operation characteristics and generates feedback signals to the control system. The control system processes this feedback and adjusts the movable grading element in real-time to optimize cutting depth and prevent excess spillage, resolving the contradiction between grading speed and material spillage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically changes operational parameters such as cutting depth, blade angle, and grading element position based on real-time sensor data and calculated spillage metrics. This allows the system to maintain high productivity while adapting parameters to prevent spillage under varying operating conditions.
2Productivity
If the work machine takes deeper or longer cuts, then the grading operation is completed faster, but additional grading passes are required to achieve proper flat grade
Solution Approach 1:
Real-time sensor feedback enables the control system to monitor grading quality and adjust parameters during operation. This ensures that each pass achieves the proper flat grade, eliminating the need for additional corrective passes and actually improving overall productivity by reducing total operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary adjustments to cutting parameters before spillage or grading deficiencies occur. By proactively optimizing cut depth and angle based on predictive algorithms and real-time data, the system prevents the need for re-grading passes.
3Device complexity
If the work machine operates without automated control, then the device complexity is reduced, but grading precision and spillage control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The grading system performs self-adjustment through automated control. The sensor and control system work together to autonomously optimize grading parameters and maintain precision without requiring constant manual intervention, achieving high grading precision while keeping the control architecture relatively simple through self-regulating mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile work machine includes a frame and a ground engaging element movably supported by the frame and driven by an engine to drive movement of the mobile work machine. The mobile work machine includes a movable element movably supported by the frame to move relative to the frame and an actuator coupled to the movable element to controllably drive movement of the movable element. The mobile work machine includes a sensor that detects an operation characteristic and generates a sensor signal, indicative of the operation characteristic and a grade control system that receives the sensor signal from the sensor and determines a spillage metric, based on the sensor signal. The mobile work machine also includes a control system that generates an actuator control signal based on the spillage metric. The control signal is indicative of a commanded movement of the actuator. The control system controls the actuator to perform the commanded movement.