Autonomous Grader Blade Control for Material Buildup and Ribboning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of earthmoving machines like motor graders face difficulties in controlling the position of the implement, leading to material accumulation at the leading edge and formation of ribbons, which requires reworking and increases fuel consumption and implement wear.
Innovation Solution
A control system with sensors and actuators that detect material accumulation and ribbon formation, enabling autonomous adjustments to align the implement with the work surface, including steering and position adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an operator manually controls the implement position, then the operator can monitor material engagement, but the operator has difficulty controlling implement position while monitoring material displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The control system enables the implement to self-adjust its position autonomously based on sensor feedback about material accumulation and ribbon formation, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention while maintaining grading precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect material accumulation at the leading edge and ribbon formation, then feeds this information back to the controller which automatically adjusts implement position to prevent surface quality degradation
2Ease of operation
If the implement position is not precisely controlled, then operation is simpler, but material accumulates at the leading edge and forms ribbons requiring rework
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous control system performs the complex task of monitoring and adjusting implement position automatically, allowing the operator to focus on higher-level decisions while the system handles precise position control to prevent material accumulation and ribbons
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual operator mechanical control with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors and actuators to precisely manage implement position, eliminating the trade-off between operational simplicity and grading efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If reworking is performed to achieve surface quality, then surface quality improves, but additional machine hours and fuel usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by detecting and correcting material accumulation and ribbon formation as they occur during the grading process, preventing the need for subsequent reworking operations that would consume additional fuel and time
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time sensor feedback enables the system to continuously monitor for conditions that would require rework and automatically adjust implement position to prevent these conditions, eliminating the energy-wasting rework cycle
4Device complexity
If the implement operates without autonomous control, then device complexity is lower, but implement wear increases due to ribbon formation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses sensors to detect ribbon formation and material accumulation, then automatically adjusts implement position to minimize contact stress and prevent excessive wear on the cutting edge, extending implement life
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous control system continuously monitors and adjusts implement operation to optimize performance and minimize wear, allowing the implement to essentially self-regulate its own maintenance needs
Data Source
AI summary
A controller may obtain sensor data collected by one or more sensors of a work machine having a ground-engaging implement positionable at an angle that defines a leading edge and a trailing edge of the ground-engaging implement. The sensor data may relate to material being worked by the work machine using the ground-engaging implement. The controller may detect, based on the sensor data, at least one of an accumulation of the material at the leading edge of the ground-engaging implement or a formation of a ribbon of the material forced from the leading edge of the ground-engaging implement. The controller may cause one or more position adjustments for the ground-engaging implement to resolve the at least one of the accumulation or the formation of the ribbon.