Ground Surface Plausibility Check Using Sensor Pair Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated systems for construction machines face errors due to discrepancies between the actual ground surface and the initial survey data, caused by erroneous measurements, surface modifications, debris accumulation, incorrect sensor placement, or sensor malfunctions, leading to inaccurate guidance during automated work.

Innovation Solution

A construction machine equipped with multiple distance sensors and a controller that confirms the current ground surface alignment with a digital model by comparing the actual orientation of sensor pairs to their expected orientation, allowing for real-time adjustments and updates to ensure accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated systems use initial survey data to guide construction machines, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to discrepancies between actual ground surface and survey data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated construction operation speedVSAvoidground surface alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary plausibility checks by comparing sensor measurements with digital model expectations before construction operations begin. This advance verification identifies and corrects potential discrepancies between actual ground surface and survey data, ensuring measurement precision is maintained while enabling automated operations to proceed with confidence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors ground surface conditions using distance sensors and compares actual measurements against expected values from the digital model. When discrepancies are detected, the system provides feedback to operators or automatically adjusts operations, maintaining measurement precision throughout the construction process while preserving productivity benefits of automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to verify ground surface alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground surface alignment accuracyVSAvoidsensor system configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distance sensors on the construction machine serve multiple functions: they measure ground surface elevation for construction guidance, verify alignment with digital models, and detect discrepancies between actual and expected terrain. This multi-functionality improves measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware performs multiple verification tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12542014B2Plausibility check

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 WIRTGEN GMBH

AI summary

A system is provided for determining the plausibility that a current ground surface on which a construction machine is located conforms to a prior survey of that ground surface. A controller is provided with a digital model defined within a reference system external to the construction machine. The controller determines a current relative orientation and an expected relative orientation, of at least one sensor pair of a plurality of distance sensors, relative to each other and relative to a reference plane defined in the digital model. The controller compares those orientations to confirm whether the current relative orientation conforms to the expected relative orientation.