Non-Contact Implement Positioning for Earth-Moving Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position determination systems for earth-moving machines, such as bulldozers and excavators, face issues with component damage from overhanging branches and restricted range of motion due to mast-mounted antennas and wires, and are costly to install directly on machines.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact based measurement system that determines the position of an implement relative to a mobile machine without using mast-mounted antennas, utilizing terrestrial or satellite-based positioning systems and optical recognition to calculate the geographic position and orientation of the implement without measuring the complete linkage geometry, allowing for easier installation as an after-market kit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mast-mounted antennas are used to determine position, then position determination accuracy is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to damage from environmental factors and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the antenna from the vulnerable mast-mounted position and relocates it to the cab of the earth-moving machine. This separation removes the antenna from direct exposure to environmental damage and vibration while preserving its positioning function. The cab-mounted position combined with electronic calculation of implement position maintains measurement accuracy while significantly improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electronic calculation and coordinate transformation as an intermediary between the cab-mounted antenna and the implement position determination. Instead of directly mounting the antenna on the implement, the system uses the antenna's fixed position in the cab combined with electronic computation to derive implement position, thereby protecting the antenna while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If masts are used to support antennas, then position determination is enabled, but the range of motion of the implement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mast structure entirely from the implement and relocates the antenna to the cab. This extraction eliminates the physical constraint that masts imposed on implement motion while preserving the positioning capability through alternative means (cab-mounted antenna with electronic calculation). The implement gains full range of motion without sacrificing position determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mast-support system with an electronic positioning system. Instead of using a physical mechanical structure (mast) to enable positioning, the system uses electronic calculation based on GPS data from a cab-mounted antenna. This substitution eliminates mechanical constraints on implement motion while maintaining positioning functionality.
3Reliability
If antennas are elevated on masts to improve signal reception, then positioning signal reception is improved, but the system becomes more exposed to physical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the antenna from the elevated mast position and places it in the protected environment of the cab. The cab provides natural protection from environmental damage while the antenna maintains adequate signal reception. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing the antenna from harm's way while preserving its positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual representation of the implement position through electronic calculation rather than physically placing the antenna on the implement. The cab-mounted antenna captures satellite signals, and electronic systems calculate implement position based on this data plus knowledge of the antenna's position relative to the implement. This copying approach maintains signal reception quality while protecting the physical antenna.
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 the likelihood of component damage, maintains the range of motion for the implement, and provides accurate geographic and orientation data for the implement, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
antenna 113a receives a GPS signal which is typically used to determine the geographic position of antenna 113a in 3 dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for performing non-contact based determination of the position of an implement. In one embodiment, a non-contact based measurement system is used to determine the relative position of an implement coupled with a mobile machine. The geographic position of the mobile machine is determined and the geographic position of said implement based upon the geographic position of the mobile machine and the position of the implement relative to the mobile machine.