Lift Arm Bucket Automation With Camera Hazard Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles and trailers with lift arms lack safety features and automatic controls, leading to potential hazards and inefficiencies due to manual operation and lack of interference detection.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating sensors, cameras, and computer programming to automate lift arm operations, detect obstacles, and cease operations upon hazard detection, using a software model to ensure safe and precise movement of lift arms and buckets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is used to control lift arms and buckets, then the operator can directly manipulate the equipment, but safety hazards arise due to lack of interference detection and automatic controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated vision-based control system. Cameras capture images of the work area, and a computer program automatically processes these images to detect obstacles and control the lift arms and buckets, eliminating the need for direct manual manipulation while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer program as an intermediary between the operator and the mechanical system. The program receives image data from cameras, processes the information to detect obstacles, and automatically generates control signals for the hydraulic system, serving as a mediating layer that enhances safety while preserving operational intent.
2Reliability
If automatic controls with camera monitoring are implemented, then safety and obstacle detection are improved, but device complexity increases due to addition of sensors, cameras, and computer programming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the computer program perform multiple functions: it processes images from cameras, detects obstacles, determines safe operating parameters, and generates control signals for the hydraulic system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive safety and automation.
3Manufacturing precision
If computer program automatically positions bucket by lifting lift arms, then operational precision is enhanced, but loss of time occurs during automated monitoring and positioning processes
Solution Approach 1:
The computer program continuously monitors the work area in advance using cameras, maintaining an updated understanding of the environment before actual bucket positioning begins. This preliminary monitoring allows the system to quickly make positioning decisions when needed, reducing the time required for automated positioning while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera monitoring and image processing operate continuously throughout operation, not just during critical positioning moments. This continuous useful action maintains real-time awareness of the environment, enabling rapid and precise bucket positioning when required without significant time loss, as the system is already processing visual information continuously.
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
Enhances safety and operational precision by automating lift arm operations, reducing human interaction, and providing real-time hazard detection and response.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic sensors joined to the hydraulic valve
Implementation Method 2
hydraulic valve operative to lifting the lift arms
Data Source
AI summary
A system for automation of a vehicle or trailer with lift arms including a dump bed with lift arms and one or more hydraulic valves operative to lifting the lift arms, hydraulic sensors joined to each hydraulic valve, a bucket on an end of the lift arms, a camera positioned to view a rear of the dump bed, and a computer program product which monitors a surrounding area by the camera, positions the bucket by lifting the lift arms by operation of the hydraulic valve, and ceases positioning of the bucket upon detection of an obstacle or safety hazard.