Lift Arm Bucket Automation With Obstacle-Triggered Hydraulic Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles and trailers with lift arms lack safety features and automated 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 determine safe paths and positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation of lift arms is used, then the system is simpler and easier to manufacture, but safety is compromised and operational precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system comprising sensors, processors, and actuators. The sensor system detects obstacles and environmental conditions, the processor analyzes data and determines safe paths, and the actuators automatically adjust lift arm position and speed, eliminating reliance on manual operator judgment and reaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that monitor the operational environment, lift arm position, and potential obstacles. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustments to operational parameters, allowing the system to respond dynamically to changing conditions and maintain safety without increasing fundamental system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated control systems are added, then operational precision and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: sensor subsystems for environmental detection, processing units for path calculation and decision-making, and actuator subsystems for precise mechanical control. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If safety parameters and automatic cessation are implemented, then operator and public protection is enhanced, but operational efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating safe operational paths and identifying potential hazards before they become threats. The sensor system continuously scans the environment ahead of the lift arm movement, and the processor pre-determines safe zones and stop points, allowing the system to maintain steady operational pace while ensuring safety through advance preparation rather than reactive stopping.
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 finesse by automating lift arm operations, reducing human interaction, and providing real-time hazard detection and response.
Implementation Method 1
a camera positioned to view a rear of the dump bed... monitors a surrounding area by the camera
Implementation Method 2
hydraulic valve operative to lifting the lift arms
Implementation Method 3
hydraulic sensors joined to the hydraulic valve
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.


