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

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If automated control systems are added, then operational precision and safety are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehazard protectionVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

hydraulic valve operative to lifting the lift arms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

hydraulic sensors joined to the hydraulic valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure sensing: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS12479657B2System and device for automation and safety for a vehicle or trailer with lift arms
Publication Date: 2025.11.25 PISHOCK JR CHARLES THOMAS
  • US12479657B2 patent drawing
  • US12479657B2 patent drawing
  • US12479657B2 patent drawing

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.