Non-Circular Geofence for Paving Machine Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning systems for paving machines, which use circular geofences, are limited in detecting multiple supply machines in the loading queue, leading to inaccurate tracking of wait times and potential premature curing of paving material, due to their shape and size constraints.
Innovation Solution
A non-circular geofence system that is oriented and positioned based on the heading and travel speed of the paving machine, allowing for more accurate detection of supply machines in the loading queue by aligning with the anticipated direction of the work path and travel speed, thereby enhancing the management of the paving operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If circular geofences are used to track supply machines, then the positioning system can detect supply machine locations, but the system can only identify a limited number of supply machines in the loading queue due to the shape and size constraints of circular geofences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional circular geofence into a non-circular geofence that is asymmetrically shaped to match the specific geometry of the loading queue area. This asymmetric shape allows the geofence to cover the elongated loading queue region more effectively, enabling simultaneous detection of multiple supply machines positioned in sequence along the queue, thereby resolving the limitation of identifying only one or two machines with circular geofences
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a geofence with varying dimensions and shape characteristics tailored to specific zones within the loading queue area. The non-circular geofence has different radial distances and angular coverage in different directions, optimizing the detection capability for multiple supply machines at different positions within the queue while conserving computational resources by not over-covering unnecessary areas
2Reliability
If the rate of delivery of paving material is too slow, then supply machines can avoid premature curing, but the paving machine may run out of paving material and be forced to halt the paving operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the positioning system continuously monitors the locations of supply machines in the loading queue and provides real-time information about the number and position of available supply machines. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of the paving machine's operation rate and supply machine dispatch timing, ensuring that paving material delivery is coordinated to maintain continuous operation without causing supply machines to wait excessively long periods that would result in premature curing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the positioning system to identify and track supply machines as they approach the loading queue area before they actually load material. This advance detection allows operators to prepare for upcoming material deliveries, coordinate the timing of multiple supply machines, and adjust paving operation parameters in advance to ensure continuous operation while preventing premature curing of material in transit
3Productivity
If the rate of delivery is too fast, then the paving machine can maintain continuous operation, but supply machines spend more time in the loading queue causing fresh paving material to cool and prematurely cure
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system provides feedback on the number of supply machines currently in the loading queue and their wait times. This information enables dynamic control of the delivery rate, allowing the system to slow down material delivery when multiple supply machines are queued (preventing premature curing) and speed up delivery when the queue is short (maintaining productivity), thus balancing continuous operation with temperature preservation
4Measurement precision
If a larger circular geofence is used to identify more supply machines, then more events can be detected, but the information provided is less granular, less accurate, and requires additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular geofence maintains high detection precision by using an asymmetric shape that conforms to the actual loading queue geometry. This shape allows the geofence to closely bound the queue area, enabling accurate detection of multiple supply machines at different positions without requiring an excessively large geofence perimeter, thus preserving information granularity while detecting more machines
Data Source
AI summary
A paving machine including a frame, a hopper assembly, and a control unit is disclosed. The control unit may be configured to determine a location of the paving machine, determine a heading and a travel speed of the paving machine, and generate a non-circular geofence corresponding to the paving machine. The non-circular geofence may have an anchor point that is disposed at the location of the paving machine, and may be positioned and oriented based on the heading and the travel speed of the paving machine. The control unit may be configured to determine a location of a supply machine relative to the paving machine, and determine a state of the supply machine based on a comparison between the location of the supply machine and the non-circular geofence. The control unit may be configured to cause an action to be performed based on the state of the supply machine.