Object Detection System for Rotating Work Vehicle Swing Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of rotating work vehicles, such as excavators and skid steer loaders, face limited visibility of their surroundings, particularly objects within the swing radius of the machine frame and work implement, which can lead to concealed objects being undetected, increasing the risk of collisions.
Innovation Solution
An object detection system is integrated with the work vehicle, utilizing sensors like ultrasonic sensors to detect objects within the swing radius and a controller to generate alerts and control signals, ensuring the operator is informed and the vehicle's movement is adjusted to prevent collisions, with visual and audible alerts provided on a display unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operator relies on direct visual observation from the cab, then the system is simple and requires no additional equipment, but objects within the swing radius cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary devices that detect objects within the swing radius and transmit this information to the controller, which then provides alerts to the operator. This intermediary detection system enables reliable object detection without requiring the operator to have direct visual contact with all potential hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical/visual observation system with an electronic detection and alert system. Sensors substitute for human visual observation, and electronic alerts substitute for direct line-of-sight monitoring, enabling detection of objects that would otherwise be invisible to the operator.
2Loss of information
If cameras are mounted to provide a bird's eye view and displayed on a monitor, then the operator can see around the vehicle, but the system is only functional when the operator is actually looking at the monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where sensors continuously monitor the environment and provide immediate alerts to the operator only when objects are detected within the swing radius. This selective feedback mechanism informs the operator about concealed objects without requiring constant monitor attention, reducing operational workload while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the operator to continuously monitor all possible hazards, the system performs partial monitoring by only alerting the operator when actual objects are detected within the danger zone. This partial action approach provides sufficient information about concealed objects without demanding constant operator attention.
3Reliability
If the operator manually monitors the environment continuously, then object detection may be improved, but the operator's attention is diverted from primary operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service monitoring system where sensors automatically detect objects and the controller autonomously generates alerts without requiring continuous operator intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring the environment and informing the operator only when necessary, maintaining operational awareness while preserving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated feedback system provides operational awareness by continuously monitoring the environment and alerting the operator only when objects are detected. This eliminates the need for manual continuous monitoring, allowing the operator to focus on primary operations while the system handles environmental surveillance autonomously.
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 operational awareness by alerting operators to concealed objects and automatically preventing collisions, improving safety and operational efficiency by ensuring the vehicle does not move into areas with detected objects within its swing radius.
Implementation Method 1
one or more of the plurality of object sensors may comprise ultrasonic sensors configured to generate object signals corresponding to a distance between a detected object and the respective sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A self-propelled work vehicle is provided with systems and methods for communicating the presence of nearby objects to an operator. A horizontally rotatable machine frame supports a work implement which is further vertically rotatable. Various object sensors are each configured to generate object signals representative of detected objects in respective fields of vision. A controller determines a working area for the work vehicle, corresponding at least to a swing radius of the machine frame and optionally further to a swing radius of the work implement at a given orientation and/or angle of rotation. The controller determines positions of each detected object relative to the machine frame based on the object signals and known positions of the respective object sensors, and generates output signals based on the determined object positions with respect to the working area. The output signals may facilitate vehicle interventions, and/or visual alerts corresponding to bird's eye displays.