On-Site 3D Terrain Planning for Earth-Moving Machine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction machine automation systems require complex computer systems for generating 3D design files, which are cumbersome and not intuitive for operators, and lack the ability to create designs directly on the construction site for earth-moving operations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a measuring system, context camera, and user interface that allows operators to create 3D designs directly on the construction site by capturing 3D terrain data, displaying context images, and receiving user input to generate 3D coordinates for machine control units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex computer systems are used for generating 3D design files, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical computer systems with optical measurement systems (laser scanners, cameras) that directly capture 3D terrain data and automatically generate design files, eliminating the need for cumbersome manual 3D modeling processes while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system automatically processes raw terrain data to generate 3D design files without requiring operator intervention in the complex computation process, making the system self-sufficient and reducing operational complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If complex computer systems are used for generating 3D design files, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Complex computational 3D modeling is replaced by direct optical scanning and automated point cloud processing, transforming a difficult manual operation into a simple automated measurement process that operators can perform easily
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates accurate digital copies (3D point clouds) of the actual terrain through optical scanning, allowing operators to work with faithful reproductions of the site conditions without needing to manually model everything from scratch
3Measurement precision
If traditional measurement systems are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to create designs on-site
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs terrain measurement and 3D design generation simultaneously during the measurement process itself, eliminating the separate sequential steps of traditional workflows and enabling immediate design creation on-site
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the measurement function and design generation function into a single integrated system, allowing both tasks to occur concurrently and eliminating the time delay between measurement and design creation
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
Enables operators to create intuitive and fast 3D designs for earth-moving operations, which can be used by automation systems to assist in performing these operations, allowing for localization relative to design features.
Implementation Method 1
the distance measurement may be based on the time of flight
Implementation Method 2
emitting a laser measurement beam, e.g. using pulsed electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 3
a device for monitoring a construction machine environment with a ToF camera
Data Source
AI summary
A system for planning an earth-moving operation to be performed by a construction machine having a tool for performing the earth-moving operation and a machine control unit for at least partially controlling the earth-moving operation, the system comprising a measuring system configured for capturing 3D measuring data of an uneven terrain in a surrounding of the construction machine, a context camera having a known position relative to the measuring system and/or the 3D measuring data and being configured for capturing context image data of the terrain, a user interface configured for displaying at least one context image to an operator of the construction machine and for receiving user input from the operator, and a computing unit operatively coupled at least with the measuring system and the user interface.