Range Finder Pile Height Measurement for Autonomous Pile Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pile driving operations are expensive due to manual labor requirements, limited skilled labor availability, and increased risk of human error, which extends project durations and reduces work quality.
Innovation Solution
Autonomous off-road vehicles (AOVs) perform pile driving operations autonomously, utilizing sensors and control systems to navigate, load, and drive piles according to a pile plan map, ensuring accurate installation and quality control, while generating obstacle maps to optimize navigation and reduce manual labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operators are used to operate heavy equipment vehicles, then the vehicles can be operated with human skill and judgment, but the operation costs increase and project duration extends
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous off-road vehicle performs pile driving operations independently without requiring a manual operator. The system uses onboard sensors, navigation systems, and control algorithms to autonomously navigate to pile locations, position the driving tool, and execute the pile driving task, thereby eliminating the need for human operators while maintaining operational quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical control system requiring human operators with an automated control system consisting of sensors, processors, and actuators. The autonomous vehicle uses computer vision, LIDAR, and GPS for navigation and positioning, substituting manual mechanical operation with automated electronic control systems
2Reliability
If manual operators are required for pile driving, then skilled judgment can be applied to the work, but labor costs and operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle employs multiple sensors including cameras, LIDAR, and GPS to continuously monitor the work environment and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the system to adjust its navigation and pile driving operations in real-time, ensuring high work quality without requiring skilled manual judgment
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital model of the worksite environment using sensors and mapping algorithms. This virtual copy of the terrain and obstacles allows the autonomous vehicle to plan and execute navigation paths without requiring real-time manual decision-making, reducing operational complexity while maintaining quality
3Reliability
If pile driving is performed manually during daytime only, then operators can monitor and control the process, but project duration increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous off-road vehicle can operate continuously without interruption regardless of lighting conditions. The system uses sensors and navigation capabilities that function effectively in low-light or nighttime environments, enabling continuous pile driving operations that extend project completion while maintaining quality control through automated monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual monitoring with electronic sensor systems including cameras, LIDAR, and other detection devices that can operate autonomously in various lighting conditions. This substitution eliminates the day-only work restriction and enables continuous operation while maintaining quality through automated measurement and control
4Productivity
If autonomous vehicles are used for pile driving, then operational costs decrease and productivity increases, but the system complexity and initial investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous off-road vehicle is designed as a multi-functional system that can perform various tasks including navigation, obstacle avoidance, pile positioning, and pile driving. By consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated platform, the system reduces overall complexity compared to having separate specialized machines, while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle system is divided into distinct functional modules: navigation system, sensing system, control system, and pile driving mechanism. This segmentation allows each module to be developed and optimized independently, reducing the complexity of integrating the entire system while maintaining operational efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A range finder of an autonomous quality control system measures a horizontal distance between the range finder and a first pile installed at a first location. The autonomous quality control system iteratively tilts the range finder upwards until the range finder no longer detects the first pile. The autonomous quality control system determines an angle of the range finder relative to horizontal when the range finder no longer detects the first pile. The autonomous quality control system determines a first height of the first pile based on the horizontal distance and the determined angle. A pile driving system installs a second pile at a second height within a threshold height of the first height.