Excavator Pipe Placement Guidance Using Stereo Vision Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe-laying methods require manual intervention and precision, which can be unsafe and dependent on operator skill, especially when dealing with large and heavy pipes, and lack efficient guidance for precise alignment and placement.
Innovation Solution
A pipe-laying system incorporating a frame, boom assembly, sensors, stereo cameras, and a controller to assess the environment and provide visual feedback for precise alignment and placement of pipes, reducing the need for manual intervention and enhancing operator guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual guidance is used for pipe placement, then operator control is maintained, but precision and safety are compromised due to human error and skill dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors (laser scanners, cameras, GPS) to continuously monitor pipe position and alignment, providing real-time feedback to the operator through a display interface. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise alignment adjustments while maintaining safety through automated monitoring, resolving the contradiction between manual control and precision/safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical guidance with an automated optical and electronic measurement system. Laser scanners, stereo cameras, and GPS receivers substitute for human visual estimation and manual measurement, providing objective, high-precision alignment data that eliminates skill dependency and improves both precision and safety.
2Ease of operation
If workers are present in the trench for guidance, then manual control is maintained, but safety risks increase due to exposed workers and communication delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the pipe-laying equipment to guide itself through automated sensing and positioning systems. The excavator's boom and implement are equipped with sensors that automatically track the desired alignment path and provide guidance signals, eliminating the need for workers to physically position themselves in hazardous trench areas while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system between the equipment operator and the control system. A display interface and control panel serve as intermediaries, transmitting alignment data and control signals without requiring direct human presence in the trench, thus maintaining ease of operation while eliminating worker exposure to safety hazards.
3Productivity
If conventional manual methods are used, then equipment complexity is low, but productivity and precision are limited by operator skill
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into independent functional modules: laser scanners for distance measurement, stereo cameras for visual alignment, GPS receivers for location tracking, and a control system for integration. This modular segmentation allows the complex system to be managed through separate, specialized components that can be independently calibrated and maintained, improving productivity without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional sensors that perform multiple measurement tasks simultaneously. For example, the laser scanner not only measures distance but also helps determine pipe orientation and alignment. This multi-functionality increases productivity by reducing the number of separate devices needed while managing overall system complexity through integrated control.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe-laying system and method includes assessing an environment and placing of a pipe from an excavator to a trench. The system comprises a frame, a boom assembly, and an implement. The boom assembly includes a large boom and a dipper stick. The implement is detachable coupled to the dipper stick and moveable relative to the dipper stick. The system also includes at least one sensor operable to sense a position or a direction of movement of the large boom, dipper stick, or implement. The system also includes a stereo camera to obtain visual data. A controller is adapted to receive the visual data signal, identify an edge of the pipe, receive a signal from the sensor, associate the visual data with corresponding data, create visual feedback and an input signal the position of the boom assembly.