Remotely-Operable Reciprocating Compactor with Reaction Wheels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Percussion soil compactors pose safety risks due to the transmission of vibrations to operators, which can lead to long-term health hazards, and existing solutions do not fully address the need for remote operation to eliminate these risks.

Innovation Solution

A remotely-operable percussion compactor system utilizing a primary power source, electric motors, reaction wheels, an inertial measurement unit, and a remote control interface to regulate the compactor's attitude and facilitate lateral movement without manual direction, thereby reducing operator exposure to vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation of percussion compactor is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but operator safety deteriorates due to vibration exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operationVSAvoidvibration exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A remote control system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the compactor. The operator uses a remote control device to send commands wirelessly to the compactor, which executes the compacting operation without the operator being physically present at the work site. This eliminates direct exposure to vibrations while maintaining operational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical operation system is replaced with an automated system controlled by remote signals. The compactor's electric motor receives control commands from the remote control device, substituting the operator's manual mechanical control with an automated electromechanical system that can be operated from a distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If remote operation system is implemented, then operator safety improves by reducing vibration exposure, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration exposureVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control system is designed to provide multiple functions through a single integrated device. The remote control can execute various commands including start/stop operations, speed control, and mode selection, making it a multi-functional control interface that simplifies the overall system architecture despite adding remote operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The compactor system includes self-diagnostic and self-regulating capabilities that reduce the need for complex external monitoring and control systems. The automated motor control system can regulate its own operation based on input commands, reducing the complexity of additional control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated motor control is used, then productivity improves, but loss of information about operational status increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation speedVSAvoidoperational status feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the compactor's operational status is continuously monitored and communicated back to the remote control device. This allows the operator to receive real-time information about the compactor's running state, speed, and operational conditions, ensuring that automated high-speed operation does not result in loss of operational awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The system improves operator safety and stability on uneven terrain while maintaining performance comparable to manually-operated percussion compactors, enabling remote control of the compactor's movement and reducing vibration exposure.

Implementation Method 1

A remotely-operable percussion compactor system utilizing a primary power source, electric motors, reaction wheels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConservation of angular momentum: Angular Momentum Conservation

Implementation Method 2

an inertial measurement unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial measurement: Inertia

Data Source

PatentUS9580879B1Remotely-operable reciprocating compactor

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 WILLIAMS JASON A

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a remotely-operable percussion compactor comprising: a primary power source; a plurality of electric motors coupled to the primary power source and attached to the compactor body; a plurality of reaction wheels coupled to respective electric motors; an inertial measurement unit (IMU); a remote control interface; and a controller configured to: receive one or more commands from the remote-control interface and a feedback signal from the IMU, and set a desired operating condition for at least one of the electric motors based on at least one of the feedback signal and the one or more commands. In some embodiments, the controller can be configured to determine an angular disturbance relative to at least one rotational axis of the compactor; and set the desired operating condition for one or more electric motors to generate a reactive force to at least partially counteract the angular disturbance.