Automated Traffic Cone Placement via Robot Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual placement and collection of traffic cones and traffic cone lanterns are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and lack accuracy, posing safety risks to workers and increasing operating costs, as they are prone to deviation and exposure to traffic hazards.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a vehicle-mounted first and second robot arm, combined with object recognition sensors (cameras or radar) to automate the placement and collection of traffic cones and traffic cone lanterns, enabling precise positioning and movement based on road traffic marking information, thereby reducing manual labor and exposure to hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual placement and collection of traffic cones is used, then workers can handle the traffic cones directly, but the work is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and exposes workers to safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robot arm system. The robot arm, controlled by a control unit, performs the placement and collection of traffic cones automatically, substituting human labor with a mechanical automation system that reduces time consumption and labor intensity while eliminating safety risks to workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the robot arm autonomously performs traffic cone placement and collection tasks without requiring continuous human intervention. The control unit manages the entire process, allowing the system to serve itself in completing the designated tasks efficiently.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual placement of traffic cones is used, then workers can place cones directly on the road, but the placement accuracy is low leading to deviation from required positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the control unit receives information about the required placement positions and continuously adjusts the robot arm's movements to achieve precise positioning. This closed-loop control ensures that each traffic cone is placed accurately at the designated location, eliminating the deviation problems associated with manual placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated robot arm system replaces manual placement operations, providing consistent and precise positioning of traffic cones. The mechanical system can repeat positioning actions with high accuracy without the variability and deviation inherent in manual operations.
3Reliability
If workers handle heavy traffic cones manually, then cones can be moved and placed, but workers face physical injury risks such as sprain and strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual handling of heavy traffic cones with an automated robot arm system. This substitution eliminates the physical strain on workers that causes sprains and strains, while the robot arm is designed with appropriate mechanical capabilities to handle the weight and dimensions of traffic cones safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm acts as an intermediary between the storage location and the road placement point, transferring traffic cones without requiring direct human handling. This intermediary mechanism protects workers from exposure to both physical injury risks and road traffic hazards.
4Reliability
If workers collect traffic cones from the road manually, then cones can be gathered and returned to storage, but workers are exposed to high traffic fatal risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual collection operations with an automated robot arm system that can safely operate near or on the road. The robot arm collects traffic cones from designated areas and returns them to storage without exposing human workers to traffic hazards, significantly improving worker safety while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm serves as an intermediary that performs the dangerous collection task on or near the road, removing workers from exposure to traffic fatal risks. The control unit coordinates the robot's movements to efficiently gather and return traffic cones without compromising safety.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a traffic cones and traffic cone lanterns placement and collection system and a method. The system comprises: a vehicle body, on which a loading bay and a storage bay are disposed; an on-vehicle first robot arm, which is used for moving a traffic cone of the loading bay and a traffic cone lantern thereon off the vehicle body, or collect them from outside of the vehicle to the loading bay; an on-vehicle second robot arm, which is used for moving a traffic cone and a traffic cone lantern to and from the loading bay for storage management; at least one object recognition sensor, which is used for capturing the information of a road traffic marking and the information of the objects on the road; and a processing unit, which is used for working out the position of the road traffic marking and the position information of the objects on the road, and controlling the robot arms' motion accordingly to move the traffic cone of the loading bay and the traffic cone lantern thereon outside of the vehicle body, or collect them from outside of the vehicle. The disclosure enables both traffic cones and traffic cone lanterns automatic placement work or automatic collection work.