Robotic Soil Sampling Assembly with Auger and Container Handler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil sampling technologies lack a comprehensive solution for rapidly obtaining soil samples from multiple sites, especially from hard soils, and do not incorporate a robotic manager and handler for efficient container positioning and sample collection.
Innovation Solution
A soil sampling assembly featuring a rolling chassis with a computer and an auger-based drill assembly, along with a robotic manager and handler, which positions containers in axial alignment with the auger and along its axis, enabling efficient soil sample collection and deposition in containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual soil sampling methods are used, then equipment complexity is low, but labor intensity is high and sampling efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs soil sampling autonomously without human intervention. The robotic manager navigates to sampling sites, the drill assembly penetrates the soil, and the robotic handler collects samples automatically, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating manual labor while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated robotic system. The robotic manager and handler use sensors, motors, and control systems to perform sampling tasks that would otherwise require human operators, substituting simple manual tools with a complex but efficient automated mechanical system
2Productivity
If hydraulic sampling apparatuses are used, then sampling speed is improved, but adaptability to hard soils is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on soil conditions. The drill assembly adjusts its penetration force, rotation speed, and depth according to the hardness of the soil, allowing it to maintain high sampling speed while adapting effectively to hard soils that would challenge hydraulic sampling methods
3Manufacturing precision
If automated container positioning is implemented, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic handler acts as an intermediary between the sampling operation and container storage. It uses sensors and controlled movement mechanisms to precisely position containers in axial alignment with the auger and along the defined axis, achieving high positioning precision through automated coordination of multiple subsystems
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
This solution significantly reduces labor and enhances the efficiency of soil sampling from hard soils by automating the process of positioning containers and collecting samples, allowing for rapid and precise soil sampling across multiple sites.
Implementation Method 1
the drill motor and a drill actuator selectively rotate and drill the auger, respectively, into the ground
Implementation Method 2
The robotic manager selectively positions a respective container in axial alignment with the auger
Implementation Method 3
the robotic handler is positioned to selectively grip the respective container and to selectively position the respective container along an axis that is defined by the auger
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic soil sampling assembly for rapidly obtaining a soil sample from each of multiple sites includes a rolling chassis, to which a sampling apparatus and a computer are attached. The sampling apparatus comprises an auger, a plurality of containers, a robotic manager, and a robotic handler. The robotic manager selectively positions a respective container in axial alignment with the auger, whereupon it is selectively gripped by the robotic handler and selectively positioned along an axis that is defined by the auger. A drill motor and a drill actuator selectively rotate and drill the auger, respectively, into ground upon which the rolling chassis is positioned. The computer is programmed to selectively actuate a pair of chassis motors to sequentially position the rolling chassis at sampling sites and to selectively actuate the sampling apparatus for obtaining a soil sample, which is deposited into an associated container.