Rotating GPR Excavator Implement for Cable-Free Utility Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems integrated with excavator buckets face challenges in maximizing bucket excavation volume due to the volume occupied by hardware, necessitating cabling that complicates quick coupler functionality and increases time to switch between implements.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight radar implement attached to the excavator arm via a quick coupler, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without cables, using a rotating mechanism to collect ground-penetrating radar data and determine the direction of line targets, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing metal construction to avoid radar performance compromise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radar hardware is integrated into the excavator bucket, then radar functionality is achieved, but the bucket excavation volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system is separated from the excavator bucket into a distinct implement. The bucket and radar implement are independent components that can be attached or detached separately, allowing the bucket to maintain its full excavation volume while the radar functionality resides in the separate implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar hardware is extracted from the bucket structure and placed in a separate implement that attaches to the excavator arm. This extraction eliminates the volume conflict between radar components and excavation space while maintaining radar operational capability.
2Reliability
If cabling is used to connect the radar bucket to the machine, then power and data transmission are enabled, but manual coupling is required which increases switching time
Solution Approach 1:
The cabling and electrical connection requirements are extracted from the implement design. The radar implement uses wireless power and data transmission, eliminating physical cables and enabling quick coupling/decoupling without manual connection tasks, thus reducing switching time between implements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical cabling system is replaced with wireless electromagnetic transmission for power and data. This substitution eliminates the need for physical connectors and cables, allowing rapid implement changes without manual coupling operations.
3Strength
If metal construction is used for the radar implement, then structural strength is achieved, but radar performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The radar implement uses composite materials that combine non-conductive structural components with necessary mechanical strength. These composite materials provide the required structural integrity while maintaining radar signal transmission capability, avoiding the performance degradation associated with solid metal construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The implement structure uses localized non-conductive materials in areas where radar signals pass through, while other areas may use different materials optimized for their specific functions. This local quality approach ensures radar performance is maintained in critical signal paths while providing adequate structural strength overall.
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
Enables quick and safe switching between excavation and radar modes, reducing uncertainty in digging operations by providing real-time subsurface data without compromising radar performance or increasing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
having a ground penetrating radar at a lower surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method for an implement for use with an excavator includes having a radar implement rotatably connected to an arm of the excavator, the radar implement having a ground penetrating radar at a lower surface thereof, rotating the radar implement to a first angle, the arm radially moving the radar implement while maintaining the first angle, collecting output of the ground penetrating radar during the moving, rotating the radar implement to a second angle generally orthogonal to the first angle, the arm radially moving the radar implement while maintaining the second angle, and collecting output of the ground penetrating radar during the second moving.