Sensor-Guided Canopy Assembly for Obstacle-Aware Work Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The canopy system of work machines, such as milling or paving machines, often interferes with maneuverability due to potential collisions with obstacles like tree branches or power lines, leading to damage, increased downtime, and operator discomfort, as operators must manually lower and raise the canopy, which can hinder operations.
Innovation Solution
A canopy system with a movable canopy assembly and sensor system that automatically adjusts between raised and lowered positions based on detected obstacles, using actuators and sensors to prevent collisions and maintain operator visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the canopy is manually lowered to prevent contact with obstacles, then the canopy damage is prevented, but the machine operator's work is hindered and operator station accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles using sensors before the canopy can collide with them. The controller receives detection signals and proactively adjusts the canopy position in advance, preventing the need for manual intervention that would hinder operator work.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system continuously provides feedback about obstacles to the controller, which automatically adjusts the canopy position based on this feedback. This closed-loop control system prevents canopy damage while maintaining operator station accessibility, as the adjustment is automatic and responsive to real-time conditions.
2Reliability
If the canopy is manually moved between raised and lowered positions, then the canopy protection function is maintained, but machine operations are interfered with and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy system serves itself by automatically detecting obstacles and adjusting its own position without requiring manual operation. The sensor system and controller work together to self-regulate the canopy position, eliminating the need for operators to manually move the canopy and thereby preventing interference with machine operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of moving the canopy is replaced with an automated electro-mechanical system consisting of sensors, controllers, and actuators. This substitution eliminates the need for manual intervention and automatic canopy adjustment, thereby preventing interference with machine operations and improving productivity.
3Illumination intensity
If the canopy is kept in raised position for operator visibility, then the line of sight is maintained, but the canopy may collide with aerial obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs preliminary detection of aerial obstacles before the canopy can collide with them. The controller receives detection signals and proactively lowers the canopy position in advance, preventing collision while minimizing impact on operator visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy position is made dynamic rather than static, automatically adjusting between raised and lowered positions based on real-time obstacle detection. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain operator visibility when safe while preventing collisions when obstacles are present.
Data Source
AI summary
A canopy system for a work machine includes a canopy assembly movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The canopy assembly includes a main canopy panel and a canopy wing, such that the canopy wing is movable relative to the main canopy panel between an extended position and a retracted position. The canopy system also includes a sensor system that generates a detection signal indicative of a presence of an object proximate to the work machine, and a controller communicably. The controller includes a memory and a processor. The processor receives the detection signal from the sensor system, determines a location of the object based on the detection signal, and generates a first control signal to partially move the canopy assembly towards the lowered position and away from the operator station or partially move the canopy wing towards the retracted position.