Construction Equipment Heading via Total Station Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS-based systems for determining 3D position and heading of construction equipment, especially smaller machines like mini-excavators, are cost-prohibitive and lack accuracy due to the short distance between GPS antennas, and may not function indoors or when the equipment can pivot, leading to inaccurate heading information.
Innovation Solution
A system combining a laser or infrared light source with a robotic total station and orientation devices featuring cameras and image sensors, which provide accurate heading information by measuring the offset between a stator and rotor, allowing for precise determination of the machine's orientation and position using a laser beam or total station, even in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two GPS receivers are used to provide accurate 3D position and orientation information, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a single GPS receiver with a total station system to achieve accurate 3D positioning and orientation. The total station provides precise angular measurements while the GPS provides position data, merging these two systems to replace the need for two separate GPS receivers. This integration maintains positioning accuracy while significantly reducing system cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The total station system serves multiple functions: it provides both positioning information (through integrated GPS) and orientation information (through angular measurements). This multi-functional approach replaces the dedicated dual-GPS receiver setup, allowing a single system to perform what previously required two separate receivers.
2Ease of operation
If GPS-based systems are used on smaller equipment with short antenna distances, then system portability is improved, but positioning accuracy degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an asymmetric measurement approach where the total station is positioned at a fixed location away from the moving equipment. This creates an asymmetric geometry where the total station serves as a stable reference point, allowing accurate measurements even when the equipment is small and the GPS antenna spacing is limited. The fixed total station position compensates for the short baseline distance.
3Device complexity
If GPS solutions are used to determine heading of pivoting machinery, then system simplicity is improved, but heading accuracy deteriorates when the machine pivots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a total station as an intermediary reference system between the GPS receiver and the heading measurement. Instead of relying solely on GPS position changes to infer heading (which fails during pivoting), the total station provides direct angular measurements that accurately capture the equipment's orientation regardless of whether it is moving or pivoting in place.
4Adaptability or versatility
If standard GPS systems are used indoors or in confined spaces, then system versatility is improved, but signal availability and accuracy worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with a ground-based total station system that uses optical/mechanical measurement methods. The total station emits and detects signals locally, eliminating dependence on satellite signals that cannot penetrate buildings or work in confined spaces. This substitution enables operation indoors while maintaining measurement precision.
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 system offers a cost-effective and accurate method for determining 3D position and heading of construction equipment, improving operational precision and usability, especially for smaller machines, by using a laser or infrared light source with orientation devices to calculate the machine's orientation and position with high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A system combining a laser or infrared light source with a robotic total station and orientation devices featuring cameras and image sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for determining orientation and three-dimensional position of construction equipment are presented. An orientation device is mounted to a machine. The orientation device has an image sensor. The orientation device measures an offset between a direction of the orientation device and a reference at a known location. The heading of the machine is calculated based on the offset and the known location of the reference.