Trench Compactor Autonomous Control Using Side Wall Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soil compaction machines face challenges in efficiently operating within confined spaces like trenches, particularly when compaction requires long-distance movement, as operators must manually control the machines from outside to avoid collisions and exhaust gas accumulation, leading to operator fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling self-propelled soil compaction machines that includes an autonomy mode where the machine can operate independently, using a control unit to generate driving instructions based on side wall detection, allowing it to move within trenches without manual input, and a compensation function to handle temporary side wall interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operator manually controls the soil compaction machine from outside the trench, then safety is improved by avoiding collisions and exhaust gas accumulation, but operator fatigue increases due to long-distance movement and continuous manual control
Solution Approach 1:
The soil compaction machine operates autonomously by detecting sidewalls and automatically controlling its own movement, eliminating the need for continuous manual operation. The machine serves itself by using its own sensors and control systems to navigate the trench environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical control system is replaced with an automated sensor-based control system. Optical or laser sensors detect sidewalls and trigger automatic drive mechanisms, substituting human mechanical input with electronic sensing and automated actuation.
2Productivity
If the machine operates autonomously in trenches, then productivity is improved by continuous operation without operator fatigue, but device complexity increases due to side wall detection and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system serves multiple functions: it detects sidewalls for navigation, determines machine position, and can identify trench conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized sensors and control algorithms for each task.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously receives feedback from sidewall detection sensors and automatically adjusts machine movement accordingly. This closed-loop control enables autonomous operation by constantly monitoring the environment and responding to changes in real-time.
3Reliability
If the operator moves along with the machine over long distances, then safety is maintained by remote control, but time consumption increases due to the operator needing to traverse the entire trench length
Solution Approach 1:
The machine independently navigates the trench using automated sidewall detection and control systems, eliminating the need for an operator to physically move along the trench. The machine performs its own navigation function that previously required human presence and movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator is extracted from the trench environment entirely, with control performed remotely or automatically. This removes the operator from the physical constraint of needing to be present in the trench, eliminating the time loss associated with traversing long distances.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Method for controlling the driving operation of a self-propelled soil compaction machine (1) using a control unit (10) which provides driving control signals to a driving drive system of the soil compaction machine (1).The soil compaction machine (1) can be operated in an autonomous mode in which the control unit (10) generates driving commands itself and transmits these to the drive system of the soil compaction machine in the form of driving control signals, wherein operation of the soil compaction machine (1) in autonomous mode is only enabled by the control unit (10) as long as a side wall detection device (13) of the soil compaction machine (1) detects the presence of a side wall projecting towards the base of the soil compaction machine (1), in particular in an area in the horizontal direction transverse to a direction of travel of the soil compaction machine (1), and during operation in autonomous mode, if the detection of the presence of a side wall by the side wall detection device (13) is abruptly lost, the control unit (10) continues the operation in autonomous mode depending on time and/or distance.