Transport Vehicle Positioning for Accurate Material Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication methods between work machine operators and transport vehicle drivers are inefficient, leading to inaccurate material discharge locations during grading operations, resulting in unnecessary rework and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for assisted material discharge, where a work machine's user interface allows for real-time input of preferred discharge locations, generating signals to direct a transport vehicle to optimize material placement relative to the grade, using shared mapping units and sensors for accurate positioning and volume estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional communication methods are used between work machine operators and transport vehicle drivers, then the system complexity remains low, but the manufacturing precision of material discharge location deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A shared mapping unit serves as an intermediary between the work machine operator and transport vehicle driver. The mapping unit displays the work area map, desired discharge locations, and vehicle position, enabling accurate communication and coordination without requiring complex direct communication systems between the two vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the work area map showing desired discharge locations and vehicle positions. This graphical representation allows both operators to see the same information about material discharge locations and vehicle positioning, improving accuracy without requiring complex direct communication protocols.
2Productivity
If material is discharged at approximate locations based on driver judgment, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the productivity deteriorates due to rework
Solution Approach 1:
The work machine operator inputs desired discharge locations into the mapping unit before the transport vehicle arrives. This preliminary action allows the driver to simply follow visual guidance to pre-determined locations, eliminating the need for complex judgment decisions while improving productivity by preventing rework from inaccurate discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping unit provides real-time feedback to the driver by displaying the vehicle's current position and the desired discharge location. This visual feedback system guides the driver to the correct location without requiring complex communication or judgment, improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If the work machine operator provides real-time input for desired discharge locations, then the measurement precision of discharge location improves, but the loss of time for communication and coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual copy of the work area map with desired discharge locations that is simultaneously displayed on both the work machine and transport vehicle mapping units. This graphical communication method allows precise location specification without requiring time-consuming verbal communication or coordination, as both operators see the same visual information in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for assisting transport vehicle drivers in material discharge for optimized working at a worksite by work machines such as dozers. A first user interface associated with the work machine accesses a map comprising three-dimensional data corresponding to at least a portion of the worksite. User input is received via the first user interface corresponding to desired discharge location(s) in the worksite to be worked, and output signals are generated for modifying a display on a second user interface associated with the transport vehicle, said modifications corresponding to the received user input and for directing the transport vehicle to the desired discharge locations. The two vehicles may share a common mapping unit such that input from the work machine is applied substantially in real-time at the transport vehicle. Alternatively, the inputs may be translated across mapping units to generate appropriate positioning instructions.