Vision System for Heavy Equipment Edge Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heavy equipment working edge control systems face sensor damage due to the stressful operating environment, leading to inefficiencies and downtime for repair or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A GNSS/INS system utilizing a vision system with a time of flight camera to obtain working edge location information, transforming it into the navigation system's coordinate system for accurate control, reducing the reliance on sensitive sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If delicate sensors are mounted on the working edge to monitor location and orientation, then working edge positioning accuracy is improved, but the sensors are subject to damage from the stressful work environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the stressful working edge environment and relocates it to the protected cab environment. Cameras and sensors are mounted in the cab to capture images of the working edge, eliminating direct exposure to damaging conditions while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system (cameras and imaging devices) that indirectly measures working edge position from a protected location. Instead of mounting sensors directly on the blade, the system uses visual intermediaries to transmit position information from the working edge to the control system
2Extent of automation
If sensors are mounted on the working edge for continuous monitoring, then automation capability is improved, but downtime for sensor repair or replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing components are extracted from the working edge and relocated to the protected cab environment where they are shielded from damage. This prevents sensor failure and eliminates downtime associated with repair or replacement, while maintaining continuous automated monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the working edge position rather than using physical sensors in contact with the working edge. This virtual representation allows continuous monitoring without physical exposure to damaging conditions
3Measurement precision
If manual verification is performed to check grading accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to iterative work-measurement cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous automated monitoring of working edge position during operation, eliminating the stop-start nature of manual verification. The system continuously captures images and calculates position, allowing work to proceed without interruption while maintaining precision through real-time feedback
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
Enhances the accuracy and reliability of heavy equipment navigation by providing precise working edge positioning without the risk of sensor damage, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
an image acquisition device, such as a time of flight camera, acquires an image that includes the target. The image acquisition device illustratively provides both an intensity and distance value for each pixel within its field of view
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for automatically controlling working edges on a heavy equipment vehicle is provided. A GNSS/INS system determines a location of the vehicle. A vision system calculates a location of the working edge in a vision system coordinate system by obtaining images of a target connected to the working edge using a camera with a fixed field view that obtains distance information for each pixel in the fixed field of view. The location is then transformed to the navigation system coordinate system. The transformed location information is used by a working edge control system to control the placement of the working edge.