Work Machine Collision Avoidance Using Sensor-Based Obstacle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of work machines face challenges in navigating dynamic construction environments due to obstructed visibility, leading to potential collisions with obstacles, which existing systems fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A collision avoidance system equipped with sensors to detect obstacles and a controller to generate control signals to prevent, halt, or reduce the movement of the work machine based on obstacle position, ensuring safe navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the operator relies on direct visibility to navigate the work machine, then the operator can maintain situational awareness, but the visibility is obstructed by portions of the work machine itself or other obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors as intermediary devices that detect obstacles and transmit information to the controller, which then provides alerts to the operator. This intermediary system overcomes the limitation of direct visibility by using sensor-based detection to bridge the gap between the operator and obstacles that cannot be directly seen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of direct operator visibility with an electronic sensing and alerting system. Sensors detect obstacles electronically, and the controller processes this information to provide alerts, substituting the need for direct visual monitoring with an automated electronic detection system.
2Reliability
If no collision avoidance system is used, then the system complexity is low, but the possibility of collision between the work machine and obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor the environment, the controller processes the sensor data to determine obstacle positions, and the system provides real-time alerts to the operator. This closed-loop feedback system enhances collision avoidance reliability by continuously monitoring and responding to environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The collision avoidance system operates autonomously by using its own sensors to detect obstacles and generating alerts without requiring external assistance. The system serves itself by independently monitoring the environment and providing safety warnings, reducing the need for additional external safety systems.
3Loss of time
If the operator manually monitors the surrounding area, then the response time to obstacles may be delayed, but adding automated sensors and controllers increases the system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having sensors continuously scan the environment before a collision can occur. The system proactively detects obstacles and provides alerts in advance, allowing the operator to take preventive action before the situation becomes critical, thus reducing response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual operator monitoring with automated sensor-based detection. The electronic sensing system continuously monitors the environment without fatigue or distraction, providing faster and more consistent detection compared to human visual monitoring, thereby reducing response time to obstacles.
Data Source
AI summary
A collision avoidance system for a work machine includes at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a presence of at least one obstacle in a surrounding area of the work machine. The collision avoidance system also includes a controller communicably coupled with the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the presence of the obstacle in the surrounding area of the work machine from the sensor. The controller is also configured to determine a position of the obstacle relative to the work machine based on the signal received from the sensor. The controller is further configured to generate a control signal to prevent a movement of the work machine, halt the movement of the work machine, or reduce a velocity of the work machine based on the determination of the position of the obstacle.