Worksite Sensor Assessment for Unsafe Terrain Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing worksite safety systems fail to identify unsafe conditions such as uneven terrain, soft underfooting, excessive grade, and muddy areas, which can pose safety challenges for machines operating on variable terrain.
Innovation Solution
A control system equipped with sensors and a controller that monitors sensor data to detect unsafe conditions, storing or transmitting data offboard for analysis, and provides real-time alerts and operational instructions to avoid or address these conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If warning zones are displayed on the user display, then object obstructions are identified, but unsafe conditions such as uneven terrain, soft underfooting, excessive grade, and muddy areas are not identified
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is enhanced to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously - it not only detects object obstructions but also identifies unsafe ground conditions such as uneven terrain, soft underfooting, excessive grade, and muddy areas. This multi-functionality allows a single sensor system to provide comprehensive worksite safety information without adding separate dedicated sensors for each condition type.
2Loss of information
If sensor data is continuously stored until offboarded, then data is preserved for analysis, but storage resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only the critical sensor data related to unsafe conditions to offboard storage and analysis systems. Rather than continuously storing all sensor data locally, the controller identifies data indicating unsafe conditions and selectively transmits this extracted information offboard, preserving important information while minimizing local storage consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary analysis of sensor data to identify unsafe conditions before transmission. By pre-processing the data and flagging only those instances indicating unsafe conditions, the system prepares the data for efficient offboard storage and analysis, reducing the overall data volume that needs to be retained and transmitted.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the machine operates on variable terrain, then work coverage is increased, but safety risks such as tipping over increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors sensor data regarding terrain conditions and machine status, comparing this data against safety thresholds. When unsafe conditions are detected, the system provides feedback through alerts and warnings to the operator, enabling real-time adjustments to operating parameters or position to maintain safety while continuing work on variable terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of unsafe terrain conditions before the machine encounters them. By detecting uneven terrain, excessive grade, or other hazardous conditions in advance, the system can alert the operator to take preventive actions, such as adjusting machine position or operational parameters, before safety risks materialize.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller may monitor sensor data collected by one or more sensors of a machine while the machine is operating at a worksite. The controller may determine whether the sensor data is indicative of the machine operating in an unsafe condition at a location of the machine at the worksite. The controller may cause, based on a determination that the sensor data is indicative of the machine operating in the unsafe condition, at least one of: storing of the sensor data relating to the machine operating in the unsafe condition at least until the sensor data relating to the machine operating in the unsafe condition is offboarded from the machine, or transmission of the sensor data relating to the machine operating in the unsafe condition offboard the machine.