US 12,066,538 B2
Peripheral perception system for a machine
Todd Alex Impola, Minnetonka, MN (US); Timothy M. O′Donnell, Long Lake, MN (US); Jacob J. McAlpine, Otsego, MN (US); and Christopher Andrew Wahlmark, Washington, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Brooklyn Park, MN (US)
Filed on Oct. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/071,037.
Prior Publication US 2022/0120907 A1, Apr. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. G01S 17/89 (2020.01); B60R 11/04 (2006.01); E01C 21/00 (2006.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); E01C 19/26 (2006.01); E01C 19/28 (2006.01)
CPC G01S 17/89 (2013.01) [B60R 11/04 (2013.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); B60R 2300/105 (2013.01); B60R 2300/802 (2013.01); E01C 19/26 (2013.01); E01C 19/282 (2013.01); E01C 21/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A peripheral perception system for a machine, the peripheral perception system comprising:
a mounting structure configured to be attached to a surface of the machine, the mounting structure including:
a first frame configured to be located towards a first lateral side of the machine and including a first upper flange,
a second frame configured to be located toward a second lateral side of the machine and including a second upper flange, and
a bracket mounted to the first upper flange and the second upper flange and including:
a first section,
a second section, and
a cross-piece extending therebetween and mounted to the first upper flange and the second upper flange,
wherein the first section is angularly disposed relative to the cross-piece and configured to extend outwardly beyond the first lateral side of the machine, and
wherein the second section is angularly disposed relative to the cross-piece and configured to extend outwardly beyond the second lateral side of the machine;
a first perception device configured to be mounted to the first section of the bracket, the first perception device configured to define a first elevation with respect to an operational surface underlying the machine and a first angle with respect to a vertical axis defined along a height of the machine, the first perception device being configured to scan a first field of view covering a first peripheral region of the machine including the first lateral side of the machine, a first part of a forward end of the machine, and a first part of a rearward end of the machine; and
a second perception device configured to be mounted to the second section of the bracket, the second perception device configured to define a second elevation with respect to the operational surface and a second angle with respect to the vertical axis, the second perception device being configured to scan a second field of view covering a second peripheral region of the machine including the second lateral side of the machine disposed opposite to the first lateral side of the machine, a second part of the forward end of the machine, and a second part of the rearward end of the machine,
wherein the first field of view and the second field of view are configured to combinedly provide a 360-degree coverage of a peripheral region around the machine.