Dump Body Mounted High Precision GPS System for Large Mining Trucks

Project Goal: Develop a cost effective, rugged and simplified antenna mounting design that allows for unhindered driver visibility and uninterrupted GPS signal acquisition and data transfer.

Caterpillar sought to modify the current GPS antenna mounting system on its autonomous trucks and move it from the chassis to the dump body. This would maximize satellites’ visibility, minimize positional error, maintain optimal signal quality, protect electronics, and ease servicing.

This design provides a new auto leveling system that ensures the GPS antennas stay parallel to the horizon when the dump body is in motion. It also improves driver visibility by eliminating obstructions and provides easy access to facilitate maintenance.

The design eliminates the currently inconvenient mounting location while allowing for increased productivity and safety during mining operations.