System and method for monitoring position of machine implement

A motor grader comprising:

• a frame;
• an implement movable relative to the frame;
• an actuation system coupled to the frame and the implement, the actuation system configured to selectively move the implement relative to the frame;
• a fiber optic cable extending along at least a portion of the frame, a portion of the actuation system and a portion of the implement, wherein the fiber optic cable is configured to move with the portion of the actuation system and the portion of the implement, and wherein the fiber optic cable is further configured to selectively generate signals indicative of a shape thereof;
• and
• a controller in communication with the fiber optic cable, wherein the controller is configured to determine the shape of the fiber optic cable based on the signals received therefrom, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine a position of the implement relative to the frame based on the shape of the fiber optic cable.

A method of monitoring a position of an implement of a motor grader relative to a frame of the motor grader, the motor grader having an actuation system configured to selectively move the implement relative to the frame, the method comprising:

• providing a fiber optic cable along at least a portion of the frame, a portion of the actuation system and a portion of the implement, wherein the fiber optic cable is configured to move with the portion of the actuation system and the portion of the implement;
• receiving signals from the fiber optic cable, wherein the signals are indicative of a shape of the fiber optic cable;
• determining the shape of the fiber optic cable based on the received signals;
• and
• determining a position of the implement relative to the frame based on the shape of the fiber optic cable.