Vehicle Accessory Control for Autonomous Multi-Chassis Load Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide a convenient way to implement autonomous and remote-controlled load handling and transport solutions on various truck chassis due to differences in chassis control and actuators among different manufacturers, making it difficult to synchronize vehicle and work equipment operations.
Innovation Solution
The intelligence for controlling the vehicle is moved to the accessory arrangement, which includes a control unit that receives vehicle data sets and determines navigation and drive commands, enabling the accessory arrangement to control the vehicle and work equipment in an autonomous mode, adapting to the specific chassis characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the vehicle is equipped with an advanced autonomous control system to enable autonomous operation, then the vehicle can perform autonomous load handling and transport, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the autonomous control intelligence from the vehicle and relocates it to the accessory arrangement (hook-lift device). The accessory arrangement includes a control unit that receives work assignment data and generates control commands for both the working equipment and the vehicle, thereby enabling autonomous operation without requiring the vehicle itself to have complex autonomous control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory arrangement's control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the hook-lift device operations and simultaneously controls the vehicle's driving functions (acceleration, braking, steering). This multi-functionality allows a single control system to manage both the accessory equipment and the vehicle, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different chassis manufacturers produce vehicles with different control systems and actuators, then each manufacturer can optimize for their specific platform, but it becomes difficult to implement universal autonomous control solutions across multiple chassis types
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory arrangement's control unit acts as an intermediary between the work assignment data and the vehicle's existing control systems. It receives high-level work assignment instructions and translates them into specific control commands suitable for the particular chassis type, thereby bridging the gap between universal work requirements and chassis-specific control implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adapts to different chassis types by adjusting control parameters and characteristics based on the specific vehicle platform. This allows the same accessory arrangement to work with multiple chassis manufacturers by modifying control parameters rather than requiring complete system redesign for each platform.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle has a simple control system without advanced autonomous capabilities, then the system remains cost-effective and simple, but it cannot perform autonomous load handling and transport operations
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous control intelligence is extracted from the vehicle and placed in the accessory arrangement, allowing the vehicle to maintain its simple, cost-effective control system while still achieving autonomous operation capabilities through the accessory's control unit.
4Reliability
If the accessory arrangement controls both the vehicle and working equipment, then synchronization of vehicle and work equipment operations is achieved, but the control unit complexity in the accessory arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling the hook-lift device operations and simultaneously controlling the vehicle's driving functions. This multi-functionality approach consolidates control responsibilities in one unit, achieving synchronization while managing complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives work assignment data that includes information about the working equipment's position and status, and uses this feedback information to generate coordinated control commands for both the working equipment and the vehicle, ensuring synchronized operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A vehicle (4) comprising a vehicle accessory arrangement (2), the vehicle accessory arrangement, including a working equipment (6), is mounted on the vehicle (4), The vehicle accessory arrangement (2) is configured to receive current position data, e.g. GPS data, and working assignment data including route data for a working assignment for said vehicle (4) provided with said working equipment (6). The accessory control unit (8) is provided with a vehicle data set comprising control characteristics of the vehicle (4) on which the accessory arrangement (2) is mounted, and is configured to determine: -navigation and drive control commands adapted to control said vehicle (4) provided with said vehicle accessory arrangement (2) to work in an autonomous mode and to travel along a route of a working assignment, -working control commands adapted to control said vehicle (4) such that working procedures performed by said working equipment (6) are supported. The navigation and drive control commands and said working control commands are determined based upon said control characteristics. The vehicle control unit (17) is configured to determine a mode of operation of said vehicle (4) among a set of mode of operations including an autonomous mode of operation, and if it is determined that said vehicle (4) is in an autonomous mode of operation said vehicle control unit (17) is configured to enable said accessory control unit (8) to control said vehicle (4), by said navigation and drive commands and said working control commands, to fulfil said working assignment.