Adjustable Feed Displacer for Autonomous Vehicle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned autonomous vehicles lack flexibility in control, particularly in adapting to varying conditions and user preferences, with passive control systems offering limited adaptability.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle's lowest point of the feed displacing means is made adjustable, allowing for greater control flexibility by positioning it outside the centerline, combined with height adjustment and sensor-activated automatic adjustments to ensure optimal operation on uneven terrain and varying feed types, and the inclusion of additional supporting points and sensors for enhanced controllability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the lowest point of the feed displacing means is fixed at the center line, then the structure is simple, but the control flexibility is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the lowest point of the feed displacing means adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned at different locations including outside the center line. This dynamic positioning capability enables the vehicle to adapt to varying feed conditions and control requirements, resolving the contradiction between control flexibility and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the lowest point is positioned outside the center line, then the direction of rotation is more predictable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirection control reliabilityVSAvoidadjusting device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the lowest point of the feed displacing means outside the center line before operation begins. This preliminary asymmetric positioning ensures that when the vehicle encounters feed, the direction of rotation is predetermined and reliable, avoiding unpredictable bidirectional rotation. The adjusting device enables this optimal positioning without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lowest point is adjustable in height, then the vehicle can adapt to uneven terrain, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain adaptabilityVSAvoidheight adjustment device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a height adjustment mechanism that allows the lowest point of the feed displacing means to be positioned at different heights relative to the ground. This dynamic height adjustment enables the vehicle to adapt to uneven terrain and varying ground conditions, resolving the contradiction between terrain adaptability and device complexity by providing a relatively simple adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the lowest point is lowered, then the feed displacement is more reliable, but the wear on the displacing means increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeed displacement reliabilityVSAvoidwear on displacing means
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the lowest point's height and position, allowing optimization of the contact between the feed displacing means and the feed material. By adjusting the lowest point outside the center line and at appropriate heights, the system achieves reliable feed displacement while distributing wear more evenly, resolving the contradiction between displacement reliability and wear prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2064944B1Unmanned autonomous vehicle for displacing feed
Publication Date: 2011.02.23 LELY PATENT NV
  • EP2064944B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2064944B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Unmanned autonomous vehicle (1) for substantially lateral displacement of feed (3) lying on a ground, comprising two wheels which are separately drivable by separate drive means, a distance determining means (6) for determining the distance from the vehicle to a wall portion, an orientation determining means (9) for determining the orientation of the centre line (14) of the vehicle relative to the wall portion, a torque difference determining means (10) for determining the torque difference between the wheels, a control unit (11) for controlling the vehicle and moving it in a direction of travel, and feed displacing means for substantially lateral displacement of feed (3), wherein the control unit (11) is programmed in such a manner that, during operation, the vehicle will be kept at a distance determined by the distance determining means (6) to the wall portion, which distance is greater than or equal to a pre-adjusted minimum distance to the wall portion, further comprising an adjusting device which is arranged to adjust the height and/or the position of a lowest point (19) of the feed displacing means.