Assisting Drive Module Control for Autonomous Vehicle Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular vehicles face challenges in safely and efficiently moving to a service station after a malfunction, as existing solutions are time-consuming and require human intervention, especially when autonomously operated.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a control device that identifies a malfunctioning drive module, connects an autonomously operated assisting drive module, and controls it to perform the erroneous function, allowing the vehicle to continue operation and move to a service station without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the vehicle is autonomously operated and a malfunction occurs, then the vehicle needs to be moved to a service station, but the process becomes more complicated and time-consuming without human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system performs self-diagnosis to identify malfunctioning modules and automatically initiates the towing process without human intervention. The control device autonomously coordinates the towing robot deployment and navigation, enabling the system to service itself when problems occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle is equipped with a towing robot that can be deployed immediately upon detecting a malfunction. The system prepares the towing capability in advance by having the robot ready in the vehicle, eliminating the need to wait for external towing services and reducing response time.
2Reliability
If the vehicle stops in traffic due to malfunction, then safety risks arise for passengers and road users, but towing the vehicle is a time-consuming and complicated process
Solution Approach 1:
The towing function is segmented from the main vehicle system and implemented as a separate, dedicated towing robot module. This modular approach simplifies the overall towing process by isolating the complex towing operations to a specialized component that can be independently controlled and deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The towing robot acts as an intermediary between the malfunctioning vehicle and the external environment. It handles the complex task of moving the vehicle to a service station, shielding the main vehicle system from the complexity of towing operations while ensuring safe and efficient relocation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modularized vehicle has to stop due to malfunctioning module, then the module can be replaced, but the vehicle still needs to be towed to service station
Solution Approach 1:
The towing robot is prepared and positioned within the vehicle in advance, ready for immediate deployment when a module malfunction occurs. This preliminary preparation eliminates delays associated with arranging external towing services, allowing the vehicle to be moved to the service station quickly for module replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular vehicle system includes self-service capability through the integrated towing robot, which can autonomously relocate the vehicle to a service station without external assistance. This enables the vehicle to service itself by quickly transporting malfunctioning modules for replacement, minimizing off-road time.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method, performed by a control device associated with a vehicle assembled from a set of modules, the vehicle comprising: at least one drive module; and at least one functional module, wherein the at least one drive module comprises a pair of wheels and is configured to be autonomously operated and drive the assembled vehicle, the method comprising: identifying an erroneous function of the at least one drive module; physically connecting an autonomously operated assisting drive module to the at least one drive module; and controlling the assisting drive module to perform at least the erroneous function of the at least one drive module.