Autonomous Vehicle Carrier With Flipper Loading Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In hazardous environments, existing robotic systems face challenges in minimizing human presence, achieving high mobility, overcoming communication limitations, and efficiently loading/unloading autonomous vehicles, especially in scenarios with obstacles and communication blackouts.
Innovation Solution
A carrying autonomous vehicle system equipped with flippers for loading and unloading other autonomous vehicles, featuring a main frame with flippers that allow for angled positioning and a locking mechanism for secure attachment, along with a method for coordinating the loading/unloading process, enabling versatile communication and obstacle climbing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous vehicles are used in hazardous environments to minimize human presence, then safety is improved, but communication range limitations and communication blackouts worsen operational effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple autonomous vehicles into a carrier system where a larger carrier vehicle transports smaller autonomous vehicles. This merging allows the system to overcome individual communication limitations by providing multiple communication nodes and relay capabilities, ensuring continuous operation even when individual vehicles experience communication blackouts in hazardous environments
2Adaptability or versatility
If high mobility is achieved through versatile communication and video options, then operational capability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier autonomous vehicle system is designed with multi-functional capabilities including transporting other autonomous vehicles, providing communication relay, offering video surveillance options, and enabling obstacle climbing. This universal design allows a single system to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate specialized equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high operational versatility in hazardous environments
3Ease of operation
If loading and unloading autonomous vehicles is performed manually, then operational flexibility is maintained, but productivity worsens due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle loading and unloading system operates without manual intervention. The carrier vehicle autonomously positions itself, activates flippers to load/unload carried vehicles, and coordinates movements independently. This self-service capability maintains operational flexibility while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating time-consuming manual loading and unloading processes in hazardous environment response scenarios
4Productivity
If flippers are used for loading and unloading autonomous vehicles, then loading efficiency is improved, but the requirement for precise positioning and coordination worsens system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The flipper loading system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the carrier autonomous vehicle continuously monitors the position and status of flippers and carried vehicles. This feedback enables real-time adjustments and coordination, allowing the system to achieve precise positioning and successful loading/unloading operations while managing the complexity through automated control loops and sensor-based verification
Data Source
AI summary
A carrying autonomous vehicle system, comprising: a carrying autonomous vehicle and at least one carried autonomous vehicle. The carrying autonomous vehicle has a main frame and at least one flipper. The carried autonomous vehicle uses at least one flipper to load and/or unload at least one carried autonomous vehicle on the main frame.