Multimodal Debris Clearing for Autonomous Vehicle Path Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in navigating around debris in their path, which can cause damage and logistical issues when avoidance is not possible, necessitating a debris clearing system for obstacle avoidance.
Innovation Solution
A multimodal debris clearing system for autonomous vehicles, incorporating an airflow generator, debris monitoring and clearing module, and secondary clearing modes like brushes and magnets, which are selectively deployed based on sensor data to clear debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the autonomous vehicle navigates around debris, then damage to the vehicle is avoided, but shipping delays and logistical issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of debris using sensors before the vehicle encounters it. The debris clearing apparatus is pre-positioned and can be rapidly deployed to clear debris from the path, allowing the vehicle to maintain its route without detours or stops, thus preventing both damage and delays
Solution Approach 2:
The debris clearing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and debris. Instead of the vehicle directly encountering debris (which causes damage) or stopping to avoid it (which causes delays), the clearing apparatus intermediates by removing debris from the path, enabling continuous safe operation
2Productivity
If the autonomous vehicle drives through debris, then shipping delays are avoided, but damage to the vehicle occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects debris in advance using sensors and activates the debris clearing apparatus before the vehicle reaches the debris. This preliminary action clears the path, allowing the vehicle to drive through at normal speed without damage, maintaining both productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The debris clearing apparatus serves as a protective intermediary that removes harmful debris from the vehicle's path. This enables the vehicle to maintain its course and speed (preserving productivity) while the apparatus prevents direct contact between the vehicle and debris (preserving reliability)
3Productivity
If a debris clearing system is added to the autonomous vehicle, then debris can be cleared from the path, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The debris clearing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, capable of handling various types of debris (paper, plastic, metal, glass) through a single integrated system. The airflow generator and adjustable ducts can adapt to different debris conditions, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and thereby limiting complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable ducts that can change their configuration based on detected debris type and location. The airflow generator can modulate its output dynamically. This adaptability allows a single system to handle diverse scenarios, improving debris clearing capability without requiring a complex array of fixed-function components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively removes debris from the vehicle's path, reducing damage risk and enhancing efficiency by enabling direct travel without detours.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow generator, one or more multimodal debris clearing apparatuses in airflow communication with the airflow generator
Data Source
AI summary
A multimodal debris clearing system, and methods for controlling the same, for an autonomous vehicle. The multimodal debris clearing system includes multiple modes of clearing debris from the path of an autonomous vehicle including, but not limited, the directed application of airflow, a brush to push or sweep away debris, and a magnet to collect debris. The multimodal debris clearing system may include multiple air ducts aligned across the front or near the wheel wells of the autonomous vehicle. The multimodal debris clearing system can be configured to be selectively, and automatically, deployed in response to conditions sensed by the sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The multimodal debris clearing system can deployed in response to the sensors of the autonomous vehicle detecting debris in the path of the autonomous vehicle, the speed of the autonomous vehicle, or a combination thereof.