Autonomous Fleet Loading by Vehicle Pushing to Prevent Spillage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in loading materials at construction sites due to spillage issues when entering and leaving loading areas, which affects productivity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method where a second autonomous vehicle pushes a first vehicle along the loading area and past a loading device, allowing for continuous material discharge with reduced risk of spillage by maintaining contact and controlling the distance between the vehicles to zero, utilizing a second driving mode that includes generating negative torque or zero torque to facilitate seamless loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If autonomous vehicles enter and leave loading areas independently, then vehicle operation autonomy is maintained, but material spillage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motion control of two autonomous vehicles by having the second vehicle push the first vehicle through the loading area. This combination of vehicles eliminates the gap between them, preventing material spillage while maintaining overall system autonomy through centralized control coordination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vehicles maintain distance during loading, then collision risk is reduced, but material spillage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second vehicle acts as an intermediary between the loading device and the first vehicle. By positioning itself in contact with the first vehicle, it eliminates the harmful gap that causes spillage, while the centralized control system prevents excessive force that could cause collision damage.
3Productivity
If vehicles load material continuously, then productivity increases, but spillage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous loading by having the second vehicle push the first vehicle through the loading area without interruption. This continuous motion ensures uninterrupted material flow from the loading device into the first vehicle, eliminating gaps that would cause spillage and maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to method of operating a fleet of autonomous vehicles at a work site having a loading area at which a loading device is provided for loading material onto said autonomous vehicles. The method includes controlling a first vehicle to drive in a first driving mode until it reaches a start position of the loading area, deactivating the first driving mode by controlling the first vehicle to be positioned in the loading area in a second driving mode, controlling a second vehicle to come into contact with and to push the first vehicle along the loading area and past the loading device for loading material onto the first vehicle as the first vehicle passes by the loading device, and reactivating the first driving mode of the first vehicle when the second vehicle has pushed the first vehicle to an end position of the loading area.