Autonomous Vehicle Control Apparatus Using Area Wire Turn-Back
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned autonomous operating vehicles require multiple charging devices when operating areas are divided, leading to a complex and costly setup, as existing systems rely on area wires to guide vehicles back to charging stations.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that includes a turn-back portion in the area wire to divide the operating area into sections, preventing the vehicle from crossing this point, thus allowing it to return to a single charging device without needing additional charging stations, using magnetic sensors to detect the area wire and control the vehicle's path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple charging devices are installed in divided operating areas, then the vehicle can charge in each area, but the infrastructure complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple charging functions into a single charging device by using a turn-back portion in the area wire. The turn-back portion allows the vehicle to access the single charging device from different directions, effectively providing charging capability for what would otherwise require multiple charging devices in divided operating areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension solution by creating a turn-back portion in the wire layout. This allows the vehicle to approach the charging device from different directions (different spatial paths) rather than requiring multiple charging devices at different locations, thus solving the problem through dimensional wire configuration rather than multiplying devices.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle follows area wire to return to charging device, then battery can be recharged, but track formation occurs on the operating area
Solution Approach 1:
The turn-back portion segments the vehicle's return path into distinct sections. By creating a designated turn-back zone, the system allows the vehicle to switch between different approach paths to the charging device, distributing wear and preventing concentrated track formation in a single location.
3Adaptability or versatility
If area wire is bent to divide operating area, then vehicle can be restricted from certain zones, but wire complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turn-back portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an area division boundary, provides a restricted zone that the vehicle cannot cross, and serves as a turn-around point for vehicle navigation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate structures to achieve area restriction.
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
This solution simplifies the infrastructure by allowing the vehicle to return to a single charging device, reducing the need for multiple charging stations and minimizing track formation on the operating area, while maintaining efficient operation and battery charging.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic sensors for detecting intensity of a magnetic field of an area wire
Data Source
AI summary
In an apparatus for controlling an unmanned autonomous operating vehicle having an electric motor supplied with power from a battery for operating an operating machine, and magnetic sensors for detecting intensity of a magnetic field of an area wire and controlled to run about in an operating area defined by the area wire through wheels driven by the prime movers to perform an operation using the operating machine and to return to a charging device installed on the area wire so as to charge the battery, there is provided with a turn-back portion formed by bending the area wire at an appropriate position and again bending the area wire to return in a same direction with a predetermined space so as to divide the operating area into a plurality of parts and vehicle running is controlled to be prohibited from going across the turn-back portion.