Autonomous Vehicle Self-Loading Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transferring fleet vehicles to trucks or trains is inefficient due to the need for human intervention and coordination, as autonomous vehicles often require manual assistance to load themselves and may interrupt the loading process if they malfunction.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a self-loading sequence system in autonomous vehicles, which uses a vehicle computer with a processor and camera to determine its position in a row, communicate with other vehicles, and navigate to a loading area autonomously, while notifying a service center of any malfunctions that prevent self-loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous vehicles load themselves manually with human intervention, then coordination and safety can be ensured, but loading efficiency and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling autonomous vehicles to perform their own loading operations without human assistance. The vehicle autonomously navigates to the loading area, positions itself on the transport platform, and secures itself using onboard actuators and sensors, thereby eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly improving loading efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary action by having autonomous vehicles queue in a predetermined sequence before loading. The vehicle computer determines the loading sequence based on vehicle characteristics and transport capacity, allowing vehicles to prepare and position themselves in advance, which streamlines the overall loading process and enhances productivity
2Reliability
If autonomous vehicles require human assistance for loading, then operational reliability can be maintained, but loading time and coordination complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor the autonomous vehicle's position, status, and environment during the loading process. The vehicle computer processes this real-time data and adjusts navigation and positioning actions accordingly, ensuring reliable autonomous loading while minimizing the time required for coordination and error correction
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessments of vehicle conditions and loading requirements before the actual loading process begins. By pre-determining the loading sequence and preparing navigation paths in advance, the system reduces on-site coordination time while maintaining operational reliability through proactive problem identification
3Object-affected harmful factors
If autonomous vehicles interrupt the loading process when malfunctioning, then safety can be ensured, but overall loading productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by implementing comprehensive sensor monitoring and diagnostic systems that detect malfunctions or potential safety issues before they cause harmful effects. The vehicle computer continuously assesses vehicle status and can safely abort the loading process only when necessary, preventing safety hazards while minimizing interruptions to loading throughput
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle computer includes a memory a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include commanding a lighting system controller to flash tail lamps of a host vehicle toward a follow vehicle immediately behind the host vehicle, receiving a response from the follow vehicle, and commanding the host vehicle to autonomously proceed to a loading area upon receipt of the response from the follow vehicle.