Brake-Based Vehicle Path Control in Confined Depots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicles without active automated steering systems cannot be fully integrated into autonomously managed depots or freight forwarding yards, as they cannot follow predefined paths automatically, requiring manual steering and increasing personnel involvement.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling vehicles on closed sites, such as depots, using a control unit that automatically controls the braking and drive systems to move the vehicle along a defined path, employing steering brake control signals to create differential brake pressure and steer the vehicle without a conventional steering system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a vehicle without an automated steering system is integrated into an autonomously managed depot, then manual steering is required which increases personnel involvement, but this contradicts the goal of autonomous operation and increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical steering system with a braking-based steering mechanism. The control unit generates steering brake control signals that apply differential braking forces to individual wheels, creating a steering torque that turns the vehicle without requiring a traditional steering system. This substitution enables autonomous operation of vehicles lacking automated steering systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's existing brake system and the desired steering function. It processes brake control signals and converts them into steering brake control signals that selectively activate individual wheel brakes to achieve steering effects, bridging the gap between the vehicle's current capabilities and autonomous operation requirements.
2Extent of automation
If an active automated steering system is retrofitted into a vehicle, then autonomous path following becomes possible, but this increases costs significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables vehicles to steer using their existing braking infrastructure without requiring external steering system components. The control unit utilizes the vehicle's own brake actuators to generate steering torques, allowing the vehicle to serve its own steering needs through resourceful use of existing systems, thereby eliminating expensive retrofitting requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the braking system from purely speed control to include differential force application for steering. By varying the brake pressure parameters on individual wheels based on steering requirements, the system achieves steering functionality through parameter modulation of existing components rather than hardware addition.
3Extent of automation
If steering brake control signals are generated to enable autonomous steering, then vehicles without automated steering systems can operate autonomously, but this requires complex control signal generation and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages both conventional braking operations and steering brake control signals within a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated steering actuators and simplifies the overall control architecture by consolidating steering and braking control capabilities in one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering brake control system dynamically adjusts brake forces on individual wheels based on real-time steering requirements. The control unit continuously modulates brake pressure parameters to achieve the desired steering torque, enabling adaptive steering response that accommodates varying operational conditions without requiring complex mechanical steering mechanisms.
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
Enables vehicles without automated steering systems to be integrated into automated closed areas without manual control, reducing personnel requirements and avoiding the need for expensive retrofitting of automated steering systems.
Implementation Method 1
automated control of brakes of the braking system in the vehicle... differential brake pressure... steering torque
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle (1) within a confined site (2), wherein the vehicle (1) has a control unit, which is designed to activate a brake system and a drive system in an automated manner in order to move the vehicle (1) in an automated manner along a fixed path (P), wherein, after establishing that the vehicle (1) does not have a steering system that can be activated by automatically generated steering control signals in order to influence a steering angle of wheels of a steered vehicle axle of the vehicle (1) in an automated manner, at least the following steps are carried out: - fixing a path (P) between a starting area (4) and a fixed destination area (5) within the confined site (2); - generating drive control signals and steering-braking control signals in such a way that, upon subsequent automated activation of the drive system and the brake system by these control signals, the vehicle (1) moves from the starting area (4) along the path (P) into the fixed destination area (5) and the steering angle only changes on the basis of an automated activation of the brakes of the brake system.