Coded Floor-Cable Guidance for High-Speed Vehicle Boundary Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guidance systems for controllable vehicles are not optimal, particularly at higher speeds, as they often require initialization sequences and may result in undetected driving over boundaries, leading to inefficiencies and potential accidents.

Innovation Solution

A guidance system featuring an electrical conductor with a coding device generating a signal code in the conductor current, allowing vehicles to detect and recognize the magnetic field, enabling immediate signal processing and responsive control without the need for initialization pulses, and allowing for precise tracking and area navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional guidance systems use simple magnetic field detection without coding, then the system structure remains simple, but the responsiveness and detection accuracy deteriorate at higher vehicle speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speedVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using coded signal sequences with regular patterns of rising and falling edges transmitted through the conductor. The receiving unit detects these periodic magnetic field changes, allowing reliable identification of boundary elements even at high vehicle speeds. The coded structure provides temporal regularity that enables accurate detection without requiring initialization sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If traditional systems require initialization sequences, then the system complexity remains low, but the response time and productivity worsen due to delayed signal processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing efficiencyVSAvoidinitialization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by continuously transmitting coded signal sequences through the conductor before the vehicle arrives at the boundary. The receiving unit is already prepared to detect and process these pre-established coded signals, eliminating the need for initialization sequences. This allows immediate signal processing and directional correction as soon as the vehicle encounters the conductor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If simple magnetic field detection is used, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision and guidance accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboundary detection precisionVSAvoidsignal coding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different coded signal patterns for different boundary elements (e.g., different sequences for entry/exit boundaries or different conductor sections). The receiving unit identifies specific coded patterns to determine precise boundary locations and vehicle orientation. This localized coding provides high measurement precision without requiring complex overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If continuous signal transmission is implemented, then the responsiveness improves, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance reliabilityVSAvoidconductor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action with interval signals transmitted through the conductor at optimized time intervals rather than continuous transmission. The receiving unit processes these periodic coded signals reliably, maintaining high guidance reliability while significantly reducing the energy consumption of the stationary conductor system compared to continuous signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

The system provides enhanced responsiveness and accuracy in vehicle guidance, preventing boundary overruns and optimizing navigation at higher speeds by allowing immediate signal recognition and processing, thus improving safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A coding device (7) for generating a signal code (15) in the conductor current (21) is arranged on the base station (20). The conductor current (21) generates a magnetic field (5) that spreads spatially around the conductor (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A receiving unit (12) for the electromagnetic field of the conductor current is arranged on the vehicle (1). The conductor current (21) generates a magnetic field (5) that spreads spatially around the conductor (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2447799B1Guide system for controllable vehicles
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 ROBOCUT
  • EP2447799B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2447799B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2447799B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a guidance system for controllable vehicles (1) and an associated method for guiding a vehicle (1). The guidance system (11) has an electrical conductor (3) arranged outside the vehicle (1), in particular a floor cable, and a power feed (2) for the conductor (3). A receiving unit (12) for the electromagnetic field (5.6) of the conductor current is arranged on the vehicle (1). The management system (11) has a coding device (7) for generating a signal code (15) in the conductor current. A code recognition device (10) connected to the receiving unit (12) for recognizing the signal code (15) is arranged on the vehicle (1).