Self-Powered Dolly Control for Master-Slave Mode Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for self-powered and steerable dolly vehicles do not fully leverage their potential, especially when disconnected from a towing truck, and there is a need for advanced control units to manage vehicle motion and interactions with other vehicles in the combination.
Innovation Solution
A dolly vehicle equipped with a control unit that can operate in both master and slave modes, allowing it to assume control over itself or follow external commands, with features for motion management, force generation, and moment coordination, ensuring stability and efficiency in various operational scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dolly vehicle operates in master mode with full control capabilities, then autonomy and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically switches between master and slave modes based on operational requirements and connection status. This dynamic configurability allows the system to adapt its complexity level - operating autonomously in master mode when needed, while simplifying to slave mode when connected to a master vehicle, thus resolving the contradiction between autonomy and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed with multi-functionality to perform both master control functions (when autonomous) and slave control functions (when connected). This universal design enables a single control unit to handle multiple operational scenarios, reducing the need for separate control systems and thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility
2Ease of operation
If the dolly vehicle operates in slave mode with external control, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between slave and master modes based on connection status and operational needs. When connected to a master vehicle, it operates in simplified slave mode for ease of operation. When disconnected or requiring autonomous functionality, it switches to master mode, ensuring adaptability is maintained without permanently increasing operational complexity
3Ease of operation
If the control unit switches modes automatically based on drawbar connection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen due to automatic configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors drawbar connection status and uses this feedback to automatically switch between master and slave modes. This feedback mechanism ensures the system adapts to changing operational conditions while maintaining stability, as the mode switching is triggered by actual physical connection states rather than arbitrary changes
Data Source
AI summary
A dolly vehicle includes at least one motion support device, MSD, and a control unit arranged for vehicle motion management, VMM, wherein the control unit is configurable in a master mode where the at least one MSD is controlled based on a set of capabilities of a vehicle combination comprising the dolly vehicle to fulfil an assigned task. The control unit is configurable in a slave mode where the at least one MSD is controlled based on requests received from an external master control unit.