Autonomous Dump Vehicle Steering Mode Switching for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous dump vehicles face challenges in achieving optimal driving characteristics in terms of maneuverability and stability, particularly at different speed thresholds and load conditions, which affect cost-efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous dump vehicle configured with two sets of steerable wheels, allowing four-wheel steering below a speed threshold and two-wheel steering above, with toe-in configurations and electric braking to enhance maneuverability and stability, and optionally using electric machines for braking and toe-in/toe-out configurations to replace mechanical brakes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If four-wheel steering is used at all speeds, then maneuverability is improved, but stability deteriorates at higher speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the steering system adaptive to speed conditions. The control system dynamically switches between four-wheel steering mode (for maneuverability at low speeds) and two-wheel steering mode (for stability at high speeds). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing steering characteristics according to operating conditions, ensuring both maneuverability when needed and stability when required.
2Stability of the object's composition
If two-wheel steering is used above speed threshold, then stability is improved, but maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts steering mode based on speed threshold detection. When speed exceeds the threshold, the control system automatically transitions to two-wheel steering to maintain stability and road holding. When speed drops below the threshold, it switches to four-wheel steering to maximize maneuverability. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between stability and maneuverability.
3Ease of operation
If four-wheel steering is used when loaded, then maneuverability is improved, but safety deteriorates due to reduced stability
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback regarding vehicle load status and speed conditions to determine appropriate steering mode. When the vehicle is detected to be loaded and moving above the speed threshold, the system provides feedback to switch to two-wheel steering, prioritizing safety and stability over maneuverability. This feedback mechanism ensures safe operation under loaded conditions while maintaining cost-efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous dump vehicle (1) comprising - a first set of steerable wheels (10), - a second set of steerable wheels (20), and - a load body (30), wherein the autonomous dump vehicle (1) is configured to steer using both the first set of steerable wheels (10) and the second set of steerable wheels (20) up to a speed threshold (vt), and steer using either the first set of steerable wheels (10) or the second set of steerable wheels (20) above the speed threshold (vt).