Electronic Docking Vehicle Formation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles traveling to the same destination individually result in high fuel consumption and driver fatigue, as each vehicle consumes fuel separately and drivers may feel fatigued from long-distance travel alone.
Innovation Solution
An electronic docking vehicle system that connects vehicles with a docking mechanism, allowing them to travel together by using a vehicle body with a docking subject mechanism and a docking object mechanism, a vehicle manipulating mechanism, and a controller to manage the connection and operation of the vehicles, reducing fuel consumption and improving driver convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If vehicles travel separately to the same destination, then each vehicle maintains independent control and routing flexibility, but fuel consumption increases and driver fatigue worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple vehicles traveling to the same destination into an integrated formation where vehicles dock together and share control. The leading vehicle's controller manages the entire group, eliminating redundant control systems and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining routing flexibility through the autonomous vehicles' individual navigation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The leading vehicle's controller serves multiple functions: it controls its own vehicle, manages docking operations with following vehicles, coordinates group navigation, and distributes control signals to the formation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems in each vehicle, addressing the complexity concern while enabling energy-efficient group travel.
2Ease of operation
If vehicles are connected integrally through docking mechanisms, then fuel efficiency improves and driver convenience increases, but system complexity and docking reliability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The docking mechanism employs electromagnetic attraction where the leading vehicle's electromagnet automatically attracts and docks with the following vehicle's ferromagnetic material. This self-service docking eliminates complex mechanical coupling systems and reduces reliability concerns by using a simple, robust magnetic attraction mechanism that requires minimal maintenance and has few moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical docking systems with an electromagnetic field-based docking mechanism. The electromagnet generates a magnetic field that automatically attracts and secures the following vehicle, substituting mechanical linkages, fasteners, and alignment mechanisms with a field-based system that is more reliable, simpler, and easier to operate.
3Speed
If the docking mechanism uses electromagnetic attraction, then docking speed and ease of connection improve, but energy consumption for maintaining the magnetic field increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet operates periodically rather than continuously: it generates a strong magnetic field during the docking phase to rapidly attract the following vehicle, then reduces or shuts off power once docking is achieved. This periodic operation maintains high docking speed while minimizing energy consumption during the cruising phase when the vehicles travel together.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnet begins generating the magnetic field in advance before the following vehicle arrives at the optimal docking position. This preliminary action ensures rapid docking when the vehicle approaches, reducing the overall docking time and energy consumption, while allowing the electromagnet to be turned off or reduced during the longer duration of traveling together.
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 decreases fuel consumption and enhances driver convenience by allowing vehicles to travel together efficiently, reducing fatigue and improving safety through integrated control of driving force and braking, while maintaining aesthetic and aerodynamic benefits.
Implementation Method 1
The docking object mechanism may be formed of an electromagnet which receives power to generate a magnetic force
Implementation Method 2
a connecting coil connecting the mover to the vehicle body as being elastically deformed
Implementation Method 3
The vehicle body may further include a damper provided at peripheries of the docking subject mechanism and the docking object mechanism to absorb impact
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic docking vehicle includes a vehicle body including a docking subject mechanism that docks with a first surrounding vehicle and a docking object mechanism with which a docking subject mechanism of second surrounding vehicle docks. A vehicle manipulating mechanism is provided in the vehicle body and includes a driving force generator providing a driving force to driving wheels. A steering manipulator controls a steering angle of the driving wheels. A braking manipulator generates a braking force in the driving wheels. A controller is configured to allow one vehicle to combine with the surrounding vehicle through the docking subject mechanism or the docking object mechanism.