Autonomous Follower Vehicle Path Tracking Without Obstacle Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous follower vehicles face challenges in effectively navigating and following a guide element, especially in areas with obstacles, without relying on pre-mapped paths or obstacle detection systems, which can lead to safety hazards and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous follower vehicle equipped with a wireless locating system and a control system that uses inertial navigation to determine and map the guide element's location, allowing the vehicle to follow the guide element's path while maintaining a predetermined distance and adjusting speed and direction to match the guide element's movement, even in the absence of a pre-mapped area or obstacle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If autonomous follower vehicles use pre-mapped paths or obstacle detection systems, then navigation capability is improved, but device complexity and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a simplified copy of the guide element's position and trajectory using wireless locating signals, rather than implementing complex obstacle detection or pre-mapping systems. The AFV copies the essential navigation information (position, speed, direction) from the guide element to achieve following capability with minimal complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical obstacle detection systems with a wireless locating system that uses electromagnetic signals to determine position and trajectory. This substitution simplifies the system by eliminating complex sensors while maintaining navigation capability through inertial navigation and wireless positioning
2Reliability
If autonomous follower vehicles use obstacle detection systems, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves safety by copying the guide element's proven safe trajectory rather than actively detecting obstacles. The AFV follows the same path the guide element has already traversed, which inherently avoids obstacles, eliminating the need for complex real-time obstacle detection systems
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element's trajectory is predetermined and pre-validated as safe by the person carrying it. The AFV benefits from this preliminary safety validation by following the same path, eliminating the need for complex real-time obstacle detection and decision-making systems
3Measurement precision
If autonomous follower vehicles actively detect obstacles, then navigation accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless locating system continuously tracks the guide element's position without interruption, providing constant navigation guidance. This continuous action eliminates the need for periodic obstacle scanning while maintaining accurate following, thereby reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously copies the guide element's real-time position and trajectory data, providing ongoing navigation accuracy without the time-consuming process of active obstacle detection and path recalculation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an autonomous follower vehicle configured for following a guide element. The autonomous follower vehicle wirelessly determines the location of the guide element, maps the location of the guide element over time as a path, and controls a drive system on the autonomous vehicle to follow the same path traversed by the guide element, preferably using inertial navigation.