Underground Zone Passage Control With Fusion Zone Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zone passage control systems in underground worksites face challenges in allowing access to operation zones reserved for autonomously operating mobile vehicles without interrupting their operations, especially when merging zones or allowing passage of other vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The system merges state parameter information from multiple zones into a fusion zone, allowing an autonomously operating mobile vehicle to pass through a passage control unit without interrupting other vehicles, by adapting the zone passage control system and preventing control commands to stop other vehicles in the merged zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passage control unit is associated with a zone to prevent unauthorized access, then safety and collision prevention are improved, but access flexibility and operational efficiency deteriorate when other vehicles need to enter
Solution Approach 1:
The passage control system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the operational mode of the zone. When an autonomous vehicle is operating, the passage control unit enforces restricted access. When the zone is in standby mode, the system automatically allows passage for other vehicles. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the access control flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the admissibility parameter of the passage control unit based on the operational state of the zone. When the zone is active with autonomous vehicle operation, the admissibility level is set to negative (restricting access). When the zone is in standby mode, the admissibility level is changed to allow passage. This parameter change enables the system to maintain safety during operation while allowing flexibility during standby.
2Reliability
If access is restricted to isolated operation zones for autonomous vehicles, then collision risk is eliminated, but operational efficiency and productivity deteriorate due to interrupted operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the zone's operational mode before enforcing passage restrictions. By detecting whether the autonomous vehicle is in operation mode or standby mode in advance, the passage control unit can appropriately manage access requests. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary interruptions to autonomous operations while maintaining collision elimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage control system continuously receives feedback about the operational state of autonomous vehicles in the zone. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts its access control decisions. When feedback indicates operation mode, access is restricted; when feedback indicates standby mode, access is permitted. This feedback mechanism ensures collision elimination while maintaining operational efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If manual control is implemented at passage control units to manage zone access, then access control precision is improved, but system complexity and manual intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passage control system performs self-service by automatically detecting the operational mode of the zone and making access control decisions without manual intervention. The system monitors its own operational context and autonomously adjusts admissibility levels. This self-service capability maintains precise access control while eliminating the need for manual control, thereby reducing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a zone passage control system for an underground worksite having a plurality of operation zones for autonomously operating mobile vehicle operations includes the steps of associating a first passage control unit with a first zone and a second zone, detecting state parameter information of the first zone and the second zone, merging the first zone and the second zone into a fusion zone on the basis of the state parameter information of the first zone and the second zone, and adapting the zone passage control system to allow a first autonomously operating mobile vehicle to pass the first passage control unit in the fusion zone without interrupting operation of a second autonomously operating mobile vehicle in the first zone and/or the second zone.