Hybrid Drive-by-Wire Driver Station Transfer Under Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drive by wire (DbW) systems for vehicles with multiple driver stations lack safety and reliability, particularly during transitions between stations, often requiring vehicles to stop before switching control, which is impractical for military vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid DbW system with multiple driver stations that includes a platform manager to confirm synchronized parking brake settings and a transmission control module to check for shutdown faults, allowing seamless transitions while the vehicle is moving, incorporating hydro-mechanical and electric controls, and emergency brake valves for enhanced safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional DbW systems require vehicle stop before driver station transition, then safety and reliability are improved, but operational efficiency and mobility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and reliabilityVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of brake synchronization and transmission fault status before allowing driver station transition. The platform manager checks that parking brake settings are synchronized between stations and that no transmission shutdown faults are present, preparing the system in advance to ensure safe transition without requiring vehicle stop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the platform manager continuously monitors brake synchronization status and transmission fault conditions. This feedback loop ensures that transition conditions are met before switching driver stations, maintaining safety while enabling operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple driver stations are implemented with full DbW functionality, then operational versatility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The platform manager serves as a universal control component that manages multiple driver stations (primary, secondary, tertiary) with different functionality levels. It provides centralized verification of brake synchronization and fault detection across all stations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The platform manager acts as an intermediary between multiple driver stations and the transmission control module. It mediates the transition process by verifying conditions and coordinating with the TCM, simplifying the control architecture while enabling multiple driver stations with varying capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3759007B1Hybrid drive by wire system for track vehicle operation
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 ST ENGINEERING LAND SYSTEMS LTD
  • EP3759007B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3759007B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3759007B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for utilizing multiple driver stations in a track vehicle is described. A primary driver station can utilize controls with hybrid drive by wire (DbW) functionality (i.e. hydro-mechanical and electric control). A secondary driver station and a tertiary driver station can utilize controls with DbW (i.e. electronic) control systems. The secondary and tertiary driver stations can be adapted for autonomous driving. The invention also includes a method of transfer between driver stations with safeguards for safety and reliability.