Autonomous Mobile Measurement Vehicles for Adaptive Spatial Referencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial solutions for quality control in manufacturing environments lack flexibility and scalability, relying on fixed measurement protocols that require complex programming and skilled craftsmen for modifications, and are limited in spatial accuracy and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of intelligent mobile vehicles equipped with spatial localization systems, autonomous navigation, edge computation units, and communication interfaces for real-time data processing and collaboration, enabling flexible and adaptive quality control through machine learning and edge analytics, and dynamic workflow deployment across multiple vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed measurement protocols with static platforms are used, then measurement reliability is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static measurement platforms into dynamic mobile vehicles that can autonomously navigate to different measurement locations. The mobile vehicle includes propulsion units, spatial localization systems, and autonomous navigation capabilities, enabling it to dynamically adapt to different measurement tasks and locations while maintaining measurement reliability through controlled autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile vehicle is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple functions: autonomous navigation, spatial localization, quality control measurements, and data processing. It can be deployed for various measurement tasks across different locations in the manufacturing environment, replacing multiple dedicated static measurement stations with a single multi-functional vehicle.
2Ease of operation
If mobile vehicles with simple autonomous navigation are used, then ease of operation improves, but spatial accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial reference cells as intermediary structures that facilitate accurate positioning. These reference cells are distributed throughout the manufacturing environment and serve as中介 points for the mobile vehicle to determine its precise location. The vehicle communicates with these reference cells to achieve high spatial accuracy while maintaining autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning systems with optical and electromagnetic-based spatial localization systems. The mobile vehicle uses optical sensors, lasers, and electromagnetic communications to determine its position relative to spatial reference cells, achieving higher precision without complex mechanical positioning mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex programming and skilled craftsmen are used for modifications, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but device complexity and ease of manufacture worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile vehicle is equipped with edge computation units that enable it to perform local data processing and autonomous decision-making. The vehicle can independently execute measurement protocols, process measurement data, and adapt to different tasks without requiring complex external programming or skilled craftsmen for each modification. The system includes pre-configured measurement protocols that can be automatically selected and executed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pre-configured measurement protocols and spatial reference structures that are established before the actual measurement tasks. These preliminary configurations include predefined measurement procedures, calibrated reference cells, and automated workflow protocols that eliminate the need for complex on-site programming and skilled craftsmanship during operation.
4Productivity
If static measurement stations are used, then measurement reliability is ensured, but productivity and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile vehicle dynamically moves between different measurement locations and tasks, enabling continuous quality control throughout the manufacturing process. Unlike static stations that require workpieces to be moved to fixed locations, the mobile vehicle comes to the workpiece, maintaining production flow and improving throughput while ensuring quality control reliability through autonomous measurement execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile vehicle enables continuous quality control measurements by autonomously navigating between different workpieces and measurement points without interrupting the manufacturing flow. The vehicle can perform measurements in-line with production, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the manufacturing process rather than requiring intermittent stops at static measurement stations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising at least one mobile vehicle configured to move autonomously. The mobile vehicle comprises a spatial localization system, an autonomous navigation and propulsion unit, a local edge computation unit for a local data analysis at the mobile vehicle by intelligent, dynamically deployable edge analytics software agents, and a communication interface providing a data link to other devices. The system utilizes an automatic deployment of a workflow comprising at least one current task. A mobile measurement vehicle with a spatial measurement sensor unit is configured to establish a temporary instance of a local spatial reference cell for a subset of multiple mobile vehicles and a work piece. The temporary instance of the spatial reference cell is established temporally and is established with an individual level of spatial accuracy and individual limited local range, which individual level is dynamically defined by an accuracy requirement of the current task.