Mobile Vehicle Data Collection for Disconnected Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machines operating at remote work sites often lack reliable or affordable network connectivity, making it difficult for back offices to collect essential data without relying on unreliable cellular networks or expensive satellite connections.
Innovation Solution
A mobile vehicle equipped with a communication network provides connectivity to data hauling devices on machines, allowing data collection and upload via site-specific networks, even in areas with limited or no connectivity, by detecting and utilizing available communication networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cellular networks are used for data transmission, then data collection is enabled, but reliability deteriorates in remote work sites without cellular coverage
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile vehicle equipped with a communication network acts as an intermediary between machines at remote work sites and the stationary site. The vehicle travels to the work site, establishes a local communication network, collects data from machines, then returns to upload data to the stationary site, thereby enabling reliable data transmission without requiring continuous cellular coverage at the remote location.
2Ease of operation
If satellite networks are used for data transmission, then network availability is improved in remote areas, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining continuous satellite network connections at all remote work sites, the system uses periodic action by deploying a mobile vehicle that travels to different locations at scheduled intervals. The vehicle establishes temporary communication networks only when needed for data collection, thereby reducing overall transmission costs while maintaining necessary network availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile vehicles provide communication networks, then data collection from disconnected machines is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transportation platform and as a mobile communication network provider. By integrating communication network capabilities into an existing mobile vehicle platform, the system achieves adaptability for data collection from disconnected machines without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for collecting data from a machine lacking network connectivity may comprise a mobile vehicle. The mobile vehicle may be configured for providing a vehicle communication network to a data hauling device of the machine, the machine being remote from a stationary site having a site-specific communication network. The mobile vehicle may further be configured for retrieving data from the data hauling device via the vehicle communication network, detecting the site-specific communication network, and uploading the retrieved data to the stationary site using the site-specific communication network.