Modular Vehicle Assembly Control with Autonomous Module Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle manufacturing methods result in vehicles designed for specific purposes, leading to a large fleet requirement and high costs, with known modular solutions being cumbersome and time-consuming to disassemble and reassemble.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling the assembly of vehicles from a set of modules, utilizing autonomously operated drive modules with interfaces, where a first control device commands connections and a second control device verifies them, enabling quick and efficient assembly and disassembly of vehicles like trucks, buses, or snowploughs without manual work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicles are manufactured for specific purposes with fixed configurations, then vehicle reliability for specific tasks is improved, but fleet cost and complexity increase due to needing multiple specialized vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal vehicle platform where a single base vehicle can perform multiple different tasks by attaching various functional modules. The base vehicle includes standardized interfaces that can connect to different modules such as cargo modules, passenger modules, or equipment modules, allowing one vehicle to replace multiple specialized vehicles and reducing fleet complexity while maintaining task-specific reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle system is divided into a base vehicle and separate functional modules that can be independently designed, manufactured, and attached. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function while the base vehicle provides universal connectivity and propulsion, resolving the contradiction between task-specific reliability and fleet complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If vehicles are designed as modular assemblies, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but assembly time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The functional modules are pre-equipped with standardized connection interfaces that match the base vehicle's interfaces. This preliminary preparation of interfaces allows modules to be quickly attached and detached without complex alignment or customization procedures, enabling rapid reconfiguration while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assembly operations with automated coupling mechanisms. The standardized interfaces incorporate automated alignment and locking features that reduce assembly time and minimize the need for manual intervention, thus reducing assembly time while preserving vehicle adaptability
3Ease of repair
If manual assembly operations are used for modular vehicles, then ease of repair and modification are improved, but assembly speed and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The modular vehicle system incorporates self-aligning and self-locking interfaces that automatically perform coupling functions when modules are brought together. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual assembly operations while maintaining ease of modification, as users can still easily attach and detach modules without specialized tools or procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized interface acts as an intermediary between the base vehicle and functional modules, providing automated coupling and decoupling functions. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the interaction between components, enabling rapid assembly and disassembly while preserving ease of repair and modification
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method performed by a first control device for controlling assembly of a vehicle from a set of modules, the set of modules comprising: at least one drive module and at least one functional module, wherein the at least one drive module comprises a pair of wheels and is configured to be autonomously operated, and wherein each module in the set of modules comprises at least one interface releasably connectable to a corresponding interface on the other module, the method comprising: commanding a second control device of the at least one drive module to physically connect the at least one drive module with the at least one functional module to assemble a vehicle; and receiving, from at least one of the modules of the assembled vehicle, a verification of the connection between the modules.