Vehicular Navigation Mode Switching With Direct Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for vehicle navigation in warehouse environments are inefficient due to the high cost of human operators and the difficulty in transitioning between autonomous and manual vehicle operation modes, particularly in semi-automated and fully automated systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a vehicle with a memory component, navigation control module (NCM), and vehicle control module (VCM) that operates in multiple modes (manual, automatic, initialization, and standby) with the NCM providing automatic control signals directly to the vehicle motor in torque control mode, allowing for efficient automatic operation without relying on the VCM controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If semi-automated or fully automated vehicle operation is implemented, then operator costs are reduced, but the complexity of control systems increases and operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct operational modes (manual, automatic, initialization, standby) that can be independently selected and executed. This segmentation allows the complex automated control functions to be isolated from manual control, reducing the overall operational complexity while maintaining high productivity through automated operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle control system dynamically transitions between different operational modes based on operational requirements. The ability to switch between manual and automatic modes allows the system to adapt its complexity level in real-time, using simple manual control when operators are available and complex automated control when cost efficiency is prioritized, thereby managing the trade-off between productivity and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operational modes are implemented, then vehicle adaptability improves, but the difficulty of mode transitions and system operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed with universal multi-functionality, where a single unified control architecture handles all operational modes (manual, automatic, initialization, standby). This universal design allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining consistent operation procedures across all modes, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs an intermediary control layer that manages transitions between different operational modes. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of mode switching from the operator, providing a unified interface for mode selection and handling the complex transition logic internally, thus maintaining ease of operation while supporting multiple operational modes.
3Measurement precision
If direct motor control is implemented in torque control mode, then navigation accuracy improves, but the complexity of control architecture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque control function is extracted from the general-purpose VCM controller and implemented as a dedicated direct control path from the NCM to the vehicle motor. This extraction isolates the high-precision torque control operations from the broader control architecture, enabling improved navigation accuracy through direct motor control while containing the increased complexity within a specific, well-defined control pathway rather than propagating it throughout the entire system.
Data Source
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AI summary
Included are embodiments for multimode vehicular navigation control. Some embodiments include a vehicle that has a memory component and a vehicle control module (VCM), where the VCM includes a controller. Additionally, the memory component may store functional modes of operation and control modes of operation, each of the control modes of operation being associated with a mechanism for controlling the vehicle, and each of the functional modes of operation being associated with a desired function of the vehicle. In some embodiments the VCM receives control commands from a system operator and implements the control commands, utilizing the controller. In some embodiments, at least one of the control modes of operation is configured for automatic control of the vehicle and at least one of the control modes of operation is a torque control mode for providing a power signal directly to a vehicle motor, without utilization of the controller.