Overhead Trolley Assembly for Autonomous Vehicle Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a precise and repeatable method to position test objects in autonomous vehicle testing environments to simulate real-world scenarios effectively, as existing solutions lack precision and repeatability in representing the motion and position of objects near autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A trolley assembly is designed to traverse an overhead track, equipped with rollers, a cantilever, and a driveshaft powered by motors, allowing it to affix to the track and move along it while avoiding supports, enabling precise representation of test objects' positions and motions, and allowing for easy adjustment and recreation of testing scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a trolley assembly is used to traverse the overhead track, then the testing environment achieves precision and repeatability in positioning test objects, but the device complexity increases due to multiple rollers, cantilever, and driveshaft components
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: idle roller for track contact, top rollers for positioning, cantilever for test object mounting, and driveshaft for propulsion. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve precise positioning through coordinated operation of simplified individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The idle roller acts as an intermediary between the trolley assembly and the overhead track, providing stable contact and rotation about a fixed axis. This intermediary component simplifies the interaction between the moving trolley and the stationary track, enabling precise motion control without direct complex engagement mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the first top roller and second top roller are positioned to define spacing for track supports, then the trolley assembly can traverse smoothly without interfering with supports, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for roller positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The top rollers are positioned at specific locations along the cantilever to create a spacing pattern that matches the overhead track support structure. This local positioning optimization allows the trolley to pass smoothly between supports without requiring high precision across the entire assembly, as only specific roller positions need to be precisely controlled.
3Ease of manufacture
If the driveshaft rotates about an axis parallel to the first axis, then the trolley assembly can be easily affixed to the overhead track, but the ease of operation decreases due to alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The driveshaft rotation axis is deliberately positioned parallel to but offset from the idle roller axis, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetric design simplifies the mechanical connection between components during manufacturing, while the parallel alignment maintains smooth operational characteristics during traversal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The trolley assembly provides accurate representation of test objects' positions and motions, enabling thorough testing of autonomous vehicles' perception and reaction in various scenarios, simplifies track configuration adjustments, and allows for repeatable testing scenarios, ensuring safe operation in real-world conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an idle roller that rotates about a first axis in a first plane
Implementation Method 2
a first top roller coupled to a first end of the idle roller via a first trolley upright support, wherein the first top roller rotates about a second axis in the first plane, the second axis offset at a first angle with respect to the first axis
Implementation Method 3
at least one motor coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the motor causes the driveshaft to rotate about a fourth axis
Implementation Method 4
a driveshaft coupled to a second end of the cantilever, wherein the driveshaft rotates about a fourth axis parallel to the first axis, and the fourth axis rotates about the first axis
Data Source
AI summary
A trolley assembly for overhead track testing is provided. In one example embodiment, a trolley assembly includes an idle roller that rotates about a first axis, a first top roller coupled to a first end of the idle roller via a first trolley upright support, and a second top roller coupled to a second end of the idle roller via a second trolley upright support. The trolley assembly includes a cantilever coupled to the idle roller. The trolley assembly includes a driveshaft coupled to a first end of the cantilever. The trolley assembly includes at least one motor coupled to the drive shaft.