Predefined Path Offsets for Autonomous Vehicle Wear Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle paths experience rapid wear due to factors like potholes, deformation, and loose ground, leading to decreased path quality and increased maintenance needs, which reduces productivity and degrades vehicle control.
Innovation Solution
A computer system adjusts the configuration of a predefined path by offsetting positions where operations affecting longitudinal motion are performed, distributing wear across different locations to reduce maintenance needs and improve productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vehicles follow the same predefined path configuration repeatedly, then operational efficiency and route consistency are improved, but path wear increases rapidly at specific locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the path configuration adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies the predefined path by applying longitudinal offsets to operation positions based on wear data, allowing the path to adapt to wear conditions while maintaining operational efficiency. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the path to change over time, distributing wear more evenly across different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of operation positions along the path by applying longitudinal offsets. Instead of keeping operations at fixed positions, the system modifies these positions based on wear measurements, thereby changing the physical parameters of path usage. This parameter change allows the same path to be used repeatedly while distributing wear across varying locations, resolving the contradiction between consistent route usage and path wear.
2Reliability
If maintenance is performed frequently to reduce path wear, then path quality and vehicle control are improved, but productivity decreases due to path unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively adjusting the path configuration based on wear data before severe degradation occurs. Instead of waiting for the path to become unusable and then performing maintenance, the system continuously monitors wear and modifies operation positions in advance to distribute wear evenly. This preliminary adjustment reduces the frequency and intensity of maintenance needed, thereby maintaining path quality while minimizing productivity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The path management system applies self-service by automatically adjusting its own configuration based on collected wear data. The system monitors its own usage patterns and wear conditions, then autonomously modifies operation positions to optimize wear distribution. This self-adjusting capability reduces the need for external maintenance interventions, thereby maintaining path quality while preserving productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If operations are concentrated at specific predefined positions, then operational precision is improved, but localized wear increases creating potholes and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the path configuration locally adaptable. Instead of uniformly distributing operations across the entire path or keeping them fixed at precise locations, the system applies localized longitudinal offsets to specific operation positions based on their individual wear conditions. This allows each location to be adjusted independently, maintaining operational precision where needed while distributing wear locally to prevent potholes and deformation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer system (700) comprising a processor device (702) configured to handle a configuration of a predefined path (10) is provided. The processor device (702) is configured to, obtain a configuration of a predefined path (10). The configuration is indicative of operations to be performed at positions of the predefined path (10), each operation affects a longitudinal motion of at least one vehicle (1, 2, 3). The processor device (702) is configured to obtain at least one distance (D-4, D-5, D-6) for offsetting at least one position of the configuration. The processor device (702) is configured to adjust the configuration by offsetting the at least one position of the configuration based on the obtained at least one distance (D-4, D-5, D-6). The processor device (702) is configured to trigger the at least one vehicle (1, 2, 3) to operate in the predefined path (10) based on the adjusted configuration.