Platoon Vehicle Group Control for Lower Communication Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle manufacturing systems where multiple vehicles perform self-propelled transportation, the communication and processing loads increase due to individual control instruction value transmission to each vehicle, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle manufacturing system that controls a platoon of vehicles with common control instruction values for groups, using sensors to detect inter-vehicle distances and dynamically adjust group membership based on thresholds, switching to individual control when necessary, and employing a server to manage communication addresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If individual control instruction values are transmitted to each vehicle, then control precision is improved, but communication load and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidcommunication load and processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments vehicles into multiple groups based on their spatial distribution and control requirements. Each group receives a common control instruction value, while individual control is applied only when necessary. This segmentation reduces the overall communication and processing load while maintaining control precision where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the control strategy by switching between group control and individual control based on real-time conditions. When vehicles are closely spaced and responding similarly, group control is used. When inter-vehicle distance variations exceed thresholds, individual control is activated for specific vehicles, optimizing the balance between precision and system load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If group control with common instruction values is used, then communication load and processing load are reduced, but control adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication load and processing loadVSAvoidcontrol adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors inter-vehicle distances and compares them against predefined thresholds. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect when vehicles are deviating from their expected positions and triggers a switch from group control to individual control, ensuring adaptability while maintaining low system load during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically transitions between group control and individual control modes based on real-time vehicle positioning data. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain low communication and processing loads during stable conditions while quickly responding to changes that require more precise, individualized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If individual control is used for all vehicles, then control precision is maintained, but manufacturing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting vehicles into groups that share common control characteristics, the system reduces the number of individual control operations required. This segmentation maintains control precision for vehicles that need it while applying efficient group control to others, thereby improving overall manufacturing efficiency without sacrificing necessary precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically determines the appropriate control level for each vehicle or group based on real-time conditions. This dynamic approach ensures that individual control is applied only when necessary for precision, while group control handles routine scenarios, optimizing the balance between control precision and manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If group control is used, then processing load is reduced, but response to inter-vehicle distance variations is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing loadVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses continuous feedback from inter-vehicle distance sensors to monitor group cohesion. When distance variations exceed predefined thresholds, the feedback triggers an immediate switch from group control to individual control, ensuring rapid response to changing conditions while maintaining low processing load during stable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts its responsiveness by switching between group and individual control modes. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain low processing loads during normal operation while being prepared to quickly respond to inter-vehicle distance variations that require more granular control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4614272A1Vehicle manufacturing system and vehicle manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4614272A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4614272A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4614272A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle manufacturing system (50) is a vehicle manufacturing system for performing control in such a way that a plurality of vehicles (100) forming a platoon travel, the vehicle manufacturing system including: a computing unit for computing a control instruction value for controlling a speed of the vehicle; a transmitter configured to transmit the control instruction value to vehicles included in a group including two or more of the vehicles included in the platoon, the control instruction value being common among the vehicles included in the group; a speed control unit for controlling the speed of the vehicle in accordance with the control instruction value; a sensor provided to detect an inter-vehicle distance, which is a distance between the vehicles; and a group adjustment unit for changing the vehicles included in the group in accordance with the inter-vehicle distance.