Platooning Control System HOS Constraint Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current truck platooning systems fail to account for varying hours of service (HOS) availability and logistical constraints among vehicles, leading to inefficient convoy organization and potential disruptions during routes.

Innovation Solution

A network control center coordinates candidate vehicles for platooning based on HOS requirements, customer constraints, and service time, integrating a navigation system to manage logistics and routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If vehicles are linked in platooning convoys to reduce fuel consumption and improve efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but the system fails to account for varying HOS availability and logistical constraints among vehicles, leading to potential disruptions and reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidplatooning convoy continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of HOS availability and logistical constraints before forming platooning convoys. The network control center receives vehicle information including HOS status, pick-up/delivery time constraints, and service time requirements, then proactively identifies suitable candidate vehicles and determines optimal convoy configurations before deployment, preventing mid-route disruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts platooning convoy composition based on real-time HOS availability and logistical constraints. Vehicles can enter or exit platoons during operation based on their changing constraints, and the network control center continuously monitors and reconfigures convoys to maintain optimal composition while accounting for evolving driver availability and delivery schedules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the system organizes platooning convoys without considering HOS availability and logistical constraints, then device complexity is reduced, but the productivity of the platooning system decreases due to mid-route ceasing or reorganization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidplatooning route efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network control center serves as an intermediary between individual vehicles and the platooning coordination function. It receives comprehensive vehicle information including HOS status and logistical constraints, processes this data centrally, and generates optimized convoy assignments. This intermediary approach consolidates complexity in a dedicated coordination system rather than requiring complex distributed decision-making at each vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual coordination and ad-hoc platooning organization with an automated electronic system that processes vehicle information, assesses HOS availability, evaluates logistical constraints, and generates optimized convoy assignments. This substitution of automated information processing for manual coordination improves productivity while managing complexity through software-based solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If vehicles with different HOS availability are grouped together in platooning convoys, then adaptability of the platooning system is improved, but the system may need to cease or reorganize mid-route when a vehicle exhausts its HOS requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatooning convoy composition flexibilityVSAvoidmid-route reorganization time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network control center performs preliminary assessment of HOS availability and determines optimal convoy configurations before vehicles depart. By evaluating each vehicle's HOS status and logistical constraints in advance, the system creates convoys that are pre-coordinated to avoid HOS exhaustion issues, eliminating the need for mid-route reorganization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors vehicle HOS status and logistical constraint fulfillment, using this feedback to dynamically adjust convoy compositions. When vehicles approach HOS limits or encounter constraint violations, the network control center receives updated information and reconfigures convoys proactively before disruptions occur, preventing mid-route ceasing or reorganization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11688284B2Control system for platooning of vehicles

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 OMNITRACS LLC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a network control center that coordinates candidate vehicles suited for platooning based at least in part on the hours of service (HOS) requirements, customer constraints, and service time of each candidate vehicle. Further, the network control center may integrate a navigation system that incorporates one or more of the above factors to manage logistics associated with platooning vehicles.