Industrial Vehicle Remote Control Signal Conversion for Multi-Controller Use

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial vehicle remote operation systems lack convenience as they often require a single type of operation controller and do not allow for easy addition, deletion, or change of operation controllers, limiting flexibility and adaptability to different operational modes and environments.

Innovation Solution

An industrial vehicle remote operation system that includes a communication device capable of converting operation signals from various types of operation controllers into remote instruction signals, allowing for the addition, deletion, or change of operation controllers, and featuring a signal conversion process to adapt to different data formats, enabling flexible remote operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single type of operation controller is used for remote operation, then the system structure remains simple, but the adaptability and versatility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different operation controllersVSAvoidcomplexity of communication device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication device is designed with universal compatibility to accept multiple types of operation controllers (first operation controller with first operation signal and second operation controller with second operation signal). The device includes a reception portion that receives different operation signals, a storage portion that stores multiple conversion programs, and a signal conversion portion that converts various operation signals into remote instruction signals, enabling one device to serve multiple functions and work with different controller types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system handles different operation controllers by changing the conversion program parameter. The storage portion stores multiple conversion programs corresponding to different operation controllers, and the signal conversion portion selects and executes the appropriate conversion program based on the type of operation controller being used, allowing the system to adapt to different controllers without changing the hardware structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of operation controllers are supported, then the versatility increases, but the device complexity and difficulty of management increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility of operation controllersVSAvoidcomplexity of signal conversion system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing multiple conversion programs in the storage portion before actual operation. Each conversion program is prepared in advance for a specific type of operation controller, so when an operation controller is connected, the system can immediately select and use the corresponding pre-prepared conversion program without requiring complex real-time analysis or configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The signal conversion portion acts as an intermediary between the operation controller and the remote operation system. It receives operation signals from different types of controllers, selects the appropriate conversion program, and converts the signals into a standardized remote instruction signal format, thereby mediating between diverse input formats and the uniform output requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conversion programs are stored for multiple operation controllers, then the adaptability improves, but the storage requirements and information management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvertibility of operation signalsVSAvoidamount of conversion programs to be managed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system manages multiple conversion programs by changing the program selection parameter based on the operation controller type. The storage portion stores conversion programs with different parameters corresponding to different controllers, and the signal conversion portion selects the appropriate program by matching the controller type parameter, allowing efficient organization and selection without requiring complex management structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11307572B2Industrial vehicle remote operation system, communication device, industrial vehicle, and computer readable storage medium for storing industrial vehicle remote operation program

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORP

AI summary

An industrial vehicle remote operation system includes an industrial vehicle including a vehicle communication portion, a communication device, and, a first signal conversion portion. The communication device includes a reception portion that receives two or more types of operation signals, an obtainment portion that obtains a conversion program for converting the operation signal into the remote instruction signal, a storage portion configured to store the conversion program, a second signal conversion portion configured to convert the operation signal into the remote instruction signal using the conversion program, and a communication device communication portion that sends the remote instruction signal to the vehicle communication portion. The communication device includes an update portion configured to update information stored in the storage portion so as to enable addition, deletion, or change of one or more of the operation signals that are convertible by the second signal conversion portion.