Remote Vehicle Routing for Abnormal Units in Factory Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the production of vehicles, moving objects with abnormalities can interfere with subsequent production steps, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned driving system that moves vehicles with abnormalities to a designated repair location instead of proceeding to the next step, using remote control to avoid interference and ensure timely resolution of issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If moving objects with abnormalities are moved to the next work place in the production line, then the production flow is maintained, but the abnormal objects interfere with subsequent production steps and cause potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction flowVSAvoidinterference with subsequent production steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts abnormal moving objects from the main production line by diverting them to a separate location before they can interfere with subsequent production steps. This is achieved by the control device detecting abnormalities and commanding the unmanned driving system to redirect abnormal objects to a designated area, thus removing the harmful factor while maintaining overall production flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of abnormalities using imaging devices and other detection means before the moving objects reach subsequent work places. The control device anticipates potential interference and preemptively redirects abnormal objects, preventing the harmful effect from occurring in the first place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If all moving objects are processed through every work place, then production consistency is maintained, but unnecessary work is performed on abnormal vehicles reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction consistencyVSAvoidtime spent on unnecessary work
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing complete inspection and processing only on normal moving objects that pass through all work places, while abnormal objects receive only necessary detection and redirection. This selective approach avoids excessive processing of abnormal objects, reducing time loss while maintaining production consistency for normal items.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from detection devices (imaging devices, sensors) to identify abnormal moving objects and provides feedback to the control device, which then adjusts the processing path accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that normal objects receive full processing while abnormal objects are efficiently redirected, optimizing overall production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If abnormal moving objects are detected and redirected to a separate location, then interference with production is prevented, but additional control mechanisms are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of production interferenceVSAvoidcontrol mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unmanned driving system performs self-service by autonomously detecting abnormalities through integrated sensors and imaging devices, making decisions about redirection, and executing the diversion without human intervention. The control device coordinates with the unmanned system's own capabilities, reducing the need for external complex control mechanisms while maintaining reliable prevention of production interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4439222B1Unmanned driving system, control device, and unmanned driving method
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4439222B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4439222B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4439222B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

An unmanned driving system includes a moving object configured to be movable by remote control; a remote control unit configured to perform remote control for the moving object, wherein the remote control unit moves the moving object that has been finished a first work at a first place in a factory to a second place in the factory by the remote control, wherein the moving object is produced in the factory, wherein the second place is a place for performing a second work on the moving object; and an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating that a predetermined number or more of another moving objects of the same type as the moving object and having an abnormality arrive at the second place within a predetermined period, wherein when the information acquisition unit acquires the information, the remote control unit moves the moving object that has not been started the second work to a third place in the factory, wherein the third place is different from both the first place and the second place.