Remote Vehicle Speed Limiter for Safety Standoff Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic combat vehicles require large safety standoff distances at high speeds, which can be impractical in low-speed operations, such as loading or maneuvering in close quarters, posing challenges in ensuring personnel safety without unreasonably restricting access.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electronic safety equipment, known as a safety standoff distance limiter (SSDL), which monitors the vehicle's speed and automatically triggers an emergency stop if it exceeds a predefined maximum speed, allowing for reduced safety standoff distances during low-speed operations by enforcing speed limits through either physical switches or remote commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large safety standoff distances are enforced for high-speed robotic combat vehicles, then personnel safety is improved, but operational flexibility and accessibility in low-speed operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the maximum speed configurable rather than fixed. The electronic safety equipment allows the maximum speed to be adjusted based on operational context, enabling the system to adapt between high-speed operations requiring large standoff distances and low-speed operations allowing smaller distances. This is implemented through configurable speed parameters that can be set by remote operators or automated systems based on the operational situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the speed parameter dynamically based on operational conditions. By allowing the maximum speed threshold to be modified according to the operational context (high-speed vs. low-speed operations), the system can enforce appropriate safety standoff distances for each scenario. This parameter change enables the same vehicle to operate safely in both high-speed combat scenarios and low-speed loading/maneuvering scenarios without requiring physically different safety systems.
2Productivity
If high maximum speeds are permitted for robotic combat vehicles, then operational efficiency is improved, but the required safety standoff distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the maximum speed parameter based on operational needs and safety requirements. During high-priority operations where efficiency is critical, higher maximum speeds can be permitted with corresponding large standoff distances. During low-speed operations such as loading or maneuvering in confined spaces, the maximum speed parameter is reduced, allowing smaller standoff distances while maintaining safety. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between operational efficiency and safety standoff distance requirements.
3Reliability
If electronic safety equipment is added to enforce speed limits, then safety control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical speed limiting mechanisms with electronic safety equipment. Instead of using mechanical governors, centrifugal clutches, or other mechanical speed-restricting devices, the system uses electronic sensors, microcontrollers, and software-based speed monitoring and enforcement. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving the precision and flexibility of speed control. The electronic system can easily adjust speed parameters through software rather than requiring mechanical reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely controlled vehicle (RCV) includes a vehicle propulsion system constructed and arranged to move the RCV. The RCV further includes a vehicle control computer coupled with the vehicle propulsion system. The vehicle control computer is constructed and arranged to operate the vehicle propulsion system. The RCV further includes electronic safety equipment coupled with the vehicle propulsion system. The electronic safety equipment is constructed and arranged to perform a method which includes receiving a set of speed signals indicating a current speed of the RCV. The method further includes performing a comparison operation which compares the current speed of the RCV, as indicated by the set of speed signals, to a predefined maximum speed. The method further includes triggering an emergency vehicle stop in response to a result of the comparison operation indicating that the current speed of the RCV exceeds the predefined maximum speed by a predefined amount.