Retrofit Remote Control Interface for Mixed Machine Architectures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for machines are complex, expensive, and specific to each type of machine, making them undesirable for widespread adoption, especially in challenging environments like mining and construction where safety and versatility are concerns.
Innovation Solution
A retrofittable remote control system that includes an interface control module and an off-board remote control, capable of communicating over a wireless channel, detects on-board control modules and establishes either digital or direct I/O communication links to control machine components, allowing for universal compatibility and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional remote control kits are used for machines, then remote operation capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control system is designed with a universal interface that can work with multiple machine types and control architectures. The system automatically detects the machine's control architecture (direct I/O or digital communication channel with control modules) and adapts accordingly, eliminating the need for machine-specific remote control kits and reducing overall system complexity.
2Extent of automation
If conventional remote control kits are used for machines, then remote operation capability is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a universal remote control system that can interface with both direct I/O controlled components and digital communication channel controlled components across different machine types, the patent eliminates the need for multiple expensive machine-specific remote control kits, thereby reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes automatic detection capabilities that identify the machine's control architecture without requiring manual configuration or expensive pre-programming. The system self-adapts to the detected architecture, reducing installation costs and complexity.
3Reliability
If machine-specific remote control kits are used, then compatibility with specific machine types is achieved, but adaptability to different machine configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on the detected machine architecture. It can switch between direct I/O control mode and digital communication channel mode with control modules, providing both reliability through proven interfaces and versatility through automatic adaptation to different configurations.
4Ease of operation
If automatic detection and adaptation is implemented, then ease of installation and versatility are improved, but detection and measurement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-detection of the machine's control architecture upon installation without requiring manual configuration. The detection process is automated and the system self-adapts to the detected architecture, making installation easy despite the complexity of the detection algorithms involved.
Data Source
AI summary
A retrofittable remote control system is provided for enabling remote controlling of an on-board component of machine that is inherently incapable of being remote controlled. An interface control module is retrofitted on machine and is configured to communicate with off-board remote control over wireless communication channel. The interface control module detects presence of an on-board control module that communicates with the on-board component over a digital communication channel. The interface control module is configured to then establish either a digital communication link with the on-board control module or a direct Input/Output (I/O) communication link with the on-board component of the machine based on the detection. The interface control module is configured to send a control signal over either the direct I/O communication link or the digital communication channel via the detected on-board control module, for controlling the on-board component.