Retrofitting Subsystem Controllers for Unmanned Vehicle Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are expensive, complex, and not easily manually operable, and their unmanned nature can be undesirable in certain environments, such as combat or hazardous waste areas, where concealment is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates subsystem controllers for throttle, brake, and steering into existing vehicle systems, enabling remote or automated control through an actuator control system, with an interrupt device for seamless transition between manual and unmanned operation, allowing the vehicle to be converted into a Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV), Remotely Guided Vehicle (RGV), or Autonomously Guided Vehicle (AGV).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional UGVs are designed and built solely for unmanned operation, then unmanned operational capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle control system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in fully manual mode, fully autonomous mode, and any combination thereof. The existing vehicle controller manages routine operations while the autonomous control system takes over when needed, allowing the same hardware to serve both manned and unmanned purposes without requiring separate specialized systems for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the existing vehicle control system with an autonomous control system into a unified architecture. The autonomous control system integrates with rather than replaces the manual control systems, merging both control modes into a single vehicle platform. This consolidation reduces overall complexity compared to maintaining separate specialized vehicles for manual and autonomous operations.
2Extent of automation
If conventional UGVs are designed solely for unmanned operation, then autonomous capability is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates as manual control cannot be easily assumed
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, allowing the operator to switch between manual and autonomous modes as needed. The system can transition from fully autonomous operation to manual control on demand, and can operate in hybrid modes where certain functions are autonomous while others remain manually controllable. This dynamic flexibility ensures that manual control is always accessible when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The control architecture supports multiple operational modes including fully manual, fully autonomous, and hybrid modes. The same control system can perform both autonomous navigation and manual control functions, making the vehicle versatile enough to handle both unmanned operations and situations requiring direct human intervention without needing separate specialized systems.
3Extent of automation
If conventional UGVs are clearly identifiable as unmanned vehicles, then autonomous operation is achieved, but concealment capability deteriorates in hazardous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle maintains the appearance and control characteristics of a conventional manually-operated vehicle while incorporating autonomous capabilities. By using the existing vehicle's manual control systems and interfaces, the vehicle can operate autonomously or manually without external observers being able to distinguish between the two modes, providing concealment capability while maintaining full autonomous functionality.
4Ease of manufacture
If subsystem controllers are integrated into existing vehicle systems, then ease of manufacture improves through retrofitting, but device complexity increases due to system integration
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous control system is divided into separate functional modules including perception modules, decision-making modules, and control execution modules. Each module can be independently developed, tested, and integrated into the existing vehicle system. This segmentation allows for manageable integration complexity while enabling retrofitting of autonomous capabilities onto conventional vehicles without requiring complete system redesign.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for incorporation into a manually controlled vehicle to provide unmanned operational capability to the vehicle, comprises a quantity of subsystem controllers. The subsystem controllers include: a throttle controller, integratable with an existing throttle system of the vehicle; a brake controller, integratable with an existing brake system of the vehicle; and a steering controller, integratable with an existing steering system of the vehicle. An actuator control system is operably coupleable to each of the subsystem controllers, and the actuator control system is capable of enabling remote or automated control of each of the subsystem controllers. An interrupt device is operably coupled to the actuator control system, the interrupt device providing selective: i) actuation of the actuator control system to provide remote or automated control of the subsystem controllers; and ii) deactivation of the actuator control system to return the subsystem controllers to a manually controlled state.