Self-Righting Emergency Marker for Autonomous Vehicle Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, there is a need for a system to deploy emergency markers after an emergency stop since there is no human driver to manually place them.
Innovation Solution
A self-stabilizing marker system with a marker body, counterweight, and rotatable axle that allows the marker to self-right and deploy markers automatically at required locations using a mechanical arm, remote-controlled vehicle, or drone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a human driver manually places emergency markers, then the markers can be positioned correctly, but this requires human intervention which is unavailable in autonomous vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is designed with self-righting capability through a counterweight system that automatically orients the marker vertically when deployed. The marker body includes a counterweight positioned below the axle, creating a center of mass that causes the marker to self-correct its orientation without human intervention, enabling autonomous deployment systems to simply release the marker rather than precisely position it
Solution Approach 2:
A counterweight is integrated into the marker structure, positioned below the axle to create an unstable equilibrium that favors the vertical orientation. This counterweight system provides a restoring torque when the marker is tilted, automatically returning it to the upright position and ensuring correct orientation during automated deployment
2Use of energy by moving object
If the marker is designed to be lightweight for easy deployment, then deployment energy is reduced, but the marker becomes unstable and difficult to position
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight positioned below the axle creates a gravitational restoring force that stabilizes the marker in the vertical orientation. This design allows the marker to be lightweight for easy automated deployment while the counterweight provides the necessary stability and self-righting capability without requiring additional deployment energy
Solution Approach 2:
The marker uses its own weight distribution and gravitational force to achieve stability and self-orientation. The counterweight system converts the marker's mass into a stabilizing mechanism that automatically corrects orientation, eliminating the need for external positioning assistance or additional energy input
3Ease of manufacture
If the marker uses a fixed orientation design, then manufacturing is simpler, but the marker cannot self-right when deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight system provides self-righting capability through gravitational torque, allowing the marker to automatically orient vertically regardless of deployment orientation. This mechanism adds minimal manufacturing complexity compared to fixed-orientation markers while providing significant adaptability for automated deployment scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The marker transitions from a static fixed-orientation design to a dynamic self-adjusting system. The rotatable axle and counterweight configuration allow the marker to dynamically respond to gravitational forces and automatically orient itself, providing adaptability for various deployment conditions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures timely and effective deployment of emergency markers to alert other drivers, enhancing safety and compliance with traffic regulations without human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a marker body (608); a counterweight (602) connected to the marker body (608), the marker body (608) and counterweight (602) forming a self-stabilizing system
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle marker locatable along a road or other surface travelled by an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The marker comprises a marker body; a counterweight connected to the body. The marker body and counterweight are movable as a single self-stabilizing system. An axle supports the self-stabilizing system. The axle is rotatable relative to the self-stabilizing system and the self-stabilizing system has a center of mass that is located below the axle. The marker also comprises a number of supports, where each of the number of supports is rigidly fixed to the axle, and is rotatable with the axle relative to the self-stabilizing system, and wherein the location of the center of mass of the self-stabilizing system and rotatable axle and supports enable the marker to be self-righting when the marker is located along the surface.