Underground Vehicle Positioning Control for Tunnel Transition Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles operating in underground tunnel systems face challenges in transitioning between satellite-based and environment-scanning positioning methods, leading to unreliable position information and potential collisions during transitions between underground and surface sections, due to slow satellite signal re-acquisition and differing positioning techniques.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that define confidence levels for position information from satellite-based and environment-scanning sources, allowing for the selection and application of a positioning correction source to correct dead-reckoning based positioning, thereby minimizing interruptions and improving positioning accuracy during transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite-based positioning is used for vehicle positioning at the worksite, then positioning accuracy is improved when satellite signals are available, but positioning reliability deteriorates during transitions between underground and surface sections due to slow signal re-acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple positioning sources (satellite-based positioning and environment-scanning based positioning) into a unified positioning system. The control unit selects between different positioning sources based on confidence level information, ensuring continuous and reliable positioning by merging the strengths of both methods while compensating for their individual weaknesses during transition phases
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the selection of positioning source based on confidence level parameters. When satellite signals are available and confidence is high, satellite-based positioning is used for high accuracy. When transitioning and confidence drops below thresholds, the system switches to environment-scanning based positioning to maintain reliability, thus adapting parameters based on real-time conditions
2Reliability
If environment-scanning based positioning is used for vehicle positioning in underground sections, then positioning reliability is improved during transitions, but positioning accuracy deteriorates compared to satellite-based positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on real-time confidence level assessments. The control unit continuously monitors the reliability of the current positioning source and switches between satellite-based and environment-scanning based positioning dynamically, rather than using a fixed method, thus optimizing both reliability and accuracy according to operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that manages the selection between different positioning sources. It evaluates confidence level information from both positioning methods and makes intelligent decisions about which source to use, mediating between the high-accuracy satellite positioning and the high-reliability environment-scanning positioning to achieve optimal overall performance
3Duration of action of stationary object
If dead-reckoning based positioning is used for continuous vehicle positioning, then positioning continuity is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates over time due to error accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors the accuracy and reliability of dead-reckoning based positioning. When error accumulation exceeds acceptable thresholds or when more accurate positioning sources become available, the system uses feedback from environment-scanning or satellite-based positioning to correct the accumulated errors, thus maintaining both continuity and accuracy over time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the positioning of a vehicle at a worksite including an underground tunnel system includes the steps of defining first confidence level information for position information by a satellite based first positioning source of the vehicle, defining second confidence level information for position information by a second positioning source configured to position the vehicle based on environment scanning, selecting a positioning correction source for the vehicle on the basis of the first confidence level information and the second confidence level information, and applying the selected positioning correction source for correcting dead-reckoning based positioning for the vehicle.