Unmanned Vehicle Speed Control via Inclination Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned vehicles operating at work sites, such as mines, require flexible adjustment of their target traveling speed due to varying traveling path conditions, which existing technologies fail to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned vehicle management device comprising an upper limit speed storage unit, an input speed acquisition unit, and an output control unit that adjusts the target traveling speed based on inclination angles and input values, ensuring the speed remains within predetermined limits and adheres to set rules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the target traveling speed is adjusted to be lower than the upper limit to adapt to varying work site conditions, then the adaptability to different work sites is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for speed adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to work site conditionsVSAvoidcomplexity of speed adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the speed parameter dynamically by storing upper limit speeds corresponding to different inclination angles and allowing manual input adjustments. The management device modifies the target traveling speed parameter based on the relationship between inclination angle and upper limit speed, enabling adaptability without complex mechanical adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The management device acts as an intermediary between the work site conditions and the unmanned vehicle control system. It stores and manages the relationship data between inclination angles and upper limit speeds, then transmits appropriate speed parameters to the vehicle, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling flexible speed adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual input is required to adjust the target traveling speed below the upper limit, then the flexibility in speed control is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional input steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in speed controlVSAvoidease of speed adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides partial automation by automatically determining the upper limit speed based on stored inclination angle data, while allowing manual input only when speed reduction is needed. This partial action approach balances automation benefits with necessary manual control, improving ease of operation while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the upper limit speed is set based on inclination angle to ensure safety, then the reliability is improved, but the productivity decreases due to speed restrictions on downhill paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety on downhill pathsVSAvoidtraveling speed on downhill

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic speed limiting where the upper limit speed is determined based on the actual inclination angle of the downhill path rather than a fixed restriction. The management device calculates and transmits appropriate speed parameters based on real-time inclination data, allowing the speed limit to adapt dynamically to actual conditions, thus maintaining safety while optimizing productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11687085B2Unmanned vehicle management device, unmanned vehicle management method, and management system

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 KOMATSU LTD

AI summary

An unmanned vehicle management device includes an upper limit speed storage unit that stores an upper limit of a traveling speed of an unmanned vehicle on a downhill set based on an inclination angle of the downhill, an input speed acquisition unit that acquires an input value input by an input device, and an output control unit that causes an output device to output upper limit speed data indicating a relationship between the inclination angle and the upper limit, and input speed data generated based on the input value.