Autonomous Utility Vehicle Control for Rough Terrain Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies have not addressed the need for autonomous driving vehicles capable of traversing rough terrain, as conventional systems are not designed to handle obstacles and terrain variations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A utility vehicle equipped with a travel structure, including front and rear wheels, a steering structure, and a drive source, along with sensors and detectors, which utilize road condition data to navigate terrain, utilizing sensors and detectors to determine optimal travel paths and adjust speed and steering accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional autonomous driving control is used, then the vehicle can operate on ordinary roads, but it cannot effectively handle rough terrain and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing road condition-specific control strategies. The control device determines the current road condition (rough terrain vs. ordinary road) and applies different control algorithms accordingly. For rough terrain, the system uses control methods optimized for obstacle traversal and terrain negotiation, while switching to conventional autonomous driving control on ordinary roads, thereby achieving reliable operation across diverse environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the control system adaptable and changeable based on environmental conditions. The control device dynamically switches between different control modes (rough terrain control vs. ordinary road autonomous driving control) based on real-time road condition assessment. This dynamic adaptation allows the vehicle to maintain optimal control reliability regardless of whether it is traversing rough terrain or operating on paved roads
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle operates autonomously on rough terrain, then it can traverse obstacles, but it requires complex control different from conventional autonomous driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the autonomous driving control system into distinct modules: a road condition determination module that assesses terrain type, and separate control execution modules for rough terrain and ordinary roads. This segmentation allows the complex rough terrain control functionality to be isolated and managed independently, reducing the perceived complexity of the overall system while maintaining comprehensive terrain traversal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality through a single control device that performs multiple functions: it determines road conditions, selects appropriate control strategies, and executes both rough terrain traversal control and conventional autonomous driving control. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving versatile terrain operation
3Extent of automation
If the vehicle uses predetermined autonomous travel routes, then it can eliminate manned operation, but it cannot adapt to varying road conditions along the route
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring road conditions along the predetermined autonomous travel route and using this information to dynamically adjust control parameters. The control device receives feedback about terrain roughness, obstacle presence, and road surface conditions, then modifies speed, steering, and acceleration commands in real-time to adapt to varying road conditions while maintaining autonomous operation along the planned route
Data Source
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AI summary
A utility vehicle includes: a travel structure including a front wheel, a rear wheel, a steering structure mounted to the front wheel, and a drive source that drives the front wheel and/or the rear wheel; circuitry that controls the travel structure to effect autonomous travel without manned operation in a given travel area; and a vehicle location detector that detects a location of the utility vehicle. During the autonomous travel, the circuitry determines, based on road condition data where the travel area is divided into regions with different predetermined road condition levels, to which of the road condition levels a road condition of a region ahead of the location of the utility vehicle in a travel direction belongs, and the circuitry controls the travel structure such that a given travel parameter is within a corresponding one of permissible ranges predetermined respectively in association with the road condition levels.