Moving Vehicle Assembly Alignment via External-Internal Position Cross-Check

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle manufacturing systems lack the ability to detect abnormalities when there is a significant discrepancy between information acquired from outside and inside a vehicle during the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle manufacturing system that utilizes first and second information acquisition means, such as LiDAR or GPS, to compare positions and attitudes of vehicles from both outside and inside the vehicle, with an abnormality detection mechanism to switch control or notify when the difference exceeds a predetermined value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only external information acquisition means is used to control vehicles, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to detect abnormalities is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality detection capabilityVSAvoidinformation acquisition system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by comparing information from external acquisition means (first information) with information from internal acquisition means (second information). The abnormality detection unit continuously monitors discrepancies between these two information sources, and when a difference exceeding a predetermined threshold is detected, the system provides feedback by switching control to manual mode or notifying operators, thereby improving reliability without requiring completely new system structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary abnormality detection unit that mediates between the external information acquisition means and the vehicle control system. This intermediary component compares data from both external and internal sources, acting as a bridge that enhances detection capability while maintaining relatively simple system architecture by reusing existing acquisition means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If internal information acquisition means is added to each vehicle, then abnormality detection capability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality detection capabilityVSAvoidvehicle equipment configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the internal information acquisition means to serve multiple purposes: it provides real-time position and attitude data for abnormality detection, and also supplies information for vehicle control and monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated separate systems, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple information acquisition means are used, then measurement precision is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition and attitude information accuracyVSAvoidinformation comparison and analysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The abnormality detection unit implements feedback by systematically comparing information from multiple acquisition means against predetermined thresholds. This structured feedback mechanism simplifies the detection process by providing clear decision criteria (whether the difference exceeds the threshold), thereby maintaining high measurement precision while reducing the practical difficulty of detection and measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables the detection of abnormalities in vehicle manufacturing by comparing external and internal vehicle information, ensuring safe and precise manufacturing processes.

Implementation Method 1

the first information acquisition means is a photographing apparatus, a LiDAR, a radar, a GPS, or an ultrasonic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiDAR: LIDAR

Implementation Method 2

the first information acquisition means is a photographing apparatus, a LiDAR, a radar, a GPS, or an ultrasonic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 3

the first information acquisition means is a photographing apparatus, a LiDAR, a radar, a GPS, or an ultrasonic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGPS:

Implementation Method 4

the second information acquisition means is a photographing apparatus, a LiDAR, a radar, a GPS, or an ultrasonic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiDAR: LIDAR

Implementation Method 5

the second information acquisition means is a photographing apparatus, a LiDAR, a radar, a GPS, or an ultrasonic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP4607305A1Vehicle manufacturing system, vehicle manufacturing method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4607305A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4607305A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4607305A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle manufacturing system (50) includes: first information acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating positions and attitudes of a plurality of vehicles (1117, 1119) from outside of the plurality of vehicles (1117, 1119), the plurality of vehicles (1117, 1119) being manufactured step by step while they are continuously moving; second information acquisition means for acquiring second information, provided in at least one of the vehicles (1117, 1119), the second information indicating a position and an attitude of a vehicle in front of or behind the vehicle (1117, 1119) in which the second information acquisition means is provided; and abnormality occurrence detection means for switching control of the plurality of vehicles (1117, 1119) or notifying someone or something outside the plurality of vehicles (1117, 1119) when a difference between the positions and attitudes of the plurality of vehicles (1117, 1119) acquired from the first information and the positions and attitudes of the plurality of vehicles (1117, 1119) acquired from the second information is larger than a predetermined value.