Vehicle Controller for Dynamic Positioning in On-the-Fly Offloading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for dynamically positioning a vehicle relative to another moving vehicle are inefficient in maintaining a constant speed and perpendicular distance, especially during on-the-fly offloading operations, which can disrupt the precision and continuity of material transfer.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that includes a vehicle drive system, a vehicle state property estimation system, and a microprocessor-based vehicle controller to track and control the first vehicle's position relative to a second vehicle, maintaining a constant speed and perpendicular distance, allowing the operator to adjust the relative position by modifying the second vehicle's speed while ensuring accurate positioning for on-the-fly offloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the first vehicle actively tracks and adjusts its position relative to the second vehicle to maintain precise positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two distinct modes: tracking mode for active position adjustment and fixed-speed mode for simplified operation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve precise positioning when needed while reducing complexity during normal operation by switching to a simpler fixed-speed control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between tracking mode and fixed-speed mode based on operational requirements. In tracking mode, the first vehicle actively adjusts its speed and position to maintain precise relative positioning. In fixed-speed mode, the system simplifies control by maintaining a constant speed, reducing the computational and control complexity while still achieving acceptable positioning accuracy for on-the-fly offloading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the first vehicle maintains constant speed to allow operator control of the second vehicle, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to adapt to changing relative positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator control easeVSAvoidrelative position adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically switches between tracking mode and fixed-speed mode based on operational requirements. In tracking mode, the first vehicle actively adjusts its speed and position to maintain precise relative positioning. In fixed-speed mode, the system simplifies control by maintaining a constant speed, reducing the computational and control complexity while still achieving acceptable positioning accuracy for on-the-fly offloading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the relative position and speed of both vehicles. This feedback enables the control system to determine when to switch between tracking mode and fixed-speed mode, and to make real-time adjustments to maintain optimal positioning for offloading operations while respecting operator control preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system switches between tracking mode and fixed-speed mode, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of the control logic increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational mode adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system automatically determines when to switch between tracking mode and fixed-speed mode based on real-time monitoring of operational conditions, vehicle speeds, and positioning requirements. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex manual control logic and allows the system to adapt autonomously to changing operational scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9188986B2Computer-implemented method and system for dynamically positioning a vehicle relative to another vehicle in motion for on-the-fly offloading operations

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 RAVEN INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

Computer-implemented methods and systems are disclosed for automatically positioning a moving first vehicle relative to a moving second vehicle traveling in a given area. The method includes the steps of: (a) tracking the second vehicle and guiding the first vehicle to attain a given position relative to the second vehicle; and (b) controlling the first vehicle to maintain a generally constant speed such that an operator of the second vehicle can adjust the speed of the second vehicle to correspondingly adjust a relative position of the second vehicle to the first vehicle in a direction of movement of the first and second vehicles, and controlling the first vehicle to maintain a given distance from the second vehicle in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first and second vehicles by tracking the second vehicle.