Vehicle Corner Module Control for Autonomous Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems lack integrated management of multiple mechanical and electrical sub-systems, particularly in modular axle-less wheel assemblies, requiring new solutions for independent operation, servicing, and testing of vehicle corner modules (VCMs).
Innovation Solution
A vehicle corner module (VCM) system with a sub-frame, wheel-hub assembly, and onboard sub-systems, including a VCM-controller for communication with a vehicle-controller, enabling validation, actuation, and self-diagnostic testing, and allowing peer-to-peer communication between VCMs for coordinated operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mechanical and electrical sub-systems are integrated in modular VCMs, then system functionality and versatility are improved, but device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent VCM units, each with its own controller managing local sub-systems. This segmentation allows each module to operate autonomously while maintaining overall system functionality, reducing the management burden on the central vehicle controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The VCM controller is designed to universally manage multiple types of sub-systems (drive, steering, suspension, braking) within a single integrated unit. This multi-functional capability allows one controller to handle diverse operations without requiring separate dedicated controllers for each sub-system.
2Reliability
If independent validation and self-diagnostic testing are implemented for each VCM, then system reliability is improved, but installation time and operational downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
Self-diagnostic testing and validation are performed automatically upon installation or system startup, before the vehicle enters normal operation. This preliminary validation ensures reliability is verified in advance, preventing future failures without requiring extended installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The VCM controller autonomously performs self-diagnostic testing and validation procedures without requiring external intervention or specialized equipment. This self-service capability streamlines the installation process while maintaining high reliability standards through comprehensive automated checking.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive communication protocols and validation processes are implemented, then information accuracy and system coordination are improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication protocol implements structured feedback mechanisms where the VCM controller exchanges validation results and status information with the vehicle controller. This feedback loop ensures information accuracy by confirming proper system integration and coordination without requiring excessive communication overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle corner module (VCM) is provided for regulating motion of a host vehicle which comprises a vehicle-on-board vehicle-controller. The VCM comprises a sub-frame mountable to a reference frame of the host vehicle; a wheel-hub assembly comprising a wheel-hub; VCM-sub-systems mediating between the sub-frame and the wheel-hub assembly, e.g., a drive subsystem, a steering subsystem, a suspension subsystem and/or a braking subsystem; and an VCM-onboard VCM-controller, comprising one or more processors and a computer-readable medium storing program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to establish a communication link with a vehicle-controller, including electronically transferring information about the VCM from the VCM-controller to the vehicle-controller, and to perform, in response to an installation of the VCM on a vehicle, a post-installation validation-process that includes validating the VCM-subsystems and communicating a result of the validating to the vehicle-controller.