On-Vehicle Device Tracking for Unmanned Factory Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack effective management solutions for on-vehicle devices in autonomously or remotely controlled vehicles, particularly in manufacturing environments, where tracking and maintenance of devices are challenging due to the complexity of vehicle movements and varying states.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system and method that includes a moving object with an on-vehicle device and a server device, enabling identification, state monitoring, and maintenance recommendation through device identification information acquisition, state quantity monitoring, and abnormality determination, allowing for proper management and routing adjustments during unmanned driving modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If remote control or autonomous driving is implemented for vehicles in manufacturing systems, then vehicle automation and productivity are improved, but management of on-vehicle devices becomes difficult due to complex vehicle movements and varying states
Solution Approach 1:
A server device is introduced as an intermediary between multiple moving objects and the management system. The server receives movement information from each moving object, manages device assignment information, and provides a unified interface for tracking and managing on-vehicle devices across the entire manufacturing system, thereby simplifying the overall management architecture despite the complexity of autonomous operations
Solution Approach 2:
The management system is designed to handle multiple types of moving objects (vehicles, AGVs, robots) and multiple types of on-vehicle devices (tools, sensors, actuators) through a universal platform. The server device manages diverse device types and movement patterns using common protocols and data structures, enabling unified management across different automation scenarios
2Productivity
If multiple moving objects operate autonomously or under remote control, then productivity increases, but tracking and managing which vehicle is equipped with which on-vehicle device becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Each moving object continuously transmits its current location and status information to the server. The server maintains real-time device assignment information and can provide feedback to control devices, enabling continuous monitoring and tracking of which on-vehicle devices are equipped on which moving objects throughout the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The server maintains a digital copy of the device assignment information and movement information for each moving object. This information copy allows the system to track and manage device-vehicle associations without physically tagging or marking the actual devices and vehicles, enabling efficient information management through data representation
3Reliability
If on-vehicle devices are mounted on moving objects for autonomous operation, then automation capability is improved, but maintenance management becomes difficult due to varying vehicle states and movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification and recording of on-vehicle devices when they are mounted on moving objects. Device information is captured and stored in advance, creating a complete inventory that facilitates future maintenance activities by having all necessary device information readily available before maintenance is needed
Solution Approach 2:
Physical inspection and manual tracking of on-vehicle devices during maintenance operations is replaced by an automated information system. The server provides electronic access to device assignment information, locations, and status data, eliminating the need for manual physical searches and paperwork during maintenance activities
Data Source
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AI summary
A moving object comprises an unmanned driving mode that has at least one of a first driving mode in which the moving object moving by autonomous control and a second driving mode in which the moving object moving by remote control: an on-moving object device mounted on the moving object; and a moving object control device configured to control an operation of the moving object, wherein the moving object control device includes: a device identification information acquisition unit that acquires device identification information, which is identification information of the on-moving object device; a moving object identification information acquisition unit that acquires moving object identification information, which is identification information of the moving object; and a transmission unit that transmits the device identification information and the moving object identification information to a server device.