Vehicle Guidance System Using Lateral Deviation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned personal rapid transit (PRT) vehicles are limited to specific routes defined by tracks and lack the ability to navigate independently or adjust paths, making them inflexible and prone to deviations without manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle guidance system with sensors and a control mechanism that measures lateral deviation from a reference surface, allowing the vehicle to correct its path and navigate predetermined routes, including the use of transponders for re-establishing position and remote control capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle follows a fixed track with points arranged for specific journeys, then the vehicle can travel reliably along predetermined routes, but the system lacks flexibility and cannot adapt to different destinations or path variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the vehicle to actively adjust its path in real-time based on sensor feedback. The vehicle transitions from following a rigid fixed track to dynamically adapting its trajectory by varying wheel steering angles in response to detected lateral deviations from the reference surface, thus achieving both reliability through continuous correction and flexibility through adaptive path modification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to continuously detect the vehicle's lateral position relative to the reference surface and feeding this information back to the control system. The control system processes this feedback and adjusts the steering mechanism accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliable track following while allowing adaptive path correction
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses on-board steering control to navigate independently, then the vehicle gains path flexibility and adaptability, but the vehicle may deviate from the predetermined path without proper guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by continuously sensing the vehicle's lateral deviation from the reference surface and using this information to correct steering adjustments. This closed-loop control ensures that while the vehicle has independent steering capability for path flexibility, it simultaneously maintains accurate adherence to the predetermined path through real-time correction based on sensor feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the vehicle to autonomously detect its own lateral deviations from the reference surface using onboard sensors and automatically correct its path through self-adjusting steering control. The vehicle serves its own navigation needs without external intervention, gaining independent adaptability while maintaining reliable path following through self-correction
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle slavishly follows the track without deviation correction, then the vehicle maintains simple control and stable operation, but the vehicle cannot correct lateral deviations or adapt to path variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the vehicle to autonomously detect and correct its own lateral deviations using onboard sensors and control systems. The vehicle monitors its own position relative to the reference surface and automatically adjusts its steering to maintain proper alignment, providing deviation correction capability while maintaining operational simplicity through automated self-correction
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 vehicles to follow specific paths within a network, correct lateral deviations, and resume normal operation after temporary loss, ensuring efficient and reliable travel within a dedicated track system.
Implementation Method 1
The or each sensor may be a non-contact sensor, such as an ultrasonic, laser, radar or any other suitable sensor for sensing distance.
Implementation Method 2
The or each sensor may be a non-contact sensor, such as an ultrasonic, laser, radar or any other suitable sensor for sensing distance.
Implementation Method 3
The or each sensor may be a non-contact sensor, such as an ultrasonic, laser, radar or any other suitable sensor for sensing distance.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle guidance system for directing a vehicle along a predetermined path comprises an onboard computer, a number of distance sensors and a steering system controllable by the computer. The predetermined path is stored in a memory of the computer and, in operation, the steering system is controlled to follow the predetermined path. The sensors are adapted to measure the distance, laterally of the vehicle travel direction, between the sensors and curbs provided along the predetermined path, and the computer is adapted to control the steering system to correct any lateral deviation from the predetermined path as detected by the sensors.