Vehicle Control Module Output Mapping for Mixed Hardware Fleets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing materials handling vehicle control systems are not adaptable to different types of vehicles, as they are designed specifically for unique hardware devices and functional systems, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity in software development and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based vehicle control module that includes a module output table with a superset of elements for different vehicle types, configuration tables for data transformation, and a routing engine to determine and transform values for vehicle function outputs, allowing the module to operate on multiple types of vehicles with varying hardware configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a control system is designed specifically for unique hardware devices and functional systems of each vehicle type, then the system can be optimized for that specific vehicle, but the complexity of software development and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control module that can operate on multiple vehicle types by using a superset of module output elements that includes all possible hardware devices and functional systems. The routing engine selectively activates only the elements needed for the specific vehicle type, allowing one control module to serve multiple vehicle configurations without requiring separate specialized software for each vehicle type.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into distinct modular components: a superset of module output elements, a routing engine, and configuration tables. This segmentation allows the system to selectively activate and configure only the relevant segments for each vehicle type, reducing the effective complexity while maintaining comprehensive adaptability across different vehicle configurations.
2Reliability
If separate control systems are designed for each vehicle type with different hardware configurations, then each system can be optimized for its specific hardware, but the time and resources required for software development and maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures a superset of module output elements that includes all possible hardware devices and functional systems that might be encountered across different vehicle types. Configuration tables are pre-populated with the appropriate mappings and transformations for each vehicle type. When a control module is deployed to a specific vehicle, the routing engine simply activates the pre-configured elements relevant to that vehicle, eliminating the need for time-consuming custom software development for each vehicle type while maintaining hardware-specific optimization.
3Ease of manufacture
If a universal control module is used across different vehicle types, then software development and maintenance are simplified, but the module must handle a superset of all possible hardware devices increasing its complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The control module dynamically adapts its behavior based on the specific vehicle type through the routing engine, which selectively activates only the relevant module output elements needed for that vehicle. Although the module contains a superset of all possible output elements, the routing engine ensures that only the necessary subset is active at any given time, effectively managing the complexity while maintaining ease of deployment and maintenance across different vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different subsets of the superset of module output elements for different vehicle types. Each vehicle type receives a customized configuration that includes only the hardware devices and functional systems relevant to that specific vehicle, while the underlying universal module structure remains the same. This allows simplified software maintenance through a single universal module while maintaining the appearance of vehicle-specific optimization through localized configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Computer-based vehicle control modules capable of operating on one of first and second materials handling vehicles are provided. The module comprises an output table comprising a first superset of module output elements. The first superset of module output elements comprises a first subset of module output elements related to a first set of hardware devices provided on the first vehicle and a second subset of module output elements related to a second set of hardware devices provided on the second vehicle. A vehicle function output table is provided, comprising a set of vehicle function output elements related to vehicle function outputs utilized on the first vehicle and the second vehicle. At least one configuration table is provided, comprising respective configuration elements corresponding to ones of the first superset of module output elements, wherein each respective configuration element comprises data related to determining a transformed value associated with the corresponding module output element of the module output table. Structure is provided for determining a value of a vehicle function output element of the vehicle function output table corresponding to a module output element of the module output table, transforming the value to the transformed value, and linking the transformed value with the corresponding module output element. Methods for a vehicle control module capable of operating on one of first and second materials handling vehicles are also provided.