Vehicle Path Offsets for Load Distribution and Reduced Surface Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles traveling predefined paths cause excessive wear due to precise navigation, leading to rapid formation of ruts, ridges, deformations, and potholes, which reduces performance and necessitates frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A computer system determines lateral offsets for vehicles to distribute their loads relative to the predefined path, allowing each vehicle to travel with a lateral offset from the path, thereby reducing wear and improving path maintenance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If autonomous vehicles follow the predefined path with high precision, then navigation accuracy is improved, but path wear increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the lateral offset of vehicles along different segments of the predefined path. Instead of using a uniform offset, the system adjusts the offset dynamically based on the specific location, allowing some areas to bear more load while others bear less, thereby distributing wear more evenly across the entire path surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the lateral offset a variable parameter that changes over time and space. The offset is adjusted dynamically based on vehicle position, load conditions, and path characteristics, transforming the static path-following problem into a dynamic optimization problem that reduces concentrated wear while maintaining navigation accuracy.
2Productivity
If multiple vehicles travel on the same predefined path, then productivity is improved, but path wear and maintenance frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the path into multiple segments and assigning different lateral offset strategies to different segments. This allows the system to manage load distribution across multiple zones, enabling more vehicles to operate simultaneously while preventing any single segment from experiencing excessive wear that would require frequent maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the lateral offset parameter based on vehicle load, position, and environmental conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize both productivity and path durability by adapting the offset to current operational requirements, thereby extending maintenance intervals.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If vehicles use lateral offsets to distribute loads, then path wear is reduced, but navigation precision relative to the predefined path decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring vehicle position, lateral offset, and path conditions, then adjusting the offset dynamically to maintain optimal balance between wear reduction and navigation precision. The system uses sensor data and control algorithms to ensure vehicles stay within acceptable deviation limits while still achieving load distribution benefits.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer system (900) comprising a processor device (902) configured to determine lateral offsets (11, 12, 13) to a predefined path (10) for a set of vehicles (1, 2, 3) is provided. The processor device (902) is configured to, for each vehicle in the set of vehicles (1, 2, 3), obtain an indication of a load exerted on a ground surface of the respective vehicle. The processor device (902) is further configured to, determine lateral offsets (11, 12, 13) for the set of vehicles (1, 2, 3). The lateral offsets (11, 12, 13) are determined to laterally distribute the loads of the set of vehicles (1, 2, 3) relative to the predefined path (10). The processor device (902) is further configured to, for each vehicle in the set of vehicles (1, 2, 3), trigger the respective vehicle to travel the predefined path (10) using the determined respective lateral offset.