Virtual Omnimover Ride Control System for Vehicle Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for monitoring vehicle motion along a path, such as railways or tracks, are costly to maintain, inflexible, and require complex wiring and central control, making them difficult to integrate and prone to delays in sensing spacing issues until they become severe.
Innovation Solution
A ride control system comprising a path processor, bi-directional voting circuit, and vehicle processors with a vehicle sensor system that determines actual vehicle location and compares it to predicted ranges, allowing for automatic stopping of vehicles when outside the predicted range, and communication between vehicles to maintain optimal spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central controller with multiple sensors and complex wiring is used to monitor vehicle position, then vehicle spacing can be monitored, but the system becomes costly to maintain, difficult to integrate, and requires extensive wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function from the central controller and distributes it to individual vehicles. Each vehicle carries its own sensor and processing capability, segmenting the monolithic control system into autonomous units that can independently monitor their own positions and communicate spacing information to neighbors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from the central controller and places it directly on the vehicles themselves. By taking out the sensing and initial processing functions from the central system and embedding them in each vehicle, the system eliminates the need for extensive wiring while maintaining monitoring capability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and complex wiring are installed along the track to monitor vehicle position, then spacing can be detected, but maintenance costs increase and system integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each vehicle is equipped with its own position sensing capability and can independently determine its location and spacing from other vehicles. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external sensors mounted on the track, reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle-mounted system serves multiple functions: it monitors the vehicle's own position, detects spacing to other vehicles, and communicates this information to adjacent vehicles. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate sensors along the track, simplifying the system while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If a central computer system with extensive wiring is used, then vehicle spacing can be monitored, but the system is costly to maintain and requires extensive testing and proof after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent vehicle units, each capable of autonomous operation and monitoring. This segmentation allows for modular installation where vehicles can be added or removed without affecting the entire system, simplifying installation and reducing the need for extensive post-installation testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be dynamically adaptable, with vehicles that can independently adjust their monitoring and communication based on their operational state and position. This dynamic capability allows the system to function correctly from the start without requiring extensive proofing, as each vehicle autonomously adapts to its environment.
4Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted at various locations along the track with complex wiring, then vehicle position can be monitored, but the system cannot sense spacing problems until they become sufficiently severe
Solution Approach 1:
Each vehicle continuously monitors its position and calculates spacing to other vehicles in advance, before spacing problems become severe. This preliminary monitoring allows the system to detect and respond to potential spacing issues early, rather than waiting for violations to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where each vehicle receives real-time information about its position and spacing from other vehicles. This feedback mechanism enables immediate detection and response to spacing problems, allowing for timely corrective action before violations occur.
Data Source
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AI summary
A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.