Wagon Inclination Mapping for Energy-Aware Travel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling traveling bodies like wagons face inefficiencies due to varying environments, leading to potential travel disruptions and energy management challenges.
Innovation Solution
A wagon system equipped with a communication part, electric motor, battery, position sensor, attitude detection unit, and controller that transmits position and inclination information to a management device, enabling more efficient control based on environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is controlled according to predetermined rules based on energy efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but the traveling body may not be able to travel as originally intended depending on the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring inclination information about the traveling environment in advance and storing it. This allows the control device to predict suitable engine starting positions before the wagon reaches them, enabling the wagon to proactively navigate to regions where the engine can be started, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and environmental adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device uses feedback from the acquired inclination information to dynamically adjust engine control decisions. By continuously monitoring the traveling environment and comparing it with stored inclination data, the system makes informed decisions about when and where to start the engine, balancing energy efficiency with the ability to adapt to varying environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If the wagon travels in regions where the engine cannot be started, then continuous travel is maintained, but energy management becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system acquires and stores inclination information about the terrain in advance, creating a map of suitable engine starting positions. This preliminary action enables the wagon to plan its route to proactively reach regions where the engine can be started, ensuring continuous operation while maintaining energy management efficiency by avoiding prolonged periods of engine-inoperative travel.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the wagon stops frequently to start the engine, then energy efficiency is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By acquiring inclination information in advance and identifying suitable engine starting positions beforehand, the system enables the wagon to maintain continuous motion while planning engine restarts. This eliminates unnecessary stops and waits, as the wagon can proactively navigate to pre-identified regions where the engine can be started, thus maintaining both energy efficiency and productivity.
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
This solution allows for more efficient travel by optimizing energy usage and avoiding situations where the engine cannot be started, ensuring continuous operation by identifying and moving to regions where the engine can be effectively operated.
Implementation Method 1
a battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
a position sensor that acquires position information indicating a position of a host wagon
Implementation Method 3
an attitude detection unit that acquires inclination information indicating a tilt of the host wagon
Data Source
AI summary
A wagon includes a communication part configured to communicate with other device, an electric motor configured to generate a traveling driving force, a battery configured to supply electric power to the electric motor, a position sensor configured to acquire position information indicating a position of a host wagon, an attitude detection unit configured to acquire inclination information indicating a tilt of the host wagon, and a controller configured to transmit the position information and the inclination information, which were acquired in a same region, to other device via the communication part while associating the position information and the inclination information.