AGV Ceiling Target Navigation for Floor-Marker-Free Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic transport systems in distribution centers face difficulties in modifying and maintaining the movement paths of automatic transport vehicles due to the need for frequent re-marking of paths on the floor, which is costly and prone to errors from broken path marks.
Innovation Solution
An automatic guided vehicle control system that includes a contour-detection module to identify target objects on the ceiling, a position-detection module to determine the vehicle's position, and a processing device to generate target marks, allowing the vehicle to automatically adjust its movement path and correct its direction based on detected objects, reducing the need for floor markings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If path marks are pasted on the floor for vehicle navigation, then the vehicle can follow a movement path, but the path marks break and become hard to read causing navigation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transfers the navigation reference from the horizontal floor plane to the vertical ceiling plane. By projecting target object positions onto a ceiling coordinate system and using the ceiling as the reference surface, the system eliminates wear and damage issues associated with floor markings while maintaining navigation accuracy through dimensional transformation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If path marks are removed and new path marks are pasted to modify the movement path, then the vehicle can follow a new path, but the process is difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical floor markings with a digital/image processing system. The contour detection module captures ceiling images, and the processing device generates target marks through image processing algorithms. This substitution allows path modification through software updates rather than physical re-marking, dramatically improving adaptability and reducing modification costs.
3Productivity
If the vehicle moves along floor path marks, then navigation is possible, but frequent re-marking is required leading to increased maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses only the ceiling surface as the reference plane for navigation, eliminating the need to maintain floor markings entirely. By focusing the navigation function solely on ceiling-mounted target objects and their projected coordinates, the system achieves continuous operation without periodic maintenance interruptions for re-marking paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for an automatic guided vehicle includes a vehicle, a contour-detection module, a position-detection module, and a processing device. The contour-detection module is disposed on the vehicle. The contour-detection module is configured to detect a ceiling and a target object, which is disposed on the ceiling, and to generate a contour signal. The position-detection module is disposed on the vehicle. The position-detection module is configured to detect the position of the vehicle and generate a position signal. The processing device is configured to generate a target mark corresponding to the target object according to the contour signal and the position signal. The processing device is configured to automatically control the carrier to move along a movement path. When the contour-detection module detects the target object, the processing device corrects the movement direction of the vehicle according to the target mark.