AGV Charging Grid Layout for Alignment-Free Dynamic Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dynamic charging solutions for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) require alignment with charging rails and restrict movement, as well as necessitate synchronized speed among multiple AGVs to prevent collisions.
Innovation Solution
A meshed offboard charging grid with circular charging poles of opposite polarity and onboard contact pads arranged in a square or circular configuration, allowing for dynamic charging without alignment and enabling free movement of AGVs, while preventing spark-over through optimized spacing and additional central contact pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a charging rail is used for dynamic charging, then charging can be provided while the AGV moves, but the AGV must be aligned with the rail which restricts movement freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is segmented into multiple discrete charging poles arranged in a grid pattern rather than a continuous rail. This segmentation allows the AGV to access charging at multiple distributed points, eliminating the need for alignment with a single rail while maintaining continuous charging capability during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging infrastructure transitions from a one-dimensional rail to a two-dimensional grid of charging poles. This dimensional change provides multiple access points across the workspace, allowing AGVs to charge while moving freely without requiring alignment with a specific linear path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple AGVs share the same charging rails, then charging infrastructure is efficiently utilized, but their speeds must be synchronized to avoid collision
Solution Approach 1:
The charging infrastructure is divided into multiple spatially distributed charging poles rather than a shared continuous rail. This segmentation allows multiple AGVs to access different charging points simultaneously at different speeds and positions, eliminating the need for speed synchronization while maintaining efficient infrastructure utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The meshed grid of charging poles acts as an intermediary charging infrastructure that decouples the interaction between multiple AGVs. Each AGV independently interacts with the grid at its own charging points without direct interaction with other AGVs, eliminating collision risks while maintaining high utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If charging pads are used for contact charging, then charging can be provided to the AGV, but alignment between the charging pad and AGV contact point is required
Solution Approach 1:
The charging contact interface is segmented into multiple small charging poles distributed across the workspace rather than a single large charging pad. This segmentation reduces the alignment requirement for each individual contact point while providing multiple potential contact points, making the system more tolerant of positioning variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial distribution parameter of charging contacts from a concentrated pad to dispersed poles. This parameter change transforms the alignment requirement from a strict single-point contact to a more flexible multi-point contact system, reducing the precision needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system for an automated guided vehicle, AGV, is presented. The charging system includes an offboard, meshed charging grid and onboard contact pads. The offboard, meshed charging grid including a charging pole in each grid point, wherein adjacent charging poles are configured with opposite polarity of a charging current. The onboard contact pads include four separate contact pads. An AGV is also presented.