AGV Travel Command Timing for Continuous Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) do not effectively control the travel of AGVs to enable continuous movement, as they typically stop at each location to perform preprocessing computations before moving to the next location, leading to intermittent operations.
Innovation Solution
A management system that includes a travel management apparatus and an AGV, where the AGV transmits a notification of arrival in a defined region, allowing the apparatus to generate and transmit a command for the next location before arriving, enabling preprocessing computations to be completed before reaching the current location, thus allowing continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the AGV waits until arriving at the location to perform preprocessing computations, then the computation accuracy is ensured, but the operational continuity is broken causing intermittent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preprocessing computations for the next location before the AGV actually arrives at the current location. The travel management apparatus receives notification of arrival in a region defined for the next location, generates the next command, and transmits it to the AGV while the AGV is still moving. This preliminary action ensures computations are completed in advance, maintaining both accuracy and operational continuity.
2Loss of time
If the AGV stops at each location to complete preprocessing computations, then the computation is finished before moving, but the travel efficiency is reduced due to intermittent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous travel by overlapping the computation process with the movement process. The AGV does not stop to wait for computations; instead, it receives the next command during transit and continues moving without interruption. This continuity eliminates idle time while ensuring computations are completed before the next movement phase begins.
3Device complexity
If the system transmits the next command only after the AGV arrives at the current location, then the control simplicity is maintained, but the travel smoothness is reduced due to stopping and waiting
Solution Approach 1:
The travel management apparatus transmits the next command to the AGV in advance, while the AGV is still moving from the current location. This preliminary command transmission eliminates the need for the AGV to stop and wait, resulting in smoother travel. The control logic remains relatively simple, requiring only a modification in the timing of command transmission based on arrival notification.
Data Source
AI summary
A management system manages travel of at least one vehicle, and includes a vehicle and a travel management apparatus. The vehicle includes motors, a drive unit to move the vehicle by controlling the motors, a first communication circuit, and a control circuit. The travel management apparatus includes a signal processing circuit to generate an nth command for causing the vehicle to move from an n (n: a positive integer)th location to an (n+1)th location and a second communication circuit. When the vehicle arrives in a region defined for the (n+1)th location while moving from the nth location toward the (n+1)th location, the vehicle transmits a notification of arrival-in-region to the travel management apparatus. Upon receiving the notification of arrival-in-region, the travel management apparatus generates an (n+1)th command for causing the vehicle to move from the (n+1)th location to an (n+2)th location, and transmits it to the vehicle.