AGV Dispatching Control System with Digital Twin Mediator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AGV scheduling systems from different manufacturers are not compatible, preventing overall management and control of AGVs in a production line, leading to inefficiencies and waste.
Innovation Solution
An AGV scheduling control system with a server acting as an intermediate layer for message transmission between the AGV decision-making layer and the AGV execution layer, enabling compatibility with AGVs from different manufacturers through adapters and digital twins for simulation and optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple AGV scheduling systems from different manufacturers are introduced to handle complicated production conditions, then the production line can handle more diverse tasks, but the systems cannot call AGVs from other manufacturers, preventing overall management and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal AGV scheduling system that can manage AGVs from multiple manufacturers through a standardized communication interface. The system uses a common data model and message protocol that enables different manufacturer's AGVs to be controlled by a single scheduling system, achieving multi-functionality and eliminating the need for separate scheduling systems for each manufacturer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer that translates between different manufacturer-specific AGV protocols and a unified scheduling interface. This intermediary component enables compatibility between diverse AGV systems without requiring changes to the core scheduling logic, allowing the system to manage multiple manufacturers' AGVs through a single control point.
2Reliability
If independent AGV scheduling systems from different manufacturers are used, then each system can be optimized for its specific manufacturer's AGVs, but overall management and control of AGVs in the production line cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the AGV scheduling system into modular components that can independently manage different manufacturer's AGVs while being coordinated by a central scheduler. Each manufacturer-specific module maintains its optimized control logic, while the central segmentation enables overall coordination, resolving the conflict between specialized optimization and global efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple independent AGV scheduling systems into a unified scheduling framework that maintains the strengths of each manufacturer-specific system while adding overall coordination capabilities. The merged system combines specialized AGV control modules with a central scheduling layer that optimizes overall production line efficiency.
3Productivity
If a unified AGV scheduling system is implemented to achieve overall management and control, then production line efficiency is improved, but compatibility with AGVs from different manufacturers becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation of AGV states and commands into a standardized format that is manufacturer-agnostic. By transforming manufacturer-specific parameters into a universal parameter space, the system achieves both unified scheduling control and compatibility with diverse AGV types from different manufacturers.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present application provides an AGV scheduling control system and method. The AGV scheduling control system includes: an AGV scheduling controller configured to generate an AGV scheduling instruction; an AGV configured to execute a task according to the AGV scheduling instruction; and a server that is communicatively coupled with the AGV scheduling controller and the AGV respectively, the server being configured to transfer messages between the AGV scheduling controller and the AGV, and provide adaptation to AGVs from different manufacturers. The AGV scheduling control system in the present application further includes a virtual AGV scheduling controller and a virtual AGV that serve as digital twins of the AGV scheduling controller and the AGV, and the programs used to control the virtual entity and the real entity are equivalently exchangeable.