AGV Handover Control Between Warehouses for Automated Storage Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for transporting goods between warehouses are not fully automated, leading to inefficiencies as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are controlled by Robot Cooperative Systems (RCS) only within factory buildings, requiring manual handling from handover areas to target storage spaces.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables the transfer of control between source and target RCS for AGVs, allowing seamless transportation from one warehouse to another by receiving transportation information, transferring control, and relocating objects within the system, ensuring fully automated logistics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If AGVs are controlled by source RCS only within factory buildings, then control simplicity is maintained, but automation extent decreases due to manual handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple RCS instances (source RCS and target RCS) that operate independently in different factory buildings. Each RCS manages AGVs within its own building, and the handover area serves as a boundary where control transitions from source RCS to target RCS. This segmentation allows automated control to extend across buildings without creating a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The handover area acts as an intermediary zone where AGVs transition from source RCS control to target RCS control. This intermediary mechanism enables seamless transfer of control between different RCS instances, allowing automated transportation across building boundaries while maintaining the simplicity of individual RCS systems.
2Productivity
If manual handling is used from handover area to target storage space, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The target RCS is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only controls AGVs within the target factory building but also receives and processes handover requests from source RCS, manages the handover area, and directs AGVs to target storage spaces. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain automated control throughout the entire transportation process without adding significant complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where AGVs report their status and location to the appropriate RCS, and RCS send commands back to AGVs. The handover process includes feedback loops where source RCS monitors AGV arrival at handover area, transfers control to target RCS, and target RCS confirms receipt and directs subsequent movements. This feedback ensures coordinated automated operation across building boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a method, apparatus and system for controlling transportation between warehouses. The method includes: receiving, from the source RCS, first transportation information which includes information of a first to-be-transported object; transporting the first to-be-transported object to a handover area; transferring control over the AGV from the source RCS to the target RCS; receiving a location of a first target storage space from the target RCS; transporting the first to-be-transported object from the handover area to the first target storage space. In the present application, the AGV transfers the control over itself from the source RCS to the target RCS after moving the to-be-transported object to the handover area, such that the target RCS could take over the AGV and control the AGV to transport the first to-be-transported object from the handover area to the first target storage space. In this way, a fully automatic transportation is achieved, improving the efficiency of transporting and warehousing compared to manual transporting.