AGV Pallet Pick Positioning for Top-of-Stack Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logistics and material handling in commercial facilities rely heavily on human-operated forklifts for pallet transportation and stacking, which is inefficient and prone to errors, especially when dealing with varying pallet stack configurations and obstructions.
Innovation Solution
A robotic autonomous guided vehicle equipped with sensors and a modular design that can autonomously navigate and interact with pallet stacks, using sensors to detect pallet characteristics and adjust its pallet pick interface to efficiently stack and destack pallets, even in dynamic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If human-operated forklifts are used for pallet transportation and stacking, then operational flexibility and adaptability to varying pallet configurations are maintained, but operational efficiency decreases and error-prone operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous guided vehicle performs pallet stacking and destacking operations independently without human intervention. The vehicle navigates autonomously to pallet stacks, detects pallet configurations using sensors, and executes stacking operations automatically, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for human operators during these tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human-operated mechanical forklifts with an autonomous guided vehicle that uses sensors (optical, LIDAR, cameras) and automated control systems to detect pallet characteristics and execute stacking operations. This substitution of manual mechanical operation with automated sensor-based control improves efficiency and reduces errors.
2Productivity
If autonomous guided vehicles are deployed for pallet handling, then operational efficiency and accuracy improve, but system complexity increases due to sensor integration and autonomous navigation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous guided vehicle is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform various pallet handling operations including stacking, destacking, and transportation. The vehicle integrates multiple sensor types (optical sensors, LIDAR, cameras) that serve multiple purposes: navigation, obstacle detection, and pallet configuration analysis, thereby managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the autonomous vehicle into modular functional components: navigation module with sensors, control module for autonomous operation, and pallet handling module with adjustable pick interface. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while working together as an integrated system, managing overall complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are mounted on the vehicle to detect pallet characteristics, then adaptability to varying pallet configurations improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (optical sensors, LIDAR, cameras) into an integrated sensing system mounted on the autonomous vehicle. These sensors work together to detect various pallet characteristics including dimensions, stack configuration, and obstructions, providing comprehensive adaptability through merged sensor functionality rather than separate detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's pallet pick interface is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the vehicle to adapt its gripping mechanism to different pallet configurations detected by the sensors. The interface can adjust its position and configuration in real-time based on sensor feedback, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed specialized mechanisms.
4Manufacturing precision
If the pallet pick interface is made movable to adjust for varying pallet positions, then handling accuracy improves, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet pick interface is designed as a movable, dynamically adjustable mechanism that can shift its position to accurately engage with pallets at varying locations within the stack. This dynamic positioning capability, controlled by the autonomous vehicle's navigation and detection systems, enables precise pallet handling while the movement is orchestrated through automated control to manage mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile automated guided vehicle pallet stacker and destacker system including an automated guided vehicle having a pallet pick that moves to pick a pallet and stably hold the picked pallet on the pick. A sensor is connected to the vehicle and configured to detect a predetermined characteristic of at least one pallet located in a stack of one or more pallets. A sensing element of the sensor is mounted to the vehicle so as to define a predetermined relation between the sensing element and a pallet pick interface. Actuation of the pick effects scanning of the stack and detection, with the sensing element, of the predetermined characteristic. A controller determines from the predetermined characteristic the at least one pallet is in a topmost pallet position of the stack, and positions the pallet pick interface of the pick to interface the stack based on the determined topmost pallet position.