AGV Laser Scanner Layout for Low-Lift Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated guided vehicles (AGVs) face challenges in efficiently lifting load carriers, such as racks, due to the obstruction of support elements within the scanning plane of laser scanners, leading to incomplete obstacle detection and increased lift times.
Innovation Solution
The AGV is designed with a symmetrical arrangement of four laser scanners on its frame, allowing for complete scanning of the surroundings even when support elements of the load carrier protrude into the scanning plane. This configuration minimizes hidden areas and enables the AGV to lift the load carrier slightly for efficient transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the load carrier is raised only slightly, then the lifting time is reduced and process efficiency is improved, but the support elements extend into the scanning plane of the laser scanners causing incomplete obstacle detection
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system is segmented into multiple laser scanners positioned at different locations (front, rear, left, right) of the AGV. Each scanner covers a specific sector, and together they provide complete 360-degree coverage. This segmentation allows the system to maintain low lifting height while ensuring no blind spots exist behind support elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-plane scanning approach to a multi-dimensional scanning arrangement. By positioning laser scanners at four different locations around the AGV (front, rear, left, right sides), the system creates overlapping scanning planes that collectively cover the entire surrounding area, including regions that would otherwise be hidden behind support elements.
2Reliability
If the load carrier is raised above the scanning plane, then complete obstacle detection is achieved, but the lifting time increases and the center of gravity shifts further upward
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning function is divided among multiple laser scanners positioned at different locations. Each scanner is responsible for detecting obstacles in its specific sector, eliminating the need to lift the load carrier high for a single scanner to achieve complete coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple laser scanners at different positions (front, rear, left, right sides) into a unified scanning system. Their scanning planes are merged to create complete 360-degree coverage, allowing the AGV to maintain low lifting height while achieving comprehensive obstacle detection through the combined capability of all scanners.
3Device complexity
If a single laser scanner is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but hidden areas behind support elements cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The laser scanners are positioned asymmetrically at four different locations around the AGV (front, rear, left, right sides) rather than using a single centralized scanner. This asymmetric distribution optimizes coverage of different sectors, ensuring that support elements do not create blind spots in any direction while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for faster and more efficient lifting of load carriers, reducing process time and ensuring comprehensive obstacle detection, thereby optimizing the AGV's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one laser scanner for detecting obstacles
Implementation Method 2
The laser scanners capture the surroundings of the automated guided vehicle in a scanning plane above the ground
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a driverless transport vehicle (10) for transporting load carriers (50), in particular frames, under which the driverless transport vehicle (10) can drive, comprising a frame (20) having an at least approximately rectangular cross-section having a front side (21), a rear side (22) opposite the front side (21), a right longitudinal side (23) and a left longitudinal side (24) opposite the right longitudinal side (23), wherein the front side (21) and the rear side (22) extend in a transverse direction (Y) and the longitudinal sides (23, 24) extend in a longitudinal direction (X), a lifting device for raising a load carrier (50), under which the vehicle is driven, relative to the frame (20), and at least one laser scanner (11, 12, 13, 14) for identifying obstacles, wherein a first laser scanner (11) is arranged on the front side (21), a second laser scanner (12) is arranged on the rear side (22), a third laser scanner (13) is arranged on the right longitudinal side (23) and a fourth laser scanner (14) is arranged on the left longitudinal side (24). The invention also relates to a method for operating a driverless transport vehicle (10) according to the invention.