AGV Scheduling Middleware for Cross-Manufacturer Fleet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current AGV scheduling systems from different manufacturers are not compatible, leading to inefficiencies and lack of overall management and control in production lines, as they cannot communicate or schedule AGVs from other manufacturers, resulting in waste and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An AGV scheduling control system with a server acting as an intermediate layer for message transmission, enabling compatibility between AGVs from various manufacturers, and the use of digital twins for simulation and real-time monitoring, allowing for unified scheduling and control through a single AGV scheduling controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent AGV systems from different manufacturers are used, then each manufacturer's AGV scheduling can be handled independently, but overall management and control of AGVs in the production line cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that mediates between the AGV scheduling controller and multiple AGVs from different manufacturers. The server receives scheduling instructions from the controller, converts them into manufacturer-specific protocols, and transmits them to the appropriate AGVs. This intermediary architecture enables unified scheduling of heterogeneous AGV systems without requiring direct integration between the controller and each AGV manufacturer's proprietary system.
2Productivity
If AGV scheduling systems from different manufacturers are introduced, then AGVs from each manufacturer can be scheduled independently, but they cannot call AGV from another manufacturer
Solution Approach 1:
The server is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple AGV manufacturer protocols simultaneously. It maintains a library of manufacturer-specific communication protocols and automatically selects the appropriate protocol based on the target AGV. This multi-functional capability allows the single server to translate scheduling instructions to any AGV manufacturer's format, enabling cross-manufacturer AGV coordination and eliminating communication barriers.
3Ease of operation
If an intermediate layer is added between AGV decision-making layer and execution layer, then communication processing capabilities are improved, but system architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the AGV control system into three distinct functional layers: the decision-making layer (AGV scheduling controller), the communication layer (server), and the execution layer (AGVs). This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its specific function - the controller focuses on scheduling logic, the server handles protocol translation and communication, and the AGVs execute tasks. While this increases architectural components, it simplifies the design and maintenance of each individual component.
Data Source
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.