AGV Fleet Traffic Control Without Central Master Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional driverless transport systems require a central master control for traffic regulation, which increases system complexity and costs, making it difficult for operators to automate material flow without external help, especially in smaller systems.
Innovation Solution
A driverless transport system where AGVs communicate directly with each other to regulate traffic and navigate without a master control, using station-specific markings for traffic control and navigation rules stored in each vehicle, allowing for decentralized operation and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central master control system is used for traffic regulation, then traffic control and navigation can be ensured, but system complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized control function into decentralized autonomous units. Each AGV is equipped with independent control logic and communication capabilities, allowing it to make decisions locally rather than relying on a central controller. This segmentation reduces system complexity while maintaining traffic control reliability through distributed intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
Each AGV is designed to autonomously regulate its own traffic behavior through onboard rules and direct peer-to-peer communication with other AGVs. The vehicles self-organize traffic flow without external control, eliminating the need for a master control system while ensuring safe operation through autonomous decision-making.
2Reliability
If a central master control system is used for traffic regulation, then traffic control can be ensured, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control function from a separate centralized system and embeds it directly into each AGV. By taking out the master control component and distributing its functionality across individual vehicles, the system eliminates expensive centralized infrastructure while maintaining traffic control through affordable onboard electronics and communication modules.
3Device complexity
If direct communication between AGVs is used, then system complexity is reduced, but traffic control coordination becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces standardized communication protocols and message formats as intermediaries between AGVs. These protocols act as a common language that simplifies direct peer-to-peer communication, allowing vehicles to coordinate traffic control efficiently without requiring complex individual integration work, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
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Figure 2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a driverless transport system (DTS) (10) comprising: a driving course (12) which is formed from routes (14), preferably unidirectionally travelled routes, each defined by a track (28), and from markers (16); a fleet (18) composed of at least two automated guided vehicles (AGVs) (20) which drive in a forcibly guided manner on the tracks (28); and at least one station (26) which is defined by at least one of the tracks (28), at least one of the markings (16), and an individualising associated station identifier. Each of the stations (26) may have a terminal (70) for an allocated destination, and each of the stations (26) represents an area of the driving course (12) within which the AGVs (20) may be assigned a new destination and/or may be loaded, unloaded, charged with energy, and/or stopped. The markings (16) comprise items of information which are station-specific because each item of information is linked to the associated station identifier. Each of the AGVs (20) has: a communication unit (52) for transmitting and receiving information; a marking detection unit (54) for reading out, preferably contactlessly, the items of information from the markings (16); and a control unit (58) for processing read and received items of information. Each communication between the AGVs (20) and each communication between the AGVs (20) and terminals (70) is performed directly and in particular in a non-AGV specific manner.