Article Transport Vehicle Illumination for Hidden Picking Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators in a warehouse environment face challenges in recognizing the need to perform picking operations on article transport vehicles that are stopped at non-visible or less visible positions, leading to inefficient work processes.
Innovation Solution
An article transport vehicle equipped with a travel portion, illumination portion, and control portion that emits light to an illuminating position above storage sections, providing relevant work-related information to operators, including operation, priority, and abnormality status, allowing for smoother picking operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the article transport vehicle travels automatically to a set position, then the operator's workload is reduced, but the operator cannot easily recognize when picking operations are needed at non-visible positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-changing indicators (such as LEDs or display panels) on the article transport vehicle to signal its position and operational status. These visual indicators change color or illuminate to indicate when the vehicle is at a set position and requires picking operations, making the vehicle visible and its status clear to operators even at non-visible locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary signaling system (visual indicators, display devices, or communication interfaces) that mediates between the automatic vehicle system and the operator. This intermediary provides information about the vehicle's position and status, bridging the gap created by automatic operation and operator visibility limitations.
2Productivity
If the article transport vehicle is stopped at non-visible positions, then more storage sections can be accessed, but the picking operation cannot be performed smoothly due to operator unawareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the vehicle continuously communicates its position and operational status to the operator through visual indicators. This feedback loop ensures that operators are immediately aware when the vehicle is stopped at a storage section requiring picking operations, enabling smooth and timely response regardless of the vehicle's location visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Visual indicators on the vehicle use color changes or illumination patterns to communicate specific status information (such as green for ready, red for occupied, or flashing patterns for urgent attention), allowing operators to quickly understand the vehicle's state and prioritize their actions accordingly.
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
Enhances operator awareness of picking operations by clearly indicating the need to perform tasks on the vehicle, thereby improving operational efficiency and workflow smoothness.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination portion that emits light
Data Source
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AI summary
An article transport vehicle 3 includes: a travel portion 11 that travels to set positions P1 that are set in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of storage sections 1 that store articles; a supporting portion 12 that supports an article; an illumination portion 13 that emits light; and a control portion that controls the travel portion 11 and the illumination portion 13. Using, as a target storage section 1A, the storage section 1 in which an article to be supported by the supporting portion 12 is stored, the control portion executes travel control to control the travel portion 11 so as to cause the travel portion 11 to travel to the set position P1 that is set in correspondence with the target storage section 1A; and illumination control to control the illumination portion 13 so as to emit light to an illuminating position P2 that is located above the plurality of storage sections 1 and that corresponds to the article transport vehicle in a state in which the travel portion 11 is at the set position P1.