Automatic Travel Vehicle Mark Detection for Bidirectional Spot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic travel vehicles require two marks per spot along a travel guide line for opposite directions, increasing the workload of attaching marks and complicating the control system.
Innovation Solution
An automatic travel vehicle system that detects and interprets marks on one adjacent side of the travel guide line based on its direction, using a single mark per spot for both directions, and a server that transmits mark detection information to control the vehicle's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two marks are attached at opposite sides of the travel guide line for each spot to enable detection in both travelling directions, then the automatic travel vehicle can be stopped at the same spot in both directions, but the workload of attaching marks increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single mark is designed to serve multiple functions by being detectable from both sides of the travel guide line. The mark uses reflective material that can be detected by sensors regardless of which side the automatic travel vehicle approaches from, eliminating the need for separate marks for each direction while maintaining stop accuracy at all spots
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the function of two separate direction-specific marks into a single universal mark. By placing one mark at each spot that can be detected from both sides, the system combines what would otherwise require two separate marks, reducing the total number of marks needed and the associated attachment workload
2Adaptability or versatility
If two marks are attached at opposite sides of the travel guide line for each spot, then the vehicle can detect marks in both travelling directions, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is designed with universal sensors that can detect the reflective marks from either side of the travel guide line. This multi-functional detection capability allows the same sensor and control logic to handle marks approached from any direction, simplifying the control system compared to having separate detection systems for each direction
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the mark change based on direction, the system inverts the approach by making the detection capability directional-agnostic. The sensor and control system are designed to recognize marks regardless of approach direction, eliminating the need for complex directional logic in the control system
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic travel vehicle includes a body, a drive unit to move the body on a travel surface along a travel guide line, a detection unit to detect a mark attached to one adjacent portion of the travel guide line for one spot set along the travel guide line, and a control unit to control an operation of the automatic travel vehicle based on the detected mark. The control unit interprets the mark attached to the one adjacent portion of the travel guide line at a first side of the body when the automatic travel vehicle travels along the travel guide line in a first travelling direction, and interprets the mark attached to the one adjacent portion of the travel guide line at a second side of the body when the automatic travel vehicle travels along the travel guide line in a second travelling direction.