Branching Path Permission Control for Traveling Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traveling vehicle systems face inefficiencies in allowing vehicles to pass through branching portions due to blocking mechanisms that prevent multiple vehicles from entering a lock point, even when passage is not hindered, leading to congestion and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A traveling vehicle system and method that allows vehicles to request and acquire passage permissions for specific areas within blocking areas, enabling efficient passage through branching portions by granting permissions based on availability, and allowing vehicles to switch routes or request alternative paths if initial permissions are denied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking area is set at the branching portion to allow entry of only one traveling vehicle, then safety and order are maintained, but passage efficiency is reduced and congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking area is divided into a first area (common path) and a second area (branch path). The controller independently manages passage permissions for each area, allowing vehicles to pass through the second area even when the first area is blocked, thereby segmenting the control logic to improve throughput while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage permission mechanism is made dynamic by allowing the controller to grant permissions for the first area, the second area, or both areas simultaneously based on real-time vehicle positions and route requirements. This dynamic permission system adapts to different traffic scenarios to optimize passage efficiency.
2Reliability
If a trolley continues to be present at the lock point, then exclusive blocking is maintained for safety, but other trolleys cannot enter even when passage is not hindered
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the blocking area into first and second areas with independent permission control, the system allows other trolleys to enter the second area (branch path) even when a trolley is present in the first area (common path), reducing unnecessary passage delays while maintaining safety through controlled access.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages passage permissions dynamically. It can grant permission for the second area independently of the first area status, mediating between safety requirements and passage efficiency by allowing concurrent access when spatially separated.
3Reliability
If passage permission is granted only when no other traveling vehicle is present in the blocking area, then collision prevention is ensured, but system throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking area is segmented into spatially distinct first and second areas. The controller can grant passage permissions for the second area independently of the first area, allowing multiple vehicles to be present in different segments simultaneously, thus increasing system throughput while maintaining collision prevention through controlled access.
Solution Approach 2:
The permission granting mechanism dynamically adapts to vehicle positions and route requirements. The controller can issue permissions for the first area, second area, or both areas based on real-time conditions, enabling flexible concurrent access that maintains safety while maximizing throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
A traveling vehicle system includes a traveling path including a branching portion, a traveling vehicle to travel on the traveling path, and a controller. A specific area through which the traveling vehicle is allowed to pass on one of the traveling paths from an upstream side to a downstream side of the branching portion is in a portion within a blocking area including the branching portion. The controller is configured or programmed to transmit a passage permission for the blocking area to the traveling vehicle that issued the passage request for the blocking area if no other traveling vehicle is present in the blocking area, and to transmit a passage permission for the specific area to the traveling vehicle that issued the passage request for the specific area if no other traveling vehicle is present in the specific area. The traveling vehicle enters the blocking area or the specific area for which a passage permission has been acquired.