Buffered Local Vehicle Sensor Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing system fails to completely prevent interference between overhead traveling vehicles and local vehicles, even when the overhead vehicle encounters an error during transfer, leading to potential collisions as the local vehicle may not detect the obstruction in time.
Innovation Solution
A temporary storage apparatus with a local vehicle, traveling rail, buffers, and sensors that detect the overhead vehicle's hoist or carrier, allowing the local vehicle to resume travel independently of communication with the overhead vehicle, and restricts the local vehicle from entering areas where the overhead vehicle is transferring, ensuring safe passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If communication terminals are used for mutual exclusion control between overhead travelling vehicles and local vehicle, then interference is reduced, but reliability deteriorates when overhead vehicle errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary detection device that independently monitors the overhead travelling vehicle's position and transfer status. This sensor acts as a mediator between the overhead vehicle and the local vehicle control system, providing reliable detection information even when the overhead vehicle's communication system fails. The sensor includes a detection unit and a notification unit that works independently of the overhead vehicle's control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on electronic communication systems with a sensor-based detection system. Instead of depending on the overhead vehicle's communication terminal to signal its status, the system uses physical sensors to detect the overhead vehicle's position and transfer actions. This substitution of detection method eliminates the vulnerability to communication failures.
2Reliability
If manual checking and resetting of overhead travelling vehicle is required, then time is lost, but operational safety is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system enables automatic detection and notification of overhead vehicle transfer status without requiring manual intervention. The detection unit continuously monitors the overhead vehicle's position, and the notification unit automatically informs the local vehicle control system, eliminating the need for manual checking and resetting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through the sensor that monitors the overhead vehicle's status and communicates it to the local vehicle control system. This real-time feedback mechanism allows the local vehicle to immediately adjust its operations based on the overhead vehicle's actual status, eliminating delays associated with manual recovery procedures.
3Reliability
If the local vehicle is restricted from traveling during overhead vehicle transfer, then safety is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The local vehicle is restricted from traveling only during the specific time period when the overhead vehicle is performing transfer operations, rather than being restricted during entire operational cycles. This partial restriction approach minimizes the impact on productivity while ensuring safety during critical transfer periods. The sensor enables precise timing of these restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The local vehicle's travel restriction is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of the overhead vehicle's status. When the sensor detects that the overhead vehicle is not transferring, the local vehicle is free to operate. When transfer is detected, restrictions are applied. This dynamic adjustment optimizes productivity while maintaining safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
The interference between overhead travelling vehicles and a local vehicle is prevented, in a situation where an overhead travelling vehicle has trouble, and the overhead travelling vehicles and the controller cannot communicate. Carriers are temporarily stored between the overhead travelling vehicles and the load port. The local vehicle travels along a travelling rail for the local vehicle located below a travelling rail for the overhead travelling vehicles and over a load port, and plural buffers are provided. The overhead travelling vehicles and the local vehicle communicate with a controller via a terminal, and a sensor is provided at a height without interference with the local vehicle and detects an element of a hoist of the overhead travelling vehicles or a carrier raised/lowered. The local vehicle is restricted from travelling when the sensor detects an element of hoist or the carrier.