Travelling Carrier Speed Control via Data Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling the movement of variable-moving-speed and self-propelled travelling carriers in work areas are inefficient due to the high cost and accuracy limitations of distance sensors, which struggle to adapt quickly to changes in distance without lag, restricting the detection accuracy and practicality.

Innovation Solution

Implementing data communication means between adjacent travelling carriers to calculate and maintain a set distance, allowing for deceleration control based on incremental changes, eliminating the need for expensive distance sensors and enabling accurate speed control for synchronized movement within the work area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a distance sensor is used to detect the distance with the front travelling carrier, then the distance can be detected, but the detection accuracy is insufficient and the response is slow with time lag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance detection accuracyVSAvoidtime lag in distance detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical distance sensor system with a data communication system. Each travelling carrier is equipped with communication means that exchanges position information with adjacent carriers, allowing the rear carrier to calculate distance from known position data rather than relying on slow sensor detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of directly measuring physical distance with a sensor, the system uses copied position information exchanged through data communication. The rear carrier receives position data from the front carrier and calculates distance based on this information copy, achieving faster and more accurate distance determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If a high-accuracy distance sensor is used to detect changes in distance with the front travelling carrier, then the detection accuracy improves, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance detection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive data communication means (optical communication devices) instead of expensive high-precision distance sensors. The communication devices are standard, low-cost components that can be easily manufactured and replaced, eliminating the need for costly specialized sensing equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the expensive mechanical/optical distance sensor system with a data communication system using standard optical communication devices. This replacement dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy through information exchange rather than physical sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the travelling carrier structure is modified to improve distance sensor detection accuracy, then the detection accuracy improves, but the structural complexity and practicality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance sensor detection accuracyVSAvoidtravelling carrier structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for structural modifications to accommodate distance sensors by using data communication means. Each carrier is equipped with standard optical communication devices that exchange position information, avoiding complex structural changes while achieving accurate distance measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical communication devices serve multiple functions: they enable data communication between carriers and simultaneously provide the position information needed for distance calculation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate distance sensing structures, simplifying the overall carrier design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8825205B2Method for controlling movement of travelling carriers

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 DAIFUKU CO LTD

AI summary

A method for controlling movement of travelling carriers includes providing, to a rear travelling carrier approaching a work area at a high speed, current location information corresponding to distances from a measurement starting point to the rear travelling carrier and a front travelling carrier, the rear travelling carrier calculating a following distance between the front and rear travelling carriers based on the current location information, and the rear travelling carrier performing deceleration control to the operating speed based on decremental changes of the following distance.