Mode-Dependent Cart Speed Control for Safer Automatic Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carts lack sufficient safety measures when operating in automatic mode, as they do not restrict speed or prevent operation under overloaded or collision-detection conditions.
Innovation Solution
The cart is configured with a driving wheel, motor, motor drive circuit, and control device to set an upper limit traveling speed lower in automatic mode than in manual mode, and includes overload detection and collision detection sensors to prohibit travel when unsafe conditions are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cart operates in automatic mode with higher speed, then productivity is improved, but safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the upper limit traveling speed adjustable based on the operating mode. The control device dynamically sets different speed limits: a first upper limit speed for manual mode and a second upper limit speed for automatic mode, where the second speed is lower than the first. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the speed parameter to the safety requirements of each mode while maintaining productivity benefits when appropriate.
2Reliability
If the upper limit traveling speed in automatic mode is set lower, then safety is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the speed parameter based on the selected operating mode. When automatic mode is selected, the system applies a lower second upper limit speed to ensure safety. When manual mode is selected, the system applies a higher first upper limit speed to maximize productivity. This dynamic parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for safety when automated and for speed when human-operated.
Data Source
AI summary
The cart may include: a driving wheel; a motor configured to rotate the driving wheel; a motor drive circuit configured to drive the motor; a control device configured to control the motor via the motor drive circuit so that a travelling speed of the cart becomes equal to or lower than an upper limit travelling speed; and an operation member arranged on the cart and configured to receive an operation by a user. The cart may be configured to operate in a manual mode where the motor is driven when the operation member is on and the motor is stopped when the operation member is off, and in an automatic mode were the motor is driven regardless of whether the operation member is on or off. The upper limit travelling speed in the automatic mode may be set lower than the upper limit travelling speed in the manual mode.