Collaborative AGV Truck Loading With Queue-Controlled Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated logistic facilities require significant space for truck docking bays and manual labor to load and unload palletized goods, as autonomous guided vehicles primarily transport goods between locations without collaborative loading capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a collaborative logistics facility management system that uses autonomous guided vehicles to load and unload trucks directly, with a system controller managing robot queues and collaborative zones to facilitate autonomous and manual operations, reducing the need for dedicated pickers and forklifts by enabling robots to load trucks at loading bays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional automated guided vehicles are used to transport goods between locations, then goods can be delivered from production to storage and retrieved from inventory, but significant floor space must be dedicated to truck docking bays and manual labor for loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the autonomous guided vehicle with integrated loading bay capabilities, merging the transport function with the loading/unloading function into a single mobile platform. This eliminates the need for separate stationary docking bays, as the vehicle itself becomes the loading platform that can interface with trucks at various locations throughout the facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-location truck docking bays into dynamic, mobile loading bays that travel with the autonomous guided vehicle. The loading bay is no longer a fixed infrastructure element but a movable component that can position itself optimally for each loading operation, reducing the need for dedicated floor space.
2Ease of operation
If manual pickers and forklift operators are employed to load trucks, then goods can be loaded onto transport vehicles, but dedicated floor space and manual labor are required
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous guided vehicle performs the loading operation autonomously using its integrated robotic manipulation capabilities. The vehicle retrieves goods from storage locations, transports them to the loading bay, and automatically loads them onto the truck without human intervention, making the system self-sufficient for the complete loading process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical systems of manual pickers and forklift operators with an automated robotic system integrated into the autonomous guided vehicle. The robotic manipulation apparatus performs the loading function that previously required human-operated equipment, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining loading capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous truck docking bays are provided for loading and unloading, then truck operations can be accommodated, but significant dedicated floor space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous guided vehicle with integrated loading bay serves multiple functions: it acts as a transport vehicle, a mobile storage unit, and a dynamic docking station for multiple trucks. A single vehicle can interface with multiple trucks at different locations and times, providing the same operational flexibility that previously required multiple fixed docking bays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional layout with fixed docking bays along the perimeter to a three-dimensional system where the loading capability moves through the facility with the vehicle. This allows loading operations to occur at multiple locations throughout the facility rather than being constrained to fixed peripheral positions, effectively utilizing vertical and horizontal space more efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A collaborative logistic facility management system for a logistic facility includes multiple robot autonomous guided vehicles and a system controller. The vehicles transport logistics goods or pallets between truck portals and storage locations and are configured for autonomous guidance travel, in autonomous mode and include a collaborating operator input for collaborative autonomous guided vehicle navigation and guidance. The system controller commands each vehicle to transfer the logistic goods or pallets between the truck portals and the storage locations, identifies a predetermined truck portal of a corresponding truck to be loaded or to be unloaded, and generates a collaborative zone. The controller generates a queue of robot autonomous guided vehicles on a side of the collaborative zone and commands the multiple robot autonomous guided vehicles disposed to load or unload the corresponding truck to move in autonomous mode into the queue.