Control Device for Delivery System Map Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing delivery systems face challenges in smoothly moving articles when map updates are unavailable and require user input for connecting maps, leading to inefficiencies in adapting to changes in specific moving spaces.

Innovation Solution

A control device is introduced that includes a storage section for schedule information and a processing control section to prepare a usage map by adding changes to a reference map based on this information, ensuring smoother article movement by reflecting actual space conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If map updates are performed using user input for connecting partial maps, then the system can flexibly cope with layout changes, but the operation becomes less smooth and requires user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to cope with layout changesVSAvoidsmoothness of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically connects partial maps by calculating distances between articles and determining optimal connecting points without requiring user input. The control device autonomously performs map integration by selecting connecting points based on article positions and movement costs, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while maintaining adaptability to layout changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the system waits for data to update the map, then the map can be updated with current information, but the article movement may be delayed when data is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of map informationVSAvoidarticle movement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores distance information between all locations in the facility before article movement begins. This preliminary calculation of movement costs and distances allows the system to quickly determine optimal routes and connecting points without waiting for real-time data updates during article movement, ensuring both accurate routing and efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the movable region is changed in the specific space, then the system can adapt to space changes, but the article movement requires more frequent map updates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to adapt to space changesVSAvoidtime for map updates
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect changes in the facility layout and automatically trigger map updates. When space changes occur, the control device receives information about the changed regions and recalculates the usage map by integrating new partial maps, ensuring the article movement system adapts to new layouts without requiring manual intervention or causing operational delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4201842B1Control device, delivery system, and control method
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 FUJI CORP
  • EP4201842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4201842B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4201842B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control device according to the present disclosure is used in a delivery system having an automatic movement device that automatically moves an article inside a specific space and delivering the article. The control device includes a storage section configured to store schedule information including at least one of change information including a change region in which a movable region of the automatic movement device is changed in the specific space and a change time at which the region is changed, and operation information including an operation time at which the automatic movement device starts operating; and a processing control section configured to perform processing of preparing a new usage map by adding a change to a reference map of the specific space, based on the schedule information.