Driverless Sorting Vehicles for Adaptive Routing and Fast Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting systems require complex infrastructure and are inflexible, making them inefficient for dynamic sorting tasks.
Innovation Solution
A sorting system with driverless vehicles and a control device that allows for dynamic route planning and kinetic energy-based discharge of sorting goods, enabling flexible setup and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If fixed linear or ring-shaped sorting systems with folding trays are used, then automatic sorting capability is achieved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical folding tray systems with driverless vehicles that have active load receiving means. Instead of using intricate mechanical infrastructure with multiple folding trays and conveyor belts, the system uses autonomous vehicles equipped with sensors and control systems to perform sorting functions, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorting system transitions from fixed, static routing to dynamic, adaptive routing where driverless vehicles can adjust their paths in real-time based on sorting requirements. The vehicles communicate with a control system that optimizes routes dynamically, allowing the system to adapt to changing sorting needs without reconfiguring the physical infrastructure.
2Device complexity
If sorting systems with fixed routes are used, then infrastructure setup is simplified, but flexibility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic routing where driverless vehicles receive real-time instructions from a control system to adjust their paths. The control system can reassign vehicles to different terminal points based on sorting priorities and vehicle availability, providing routing flexibility without requiring physical infrastructure changes. This dynamic allocation allows the same infrastructure to adapt to varying sorting requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The driverless vehicles serve multiple functions: they can transport sorting goods to any terminal point, adjust their routes dynamically, and be reassigned based on sorting needs. This multi-functionality allows a single vehicle fleet to handle diverse sorting scenarios without requiring dedicated infrastructure for each routing scenario, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving flexibility.
3Device complexity
If manual removal of sorting goods at terminal stations is used, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and automation level decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The driverless vehicles are equipped with active load receiving means and kinetic energy discharge mechanisms that enable them to autonomously load and unload sorting goods. The vehicles can independently navigate to terminal points, discharge their cargo using kinetic energy, and return for more goods without human intervention, thereby maintaining system simplicity while significantly increasing productivity through continuous autonomous operation.
4Productivity
If kinetic energy discharge is used, then discharge speed and efficiency improve, but control precision and sorting accuracy may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The control system monitors the kinetic energy discharge process by tracking vehicle speed, position, and discharge timing. Sensors detect when sorting goods are successfully discharged at terminal points, and this feedback information is used to adjust subsequent discharge parameters. The control system learns from each discharge event to optimize the balance between discharge speed and accuracy, ensuring high productivity while maintaining sorting precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves efficient sorting by reducing infrastructure needs and allowing for adaptive routing, thereby improving flexibility and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one driverless sorting vehicle is configured to discharge the sorting good using kinetic energy of the sorting good provided by a travel motion of the driverless sorting vehicle, based on a change of a speed vector of the driverless sorting vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A sorting system includes a first number of entry points configured to provide sorting goods. The sorting system further has a second number of terminal points configured to receive the sorting goods, and a third number of driverless sorting vehicles configured to transport the sorting goods between the first number of insertion points and the second number of terminal points. Further, a control device is provided, configured to control the driverless sorting vehicles between the first number of insertion points and the second number of terminal points.