Driverless Truck Task Control for Flexible Goods Logistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing goods logistics systems lack flexibility to adapt to changing requirements in logistics facilities, such as alterations in the transport region or loading aid stations, limiting their adaptability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A goods logistics system comprising a master computer, driverless industrial trucks, and input units that generate trigger signals, allowing flexible transport task definitions and status changes based on stored parameters, enabling adaptable operation through a configuration unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a decentralized system with stand-alone driverless industrial trucks is used, then the system can operate in small goods logistics facilities, but the system lacks flexibility to adapt to changing requirements and facility alterations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by enabling the master computer to generate, change, or delete transport tasks based on trigger signals from input units. The system allows runtime modification of transport task definitions and status change definitions, making the logistics system flexible enough to adapt to changing facility requirements without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into a master computer that handles high-level task management and driverless industrial trucks that execute specific transport tasks. This segmentation allows the master computer to maintain flexible task definitions while individual trucks operate autonomously, balancing adaptability with operational simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If transport task definitions are fixed in the master computer, then the system operates reliably, but the system cannot adapt to changing logistics requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes transport task definitions dynamic by allowing the master computer to generate, modify, or delete tasks based on trigger signals. The definitions are stored in a data structure that can be updated at runtime, enabling the system to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining reliable operation through structured task management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where input units generate trigger signals that are transmitted to the master computer. This feedback loop allows the system to respond to changing conditions by dynamically adjusting transport tasks while maintaining reliable operation through controlled response protocols
3Ease of operation
If occupancy sensors are used to automatically trigger transport tasks, then the system operates autonomously, but the system lacks flexibility to accommodate different customer wishes and facility changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines automatic operation with dynamic adaptability by allowing the master computer to interpret trigger signals from occupancy sensors according to changeable transport task definitions. The system can automatically respond to sensor inputs while flexibly adjusting the nature of the response based on current operational requirements and customer specifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in transport task definitions stored in the master computer. By modifying parameters such as destination loading aid stations, transport priorities, and task conditions, the system maintains automatic operation while adapting to different customer wishes and facility configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A goods logistics system is provided. The system can include: a master computer, and at least one input unit. The input units can generate a trigger signal and transmit the trigger signal to the master computer. The master computer can generate, change, or delete a transport task to be carried out in a transport region by driverless industrial trucks operating based on the trigger signal with the application of a stored transport task definition and to transmit a transport task signal linked to this transport task to the industrial truck. The transport task signal prompts the industrial truck to perform the transport task. The master computer can change a status loading aid stations assigned to the input units based on the trigger signal with the application of a stored status change definition. The transport task definition and the status change definition are changeable.