Driverless Transport Vehicle Positioning by Dual-Feature Laser Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driverless transport vehicles lack precision in moving to a predefined target position relative to an object, as they rely on simplistic navigation methods that do not account for complex spatial relationships and orientations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a driverless transport vehicle that uses a distance measuring device, such as a laser scanner, to determine distances to two characteristic features of an object, and then performs a series of translational and rotational movements based on these measurements to align itself with a target position on a circle defined by a termination criterion, ensuring precise positioning and orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a driverless transport vehicle uses a distance measuring device to determine distances to characteristic features and performs iterative translational and rotational movements, then positioning precision and orientation accuracy are improved, but the complexity of the control system and navigation algorithm increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures distances to characteristic features using a distance measuring device and uses this feedback to iteratively adjust translational and rotational movements. The control device monitors the vehicle's position relative to the target and modifies movement parameters in real-time until the termination criterion is met, achieving precise positioning through closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The navigation method employs periodic iterative cycles where the vehicle performs a sequence of movements, measures distances to characteristic features, calculates position adjustments, and repeats this cycle. Each iteration brings the vehicle closer to the target position, with the process continuing until the termination criterion regarding distance offsets is satisfied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Manufacturing precision

If the vehicle uses iterative distance measurements and adjusted movements to reach the target position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the time required to complete the approach increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidapproach time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts movement parameters including velocity and direction based on real-time distance measurements to characteristic features. The system optimizes the balance between movement speed and positioning accuracy by adapting the approach strategy during each iterative cycle, allowing faster convergence when far from the target and more precise adjustments when near the termination criterion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 vehicle achieves precise positioning and orientation relative to the object by iteratively adjusting its movements based on real-time distance measurements, allowing it to accurately approach and align with a target position, even when the object has complex geometries or orientations.

Implementation Method 1

a distance measuring device, such as a laser scanner, to determine distances to two characteristic features of an object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3175310B1Driverless transport vehicle and method for operating a driverless transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 KUKA DEUT GMBH
  • EP3175310B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3175310B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3175310B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a driverless transport vehicle (1, 40) and to a method for operating a driverless transport vehicle (1, 40). The driverless transport vehicle (1, 14) is intended to travel automatically to a target position (Z) relative to an object (10, 41). The object (10, 41) comprises two characteristic features (14a, 15a, 42a, 43a), and the target position (Z) lies on the connecting line between the two characteristic features (14a, 15a, 42a, 43a) or at a distance (A) from said connecting line.