Dynamic Restricted Zones for Rail Service Vehicle Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automated storage and retrieval systems face safety challenges for manned service vehicles operating on high-risk rail systems, as remotely operated vehicles may collide with service vehicles, potentially injuring the operator. Completely shutting down the system to ensure safety is not economically viable, especially for large systems with many container handling vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a dynamic restricted zone around the service vehicle that moves with it, ensuring it is void of remotely operated vehicles. This is achieved by providing a new vehicle route to remotely operated vehicles that would otherwise intersect with the dynamic restricted zone, thereby preventing collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system shuts down completely to ensure safety of the manned service vehicle, then safety is improved, but productivity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the operational space into a dynamic restricted zone around the service vehicle and the rest of the rail system. This segmentation allows the service vehicle to operate safely within its protected zone while other vehicles continue operations in unaffected areas, resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricted zone is dynamic rather than static - it moves with the service vehicle as it travels along the rail system. This dynamic approach allows continuous safety protection for the service vehicle while minimizing disruption to overall system operations, as the restriction zone only blocks paths that would actually intersect with the service vehicle's current position.
2Reliability
If a dynamic restricted zone is established around the service vehicle, then safety is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the service vehicle's position and dynamically adjusts the restricted zone boundaries accordingly. This feedback mechanism automatically updates the virtual protection zone as the service vehicle moves, providing continuous safety without requiring manual intervention or complex physical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic restricted zone acts as a virtual intermediary between the service vehicle and other vehicles. Rather than requiring direct physical separation or complex coordination mechanisms, the restricted zone serves as a software-based mediator that automatically prevents other vehicles from entering dangerous areas, simplifying the overall control architecture.
3Reliability
If remote operated vehicles are rerouted to avoid the dynamic restricted zone, then safety is improved, but productivity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rerouting all remote operated vehicles or shutting down the entire system, only the minimum necessary vehicles are redirected when their paths would intersect with the dynamic restricted zone. This partial action approach maintains safety while minimizing impact on overall system productivity, as most vehicles can continue their tasks without interruption.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3b~4
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for improving safety of a manned service vehicle (10) on a rail system having remotely operated vehicles (201, 301, 401) operating thereon, said method comprising: establishing a dynamic restricted zone (30) around the service vehicle (10); moving the service vehicle (10) from a start location (20) towards a target location (25) along a service vehicle route (15); and if a remotely operated vehicle (201, 301, 401) on the rail system (108) has been assigned with a vehicle task with a remotely operated vehicle route (35) that includes moving towards the dynamic restricted zone (30), providing a new remotely operated vehicle route (40).