Dynamic Vehicle Entry Control in Article Transport Facilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article transport facilities face inefficiencies due to restrictive control zones that limit the number of vehicles entering control areas, leading to decreased transport efficiency and increased collision risks at branching, converging, and intersecting points.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with wireless tags on article transport vehicles and a position detection apparatus that allows more than the predetermined number of vehicles to enter control areas if specific permission conditions are met, based on accurate positional information, while maintaining safety by controlling vehicle entry based on both vehicle count and position within the control area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of article transport vehicles entering control zones is limited to one, then collision risk is reduced, but transport efficiency decreases due to waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of vehicle count limitation from a fixed value (one vehicle) to a dynamic value determined by real-time positional information. The control apparatus calculates the number of vehicles within the control zone based on detected positions, allowing multiple vehicles to enter when spatial separation is sufficient, thereby improving transport efficiency while maintaining collision prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously detecting the positions of article transport vehicles using position detection apparatus and communicating this information to the control apparatus. The control apparatus uses this real-time feedback to dynamically adjust entrance permissions, allowing vehicles to enter control zones when positional conditions are satisfied, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and efficiency
2Reliability
If multiple control zones are set to manage vehicle flow, then collision risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting control zones specifically at critical locations such as branching points, convergence points, and intersection points where collision risks exist. Rather than dividing the entire facility into multiple control zones, only localized areas requiring management are designated, simplifying the overall control structure while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical control zone management with automated position detection and information processing. The position detection apparatus automatically identifies vehicle locations, and the control apparatus automatically determines entrance permissions based on real-time data, eliminating the need for manual configuration and management of multiple control zones
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
This solution enhances transport efficiency by allowing more vehicles to enter control areas safely, reducing waiting times and collision risks, while maintaining accurate control without increasing control area complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of access points that transmit and receive a wireless signal to and from each of the article transport vehicles; wireless tags that are respectively mounted on the article transport vehicles and transmit, as the wireless signal, tag information
Implementation Method 2
a position detection apparatus that acquires the tag information of each article transport vehicle via the access points and detects respective positions of the article transport vehicles based on the same tag information that has been received by the access points
Data Source
AI summary
The article transport vehicles are equipped with wireless tags that transmit tag information, and an article transport facility includes: a transport control apparatus that controls the entrance of the vehicles into the control area such that the number of vehicles that are present in one control area is no greater than a control number; a plurality of access points; and a position detection apparatus that detects the respective positions of the vehicles with an accuracy with which a plurality of positions in the control area are distinguishable, based on the same tag information that has been received by the access points. The transport control apparatus permits a number of vehicles, the number being greater than the control number, to enter the control area if a predetermined permission condition is satisfied, based on the positional information that indicates the position of each vehicle.