Elevator Boarding Path Control for Automatic Conveyance Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for controlling automatic conveyance vehicles with lifting and lowering devices do not efficiently utilize detection information, leading to suboptimal movement and operation.

Innovation Solution

The system sets movement paths and controls the lifting and lowering devices based on lifting and lowering relevant information, such as elevator scheduling and weight management, to optimize the movement of automatic conveyance vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the system uses only object detection sensor information to control elevator boarding, then the system complexity is reduced, but the conveyance efficiency and movement optimization of the automatic conveyance vehicle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidconveyance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple independent modules: object detection sensor for presence detection, weight sensor for load measurement, elevation sensor for position detection, and control unit for coordination. Each sensor handles a specific aspect of the boarding process, allowing the system to process multiple types of information simultaneously without increasing overall complexity, thereby improving conveyance efficiency through optimized vehicle positioning and elevator coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes object detection sensor signals, weight sensor data, and elevation sensor information; coordinates elevator operation; and optimizes automatic conveyance vehicle movement. By making the control unit multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated controllers for each function, maintaining system complexity at an acceptable level while achieving comprehensive optimization of conveyance efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the system coordinates multiple sensors and control parameters for optimal vehicle movement, then the movement efficiency and power consumption are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit merges the processing functions of multiple sensors (object detection, weight measurement, elevation detection) into a single integrated control module. This consolidation allows the system to coordinate vehicle movement and elevator operation based on combined sensor data without requiring separate control systems for each function, thereby improving movement efficiency while keeping device complexity manageable through functional integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives and processes information from multiple sensors, then translates this information into coordinated control signals for both the automatic conveyance vehicle and the elevator. This intermediary function enables efficient coordination of multiple system components without requiring direct complex interactions between all components, simplifying the overall control architecture while achieving optimized movement efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the automatic conveyance vehicle waits for elevator scheduling information, then the boarding priority is optimized, but the loss of time for vehicle movement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboarding priorityVSAvoidvehicle movement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the automatic conveyance vehicle wait at a predetermined position near the elevator and receive scheduling information in advance before the elevator arrives. This preliminary positioning and information reception allows the vehicle to be ready for immediate boarding when the elevator becomes available, optimizing boarding priority while minimizing actual waiting time through proactive preparation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit implements feedback by continuously monitoring elevator scheduling information and adjusting the vehicle's waiting and movement timing accordingly. The system uses real-time feedback from the elevator system to optimize the vehicle's positioning and departure timing, ensuring that the vehicle waits only as long as necessary to achieve optimal boarding priority without excessive loss of movement time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4306479B1Raising/lowering movement control system and raising/lowering movement control method
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 FUJI CORP
  • EP4306479B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4306479B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4306479B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lifting and lowering movement control system for controlling an automatic conveyance vehicle configured to move with an article loaded thereon and a lifting and lowering device configured to move up and down in a state in which the automatic conveyance vehicle is on board, the system includes a lifting and lowering relevant information acquisition section configured to acquire lifting and lowering relevant information relating to the lifting and lowering device scheduled to be boarded by the automatic conveyance vehicle, and a movement control section configured to set a movement path to the lifting and lowering device scheduled to be boarded based on the lifting and lowering relevant information.