Autonomous Empty Container Dispatch for Mixed Workstation Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container transport systems face challenges in supplying empty containers of appropriate types at appropriate timing to work stations, leading to delays and inefficiencies when certain types of containers are in high demand or shortage.
Innovation Solution
A container transport system utilizing autonomous transport vehicles that travel in a defined area, a supplier that provides multiple types of empty containers, and a controller that directs these vehicles to deliver the correct type of container to the appropriate work station based on request information, enhancing flexibility and reducing unequal transport times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If empty containers are transported sequentially in series along picking stations, then the system structure is simple, but the timing of container supply becomes inflexible and may not match work station demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static sequential transport system to a dynamic one where autonomous transport vehicles can independently navigate and deliver containers to different work stations based on real-time需求的. The vehicles can change their delivery targets and paths dynamically, allowing the system to adapt flexibly to varying container supply demands at different work stations.
2Productivity
If multiple types of containers are stored in a single storage shelf, then storage space is efficient, but restocking becomes difficult and operations may be delayed when specific container types are in shortage
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous transport vehicles are equipped with container type identification and selection capabilities, allowing them to autonomously determine which container types are needed at which work stations. The system can automatically dispatch appropriate vehicles with required container types, eliminating the need for manual restocking and ensuring operation continuity even when specific container types are in short supply.
3Reliability
If autonomous transport vehicles are used to deliver containers to work stations, then container supply timing and type accuracy improves, but the transport system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous transport vehicles are designed as multi-functional units that can handle multiple container types and serve multiple work stations. Each vehicle is equipped with universal container carrying capabilities and navigation systems, allowing a single vehicle type to perform various delivery tasks, thereby reducing the need for specialized vehicles for each container type or work station.
4Ease of operation
If empty cardboard boxes are transported along a single conveyor, then the transport mechanism is simple, but downstream stations may not receive the requested box types at appropriate timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the unified conveyor system into multiple autonomous transport vehicles that operate independently. Each vehicle can be dispatched separately to deliver specific container types to specific work stations, segmenting the monolithic transport flow into targeted delivery missions. This segmentation enables precise control over which containers reach which stations at what times.
Data Source
AI summary
An empty container transport system includes a plurality of transport vehicles that travel in a travel area, an empty container supplier that supplies a plurality of empty containers of different types selectively to the respective plurality of transport vehicles, a plurality of work stations, and a controller. The controller generates, based on container request information including at least a type of empty container to be used at each of the plurality of work stations, empty container supply information to supply an empty container to each of the plurality of work stations. Each of the plurality of transport vehicles holds the empty container of the type corresponding to the container request information and transports the empty container to the corresponding work station based on the empty container supply information.