Fault Tolerant Mobile Carrier Transport Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic tape library apparatuses face interruptions when a fault occurs in the first mobile carrier, as it stalls within the movable range of the second mobile carrier, hindering the movement of the second carrier and requiring the system to stop operating.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the second mobile carrier assists the first mobile carrier when a fault is detected, allowing it to be moved out of the second carrier's range, ensuring uninterrupted operation by guiding it to a position outside the movable range for repair or replacement, and using a rail and support mechanism for relative movement to facilitate maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the first mobile carrier operates within the second mobile carrier's movable range, then both carriers can access individual cells, but the second mobile carrier's movement is hindered when the first carrier stalls due to a fault
Solution Approach 1:
The first mobile carrier is extracted from the second mobile carrier's movable range by moving it to an off position outside the second carrier's range. This allows the second carrier to operate without interference when the first carrier experiences a fault, ensuring continuous operation of the transport mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the position of the first mobile carrier based on operational status. When a fault is detected, the first carrier is moved to an off position outside the second carrier's movable range, enabling the second carrier to continue operating without interruption.
2Reliability
If the first mobile carrier is moved to an off position outside the second carrier's range, then the second carrier can operate without interference, but the first carrier requires additional guidance mechanisms for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary mechanism to facilitate the movement of the first mobile carrier to the off position. This guide member enables the first carrier to be properly positioned for maintenance while maintaining the operational independence of the second carrier.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the movable range of the second mobile carrier wraps over the first mobile carrier's range, then both carriers can access all cells, but the system must stop when a fault occurs in the first carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The first mobile carrier is extracted from the overlapping movable range by positioning it outside the second carrier's range. This allows the second carrier to maintain full access to all cells without being hindered by the first carrier's presence, ensuring continuous system operation and maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a transport mechanism allows a first mobile carrier to move based on a power source incorporated in the first mobile carrier when an instructions signal specifying an access to a cell defined in a storage is supplied to a controller. When a fault is detected in the first mobile carrier, the first mobile carrier is moved based on the action of a second mobile carrier. The method ensures the movement of the first mobile carrier with the assistance of the second mobile carrier even when the first mobile carrier suffers from a fault. The first mobile carrier can be moved out of the movable range of the second mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier is allowed to move in the own movable range without an interference to the first mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier keeps operating without an interruption.