Hexagonal Vehicle Grid Layout for Dense Intralogistics Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intralogistic transport systems face inefficiencies in using square cell grids, where vehicles cannot turn within cells without protruding, leading to collision risks and suboptimal space utilization, especially when compared to hexagonal grids which allow for higher density and shorter paths.
Innovation Solution
A hexagonal grid pattern for the movement area with vehicles designed to turn within hexagonal cells, ensuring they do not protrude, combined with optimized vehicle dimensions and control systems to prevent collisions, allowing for efficient product and holding member transport and sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If square cells are used for vehicle movement, then vehicles can move along perpendicular trajectories, but vehicles cannot turn within cells without protruding, leading to collision risks and suboptimal space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the grid from square to hexagonal cells. This parameter change allows vehicles to turn within cells without protruding, as the hexagonal geometry provides sufficient internal space for turning maneuvers while maintaining a compact overall footprint. The hexagonal grid also increases space utilization efficiency compared to square grids.
2Ease of operation
If larger square cells are used to allow vehicle turning, then vehicles can turn within cells, but the area occupied by each cell increases, reducing grid density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter from square to hexagonal cells. The hexagonal shape provides sufficient internal space for vehicle turning operations while occupying less area than larger square cells would require. This resolves the contradiction by enabling turning capability without proportionally increasing cell area.
3Area of stationary object
If hexagonal grid is used, then space utilization increases and vehicle paths shorten, but vehicle control complexity increases due to non-perpendicular movement directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control capabilities that allow vehicles to adapt their movement and turning based on real-time position and destination requirements. The control system dynamically calculates optimal paths along the hexagonal grid, enabling vehicles to navigate the non-perpendicular directions efficiently. This dynamic approach manages the increased control complexity while realizing the benefits of hexagonal geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides, inter alia, a system for the intralogistic transport of products, comprising—a number of vehicles, where each vehicle is designed to turn on a vertical turning axis where, viewed from above, there is a maximum distance amax between the vertical turning axis and a point on the periphery of the vehicle; —a central control device that is designed to transmit control signals to on-board control devices of the vehicles, wherein the central control device and/or the on-board control device of at least a portion of the number of vehicles comprise a digitized grid of grid points that represents a movement area or at least a portion thereof, which grid points are arranged at least partially according to a hexagonal pattern where the distance between neighbouring grid points is equal to distance d, which distance d is greater than 2.0 times the maximum distance amax, wherein the central control device and/or the on-board control device of at least a portion of the number of vehicles are designed to move a vehicle within a strip, which strip consists of at least two mutually connected straight strip portions that run parallel to one of three directional lines defined by pairs of grid points.