Modular AGV Workcell Coupling for Transport and In-Transit Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) lack flexibility in transporting and charging various types of workcells, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for specialized AGVs and limited navigation paths, especially in data centers with diverse tasks and limited space.
Innovation Solution
AGVs equipped with electro-mechanical interfaces that can connect to, lift, and charge multiple types of workcells, allowing for flexible task scheduling and power management based on battery levels and task requirements, enabling them to transport and charge workcells during transport and task performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized AGVs are used for each type of workcell, then the workcell can be transported and charged reliably, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AGV is designed with a universal electro-mechanical interface that can connect to and charge multiple different types of workcells. The interface includes mechanical attachment mechanisms (forks, tugs, or lifts) and electrical connector pads that can interface with various workcell configurations, allowing a single AGV type to serve multiple workcell types without requiring specialized vehicles for each workcell category.
Solution Approach 2:
The AGV system is divided into separate functional modules: navigation system, electro-mechanical interface, and charging system. The electro-mechanical interface itself is segmented into mechanical attachment components and electrical connector components, allowing independent optimization and replacement of each module without affecting the entire system.
2Reliability
If dedicated AGVs are assigned to specific workcells, then task execution is reliable, but the loss of time due to AGV idle time and repositioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically assigns workcells to available AGVs based on real-time AGV location, workcell charging status, and task requirements. Rather than static assignments, the control system optimizes pairings dynamically, allowing AGVs to pick up workcells from different locations and deliver them to different destinations, reducing idle time and improving utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The AGV charging system enables continuous operation by allowing workcells to be charged during transport. The electro-mechanical interface maintains electrical connection throughout the transport process, enabling power transfer from the AGV battery to the workcell battery, thus eliminating downtime that would occur if workcells needed to be stationary for charging.
3Reliability
If limited navigation paths are used in facilities with limited space, then the AGV can navigate reliably, but the adaptability to handle various workcell types and locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-mechanical interface acts as an intermediary that standardizes the connection between AGV and workcell. This standardized interface includes mechanical attachment points (fork receiving areas, tow hitches, lift platforms) and electrical connector pads that provide consistent coupling mechanisms, allowing diverse workcell types to be handled through a common interface without requiring complex navigation adaptations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~3A
AI summary
In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs (200) that each include electro-mechanical interface (207) that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells (212) and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells (212). A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells (212) are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell (212) to perform the task, select an AGV (200) to transport the selected workcell (212) to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV (200), instructions that cause the selected AGV (200) to transport the selected workcell (212) to the location at which the task is to be performed.