Modular Transport Vehicles With Sensor Override for Vehicle Combining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing article transport facilities require multiple types of transport devices for different transport configurations, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

A transport facility with transport vehicles that can combine and operate in various configurations, using surrounding area detection sensors to avoid collisions and partially disabling sensors during combining operations to facilitate flexible transport routes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of transport devices are used for different transport configurations, then various transport modes (unmanned transport, conveyor transport) can be realized, but the number of device types increases and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport configuration flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of device types

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport vehicle is designed with multi-functionality to perform both unmanned transport and combined transport operations. The vehicle can operate independently as an unmanned transport unit or combine with other vehicles to form conveyor-like structures, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each transport mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple transport vehicles can combine with each other to form a unified transport system that functions like a conveyor. By merging individual vehicle capabilities, the system achieves continuous article transport across multiple locations without requiring a separate conveyor device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If surrounding area detection sensors are used to avoid contact between transport vehicles, then collision avoidance is achieved, but the sensors detect combination target vehicles as obstacles and prevent combining operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidcombining operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detection sensor's operational state is dynamically adjusted based on the current task. The sensor is enabled during normal travel for collision avoidance but disabled during combining operations to allow vehicles to approach and connect with combination targets without being blocked by false obstacle detections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit determines in advance whether a detected object is a combination target before the vehicle attempts to combine. This preliminary identification allows the system to prepare for the combining operation by appropriately managing sensor states, preventing the sensor from interfering with the intended combining action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12608023B2Article transport facility

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 DAIFUKU CO LTD

AI summary

An article transport facility includes a plurality of transport vehicles. In a combined state in which the plurality of transport vehicles are combined in such a manner as to be adjacent to each other, the plurality of transport vehicles constitute a transport route in which a plurality of transfer sections cooperate to transport articles. While the transport vehicle performs a combining operation with a combination target vehicle that is another transport vehicle that is a combination target, the control unit at least partially disables a surrounding area sensor so as not to detect the combination target vehicle.