Movable Body Control Switching for Fire Extinguishing Agent Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional article transporting facilities face issues where the measurement light from optical ranging means is interrupted by fire extinguishing agents like carbon dioxide, preventing the movable body from traveling immediately after extinguishing operations, thus hindering quick recovery and further operations around a fire.

Innovation Solution

The system switches to a second control state when a fire is detected, allowing the movable body to travel to a target position without relying on optical ranging, ensuring continuous operation even after extinguishing agent dispersion, and prioritizes fast and safe transfer of articles on fire to a designated extinguishment section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fire extinguishing agent is sprayed to extinguish fire, then fire is extinguished, but measurement light from optical ranging means is interrupted preventing movable body from traveling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire extinguishment capabilityVSAvoidresumption of travel after extinguishing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two control states: the first control state uses optical ranging for precise position control during normal operations, while the second control state uses a simplified control method that does not depend on optical ranging when fire extinguishing agent is dispersed. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain functionality despite the interruption of measurement light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system changes its operational parameters based on the detection of fire extinguishing agent dispersion. When the agent is detected, the system transitions from relying on optical ranging measurements to using alternative positioning methods, effectively changing the control parameters to suit the current environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If movable body waits for smoke to disappear before traveling, then measurement can be accurate, but operation time is lost and fire may spread

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance detection accuracyVSAvoidoperational delay after extinguishing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adapts its measurement method based on environmental conditions. When fire extinguishing agent is present, the system switches from optical ranging to an alternative control state that does not require clear line-of-sight measurement, allowing continuous operation without waiting for smoke to clear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If optical ranging means is used for precise position control, then travel accuracy is improved, but operation is interrupted by fire extinguishing agent dispersion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracy of movable bodyVSAvoidoperation continuity under fire conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic control state switching to adapt to different operational conditions. In the first control state, optical ranging provides high positioning accuracy. When fire extinguishing agent is detected, the system transitions to the second control state that maintains operational capability without relying on optical ranging, thus balancing precision requirements with environmental adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control parameters are changed based on the presence of fire extinguishing agent. The system transitions from using optical ranging parameters to alternative control parameters that are not affected by the dispersed agent, allowing the system to maintain both precision and adaptability across different operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables immediate resumption of travel and operations around a fire, prevents fire spread, and ensures complete extinguishment by allowing uninterrupted movement and transfer of articles to a fire extinguishment section, enhancing safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an optical ranging means for detecting a distance between a reference position for travelling and the movable body on the traveling path by projecting a measurement light along the traveling path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

a fire detecting means for detecting fire which occurs in an article held in the article holding sections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFire detection:

Implementation Method 3

a fire extinguishing means for freely spraying a fire extinguishing agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2597058B1Goods transport facility
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 DAIFUKU CO LTD
  • EP2597058B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2597058B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2597058B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An article transporting facility is disclosed, which has an object to be detected DH for stop controlling at the ground side, and detecting devices for an object to be detected SH1 and SH2 for detecting the presence of the object to be detected at the movable body 1 side. A movable body controlling device 27 can be freely switched between a first control state, under which the travel control of the movable body 1 is conducted with the aid of an optical ranging device 21, and a second control state, under which the travel control of the movable body 1 is conducted such that the movable body 1 travels until the detecting device for an object to be detected SH1 detects the object to be detected DH corresponding to the article holding section 4 holding the article to be transferred so that the movable body 1 becomes coincident to the target travel position, and during the time when no fire is detected in an article by the fire detecting device 10, the first control state is maintained, whilst once a fire has been detected in an article by the fire detecting device 10, the movable body controlling device is switched to the second control state.