Movable Sensor for AGV Navigation and Precision Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driverless transport devices in production and logistics require complex and cost-intensive measurement technology for positioning and alignment, making them expensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A combined navigation and fine positioning system using a single sensor that can be mechanically displaced between two positions, allowing for accurate alignment with location markings on a reference surface and precise positioning relative to a loading unit or processing station, reducing the need for multiple sensors and interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for navigation and fine positioning, then positioning precision and alignment accuracy are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single sensor to perform both navigation and fine positioning tasks. The sensor is mechanically coupled to the transport device and can be displaced between a first position for navigation (detecting location markings on reference surface) and a second position for fine positioning (detecting loading unit or processing station). This eliminates the need for separate sensor systems while maintaining both功能的精度要求
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the sensor mechanically movable relative to the transport device. The sensor can be displaced between different positions (first position for navigation, second position for fine positioning) depending on the operational phase. This dynamic repositioning allows one sensor to effectively replace multiple static sensors, reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple sensors are used for navigation and fine positioning, then alignment accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by making the sensor universal - it performs both navigation and fine positioning functions. The sensor is mechanically coupled to the transport device with displacement capability between first position (navigation) and second position (fine positioning). This single-sensor solution eliminates the need to manufacture, install, and calibrate multiple separate sensor systems, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining alignment accuracy of within a few millimeters
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used for navigation and fine positioning, then positioning reliability is improved, but device space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes device space by implementing a dynamic sensor positioning system. The sensor is mechanically coupled to the transport device and can be displaced between a first position for navigation and a second position for fine positioning. This dynamic repositioning eliminates the need for multiple simultaneous sensors that would occupy separate spaces, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining positioning reliability through sequential operation at different positions
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
This solution enables reliable, cost-effective, and space-saving alignment and positioning of driverless transport devices, facilitating efficient loading and unloading operations while reducing the complexity and cost of sensor systems.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (12) for detecting location markers (14) on a reference surface (16)
Data Source
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AI summary
A driverless transport device (10) for the autonomous transport of objects in manufacturing, assembly and/or logistics, with a sensor unit (11) for navigation and positioning of the transport device (10), wherein the sensor unit (11) has an optical sensor (12) for detecting location markers (14) on a reference surface (16), is designed and further developed with regard to reliable alignment and positioning using simple design means such that the sensor (12) can be moved by a drive (18) between at least a first position (20) and at least a second position (22), wherein the sensor (12) in the first position (20) serves for navigation of the driverless transport device (10) relative to location markers (14) on the reference surface (16) and in the second position (22) for positioning the transport device (10) relative to a load carrier (24) or a processing position.A method for navigating and positioning a driverless transport device is specified.