Optical Control for Driverless Transport Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driverless transport systems in manufacturing, such as electric monorail systems, require complex equipment and additional infrastructure for achieving synchronous and constant movement in production areas, which is inefficient and costly due to the need for mechanical drag conveyors and multiple power supplies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a running light tube along the transport route with optical sensors on the vehicles to control speed and start/stop functions using a stationary control device, eliminating the need for mechanical drag conveyors and simplifying the control system by using binary signals from light sensors to manage the drive of the transport means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical drag conveyors and coupling stations are used to achieve synchronous movement in production areas, then synchronous and constant travel of driverless means of transport is ensured, but device complexity and construction cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drag conveyor system with an optical signaling system. Instead of mechanically coupling vehicles to a drag conveyor, the invention uses a running light tube that emits optical signals along the route. Optical sensors on the vehicles detect these signals and control the drive accordingly, eliminating the need for mechanical coupling devices, drag conveyors, and associated infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The running light tube acts as an intermediary between the stationary control device and the driverless means of transport. The control device generates control signals that are transmitted via the running light tube's optical output. The optical sensors on the vehicles receive these signals, creating an indirect but reliable communication channel that simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If additional drag conveyors and power supplies are provided for special production areas, then synchronous movement control is achieved, but loss of substance and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The running light tube serves multiple functions: it provides visual guidance for the vehicles, transmits control signals for synchronous movement, and eliminates the need for separate drag conveyor systems. This multi-functionality reduces the overall infrastructure required, as the same optical infrastructure that guides vehicles also controls their synchronous movement in production areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the control function from the mechanical drag conveyor system and transfers it to the optical signaling system. By separating the control function from the mechanical propulsion function, the system eliminates the need for additional drag conveyors and their associated power supplies in special production areas.
3Reliability
If mechanical coupling and decoupling stations are implemented, then synchronous travel is maintained, but device complexity and technical effort on transport means increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical coupling and decoupling operations with optical signal-based control. Instead of physically coupling vehicles to drag conveyors at coupling stations and decoupling them at destination stations, the system uses optical sensors to continuously receive control signals from the running light tube, maintaining synchronous travel without mechanical intervention.
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 reduces the complexity and cost of plant construction by eliminating the need for additional drag conveyors and coupling stations, allowing for efficient, synchronous movement of driverless transport systems with minimal electrical components and reduced technical effort on the transport means.
Implementation Method 1
a chain of light sources (segments) designed as a running light is arranged along a route of the driverless means of transport
Implementation Method 2
at least two optical sensors for scanning the running light being arranged one behind the other on the driverless means of transport
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The arrangement has a chain of light sources having a running light (LL) arranged along a route of a driverless transportation device (EMS). A set of optical sensors (OS1, OS2) senses the running light, and is arranged one behind another in a direction of movement on the driverless transportation device. Each optical sensor is connected to a drive (ANTR) of the driverless transportation device such that the driverless transportation device essentially and synchronously follows an illuminated segment of the running light. A stationary control device controls the running light. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling a movement of a driverless transportation device along a route.