Overhead Conveying Vehicle Sensor Coverage During Lift Unit Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Overhead transport vehicles face challenges in accurately monitoring areas below the lifting drive section when it tilts during lateral movement, leading to potential failures in detecting the area correctly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a monitoring sensor with a controller that adjusts its monitoring range based on the tilt of the lifting drive section, using a tilt detection sensor to detect changes and adjust the sensor's orientation to maintain effective coverage, even when the lifting drive section tilts during lateral movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lifting drive section is moved laterally with respect to the body section by the lateral transfer mechanism, then the lifting drive section can perform lateral transfer operations, but the moving shaft may bend causing the lifting drive section to tilt, which results in the monitoring sensor failing to correctly monitor the area below
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring sensor is configured to dynamically change its monitoring range based on the tilt angle of the lifting drive section. The controller adjusts the monitoring parameters in real-time according to the detected tilt condition, allowing the sensor to adapt to different operational states and maintain monitoring accuracy during lateral transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the monitoring parameters (such as detection angle, detection range, or sensor orientation) according to the tilt angle of the lifting drive section. By adjusting these parameters based on the actual tilt condition, the system maintains effective monitoring coverage despite the structural tilt caused by lateral transfer movements.
2Reliability
If an actuator is used to mechanically change the attitude of the monitoring sensor, then the effect of tilt is reduced, but the device complexity increases and monitoring accuracy during lateral movement remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical actuator-based attitude adjustment system with an information-processing approach. Instead of physically changing the sensor's orientation through mechanical means, the system detects the tilt angle and adjusts the monitoring range parameters electronically through the controller, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining monitoring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves as an intermediary between the tilt detection and the monitoring adjustment. Rather than directly mechanically adjusting the sensor, the controller processes the tilt information and modifies the monitoring parameters accordingly, providing a flexible and complex-free mediation layer that resolves the contradiction between accuracy and simplicity.
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
Ensures continuous and accurate monitoring of the area below the lifting drive section, regardless of tilting, by dynamically adjusting the sensor's range and orientation, thereby preventing monitoring failures.
Implementation Method 1
a swing detection sensor (monitoring sensor) provided in the lifting drive unit and configured to emit a laser beam downward and also detect the beam reflected
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead transport vehicle includes a holding unit adapted to be lifted and lowered and configured to hold an article; a lifting drive section configured to lift and lower the holding unit; a lateral transfer mechanism configured to move the lifting drive section laterally with respect to a body section; a monitoring sensor provided to the lifting drive section and configured to monitor an area below the lifting drive section and be able to change a monitoring range; and a controller configured to change the monitoring range of the monitoring sensor in accordance with information on tilt of the lifting drive section with respect to a horizontal plane.