Planar Drive Mover Path Planning for Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planar drive systems face challenges in preventing collisions between multiple movers on a drive surface, as precise path planning requires significant computational effort and data exchange, especially when dealing with multiple movers and potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize magnetic field generators on a drive surface, controlled by a unit that plans paths for movers by estimating the travel paths of other movers, allowing for collision avoidance by adjusting priorities and path changes, reducing computational effort and data exchange through linear extrapolation of estimated paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precise path planning is performed for multiple movers to prevent collisions, then collision prevention reliability is improved, but computational effort and data exchange increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses estimated travel paths (copies or approximations of actual paths) instead of precise calculated paths for collision detection. The control unit determines estimated paths for other movers and uses these estimates to plan paths for its own mover, reducing computational complexity while maintaining adequate collision prevention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing path planning for one mover at a time rather than simultaneously planning for all movers. The control unit focuses on determining the path for its own mover while considering estimated paths of others, reducing the overall computational burden compared to comprehensive multi-mover path planning
2Measurement precision
If complete travel path information of all movers is used for path planning, then collision detection accuracy is improved, but data exchange quantity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses estimated travel path data (copies) rather than complete actual travel path information. The control unit receives or determines estimated paths of other movers, which contain sufficient information for collision detection without requiring exchange of complete path data, thus reducing data communication requirements
3Reliability
If real-time path adjustment is performed for all movers to avoid collisions, then collision prevention reliability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary path planning by determining the path for a mover before actual movement begins, using estimated travel paths of other movers. This advance planning reduces the need for frequent real-time adjustments during movement, decreasing processing time while maintaining collision prevention reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs path adjustment partially by focusing only on the path of the current mover being controlled, rather than simultaneously adjusting all movers' paths. This selective approach reduces processing time compared to comprehensive real-time path optimization for the entire system
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
Effectively prevents collisions with reduced computational load and data exchange, enabling efficient movement of multiple movers by accounting for estimated paths and adjusting paths dynamically to avoid collisions, improving scalability and collision detection.
Implementation Method 1
a driving force is exerted on the mover by current-carrying conductors magnetically interacting with driving magnets of a magnet arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preventing collisions when driving at least two movers on a drive surface, each mover comprising at least one magnetic field generator, with a device comprising a plurality of plate-shaped sectors, the sectors each comprising at least one electric magnetic field generator. The sectors form the drive surface, generating magnetic fields via control of a power supply of the electric magnetic field generators such that the movers are movable over the drive surface in at least one direction. A first path planning for the first mover is carried out, an estimated second travel path of the second mover is determined or received, and the estimated second travel path of the second mover is taken into account in the first path planning of the first mover to determine a first travel path for the first mover such that collision of the first mover with the second mover is prevented.