Ground Controller for Stacker Crane Position Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In automated warehouses, stacker cranes often experience interference when traveling along the same route, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety issues, as existing systems lack effective real-time central control and accurate position measurement capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A system where a ground controller manages the positions of multiple transportation vehicles in real-time, using measuring means, communication means, and travel control means to generate and transmit instructions that prevent interference, allowing for accurate and rapid determination of absolute positions and ensuring safe operation by prioritizing motor control when deviations occur.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple stacker cranes travel along the same route to enhance transportation capability, then transportation efficiency is improved, but interference between stacker cranes occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation capabilityVSAvoidinterference between vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ground controller receives position information from multiple stacker cranes in real-time and sends running instructions back to control their movement, creating a closed-loop feedback system that prevents interference while maintaining high transportation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The ground controller acts as an intermediary between multiple stacker cranes, coordinating their movements and resolving potential conflicts before they occur, allowing multiple vehicles to share the same route without interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If autonomous interference avoidance is implemented without central control, then vehicle independence is maintained, but position measurement accuracy and real-time coordination are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operationVSAvoidposition measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges autonomous operation capabilities with central ground controller coordination, combining the advantages of both independent vehicle operation and centralized position tracking for improved accuracy and real-time coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If real-time position tracking and central control are implemented, then interference is prevented, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference avoidanceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ground controller performs multiple functions including position tracking, running instruction generation, and interference prevention in a single centralized system, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Manufacturing precision

If running instructions are sent frequently to maintain real-time control, then position control accuracy is improved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition control accuracyVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The ground controller sends running instructions at periodic intervals based on predetermined time periods, maintaining position control accuracy while optimizing communication frequency to reduce overhead and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8036771B2Transportation vehicle system and method of controlling transportation vehicle

Publication Date: 2011.10.11 MURATA MASCH LTD

AI summary

A transportation vehicle measures its own absolute position, and transmits the measured absolute position to a ground controller. The ground controller keeps track of positions of a plurality of transportation vehicles in real time, and sends running instructions to travel, while avoiding interference between the transportation vehicles. As a result, the ground controller can control travel of the transportation vehicles in real time.