Track-Guided Furniture Positioning With Odometric Trajectory Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the position of a track-guided handset, particularly in intralogistics vehicles, face inefficiencies in integrating traction and steering controls with odometric detection, leading to suboptimal position determination and energy transmission.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a track-guided handset with integrated traction and steering, where the trajectory is stored as a set of points and optimized by rotating and shifting to minimize distance, utilizing angle sensors for odometric detection and inductive energy transmission from a line conductor on the ground, allowing for efficient position determination and energy supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If odometric detection is used to determine the current position of the handset, then the position can be determined based on trajectory, but the position determination accuracy is suboptimal and computational efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidcomputational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical position determination systems with a simplified method that uses odometric detection combined with trajectory storage and comparison. Instead of using complex sensors and calculation systems, the invention stores the reference trajectory and compares it with detected trajectory sections through simple rotation and shifting operations, achieving accurate position determination with low computational effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If traction drive and steering device are integrated in the handset, then device complexity is reduced, but control integration with odometric detection becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure integrationVSAvoidcontrol integration difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the traction drive and steering device into a single integrated unit where two wheels, each driven by a motor, serve both propulsion and steering functions. The angular position difference and angular speed difference between the wheels control the steering direction, while their rotation provides traction. This integration is combined with odometric detection using angle sensors on the wheels, allowing the same mechanical components to serve multiple functions without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If the trajectory is optimized by rotating and shifting to minimize distance, then position determination accuracy is improved, but computational effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidcomputational effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial optimization by rotating and shifting only the detected trajectory section to achieve the best match with the stored trajectory, rather than optimizing the entire trajectory. The optimization focuses on minimizing the distance between corresponding points of the trajectory section and the stored trajectory through limited rotation and shifting operations, achieving sufficient accuracy without excessive computational effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Measurement precision

If a line conductor is used for tracking purposes, then tracking accuracy is improved, but energy transmission capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidenergy transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the line conductor multi-functional by using it for both tracking purposes and energy transmission. The line conductor laid on the floor serves as a guide for the tracking sensor to determine the handset's position, while simultaneously acting as a primary winding for inductive energy transmission to power the handset's traction drive. This eliminates the need for separate tracking lines and power supply systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach enhances position determination accuracy and integrates traction and steering control with low computational effort, enabling efficient energy transmission and optimized movement along the tracking line.

Implementation Method 1

the line conductor laid on the floor of a system for tracking purposes is supplied with an alternating current, so that energy can be transmitted inductively from the line conductor to a secondary winding of the handset to supply the traction drive of the handset

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive energy transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3607408B1Method for determining the position of a track-guided mobile element, and system
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3607408B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3607408B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

wherein a trajectory section traveled by the furniture part is odometrically sensed, wherein subsequently a representation of the trajectory section is determined in such a way that the smallest possible deviation from a trajectory stored in the furniture part is achieved, wherein the current position of the track-guided furniture part corresponds to the end point of the representation, in particular the current position of the track-guided furniture part corresponding to the representation of the point of the trajectory section that was sensed last in time.