Track Transfer Control for Unpowered Traveling Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traveling vehicle systems require manual operator intervention to move vehicles from power-fed tracks to non-power-fed tracks, which is burdensome and desires less human intervention, especially for automating the movement without operator presence.
Innovation Solution
A traveling vehicle system with a power feed track, a non-power feed track, a moving device, and a controller that automates the movement of the vehicle by disabling external control and using a running auxiliary wheel to facilitate movement between tracks, enabling the vehicle to be freely moved by the moving device even without power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to move traveling vehicle from power feed track to non-power feed track, then operator can control vehicle movement, but operator attendance is required and operation is burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The traveling vehicle autonomously transitions from power feed track to non-power feed track using its own auxiliary running wheels and braking system, without requiring external manual operation. The vehicle self-manages the power cutoff and positioning on the non-power track segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses electrical commands to control the vehicle's braking mechanism and auxiliary wheels, substituting human mechanical intervention with an automated electromechanical control system.
2Reliability
If power supply is cut off to traveling driver for safety, then vehicle cannot move unintentionally, but vehicle cannot be moved by moving device either
Solution Approach 1:
The running wheel system is segmented into two independent types: main running wheels connected to the traveling driver (which remain stationary when powered off) and auxiliary running wheels connected directly to the vehicle body (which can rotate freely). This segmentation allows selective movement capability while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary running wheels act as an intermediary mechanism between the vehicle body and the track, enabling the vehicle to be moved by the moving device even when the main traveling driver is powered off. These auxiliary wheels provide the necessary rotational freedom without compromising the safety control of the main drive system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A traveling vehicle system (1) includes a traveling track (4), a working track (41), a moving device (60) configured to move a traveling vehicle (6) between a first position (P1) on the traveling track (4) and the working track (41), and a transportation controller (90) configured to control at least the traveling vehicle (6) and the moving device (60). The transportation controller (90) transmits to the traveling vehicle (6) a first command to travel to the first position (P1) and transmits to the moving device (60) a third command to move the traveling vehicle (6) stopped at the first position (P1) to the working track (41) after or simultaneously when transmitting to the traveling vehicle (6) stopped at the first position (P1) a second command to lead a state in which the traveling vehicle (6) is movable by the moving device (60).