Transport Apparatus Vehicle Coupling Detection for Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport apparatuses inaccurately determine the position of article transporting vehicles, leading to potential collisions due to damage or misdetection by connection detection means, as they rely solely on connection detection information to assess whether vehicles can operate on the travel route.
Innovation Solution
The transport apparatus incorporates coupling detection means to verify the detachment of a detachable member from one vehicle and its coupling to another, allowing the control means to accurately determine which vehicles can move along the route, thereby preventing collisions by distinguishing between connected and disconnected states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If connection detection means is used to determine vehicle position, then vehicle management is automated, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to damage or misdetection
Solution Approach 1:
A detachable member is introduced as an intermediary physical indicator between the vehicle and the detection system. This member can be clearly detected by the connection detection means when attached or detached, providing a reliable intermediate signal that resolves the ambiguity of direct vehicle position detection. The detachable member acts as a mediator that translates the vehicle's operational state into a detectable form without relying on direct detection of the vehicle itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the vehicle's operational state through the detachable member. Instead of directly detecting the vehicle's position, the system detects the state of the detachable member which replicates or copies the vehicle's connection status. This copying mechanism allows the detection system to infer vehicle position indirectly through the state of the detachable member, improving reliability.
2Device complexity
If connection detection means alone is used to assess vehicle operability, then system complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to false detection
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable member is attached or detached in advance to indicate the vehicle's operational status before actual operation begins. This preliminary action of configuring the detachable member creates a clear initial state that the detection system can reliably interpret, preventing false assessments during operation. The system prepares the detection state beforehand through the detachable member's positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable member provides a visually distinct state change that corresponds to the vehicle's operational status. When attached or detached, the member creates a clear binary state that is easily distinguishable by the detection system, similar to how color changes provide clear visual indicators. This state differentiation ensures reliable detection without requiring complex assessment algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If detachable member coupling detection is added to connection detection, then position determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it indicates vehicle connection status, signals operational availability, and provides a detectable state for the detection system. This multi-functionality allows a single simple component to provide multiple detection signals without requiring separate complex detection mechanisms for each function, thereby improving precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport apparatus including: a travel route having a plurality of retrieval locations continuous with the route; a plurality of article transporting vehicles that move along the route; control means for managing the vehicles; connecting means that can connect one of the vehicles to a fixed portion provided near each of the retrieval locations, and is provided with connection detection means that detects whether one of the vehicles and the fixed portion are connected. Each vehicle is provided with connected members that are capable of connecting to the connecting means; vehicle-side communication means for communicating with control-side communication means provided in the control means; a detachable member that can be attached to and detached from each vehicle; and a coupled portion that can be coupled with the detachable member of another vehicle, and is provided with coupling detection means that detects whether or not the detachable member of another vehicle has been coupled thereto.