Transport Device Article Type Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport facilities struggle to accurately determine the type of articles, such as FOUPs and FOSBs, with varying lengths from the held portion to one end in the fore and aft direction, leading to potential misalignment and improper holding during transportation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of article detection means, end detection means, and determining means to detect and differentiate between FOUPs and FOSBs by analyzing the position of the held portion and one end portion, allowing for precise determination of article type based on detected information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transport device stops immediately after detecting the forward end portion of an article, then the stopping operation is simple and quick, but the held portion position becomes misaligned for articles with different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the forward end portion, then calculates the required stop position based on article length classification before actually stopping. This preliminary calculation allows the held portion to be positioned accurately regardless of article length variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The position detection means provides feedback about the forward end portion position, which is then used by the control means to calculate and adjust the stop position based on the detected article type, ensuring accurate held portion positioning.
2Measurement precision
If the transport device determines article type before stopping, then the held portion can be positioned accurately, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses local quality differences at specific locations on the article (such as presence/absence of lids, flanges, or specific structural features) to determine article type. This allows for simple detection based on localized characteristics rather than analyzing the entire article.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from measuring the entire article to detecting specific local features or parameters that differ between article types, simplifying the determination process while maintaining accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If different stopping positions are used for different article types, then the held portion positioning is accurate, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control means pre-calculates and stores the relationship between article types and their corresponding stop positions. When an article type is detected, the system simply retrieves the pre-determined stop position rather than performing complex real-time calculations, simplifying the control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means serves multiple functions: it detects article type, determines article length category, calculates stop position, and controls the transport device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device is configured to transport different kinds of articles which have different lengths from the held portion or a position corresponding to the held portion to one end portion along the fore and aft direction. There are provided an article detection device for detecting an article, end detection device for detecting the one end portion, along the fore and aft direction, of the article detected by the article detecting device, and a determination device for determining the kind of the article based on detected information from the article detecting device and detected information from the end detection device.