Factory Transport Vehicle Control for Power-Aware Task Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient method to assign tasks and traveling routes to transport vehicles in semiconductor production factories, considering their power supply from both non-contact power supply systems and batteries.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves checking tasks for transporting articles, searching for routes for multiple transport vehicles, calculating expected power consumption for each task, and assigning tasks based on the expected power consumption and remaining power of the vehicles, using a vehicle control device to manage and optimize task assignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tasks are assigned without considering power consumption, then task completion speed is improved, but power resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of task assignment by incorporating power consumption estimates and remaining power levels as key decision parameters. The controller calculates expected power consumption for each vehicle-task combination and uses this dynamic parameter to optimize both productivity and energy efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the remaining power of each transport vehicle and using this information to adjust task assignments. The controller receives power status updates from vehicles and dynamically reallocates tasks based on current power levels, creating a closed-loop control system that balances productivity and energy efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If transport vehicles rely solely on non-contact power supply, then operational simplicity is improved, but reliability in power supply deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transport vehicle is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both non-contact power supply reception capability and battery power storage. This allows the vehicle to operate in multiple power supply modes depending on availability and reliability requirements, making the system more robust while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle carries a battery as a pre-prepared power reserve to cushion against potential failures or gaps in non-contact power supply. This beforehand cushioning ensures continuous operation and maintains reliability while the vehicle can still primarily rely on the simpler non-contact power supply system during normal operation.
3Loss of time
If tasks are assigned without considering vehicle power status, then assignment speed is improved, but system reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary calculation of expected power consumption for each vehicle-task combination before making the assignment decision. By pre-calculating power requirements and comparing them with available power status, the system ensures reliable task completion while maintaining efficient assignment speed through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a transport vehicle in an article transport system in a production factory includes checking tasks for transporting articles, searching for routes for the respective tasks for a plurality of transport vehicles, calculating expected power consumption for the respective tasks of the transport vehicles, and assigning the tasks to the transport vehicles based on the expected power consumption for the respective tasks and remaining power of the transport vehicles.