Transport Vehicle Stop Modes for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article transport facilities lack efficient methods for maintaining transport vehicles and floors, particularly as the number of circulating transport paths increases, leading to complexities in vehicle and floor maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An article transport facility with a control system that implements two stop modes: the first stop mode, where transport vehicles are arranged in lines with defined aisles for maintenance access, and the second stop mode, where vehicles are proximate to each other to reduce the floor area for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If transport vehicles are arranged in multiple lines with aisles between them for maintenance access, then ease of repair is improved, but area of stationary object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the arrangement of transport vehicles changeable between two modes: first stop mode with aisles for maintenance access, and second stop mode with vehicles proximate to reduce floor area. The control system dynamically switches between these arrangements based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between maintenance accessibility and space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the stop modes into distinct first and second modes, where vehicles are arranged differently for different purposes. This segmentation allows optimized spacing for maintenance (first mode) and optimized space utilization (second mode) to be achieved separately and switched as needed, rather than trying to satisfy both simultaneously.
2Area of stationary object
If transport vehicles are arranged proximate to each other to reduce floor area, then area of stationary object is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vehicle arrangement based on operational requirements. When floor space is the priority, vehicles are positioned proximate in the second stop mode. When maintenance is needed, the system switches to the first stop mode with aisles, making the arrangement adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system provides universal functionality by managing both arrangement modes, allowing the same facility to optimize for either space utilization or maintenance accessibility depending on needs. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the system capable of serving both purposes at different times.
3Productivity
If multiple circulating transport paths are added to handle more article types, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the transport vehicles to dynamically change their arrangement between first and second stop modes. This dynamic capability allows the system to handle increased complexity from multiple transport paths by providing flexible maintenance access, resolving the contradiction between productivity enhancement and maintenance complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In an article transport facility, a control system includes a first stop mode and a second stop mode each being a stop mode in which a plurality of transport vehicles do not transport articles. The first stop mode is a mode in which the plurality of transport vehicles are arranged in a plurality of lines, at least one aisle on which the plurality of transport vehicles are travelable is defined between adjacent lines of the plurality of lines of the plurality of transport vehicles, and all transport vehicles of the plurality of transport vehicles in each of the plurality of lines are adjacent to the at least one aisle. The second stop mode is a mode in which the plurality of transport vehicles are proximate to each other without the at least one aisle.