Unidirectional Trolley Communication for Conveyor Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face reduced capacity due to the need for a large basic safety distance between transport vehicles, which can be mitigated by reducing the safety distance in certain sections of the rail system without complex central controller and data bus systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a unidirectional communication system where only the preceding transport vehicle communicates with the following one through a signal transmission device, using simple 1-bit signals for movement parameters like maximum acceleration and speed, allowing for reduced safety distances in straight sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a basic safety distance is maintained between transport vehicles to prevent collisions, then safety is ensured, but the capacity of the conveyor system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into unidirectional signal transmission from leading to trailing vehicles, dividing the control function into simple transmit/receive units rather than requiring complex bidirectional communication between all vehicles
Solution Approach 2:
The leading transport vehicle transmits motion parameter signals (acceleration, speed) to trailing vehicles in advance, enabling them to adjust their speed proactively before the safety distance becomes critical, thus preventing collisions while maintaining smaller distances
2Productivity
If a central control unit with data bus system is implemented to reduce safety distances, then capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex central control unit and data bus system are extracted and replaced with simple unidirectional signal transmission devices on each vehicle, retaining only the essential function of information transfer while eliminating unnecessary complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Each transport vehicle is equipped with its own signal transmitting and receiving devices, enabling self-contained communication without relying on external central control infrastructure, thus simplifying the overall system architecture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The system (10) has a communication system (34) arranged such that communication is carried out in unidirection from a leading trolley (16) to a trailing trolley. A signal transmission device (36) is attached to the leading trolley and transmits a signal for a condition of preset movement parameters of the leading trolley. A signal receiving device (38) is attached to the trailing trolley and cooperates with the signal transmission device of the leading trolley. The transmission device produces a 1-bit signal and indicates different conditions of the parameters of the leading trolley.