Traveling Vehicle Flow Control for Sectioned Area Entry Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing traveling vehicle systems, when the number of vehicles reaches a predetermined limit in a sectioned area, entry into that area is restricted, leading to stagnation and decreased transport efficiency due to vehicles accumulating in front of the sectioned area or concentrating on alternative routes.
Innovation Solution
A traveling vehicle system with a controller that monitors both the number of existing vehicles and those scheduled to enter a sectioned area, determining entry based on a total count and adjusting route priorities to manage the flow of vehicles and prevent entry restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of existing vehicles in a sectioned area is limited to a predetermined number, then power supply sufficiency is ensured, but transport efficiency decreases due to vehicle entry restrictions and route concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary actions by monitoring the number of scheduled entry vehicles before the sectioned area reaches its maximum capacity. When the total (existing + scheduled) reaches a predetermined threshold, the controller proactively restricts new entries and generates alternative route information, preventing power supply insufficiency before it occurs while maintaining smooth traffic flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors the actual number of vehicles in the sectioned area and the number of scheduled entries, comparing this feedback against predetermined thresholds. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts entry restrictions and provides real-time alternative route guidance to vehicles, resolving the contradiction between maintaining power supply reliability and preserving transport efficiency.
2Reliability
If entry restriction is implemented when the number of existing vehicles reaches the limit, then power supply capacity is maintained, but vehicle stagnation occurs in front of the sectioned area
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements preliminary entry restriction before the sectioned area reaches its maximum capacity by monitoring the total number of existing and scheduled vehicles. This preliminary action prevents vehicle stagnation from occurring in the first place, while still maintaining power supply capacity within safe limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary by providing alternative route information to vehicles that would otherwise be restricted from entering the sectioned area. This mediator approach redirects vehicles through alternative paths, eliminating stagnation at the sectioned area entrance while the controller continues to manage power supply capacity through coordinated vehicle flow control.
3Reliability
If vehicles are restricted from entering the sectioned area, then power supply limitations are respected, but vehicles concentrate on alternative routes causing reduced transport efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from monitoring both existing and scheduled entry vehicles to make informed decisions about entry restrictions. By providing real-time alternative route information based on this feedback, the controller distributes vehicle flow across multiple routes, preventing concentration on single alternative paths while maintaining compliance with power supply limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts route recommendations and entry restrictions based on real-time conditions, including the number of existing vehicles, scheduled entries, and alternative route availability. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain power supply compliance while adaptively managing vehicle distribution across the network to preserve transport efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller monitors the number of traveling vehicles scheduled to enter a sectioned area in addition to the number of existing vehicles, determines whether the traveling vehicles, scheduled to enter the sectioned area when the total of the number of existing vehicles and the number of vehicles scheduled to enter the sectioned area is acquired, can enter the sectioned area based on the total number of vehicles, determines whether a route including the sectioned area in a traveling route can be newly set, and controls the traveling of the traveling vehicle based on the determination on the entry and the determination on the setting.