Transport Vehicle Merge Control Using Corrected Waiting Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article transport facilities face complexity in controlling multiple transport vehicles at merging areas, requiring a more efficient and simplified method to determine passage priority based on waiting times and vehicle statuses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control device that executes merging control by determining the order of passage for transport vehicles using waiting time indices, which are corrected based on the status of each vehicle, including whether it is transporting an article, its location on the route, and congestion levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a zone controller monitors entry or exit of transport vehicles to controlled zones with lock points, then passage control is achieved, but the control configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex zone controller and lock point monitoring system from the merging area control. Instead, it uses a simple determination device that only compares waiting time indices of vehicles approaching the merging area. This extraction eliminates the need for complex controlled zones and lock points while maintaining reliable passage control through the simpler waiting time index comparison mechanism.
2Device complexity
If priority for transport vehicles is determined only based on timing of entry to controlled zones, then control processing is simplified, but efficient operation of the entire facility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for priority determination from simple entry timing to a composite waiting time index that incorporates multiple factors: actual waiting time, vehicle status (empty or loaded), and position relative to the merging area. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain simple comparison processing while achieving efficient facility operation by considering vehicle status and location in the priority calculation.
3Reliability
If multiple transport vehicles are controlled at merging areas using conventional methods, then passage control is achieved, but the control method is not simple and appropriate
Solution Approach 1:
The determination device automatically calculates waiting time indices for each vehicle based on their own waiting time, status, and position, then compares these indices to determine passage priority. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual control or sophisticated monitoring systems, achieving both reliable passage control and operational simplicity through automated index-based comparison.
Data Source
AI summary
In a sequencing process, a control device included in an article transport facility determines the order of passage according to waiting time indices that are determined based on waiting times of a plurality of passage target vehicles at a merging area. The waiting time indices are each determined by correcting the waiting time using a correction coefficient determined based on the status of each of the plurality of passage target vehicles.