Vertical Vehicle Supply for Fast AGV Charging and Dispatch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driverless transport systems face challenges in ensuring a continuous supply of charged battery-operated vehicles, particularly in high-demand logistics environments where space is limited and rapid vehicle deployment is necessary.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a supply device with movable receptacles that can store and manage a plurality of autonomously driving and battery-operated vehicles. This system allows for demand-oriented selection and charging of vehicles, improving space utilization and enabling quick vehicle deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large number of battery-operated vehicles are deployed to handle high logistics demand, then productivity increases, but the complexity of managing vehicle charging and availability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supply device automatically detects the charge status of vehicles and manages charging operations without human intervention. The system self-regulates by receiving charged vehicles, detecting their status, and making them available for deployment when ready
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the charge status of vehicles through detection means and uses this feedback information to manage the charging process, track vehicle availability, and coordinate deployment timing
2Area of stationary object
If vehicles are quickly moved to storage after task completion to save space, then space utilization improves, but the time required for vehicle recharging and readiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supply device performs preliminary charging actions on vehicles before they are needed for deployment. Vehicles are charged in advance and held in ready state at the supply device, so when deployment is required, they are immediately available without waiting time
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses vertical space by positioning the supply device at a different elevation level than the logistics region, allowing vehicles to be stored and charged in three-dimensional space rather than only horizontal plane
3Reliability
If demand-oriented vehicle selection and charging is implemented, then vehicle availability reliability improves, but the complexity of the supply device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supply device is designed as a multi-functional unit that combines vehicle reception, charge status detection, charging operations, and vehicle deployment capabilities in a single integrated system, reducing the need for separate specialized devices
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes operating a driverless transport system with a plurality of battery-operated and driverless vehicles for transporting a consignment of goods over a drivable logistics region having a supply device. The supply device has at least one receptacle which receives at least one vehicle and is movable in at least one vertically oriented plane in a storage region. The method includes the steps of: supplying at least one vehicle by means of the receptacle in the logistics region; positioning the at least one vehicle at the consignment of goods; coupling the consignment of goods to the at least one vehicle and transporting the consignment of goods by the at least one vehicle from a first location to a second location; depositing the consignment of goods; receiving the at least one vehicle by the receptacle of the supply device; and moving the at least one receptacle with the vehicle.