Optical Waveguide Signal Lighting for AGV State Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Driverless transport systems face challenges in visibility and energy efficiency due to high power consumption of traditional LED lighting and limited battery capacity, with static lighting that only highlights the position or contour without effectively communicating operating states.
Innovation Solution
A light signaling device with optically transparent exit openings and elongated light guides using low-energy RGB LEDs, allowing for dynamic lighting effects and improved visibility by controlling light emission through decoupling elements and a control device to indicate operating states, such as movement or loading status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional LED strips or LED matrices are used to illuminate the AGV, then the visibility and position highlighting is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The front element is segmented into multiple light emission openings arranged in rows and columns, with each opening independently controllable. This segmentation allows only necessary areas to be illuminated at any given time, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining visibility where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system transitions from static constant brightness to dynamic controllable brightness and color. The control device can adjust the intensity and color of individual light emission openings based on operating states, enabling energy-saving dimming or selective illumination rather than continuous full-power operation.
2Device complexity
If static lighting with constant brightness is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to communicate operating states is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission openings can emit different colors (e.g., red, yellow, green) to indicate different operating states of the AGV. This color-coding system provides intuitive visual communication of system status without requiring complex displays or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system can dynamically change brightness levels, colors, and illumination patterns based on operating states. For example, different brightness levels can indicate charging status, while different colors can indicate movement state or system alerts, providing rich information communication.
3Illumination intensity
If many LEDs are used to illuminate the AGV circumferentially, then the visibility is improved, but the battery capacity is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly illuminating the entire AGV circumference, the system applies illumination locally at specific front emission openings based on operational needs. This localized approach provides necessary visibility while consuming minimal energy, extending battery duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system can use periodic or pulsing illumination patterns rather than continuous lighting. The control device can activate light emission openings only during specific operational phases or use intermittent lighting to maintain visibility while conserving battery energy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances visibility and acceptance of driverless transport systems by effectively communicating operating states and reducing energy consumption through dynamic lighting, preventing accidents and improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
Each light-generating unit comprises an optical fiber and two light sources arranged at opposite ends of the optical fiber. The light sources serve to introduce light into the optical fiber at its ends.
Implementation Method 2
The optical fiber can be made of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate). The optical fiber is typically elongated.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a light signaling device (26) for a driverless transport system, having a front element (46) with a plurality of optically transparent light outlet openings and at least one light generating unit (28) with an optical waveguide (30) and two light sources (32) arranged at opposite ends of the optical waveguide (30), said optical waveguide (30) having a plurality of light decoupling elements in order to emit light through the light outlet openings. The invention is characterized in that the light outlet openings are arranged on the front element (46) in multiple rows, and a separate light generating unit (28) is provided for each of the rows. The invention additionally relates to a light signaling assembly for a driverless transport system, comprising multiple such light signaling devices (26), to a driverless transport system comprising such a light signaling device (26) and a controller for actuating the light signaling device (26) on the basis of the operating state of the driverless transport system, to the use of such a light signaling device (26) in order to visualize the operating state of a driverless transport system, and finally to a method for operating such a light signaling device (26), wherein a luminous flux emitted by one light source (32) of the light generating unit (28) is reduced and at the same time a luminous flux emitted by the other light source (32) of the light generating unit (28) is increased so that a maximum brightness of emitted light migrating along the front element (46) is generated.