Wireless Arrival Detection in Article Transport Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing article transport systems fail to accurately determine whether a transport vehicle has arrived at a target station for sending or receiving articles.

Innovation Solution

An article transport system incorporating a station group, first communication device, and determination section to utilize first wireless communication for precise arrival detection at target stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wireless communication is used for arrival detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrival detection accuracyVSAvoidcommunication device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical or manual arrival detection methods with wireless communication technology. The determination section uses wireless signals to automatically detect whether the transport vehicle has arrived at the target station, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors or manual verification systems while improving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If arrival determination is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The determination section automatically determines arrival status using wireless communication data without requiring external intervention or complex control logic. The system self-monitors the communication state between the transport vehicle and target station to autonomously detect arrival, improving productivity while keeping the control system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables accurate determination of transport vehicle arrival at target stations, improving the efficiency and reliability of article transfer operations.

Implementation Method 1

first wireless communication between a station group and a transport vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4093175B1Article transport system
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 FUJI CORP
  • EP4093175B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4093175B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4093175B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An article transport system includes a station group, a first communication device, and a determination section. In the station group, multiple stations capable of sending out and receiving an article, which is used in a board work machine performing a predetermined board work on a board, are arranged side by side. The first communication device includes a first communication section, which is provided in a transport vehicle capable of sending out and receiving the article between the transport vehicle and a predetermined station among the multiple stations, and a second communication section, which is provided in each of the multiple stations. In the first communication device, when the transport vehicle has arrived at one station among the multiple stations, first wireless communication between the second communication section, which is provided in the one station, and the first communication section is permitted, and the first wireless communication between the second communication section, which is provided in another station, and the first communication section is regulated. The determination section determines whether the transport vehicle has arrived at a target station, which is the station where the transport vehicle is to send out or receive the article, by utilizing the first communication device.