Wireless Localization for Grid-Based Container Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for locating a lost container handling vehicle in an automated storage and retrieval system require shutting down the entire grid, which is costly, time-consuming, and dangerous for personnel.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication system using transceivers at known and unknown positions to calculate the physical positioning of container handling vehicles based on signal strength, allowing for quick localization without grid shutdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire grid is shut down to locate a lost container handling vehicle, then personnel safety is ensured and the vehicle can be located, but system productivity is reduced and downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonnel safetyVSAvoidsystem productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of physically locating vehicles by shutting down the grid and sending personnel onto it, with an electronic/wireless system using transceivers and signal triangulation to locate vehicles automatically while the system remains operational

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces transceivers as intermediary devices that enable indirect location of lost vehicles through signal transmission and triangulation, allowing the system to locate vehicles without direct physical intervention or shutdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the entire grid is shut down to locate a lost container handling vehicle, then the vehicle can be located safely, but time is lost and the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe localizationVSAvoidlocalization time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming manual search process with an automated electronic triangulation system that rapidly calculates vehicle position through signal strength measurements from multiple transceivers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a pre-deployed network of transceivers throughout the grid that are ready to immediately triangulate and locate lost vehicles, eliminating the need to stop operations and manually search for the vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If personnel are sent onto the grid to locate a lost vehicle, then the vehicle can be found and moved, but personnel safety is compromised and the process is dangerous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle recoveryVSAvoidpersonnel safety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the dangerous manual operation of sending personnel onto the active grid with an automated electronic localization system using wireless transceivers and triangulation mathematics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the system to locate and recover lost vehicles autonomously through the triangulation system, eliminating the need for human personnel to physically intervene on the grid

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 rapid and safe localization of lost vehicles, minimizing downtime and ensuring personnel safety while maintaining system operation.

Implementation Method 1

measuring the strength of the received signal to calculate the distance to the sender

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal strength measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS20250282548A1Local positioning system for vehicles on a grid of an automated storage system

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 AUTOSTORE TECH AS

AI summary

System and method for calculating the physical positioning of a container handling vehicle on a grid of an automated storage and retrieval system. wherein the automated storage and retrieval system comprises a framework structure which includes a rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of a container handling vehicle in a first direction across the top of the framework structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the container handling vehicle in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. the first and second sets of parallel rails dividing the rail system into a plurality of grid cells. the framework structure comprising upright members defining storage columns for storing containers within the framework structure, wherein the automated storage and retrieval system comprises container handling vehicles configured to operate on the rail system, a wireless communication system for communicating instructions and information between the central computer system and the container handling vehicles and between the container handling vehicles, wherein the wireless communication system comprises a plurality of transceivers positioned at known locations (501) either on the grid or around the grid, and a transceiver positioned on an unknown position (503) on the grid and using a signal sent between the transceivers positioned at known locations (501) on the grid or around the grid and the transceiver positioned on an unknown position (503) on the grid for calculating the distance between the sender of a signal and the receiver of the signal.