Workpiece Holder Docking With Sensor-Guided AGV Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In sheet-metalworking, the use of driverless transport vehicles is hindered by the need for precise positioning of workpiece holders and vehicles, leading to potential collisions and automation failures due to human error in placing workpieces at designated positions.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a manufacturing execution system (MES) that controls a driverless transport vehicle, a workpiece holder, and a docking station equipped with a position sensor to ensure accurate placement and detection of the workpiece holder, preventing collisions and enabling reliable automated handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If driverless transport vehicles are used to move workpiece holders, then automation and productivity are improved, but positioning precision and collision avoidance become problematic due to human error in placing workpieces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of workpiece holder transportVSAvoidreliability of automated approach and collision avoidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an optical scanning system. A sensor on the driverless vehicle scans for a reflective marker on the workpiece holder, automatically determining position and orientation without relying on human placement accuracy. This substitutes mechanical precision requirements with optical detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reflective marker as an intermediary element between the driverless vehicle and the workpiece holder. The marker serves as a mediating target for the sensor, enabling the vehicle to detect the workpiece holder's position indirectly through the marker's reflective properties, thus solving the positioning reliability issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If precise positioning is required for driverless vehicle operation, then collision avoidance is improved, but the complexity of the positioning system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidance capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning and detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a simpler optical sensing approach. Instead of using multiple sensors or complex mechanical encoders, the system uses a single sensor to detect the reflective marker, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining high positioning reliability for collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the positioning function from the workpiece holder itself and places it on a separate, simple reflective marker. This separation allows the marker to be a simple passive element while the active sensing function remains on the vehicle, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20230415288A1Docking station for a workpiece holder in a driverless transport system

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 TRUMPF WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A device for transporting workpieces includes a manufacturing execution system (MES), a driverless transport vehicle controllable indirectly or directly by the MES, a workpiece holder for receiving a workpiece, and a docking station for receiving the workpiece holder. The docking station is reachable by the driverless transport vehicle. The device further includes a position sensor connected indirectly or directly to the MES. The position sensor is configured for detecting a position of the workpiece holder at the docking station.