Adjusting industrial vehicle performance

• US 10,429,831 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2016
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
• Original Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
• Inventors: Thomson, Jacob J., Wong, Lisa, Waltz, Lucas B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Melton, Todd M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roberson, Jason R
• Application Number:
  US15/298,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20170131711A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0005 with arrangements to save energy
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0217 in accordance with energy consumption, time reduction or distance reduction criteria
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0291 Fleet control monitoring fleets in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/127, G08G1/127
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06312 Adjustment or analysis of established resource schedule, e.g. resource or task levelling, or dynamic rescheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06395 Quality analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/067 Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

A computer-executed process and system for evaluating industrial vehicle performance comprises identifying kinematic functions of an industrial vehicle, receiving constraints of an environment in which the industrial vehicle operates, and computing a cutback curve for a parameter of a select kinematic function of the industrial vehicle. A kinematic model of the industrial vehicle is generated based on the kinematic functions, the constraints of the environment, and the cutback curves. A workflow model is defined by defining tasks of the industrial vehicle within the environment, wherein the tasks are based upon the kinematic model. The kinematic model and workflow model is used to simulate a job specification, and the results of the simulation are used to evaluate an industrial vehicle.

Claims

1. A computer-executed process of evaluating industrial vehicle performance, the process comprising:

computing, by a processor programmed by program code stored in memory, a combined cutback curve for a kinematic function of driving an industrial vehicle by;

obtaining a first cutback curve characterizing speed versus distance when traveling down a path;

obtaining a second cutback curve characterizing speed versus distance in an end of aisle speed restricted zone; and

computing the combined cutback curve by taking the minimum points when the first cutback curve is overlaid onto the second cutback curve where path distance defines a common coordinate axis;

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle based on the kinematic function of driving the industrial vehicle, and at least one constraint of an environment in which the industrial vehicle operates, and

performing a simulation based on the kinematic model of the industrial vehicle, comprising applying the kinematic model to;

a workflow model that defines tasks of the industrial vehicle within the environment, wherein the tasks are based upon the kinematic model; and

a job specification that characterizes a job associated with the defined workflow model;

wherein the kinematic model is applied to evaluate industrial vehicle performance and determine results, and the combined cutback curve modifies at least one vehicle performance parameter for the kinematic function of driving while executing at least one task; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results.

2. The computer-executed process of claim 1, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating the kinematic model of the industrial vehicle based on a select one of;

a predicted energy consumed by the industrial vehicle while performing the tasks;

or

a predicted time for the industrial vehicle to perform the tasks; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises performing a corresponding one of;

determining an optimal schedule of tasks for the warehouse based on the predicted energy consumed and the simulation;

or

determining an optimal schedule of tasks for the warehouse based on the predicted time and the simulation.

3. The computer-executed process of claim 1, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle comprises generating a kinematic model of a specific type of industrial vehicle;

the job specification further comprises information from an information linking device over a wireless network, wherein the information linking device is mounted to an industrial vehicle of the specific type of industrial vehicle and the information corresponds to the industrial vehicle functioning in the environment; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises;

comparing the information collected by the information linking device with the results of the simulation; and

updating the kinematic model of the specific type of industrial vehicle if the comparison is outside a threshold.

4. The computer-executed process of claim 1, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating a kinematic model for a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles;

applying the kinematic model to a job specification further comprises applying the kinematic model to information from an information linking device over a wireless network, wherein the information linking device is mounted to the select industrial vehicle and the information corresponds to the select industrial vehicle functioning in the environment; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises;

comparing the information with the results; and

updating the kinematic model of the select industrial vehicle if the comparison is outside a threshold.

5. The computer-executed process of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving operator-specific parameters;

wherein;

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle comprises generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle based on the kinematic functions, the constraints of the environment, at least one of the first cutback curve, the second cutback curve, or the combined cutback curve, and the operator-specific parameters.

6. The computer-executed process of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving performance-tuning parameters;

wherein;

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle comprises generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle based on the kinematic functions, the constraints of the environment, at least one of the first cutback curve, the second cutback curve, or the combined cutback curve, and the performance-tuning para meters.

7. The computer-executed process of claim 1, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating a kinematic model of a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises a select one of;

assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to reduce mechanical stress on the select industrial vehicle; and

assigning a select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to balance mechanical stress on the industrial vehicles across the entire fleet of industrial vehicles.

8. The computer-executed process of claim 1, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating a kinematic model of a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles, including battery charge; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises performing a select one of;

assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to optimize battery charge of the select industrial vehicle; and

assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to optimize battery charge of the industrial vehicles across the fleet for a select shift.

9. The computer-executed process of claim 1, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating a kinematic model of a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles, including battery life; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises performing a select one of;

assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to optimize battery life of the select industrial vehicle; and

assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to optimize battery life of the industrial vehicles across the fleet for a select shift.

10. The computer-executed process of claim 1, wherein:

the job specification that characterizes a job associated with the defined workflow model, comprises a job specification that characterizes an operation and a travel path within the environment for the operation; and

applying the kinematic model to the workflow model and the job specification to evaluate industrial vehicle performance and determine results comprises applying the kinematic model to the workflow model based upon the travel path of the job specification to evaluate industrial vehicle performance and determine results.

17. The computer-executed process of claim 1, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle comprises generating a kinematic model of a specific type of industrial vehicle;

the job specification further comprises information from an information linking device over a wireless network, wherein the information linking device is mounted to an industrial vehicle of the specific type of industrial vehicle and the information corresponds to the industrial vehicle functioning in the environment; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises;

comparing the information collected by the information linking device with the results of the simulation; and

updating the kinematic model of the specific type of industrial vehicle if the comparison is outside a threshold.

20. The computer-executed process of claim 1, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating a kinematic model for a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles;

applying the kinematic model to a job specification further comprises applying the kinematic model to information from an information linking device over a wireless network, wherein the information linking device is mounted to the select industrial vehicle and the information corresponds to the select industrial vehicle functioning in the environment; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises;

comparing the information with the results; and

updating the kinematic model of the select industrial vehicle if the comparison is outside a threshold.

11. A computer-executed process of evaluating industrial vehicle performance, the process comprising:

computing, by a processor programmed by program code stored in memory, a combined cutback curve for a kinematic function of driving an industrial vehicle by;

obtaining a first cutback curve characterizing speed versus fork height during braking;

obtaining a second cutback curve characterizing speed versus fork height for an operation other than during braking; and

computing the combined cutback curve comprises taking the minimum points when the first cutback curve is overlaid onto the second cutback curve where fork height defines the common coordinate axis;

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle based on the kinematic function of driving the industrial vehicle, and, at least one constraint of an environment in which the industrial vehicle operates; and

performing a simulation based on the kinematic model of the industrial vehicle, comprising applying the kinematic model to;

a workflow model that defines tasks of the industrial vehicle within the environment, wherein the tasks are based upon the kinematic model; and

a job specification that characterizes a job associated with the defined workflow model;

wherein the kinematic model is applied to evaluate industrial vehicle performance and determine results, and the combined cutback curve modifies at least one vehicle performance parameter for the kinematic function of driving while executing at least one task.

12. The computer-executed process of claim 11, wherein:

applying the kinematic model to a job specification comprises applying the kinematic model to a job specification that characterizes an operation and a travel path within the environment for the operation, wherein the operation is associated with the defined workflow model;

further comprising;

applying the kinematic model to the workflow model based upon the travel path of the job specification to determine results; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results.

13. The computer-executed process of claim 11, wherein generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating the kinematic model of the industrial vehicle based on a select one of:

a predicted energy consumed by the industrial vehicle while performing the tasks; and

a predicted time for the industrial vehicle to perform the tasks;

further comprising;

performing a predetermined action based on the results by determining a select one of an optimal schedule of tasks for the warehouse based on the predicted energy consumed and the simulation, and an optimal schedule of tasks for the warehouse based on the predicted time and the simulation.

14. The computer-executed process of claim 11, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating a kinematic model of a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles, including battery charge;

further comprising;

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprising a select one of;

assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to optimize battery charge of the select industrial vehicle; and

assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to optimize battery charge of industrial vehicles across the fleet for a select shift.

15. The computer-executed process of claim 11, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating a kinematic model of a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles, including battery life;

further comprising;

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises a select one of;

assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to optimize battery life of the select industrial vehicle; and

assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to a task to optimize battery life of the industrial vehicles across the fleet for a select shift.

16. The computer-executed process of claim 11, wherein:

a job specification that characterizes a job associated with the defined workflow model, comprises a job specification that characterizes an operation and a travel path within the environment for the operation; and

applying the kinematic model to the workflow model and the job specification to evaluate industrial vehicle performance and determine results comprises applying the kinematic model to the workflow model based upon the travel path of the job specification to evaluate industrial vehicle performance and determine results.

18. The computer-executed process of claim 11, wherein:

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle further comprises generating a kinematic model of a select industrial vehicle of a fleet of industrial vehicles; and

performing a predetermined action based on the results comprises assigning the select industrial vehicle from the fleet of industrial vehicles to perform a select one of;

a task to reduce mechanical stress on the select industrial vehicle; and

a task to balance mechanical stress on the industrial vehicles across the entire fleet of industrial vehicles.

19. The computer-executed process of claim 11 further comprising:

receiving parameters comprising at least one of performance-tuning parameters and operator-specific parameters;

wherein;

generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle comprises generating a kinematic model of the industrial vehicle based on the kinematic functions, the constraints of the environment, at least one of the first cutback curve, the second cutback curve, or the combined cutback curve, and the received parameters.