System for sensing arrival of an automatic guided vehicle at a wire
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use with an automatic guided vehicle propelled contiguously along a surface on surface engaging means, comprising:
- transmitting means on the vehicle for providing a time-varying primary magnetic field;
passive loop means at said surface for receiving said time-varying primary magnetic field and carrying an electric current induced thereby in said loop means, which produces a secondary magnetic field having a predetermined pattern;
receiving means disposed on said vehicle for sensing said secondary magnetic field and providing time varying signals in response thereto;
said vehicle having a longitudinal axis of substantially forward and reverse travel and said receiving means being oriented on the vehicle so as to receive said secondary magnetic field when a portion of said loop means extends laterally across said longitudinal axis of said vehicle at said receiving means;
signal processing means for receiving said signals and processing them to provide information as to said vehicle'"'"'s longitudinal position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for detecting an automatic guided vehicle'"'"'s longitudinal position and to enable positioning of the vehicle at a load pickup/delivery terminal or other place. In one arrangement a mat having a passive short-circuited loop of wire embedded in it is positioned on the floor. On the vehicle an oscillator and a transmitting antenna provide a primary magnetic field that excites the loop in the mat, inducing current in the loop. The loop current produces a secondary magnetic field. Magnetic receiving antennas on the vehicle detect the secondary magnetic field that is caused by portions of the loop that cross the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Onboard electronic apparatus ascertains and can control the longitudinal position of the vehicle relative to the mat. The same on-board apparatus enables the vehicle to detect a directly energized (connected to a power source) guidewire in the floor that lies across the vehicle'"'"'s path between terminals and at terminals. The vehicle can also navigate between terminals by dead reckoning.
127 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for use with an automatic guided vehicle propelled contiguously along a surface on surface engaging means, comprising:
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transmitting means on the vehicle for providing a time-varying primary magnetic field; passive loop means at said surface for receiving said time-varying primary magnetic field and carrying an electric current induced thereby in said loop means, which produces a secondary magnetic field having a predetermined pattern; receiving means disposed on said vehicle for sensing said secondary magnetic field and providing time varying signals in response thereto; said vehicle having a longitudinal axis of substantially forward and reverse travel and said receiving means being oriented on the vehicle so as to receive said secondary magnetic field when a portion of said loop means extends laterally across said longitudinal axis of said vehicle at said receiving means; signal processing means for receiving said signals and processing them to provide information as to said vehicle'"'"'s longitudinal position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Apparatus for use with an automatic guided vehicle propelled contiguously along a surface on surface-engaging means, comprising:
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transmitting means on the vehicle for providing a time-varying primary magnetic field; passive loop means at said surface for receiving said time-varying primary magnetic field and carrying an electric current induced thereby in said loop means, which produces a secondary magnetic field having a predetermined pattern; receiving means disposed on said vehicle for sensing said secondary magnetic field and providing time varying signals in response thereto; said vehicle having a longitudinal axis generally common to forward and reverse travel and said receiving means being oriented on the vehicle so as to receive said secondary magnetic field when a portion of said loop means extends laterally across said longitudinal axis of said vehicle at said receiving means; signal processing means for receiving said signals and processing them to provide information as to said vehicle'"'"'s longitudinal position at a predetermined area on the surface; said transmitting means on the vehicle comprises; oscillator means for providing an alternating electrical signal; and transmitting means connected with said oscillator means for providing said time-varying primary magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification