Sight-line non contact coupled wireless technology
First Claim
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1. A control system for controlling operation of a movable system, the control system comprising:
- a wireless communications component associated with a stationary system;
a non-contacting signaling component associated with the stationary system and operative to transmit or receive a signal in a signal path proximate the stationary system; and
a control system component associated with the stationary system and operatively coupled with the non-contacting signaling component and with the wireless communications component, the control system component being at least one of a control module and an I/O module implementing a control program, the control system component using the non-contacting signaling system to verify whether a movable system is proximate the stationary system and using the wireless communications component to provide control information to a second control system component mounted to a particular movable system to cause at least one control actuator of the particular movable system to perform at least one manufacturing, assembly, testing, or other processing step relative to a part or workpiece transported by the movable system while the particular movable system is proximate the stationary system.
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Abstract
Control systems and methods are disclosed for controlling operation of movable systems in an automated process with a stationary system having a first control system component and at least one movable system having a second control system component, in which optical or other non-contacting signaling between the stationary and movable systems is used to ascertain whether a movable system is proximate the stationary system, and wireless communications is used to transfer control data between the systems while the non-contacting signal link is maintained.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control system for controlling operation of a movable system, the control system comprising:
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a wireless communications component associated with a stationary system; a non-contacting signaling component associated with the stationary system and operative to transmit or receive a signal in a signal path proximate the stationary system; and a control system component associated with the stationary system and operatively coupled with the non-contacting signaling component and with the wireless communications component, the control system component being at least one of a control module and an I/O module implementing a control program, the control system component using the non-contacting signaling system to verify whether a movable system is proximate the stationary system and using the wireless communications component to provide control information to a second control system component mounted to a particular movable system to cause at least one control actuator of the particular movable system to perform at least one manufacturing, assembly, testing, or other processing step relative to a part or workpiece transported by the movable system while the particular movable system is proximate the stationary system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A movable system for performing at least one controlled operation while proximate a stationary system, comprising:
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a movable pallet that may be conveyed or directed to different stations in a manufacturing plant, the movable pallet operative to support at least one part or workpiece; a wireless communications component mounted on the movable pallet; a non-contacting signaling component mounted on the movable pallet and operative to transmit or receive a signal in a signal path proximate a particular stationary system while the movable system is proximate the particular stationary system; a control system component mounted on the movable pallet and operatively coupled with the non-contacting signaling component and with the wireless communications component, the control system component using the non-contacting signaling system to verify whether the movable system is proximate the particular stationary system and using the wireless communications component to receive control information from a second control system component associated with the particular stationary system while the movable system is proximate the particular stationary system; and at least one control actuator mounted on the movable pallet and operable by the control system component according to the control information received from the particular stationary system to perform at least one manufacturing, assembly, testing, or other processing step relative to the at least one part or workpiece transported by the movable system while the movable system is proximate the particular stationary system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In an automated system having a stationary system with a first control system component and a movable system having a second control system component and a control actuator, a method for controlling at least one operation of the movable system while the movable system is proximate the stationary system, the method comprising:
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determining whether the movable system is currently proximate the stationary system using non-contacting signaling apparatus on the stationary and movable systems; implementing a control program in at least one of the first control system component of the stationary system and the second control system component of the movable system; transferring control information between the first control system component of the stationary system and the second control system component of the movable system by wireless communications while the movable system is determined to be proximate the stationary system; causing the control actuator of the movable system to perform at least one manufacturing, assembly, testing, or other processing step relative to the at least one part or workpiece transported by the movable system while the movable system is proximate the particular stationary system according to the control information transferred between the first control system component of the stationary system and the second control system component of the movable system; and discontinuing transfer of control information between the control system components of the stationary and movable systems when the movable system is determined to be no longer proximate the stationary system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification