Method for operating a system, and driver-less transport system

• US 9,092,031 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2014
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sew-Eurodrive GmbH & Company KG (BV Beteiligung GmbH & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: Sew-Eurodrive GmbH & Company KG (BV Beteiligung GmbH & Company KG)
• Inventors: Escuriola Ettingshausen, Manuel, Nicklis, Stephan
• Primary Examiner(s): MARC-COLEMAN, MARTHE Y
• Application Number:
  US14/288,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20140350770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/25, 701/50, 701/430, 701/460, 701/410, 701/469, 901/901, 700/253, 700/245
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0282 generated in a local control room

Abstract

In a method for operating a system, the system includes at least one path, which includes path sections. Vehicles are able to travel along the path, and an electronic circuit is included for controlling at least the speed of the vehicle. Codes are situated along the path, and the vehicle includes at least one sensor, e.g., for detecting the codes, which is connected to the electronic circuit. A data exchange is implementable between one vehicle or a plurality of vehicles and at least one stationary unit.

Claims

1. A method for operating a system, the system including at least one path having path sections, vehicles travelable along the path, the system including an electronic circuit configured to control at least a speed of the vehicle, the vehicle including a position detection device, a data exchange implementable between one of (a) a vehicle and (b) a plurality of vehicles and at least one stationary unit, comprising:

loading a table into the electronic circuit of the vehicle at least during an initial operation;

repeating at time intervals;

i) detecting information concerning a position of the vehicle and forwarding the detected information to the electronic circuit;

ii) determining, using the table, a particular path section in which the vehicle is located in accordance with the detected information;

iii) receiving a message from a stationary unit, the message including message portions that are assigned to particular path sections;

iv) executing instructions included in the message portion that is assigned to the particular path section;

v) storing a particular message portion assigned to an adjacent path section;

vi) repeatedly detecting the information concerning the position and forwarding the detected information to the electronic circuit;

vii) determining, using the table, a particular path section in which the vehicle is located in accordance with the detected information;

viii) if the adjacent path section has been reached, implementing information assigned to the adjacent path section;

ix) repeating steps iii) to ix) multiple times.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent path section corresponds to a path section that is to be reached next according to an advance calculation.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the position detection device is configured to at least one of (a) detect and (b) read codes affixed along the path and is connected to the electronic circuit.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data exchange between the vehicles and the stationary unit is at least partially implemented contactlessly.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicles are configured to exchange data between each other.

6. An automated guided transport system, comprising:

at least one path having path sections; and

at least one vehicle travelable along the path and suppliable with energy and information in a contactless manner, the vehicle including a position-detection device, the vehicle including an electronic circuit configured to control at least a speed of the vehicle, a data exchange implementable between one of (a) the vehicle and (b) a plurality of vehicles and at least one stationary unit;

wherein the system is configured to perform a first method including;

loading a table into the electronic circuit of the vehicle at least during an initial operation;

repeating at time intervals;

i) detecting information concerning a position of the vehicle and forwarding the detected information to the electronic circuit;

ii) determining, using the table, a particular path section in which the vehicle is located in accordance with the detected information;

iii) receiving a message from a stationary unit, the message including message portions that are assigned to particular path sections;

iv) executing instructions included in the message portion that is assigned to the particular path section;

v) storing a particular message portion assigned to an adjacent path section;

vi) repeatedly detecting the information concerning the position and forwarding the detected information to the electronic circuit;

vii) determining, using the table, a particular path section in which the vehicle is located in accordance with the detected information;

viii) if the adjacent path section has been reached, implementing information assigned to the adjacent path section;

ix) repeating steps iii) to ix) multiple times.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the system is at least one of (a) rail-bound, (b) rail-less, (c) arranged as an electric suspended conveyor, (d) arranged as a push skid system, and (e) arranged as a mobile assembly platform.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the stationary unit includes a path controller suppliable with data from a database of a computer network, the computer network including a display device configured to display at least one of (a) a state of the system and (b) state information.