Traffic management system and method
AssigneeTE Connectivity Solutions GmbH
InventorsSwapnilsinh Solanki, Anthony L. Swann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A traffic management system for controlling an AGV includes a sensor arranged proximate to an intersection between first and second passages in a logistics facility. The sensor transmits sensing beams into the second passage to detect presence of a vehicle in the second passage. The sensor transmits sensor signals based on the presence of the vehicle in the second passage. The traffic management system includes a traffic controller receiving the sensor signals and communicating with the AGV causing the AGV to stop at a stopping location in the first passage and restrict movement of the AGV into the second passage when the object is detected.
Claims22
A traffic management system for controlling an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
- a sensor arranged proximate to an intersection between a first passage and a second passage in a logistics facility, the sensor transmitting at least one sensing beam to detect presence of a vehicle, the sensor transmitting the at least one sensing beam into only the second passage to detect presence of the vehicle only in the second passage, the sensor transmitting sensor signals based on the presence of the vehicle in the second passage, wherein the traffic management system does not include the sensor monitoring vehicle presence in the first passage;
- a traffic controller receiving the sensor signals from the sensor to control the AGV, wherein the traffic controller controls the AGV based on the vehicle presence monitoring of only the second passage and not the first passage, the traffic controller having a communication module configured to be communicatively coupled to the AGV, the communication module transmitting a blocked signal to the AGV when the sensor signals indicate presence of the vehicle in the second passage, the blocked signal causing the AGV to stop at a stopping location in the first passage and restrict movement of the AGV into the second passage, the communication module transmitting a clear signal to the AGV when the sensor signals do not indicate presence of the vehicle in the second passage, the clear signal allowing the AGV to move from the first passage into the second passage.
A method of controlling movement of an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) from a first passage to a second passage in a logistics facility, the method comprising:
- navigating the AGV along the first passage to a stopping location proximate to an intersection between the first passage and the second passage;
- scanning the second passage using at least one sensing beam of a sensor of a traffic management system, the sensor arranged proximate to the intersection to detect presence of a vehicle in the second passage, wherein the traffic management system only monitors vehicle presence in the second passage and does not monitor the vehicle presence in the first passage;
- transmitting sensor signals from the sensor to a traffic controller based on the presence of the vehicle in the second passage to control the AGV, wherein the traffic controller controls the AGV based on the vehicle presence monitoring of only the second passage and not the first passage;
- transmitting a blocked signal from the traffic controller to the AGV when the sensor signals indicate presence of the vehicle in the second passage, the blocked signal causing the AGV to remain at the stopping location in the first passage and restrict movement of the AGV into the second passage;
- and
- transmitting a clear signal from the traffic controller to the AGV when the sensor signals do not indicate presence of the vehicle in the second passage, the clear signal allowing the AGV to move from the stopping location in the first passage to the second passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.