Apparatus and method for managing power of article transport vehicle in article transport system

A method for managing power of an article transport vehicle of an article transport system, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a power receiving unit, power in a contactless manner from a power supply unit installed at a driving route of the article transport vehicle into a power receiving unit;
• storing a portion of the received power in a power storage unit;
• and
• controlling power paths such that at least one of a first power from the power receiving unit and a second power from the power storage unit is supplied to the power generating unit according to an operation state of the article transport vehicle.

An apparatus for managing power of an article transport vehicle in an article transport system, the apparatus comprising:

• a power receiving unit comprising a power receiving end configured to receive power in a contactless manner from a power supply unit installed at a driving route of the article transport vehicle, and a rated voltage output part configured to output a rated voltage generated from the power received by the power receiving end;
• a power generating unit comprising a driving control part electrically connected to the rated voltage output part and configured to control a driving power for driving the article transport vehicle, and a driving part configured to generate the driving power for driving the article transport vehicle;
• a power storage unit comprising an energy storage device configured to store a portion of the power supplied by the rated voltage output part and to supply power stored therein to the rated voltage output part, and a power storage part connected to an output end of the rated voltage output part and configured to store power generated by the power generating unit and to supply power stored therein to the power generating unit;
• and
• a power control unit configured to control power paths among the power storage unit, the power receiving unit, and the power generating unit,
• wherein the power control unit comprises:
• a switch configured to control electrical connection between the power receiving unit and the power generating unit;
• a control circuit configured to control the switch and electrical connection between the power receiving unit and the power storage unit;
• and
• a sensor configured to supply information of the rated voltage of the rated voltage output part to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit controls power paths among the power storage unit, the power receiving unit, and the power generating unit according to an operation state of the article transport vehicle.