Systems and methods for flexible manufacturing using self-driving vehicles
US10928835B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2018 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/60
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods for flexible conveyance in an assembly-line or manufacturing process are disclosed. A fleet of self-driving vehicles and a fleet-management system can be used to convey workpieces through a sequence of workstations at which operations are performed in order to produce a finished assembly. An assembly can be transported to a first workstation using a self-driving vehicle, where an operation is performed on the assembly. Subsequently, the assembly can be transported to a second workstation using the self-driving vehicle. The operation can be performed on the assembly while it is being conveyed by the self-driving vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.