Automated guided vehicle (AGV) with bipolar magnet sensing
US6345217B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0261
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automated guided vehicle system and method includes providing at least one automated-guided vehicle (AGV) and a pathway for the AGV. A sensor assembly on the AGV senses magnet assemblies on the pathway as the AGV is transported over that magnet assembly. A navigation and guidance system determines the location of the maximum magnitude of the magnetic field by mathematically fitting a curve to the magnitude of portions of the magnetic field sensed by said magnetic sensors and determines a maximum value of the curve. At least some of the said magnet assemblies each produce a bipolar magnetic field extending generally transverse to the pathway and the sensor assembly produces an output indicative of magnitude and polarity of respective portions of the bipolar magnetic field. The navigation and guidance system determines a location of maximum magnitude of the opposite polarities of the bipolar magnetic field and a correction factor. The correction factor corrects for offset of the maximum magnitudes of the field from a predetermined location on that magnet assembly including correcting for any skew of the bipolar magnetic field with respect to said pathway.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.