Patent classifications
G05B2219/2641
Vehicle control module with signal switchboard and input tables
A module capable of operating on one of first and second vehicles includes an input table having a superset of input elements, with a first subset of input elements related to a first set of hardware devices on the first vehicle and a second subset related to a second set of hardware devices on the second vehicle. The module includes at least one configuration table with configuration elements corresponding to ones of the superset of input elements, wherein each configuration element has data related to transforming a value associated with an input element. The module includes vehicle function input elements related to function inputs utilized on the vehicles; and structure for determining a value of an input element corresponding to a function input element, transforming the value to a transformed value and linking the transformed value with the corresponding function input element.
SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY PRODUCING PRODUCTS USING INDEPENDENTLY GUIDED VEHICLES
Methods for simultaneously producing products in a single production system are disclosed. The method may be used to produce different fluent products and other types of products including assembled products. In some cases, the method includes providing a plurality of articles which are components of the products to be produced. The method further involves providing a system that includes a workspace, a plurality of unit operation stations, and a plurality of vehicles for the articles. At least some of the vehicles may be independently routable around at least a portion of workspace which is trackless. The method further includes simultaneously sending one article-loaded vehicle to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a product is performed and another article-loaded vehicle to a unit operation station where a step in the production of a different product is performed.
OPERATION GUIDE DEVICE
A guide controller that displays an operation guide image for a hydraulic excavator acquires operation signals outputted from operating devices formed of electric operating levers and stores them in a collected data storage section, compares strokes of the operating devices as derived from the operation signals, which are stored in the collected data storage section, with standard strokes corresponding to standard operation procedures out of standard operation pattern data stored in a standard operation pattern storage section, and, if a deviation equal to or greater than a predetermined standard stroke threshold is determined to exist between at least one of the strokes and the corresponding standard stroke, to read the operation guide image from the standard operation pattern storage section and to display it on a display.
Determining payload properties using actuator parameter data
Payload properties may be determined utilizing actuator parameter data. A mobile drive unit may transport a payload around a workspace in accordance with one or more safety. To comply with safety policies, a motion controller of the mobile drive unit may limit acceleration and deceleration to safe maximums for given payload characteristics such as payload mass and payload center of gravity. The motion controller may utilize actuators to cause various motions of the mobile drive unit, including motion across a surface, vertical movements of the payload and motion rotating the payload. To ameliorate worst case assumptions about payload characteristics, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, a payload characterization module may obtain information about payload characteristics based on measurements of operational parameters of the actuators. Utilizing motor current data provides a relatively inexpensive mechanism for obtaining such information compared to special purpose sensors, enabling widespread adoption.
Road-building machine and method for operating a road-building machine
A method by means of which the paving result of the road covering can be improved. For the production of a road covering, road-building material is supplied by a pivoting conveyor of a feeder to a supply container of a road paver. In the case of a relative movement between the feeder and the road paver, the pivoting conveyor has to be manually readjusted, which can result in irregularities in the road covering. This is achieved in that the container of the at least one construction vehicle is detected by at least one sensor unit of the road-building machine.
REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE CONTROLS
A refuse collection vehicle includes a grabber that is operable to engage a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating an angular position of the grabber, at least one sensor that is arranged to collect data indicating a relative positioning of the lift arm, a first controller for adjusting the angular position of the grabber, and a second controller adjusting the relative positioning of the lift arm. The adjustment of the angular position of the grabber is coordinated with the adjustment of the relative positioning of the lift arm.
REMOTE FEATURE ACTIVATION IN POWER MACHINES
Implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to activating features in power machines. More particularly, implementations of the present disclosure are directed to remote activation of features in power machines. Implementations include, methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for transmitting a request for an initialization indicator for a software package from an initialization system of a power machine comprising hardware physically capable of executing at least one function, the request being transmitted, by a communication link of the initialization system, from a machine controller of the initialization system to a remote system, communicating, by the communication link, the initialization indicator from the remote system to the machine controller, and in response to receiving the initialization indicator: storing, by the machine controller, the initialization indicator, and executing, by the machine controller, the software package to control the at least one function.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN INDUSTRIAL CART FOR A GROW POD
A cart having a wheel, a drive motor coupled to the wheel such that an output of the drive motor causes the wheel to rotate and propel the cart, a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor; and one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device, the one or more sensors generating one or more signals in response to a detected event. The cart-computing device receives a communication signal and electrical power via the wheel. The communication signal corresponds to one or more instructions for controlling an operation of the cart. The cart-computing device receives the one or more signals from the one or more sensors. The cart-computing device generates and transmits a control signal to the drive motor to cause the drive motor to operate based on at least one of the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors or the communication signal.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH AN INDUSTRIAL CART
A cart having a wheel, a drive motor coupled to the wheel such that an output of the drive motor causes the wheel to rotate and propel the cart, a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor, wherein the cart-computing device generates a control signal to adjust the operation of the drive motor, and a sensor module communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device. The sensor module, in a first mode, generates a signal and transmits the signal to the cart-computing device in response to a detected event. The sensor module, in a second mode, transmits a first communication signal in response to the first communication signal generated by the cart-computing device. The sensor module, in a third mode, receives a second communication signal in response to a source external to the cart transmitting the second communication signal to the cart.
Vehicle control module with signal switchboard and output tables
A control module capable of operating on one of first and second vehicles can include a) a module output table comprising a superset of module output elements comprising a first subset of module output elements related to a first set of hardware devices provided on the first vehicle and a second subset of module output elements related to a second set of hardware devices provided on the second vehicle; b) vehicle function output elements related to vehicle function outputs utilized on the first and second vehicles; and c) a configuration table comprising configuration elements corresponding to the module output elements. The module can also include computer-based structure for determining a value of a vehicle function output element corresponding to a module output element of the module output table, transforming the value to the transformed value, and storing the transformed value based on the corresponding module output element.