3.

0 AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE SYSTEM (AGVS)

AGVS is a Computer-Controlled, Non-manned, Electric Powered Vehicle Capable of
Handling Material.

Figure 3.1: Advantages of an automated guided vehicle system

• Clear floor space
• No floor deck construction
• Simple installation
• High availability/reliability
• Flexible performance increments
• Short installation times
• Simple expansion

3.1 Vehicle functions

 Man / vehicle functions
o Inputs made via operator panel with its keyboard and display
o Destination input to the vehicle
o Plug-in manual control and diagnosis module
 Route (destination) finding
o High vehicle intelligence
o Travel route topology stored in the vehicle
o Destination code processing
o Load-sensing and empty location recognition
  Guide track following
Guided movements using:
o optical track
o inductive track
o "free-flight" (partly guide-trackless)
o "free-navigation" (guide-trackless
 Data exchange
o Infrared
o Radio
 Special functions
o Battery reserve monitoring
o Control of battery charging
o Obstacle recognition
 Load handling
o Load acceptance
o Load depositing
o Load monitoring
o Load transfer synchronization
 Travel control
o Speed
o Safety gap maintenance
o Collision protection

3.2 Control concept

 Figure 3.2: Control concept of AGVS

3.3 Different Types of AGVS

 Fork
 Tow/Tugger
 Unit Load
 Custom

(a) (b)
 (c) (d)
Figure 3.3: Vehicles type: (a) Fork (b) Tow/Tugger (c) Unit Load (d) Custom

3.4 Guidance Methods

• Optical – Tracks contrasting color
• Wire – Embedded in floor
• Inertial – Gyro with magnets in floor
• Laser – Triangulation from reflective target

3.5 Charging Method

• Standard Charging (Battery swap)
• In-Vehicle (Opportunity) Charging
• Inductive Charging

3.6 Safety elements

Figure 3.4: Safety elements in AGVS

3.7 AGVS task allocation

Figure 3.5: Task allocation of AGVS