Description:BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an automated guided vehicle and particularly to an automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise.
Description of Related Art
[002] With an increased rate of globalization and business expansions, modern factory lines, huge warehouses, and vast premises are very commonly observed and established locations. Being so big in land areas, many factories and industries have their transportation system deployed for their employees to travel. Additionally, many industries and locations provide conveyor belts for the transportation of equipment, parts, or luggage. An old method of vacuum section is still used in places where workers are dealing with non-fragile equipment. Much more modern and high-tech premises use robots to transport lightweight and delicate logistics and other equipment from a certain location to another location.
[003] Moreover, there are certain scenarios where a heavy and bulky piece is to be moved from one location to another. Doing this task manually can be tiresome and time-consuming. If the heavy piece is to be displaced for a smaller distance, then a robotic arm is deployed. In the end, for traversing long distances, there only option left is a forklift, which again needs to be controlled and maneuvered by an employee.
[004] However, there are some remote-controlled robots available on the market that can haul heavy loads in a closed environment, but they are not automated and requires human intervention to drive them from location to location. While carrying and hauling heavy loads, the robots must also be aware of their surroundings and should be able to detect obstacles on their path, all of this should be done while accurately self-navigating and arriving at the correct destination with the intended part or equipment.
[005] There is thus a need for an automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise that can overcome the shortcomings faced by conventional methods in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an automated guided vehicle. The vehicle includes a color sensor configured to recognize a color of color markings, wherein the color markings define a path to be followed by the vehicle. The vehicle further includes ultrasonic sensors positioned at front side and back side of the vehicle, and configured to sense a distance between the vehicle and obstacles coming in the path of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes stepper motors arranged with wheels of the vehicle, and configured to provide mobility to the vehicle up to a predefined velocity. The vehicle further includes electric motor controllers configured to control an actuation of the stepper motors. The vehicle further includes a processing unit communicatively connected to the ultrasonic sensors and the color sensor. The processing unit is configured to receive the sensed distance from the ultrasonic sensors. The processing unit is further configured to compare the received distance with a pre-defined distance stored in a memory. The processing unit is further configured to enable the electric motor controllers to deactivate the stepper motors when the compared distance is less than the pre-defined distance.
[007] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for an operation of an automated guided vehicle. The method comprising steps of: receiving a sensed distance from ultrasonic sensors; comparing the received distance with a pre-defined distance stored in a memory; and enabling electric motor controllers to deactivate stepper motors when the compared distance is less than the pre-defined distance.
[008] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application provide an automate guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise that is self-navigate able without human intervention.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise that detects obstacles in/around a designated path.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise that facilitates transportation as well as shifting of heavy goods from location to location.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise that is efficient and sustainable for a longer period.
[0013] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide an automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise that is easy to use, cost-effective, and incurs low maintenance costs.
[0014] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0015] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram depicting an automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 1B illustrates a circuit diagram of the automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on the premise, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a processing unit of the automated guided vehicle for carriage and transportation of logistics on the premise, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for an operation of the automated guided vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0023] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0024] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0025] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram depicting an automated guided vehicle 100 (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle 100) for carriage and transportation of logistics on a premise, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 100 may be used in environments to carry and transport heavy-weight loads from a first location to a second location. According to embodiments of the present invention, the location for deployment of the vehicle 100 may be, but not limited to, a factory line, a warehouse, a storage, and sorting facility, a library, a laboratory, an exposition auditorium, a large-scale kitchen, a supermarket, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for deployment of the vehicle 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a load-bearing capacity of the vehicle 100 may be 150 kilograms (kgs). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any load-bearing capacity of the vehicle 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, a body (not shown) may provide structural strength to the vehicle 100. The body of the vehicle 100 may house components of the vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the body of the vehicle 100 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a metallic material, a wooden material, a carbon-fiber material, a plastic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for the body of the vehicle 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 100 may be manually driven by using a Permanent Magnet Direct Current (PMDC) motor kit. The Permanent Magnet Direct Current (PMDC) motor kit may be activated and used when the vehicle 100 may be needed to be taken somewhere away manually from its pre-defined paths, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 100 may comprise a color sensor 102, ultrasonic sensors 104a-104n (hereinafter referred to as the ultrasonic sensors 104), electric motor controllers 106a-106n (hereinafter referred to as the electric motor controllers 106), stepper motors 108a-108n (hereinafter referred to as the stepper motors 108), wheels 110a-110n (hereinafter referred to as the wheels 110), a processing unit 112, and a battery 114.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the color sensor 102 may be configured to recognize a color of color markings. The color markings may define a path to be followed by the vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the color for the color markings may be, but not limited to, a red color, a green color, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the color markings may be of a white color. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the color markings may be of a black color. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any color of the color markings, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the color sensor 102 may shine white light upon the color markings and record the reflected color using red, green, and blue color filters. A photodiode in the color sensor 102 may convert the amount of light into the current to recognize a specific color of the color markings, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the color sensor 102 may recognize the color of the color markings to choose a route to navigate upon. The color markings may further provide a point of reference for alignment of the vehicle 100 on its path. Every different route may be coded with different color markings, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the color sensor 102 may help the vehicle 100 to navigate from a certain source location to a certain destination location.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the color sensor 102 may further identify a mark on the color markings to generate an operation in the vehicle 100. Different marks of the color markings may be mapped with different actions and operations that may be performed by the vehicle 100 while navigating on a selected color marking, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a square mark on the color markings may denote a stop operation, and upon approaching the square mark, the vehicle 100 may stop. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a triangle mark on the color markings may denote a pause operation, and upon approaching the triangle mark, the vehicle 100 may halt for a pre-defined duration. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a circle mark on the color markings may denote an intersection operation, and upon approaching the circle mark, the vehicle 100 may choose one of the multiple paths. In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an arrow mark on the color markings may denote a flow of traffic, and upon approaching the arrow marks, the vehicle 100 may be restricted for moving in the direction pointed by the arrow and may be restricted for moving in the direction opposite to the arrow.
[0031] According to embodiments of the present invention, the color sensor 102 may be, but not limited to, a red, green, blue (RGB) color sensor, a chromatic aberration color sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any color sensor 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensors 104 may be positioned at a predefined location on the vehicle 100. The ultrasonic sensors 104 may be configured to sense a distance between the vehicle 100 and obstacles coming in the path of the vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predefined location for the ultrasonic sensors 104 may be a front side and a back side of the vehicle 100. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any location for installation of the ultrasonic sensors 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a total of four ultrasonic sensors 104 may be arranged on the vehicle 100, in which two ultrasonic sensors 104 may be arranged at the front side, and two ultrasonic sensors 104 may be arranged at the back side of the vehicle 100.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensors 104 may be used with piezoelectric crystals, that may use high-frequency sound waves to resonate at the desired frequency and convert electric energy into acoustic energy, and vice versa to sense an obstacle and distance between the vehicle 100 and the obstacles. According to embodiments of the present invention, the ultrasonic sensors 104 may be, but not limited to, a close-range ultrasonic sensor, a high accuracy ultrasonic sensor, a self-contained ultrasonic sensor, an intrinsically safe ultrasonic sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any ultrasonic sensors 104, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electric motor controllers 106 may be configured to control an actuation of the stepper motors 108. The electric motor controllers 106 may further be configured to control a rotational velocity of the stepper motors 108, which may further control the velocity of the vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the electric motor controllers 106 may be, but not limited to, an electronic electric motor controller, an electromechanical electric motor controller, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any electric motor controllers 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the stepper motors 108 may be an electromechanical device that may convert electrical power into mechanical power. The stepper motors 108 may be a brushless-synchronous electric motor that may be able to divide a full rotation into an expansive number of steps, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the stepper motors 108 may use magnets to make the motor shaft turn a precise distance when a pulse of electricity may be provided. In an embodiment of the present invention, the stepper motors 108 may be arranged with the wheels 110 of the vehicle 100. The stepper motors 108 may provide mobility to the vehicle 100 by rotating the wheels 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may be rotated in a direction, and with a velocity decided by the electric motor controllers 106, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, a stator of the stepper motors 108 may have eight poles. The rotor of the stepper motors 108 may have six poles, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotor of the stepper motors 108 may require 24 pulses of electricity to move the 24 steps to make one complete revolution. In other words, the rotor of the stepper motors 108 may make a rotation of 15 degrees when a single pulse of electricity is provided. In an embodiment of the present invention, the stepper motors 108 may provide mobility to the vehicle 100 up to a predefined velocity. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predefined velocity provided by the stepper motors 108 may be 25 kilometers per hour (kmph).
[0037] According to embodiments of the present invention, the stepper motors 108 may be, but not limited to, a permanent magnet stepper, a variable reluctance stepper, a hybrid synchronous stepper, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any stepper motors 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may enable the vehicle 100 to move on a premise. The wheels 110 may also provide support to the vehicle 100 when not in use, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may be circular. In an embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may also comprise a braking mechanism to reduce the velocity of the vehicle 100. The brakes may also be configured to reduce the velocity and bring the vehicle 100 to the resting stage, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may be positioned under the bottom of the vehicle 100. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may be positioned on side of the vehicle 100. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may be positioned anywhere on the vehicle 100.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may be configured to rotate and move in a forward direction. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may be configured to rotate and move in a backward direction. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may be configured to rotate and move in any direction. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 100 may comprise a set of two-wheels. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 100 may comprise a set of four-wheels. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 100 may comprise a set of any number of wheels.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 110 may comprise a tire layering (not shown) on an outside for enabling a smooth motion. According to embodiments of the present invention, the tire layering of the wheels 110 may be constructed of any material such as, but not limited to, a rubber material, a neoprene material, a foam material, a plastic material, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any material for the tire layering of the wheels 110, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0041] FIG. 1B illustrates a circuit diagram of the vehicle 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 112 may be connected to the color sensor 102, and the ultrasonic sensors 104. The processing unit 112 may further be connected to the electric motor controllers 106, in an embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit 112 may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in a memory (not shown) to generate an output relating to the vehicle 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the memory may be, but not limited to, a Random-Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM), a Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory (EEPROM), a NAND Flash, a Secure Digital (SD) memory, a cache memory, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid-State Drive (SSD), and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the processing unit 112 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 112 may be an Arduino Mega based on ATmega2560 firmware. The processing unit 112 may have 54 digital input-output (I/O) pins. The processing unit 112 may further have 16 analog input pins. The processing unit 112 may further have 4 Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) pins. The processing unit 112 may further have a crystal oscillator. The processing unit 112 may further have a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection bus. The processing unit 112 may further have a power port. The processing unit 112 may further have a In Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) header. The processing unit 112 may further have a reset button. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the processing unit 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, components of the processing unit 112 may further be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery 114 may be arranged within the vehicle 100. The battery 114 may be configured to provide operational power to components of the vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery 114 may be rechargeable. The battery 114 may be non-rechargeable, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the specific power of the battery 114 may be in a range from 160 watts/kilogram (W/kg) to 200 watts/kilogram (W/kg). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the specific power of the battery 114 may be 180 watts/kilogram (W/kg). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any specific power of the battery 114.
[0043] According to embodiments of the present invention, the charge/discharge efficiency of the battery 114 may be in a range from 50-95%. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any charge/discharge efficiency of the battery 114. According to embodiments of the present invention, the specific energy of the battery 114 may be in a range from 35 watt-hour/kilogram (WH/kg) to 40 watt-hour/kilogram (WH/kg). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any specific energy of the battery 114. According to embodiments of the present invention, the energy density of the battery 114 may be in a range from 80 watt-hour/liter (WH/L) to 90 watt-hour/liter (WH/L). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any energy density of the battery 114.
[0044] According to embodiments of the present invention, the battery 114 may be of any composition such as, but not limited to, a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-polymer battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery 114 may be a lead-acid battery. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any composition of the battery 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates the processing unit 112 of the vehicle 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit 112 may comprise programming instructions in form of programming modules such as an activation module 200, a data receiving module 202, a data comparison module 204, and a motor control module 206.
[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the activation module 200 may be configured to activate the vehicle 100 by activating the color sensor 102 and the ultrasonic sensors 104. The activation module 200 may activate the vehicle 100 upon receiving a manual activation signal from a user, in an embodiment of the present invention. The activation module 200 may further be configured to check all components of the vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 202 may be configured to receive the sensed distance between the vehicle 100 and obstacles coming in the path of the vehicle 100 from the ultrasonic sensors 104. The data receiving module 202 may further be configured to receive the recognized color of the color markings, and the identified mark on the color marking from the color sensor 102, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the data receiving module 202 may further transmit the sensed distance, the recognized color of the color markings, and the identified mark on the color markings to the data comparison module 204.
[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 204 may be configured to compare the received distance with a pre-defined distance stored in the memory. Upon comparing, if the compared distance is less than the pre-defined distance then the data comparison module 204 may generate a motor activation signal. The comparison module 204 may be configured to transmit the generated motor activation signal to the motor control module 206. Otherwise, the data comparison module 204 may enable the data receiving module 202 to continue receiving the sensed distance from the ultrasonic sensors 104.
[0049] In another embodiment of the present invention, the data comparison module 204 may further be configured to compare the received identified mark on the color markings with a set of pre-defined marks stored in the memory. The set of pre-defined marks stored in the memory may denote an operation in the vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] In an exemplary scenario, if upon comparison, the data comparison module 204 may find the identified mark on the color marking to be the square mark, then the data comparison module 204 may generate and transmit a stop action signal to the motor control module 206. The stop action signal may enable the motor control module 206 to entirely stop the vehicle 100 at the location.
[0051] In another exemplary scenario, if upon comparison, the data comparison module 204 may find the identified mark on the color marking to be the triangle mark, then the data comparison module 204 may generate and transmit a pause action signal to the motor control module 206. The pause action signal may enable the motor control module 206 to halt the vehicle 100 at the location for a pre-defined duration and then restart moving of the vehicle 100.
[0052] In an exemplary scenario, if upon comparison, the data comparison module 204 may find the identified mark on the color marking to be the circle mark, then the data comparison module 204 may generate and transmit a turn action signal to the motor control module 206. The turn action signal may enable the motor control module 206 to turn the vehicle 100 at the location with a predefined degree of turn.
[0053] In an exemplary scenario, if upon comparison, the data comparison module 204 may find the identified mark on the color marking to be the arrow mark, then the data comparison module 204 may generate and transmit a unidirectional action signal to the motor control module 206. The unidirectional action signal may enable the motor control module 206 to move the vehicle 100 only in direction of the arrow mark pointed, and restrict movement of the vehicle 100 in opposite direction.
[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor control module 206 may be configured to enable the electric motor controllers 106 to activate and deactivate the stepper motors 108. The activation and/or deactivation of the stepper motors 108 from the electric motor controllers 106 may result in a required motion in the wheels 110 of the vehicle 100, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method 300 for the operation of the vehicle 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] At step 302, the vehicle 100 may receive the sensed distance from the ultrasonic sensors 104.
[0057] At step 304, the vehicle 100 may compare the received distance with the pre-defined distance stored in the memory. The method 300 may proceed to a step 306, when the compared distance is less than the pre-defined distance. Otherwise, the method 300 may return to the step 302.
[0058] At the step 306, the vehicle 100 may enable the electric motor controllers 106 to deactivate the stepper motors 108.
[0059] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the diagrams and combinations of blocks in the diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more general purpose computers, special purpose computers, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce machines, such that the instructions which execute on the computers or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block or blocks.
[0060] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0061] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , C , C , C , C , C , C , C , C , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. An automated guided vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising:
a color sensor (102) configured to recognize a color of color markings, wherein the color markings define a path to be followed by the vehicle (100);
ultrasonic sensors (104a-104n) positioned at front side and back side of the vehicle (100), and configured to sense a distance between the vehicle (100) and obstacles coming in the path of the vehicle (100);
stepper motors (108a-108n) arranged with wheels (110a-110n) of the vehicle (100), and configured to provide mobility to the vehicle (100) up to a predefined velocity;
electric motor controllers (106a-106n) configured to control an actuation of the stepper motors (108a-108n); and
a processing unit (112) communicatively connected to the ultrasonic sensors (104a-104n) and the color sensor (102), and configured to:
receive the sensed distance from the ultrasonic sensors (104a-104n);
compare the received distance with a pre-defined distance stored in a memory; and
enable the electric motor controllers (106a-106n) to deactivate the stepper motors (108a-108n) when the compared distance is less than the pre-defined distance.
2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the color of the color markings is selected from a white color, a black color, or a combination thereof.
3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined velocity provided by the stepper motors (108a-108n) is 25 kilometers per hour (kmph).
4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a battery (114) arranged within the vehicle (100), and configured to provide operational power to components of the vehicle (100).
5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the battery (114) is a lead-acid battery.
6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a load-bearing capacity of the vehicle (100) is 150 kilograms (kgs).
7. A method (300) for operation of an automated guided vehicle (100), the method (300) comprising steps of:
receiving a sensed distance from ultrasonic sensors (104a-104n);
comparing the received distance with a pre-defined distance stored in a memory; and
enabling electric motor controllers (106a-106n) to deactivate stepper motors (108a-108n) when the compared distance is less than the pre-defined distance.
8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the color of the color markings is selected from a white color, a black color, or a combination thereof.
9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the predefined velocity provided by the stepper motors (108a-108n) is 25 kilometers per hour (kmph).
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 7, comprises a battery (114) arranged within the vehicle (100), and configured to provide operational power to components of the vehicle (100).
Date: August 18, 2022
Place: Noida

Nainsi Rastogi
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2372)
Agent for the Applicant