KR20070069494A - Wireless recharge system and method for cassette transfer vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and a system for wirelessly charging a cassette transfer vehicle are provided to simplify a structure of an AGV(Automatic Guided Vehicle) by removing a position alignment optical element between feeding and receiving connectors. A wireless charging system includes a charging pad(160) and a cassette transfer vehicle. At least one charging pad is arranged along a moving path on a bottom and generates and outputs a high frequency signal by using external power. The cassette transfer vehicle includes a power receiving unit, which charges a battery using an induction current. The induction current is generated by a flux linkage due to the battery and the charging pad. The cassette transfer vehicle moves the cassette using the battery power. The cassette transfer vehicle includes a main body(120), a moving unit(130), and an arm unit(140). The main body includes a stage on which the cassette is mounted. The moving unit is arranged at a lower portion of the main body and moves the main body along the moving path. The arm unit is installed on the stage and loads or unloads the cassette.

Description

Wireless charging system and method for cassette transfer vehicle

1 is a layout view of manufacturing facilities of a general flat panel display.

2 is a perspective view of a general AGV.

3 is a schematic diagram showing a charging method of a typical AGV.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a wireless charging system of the cassette transfer truck according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of a wireless charging system of the cassette transfer truck according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: movement route 110: AGV

120: main body 122: stage

124: battery 126: power receiver

130: moving unit 132: wheel

140: arm portion 142: rotating disk

144: arm 146: watch plate

160: charging pad C: cassette

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless charging system and a wireless charging method of a cassette transfer vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cassette while driving along a predetermined movement path with the power of a battery. The present invention relates to a cassette transport cart for carrying, and more particularly, to a wireless charging system of a cassette transport cart capable of charging a battery in a contactless manner during its operation, and a wireless charging method using the same.

In line with the modern era of informatization, the display field for displaying images through electrical signals has also been rapidly developed. In response, the flat panel display device with light and small size and low power consumption has been developed. : FPD: Liquid Crystal Display Device (LCD), Plasma Display Panel Device (PDP), Field Emission Display Device (FED), Electroluminescence Display (Electro luminescence Display) Device (ELD) has been introduced to quickly replace the existing Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).

Such a flat panel display device is commonly required as a plat display panel for image realization, which represents a form in which two substrates are side-by-side bonded side by side with an inherent layer of fluorescent or polarizing material therebetween. Recently, an active matrix type in which pixels, which are basic units of image expression, are arranged in a matrix on a flat panel display panel, and each is individually controlled by a switching element such as a thin film transistor (TFT). ) Is widely used because of its excellent video reproducibility and color reproduction.

In order to manufacture a general flat panel display, various various processes are performed on a substrate. For example, a thin film deposition process of forming a thin film of a predetermined material on the surface of the substrate and exposing a selected portion of the thin film is performed. The photo-lithography process and the etching process of patterning the pattern to the desired shape by removing the exposed portions of the thin film are repeated several times. In addition, various processes such as cleaning, bonding and cutting are performed. Entails.

During each process, the substrates to be processed are supplied in sequence or group form to the unique process equipment that performs the process. In this case, a plurality of substrates are stored to reduce the time and effort for transporting and storing the substrates. A cassette is used, and a cassette transfer vehicle (CTV) is mobilized as a dedicated unmanned transfer means for carrying it. In particular, the cassette transport trolleys currently widely used include a rail guided vehicle (RGV) moving along a rail, an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) moving while reading an induction device arranged on the floor, and an LGV equipped with a laser navigation system. Laser Guided Vehicle is also used.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement relationship of a manufacturing apparatus of a general flat panel display, which is a space partitioned in a service area, and several movement paths between bays A where process equipment is placed. (2) is appropriately set, and a plurality of cassette transfer trucks 4 move along the respective movement paths 2 to move the cassettes, and the cassette transfer trucks along at least one side of the movement paths. A plurality of ports P are provided which are the cassette loading and unloading positions of (4).

Next, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the AGV 10, which is one of the most representative examples of the cassette transport cart, and includes a main body 20 providing a stage 22 on which the cassette C is seated, and a lower portion of the main body 20. The moving part 30 and the arm part 40 mounted in the stage 22 of the main body 20 are included.

At this time, the moving unit 30 is a portion for supporting and moving the entire AGV (10) includes a wheel (32) rotating along the floor and a driving means such as a motor for rotating it, the arm portion 40 is A rotating disk 42 rotatably mounted on the stage 22 and rotatably mounted, an arm 44 having one end coupled to the rotating disk 42 and being contracted and extended, and coupled to an end of the arm 44. A catch plate 46 which directly supports the cassette C is included, and the moving part 30 rotates, contracts, and extends the arm part 40 when the target port is reached while traveling along the movement path. Loading or unloading the cassette (C) through.

On the other hand, the general cassette transfer cart is driven by the power of its own built-in battery, so when the battery power is exhausted it must be recharged.

To this end, some of the ports have a unique role for loading and unloading cassettes, and a feeder for charging the battery of the cassette transport cart is provided as a charging station. The cassette transport cart is used as a power supply unit through physical contact with the feeder. It is provided with a receiving unit receiving the.

That is, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging method of a general cassette transfer truck, wherein a power supply unit 52 mounted at a selected number of ports P supplies power to the power supply unit 52 and electrical power thereof. And a power supply connector 54 exposed to one side of the port P by a spring or the like, and the power receiving unit 70 of the cassette transport cart 60 is connected to the battery 72 and the power supply unit 50. ) Is provided with a power receiving connector 74 which is in physical contact with the power supply connector 54 when the cassette transport cart 60 is stopped at the port (P).

In addition, the optical communication elements 56 and 76 are respectively provided in the port P and the cassette transport trolley 60 on which the power feeding unit 50 is mounted for accurate contact between the power feeding connector 54 and the power receiving connector 74. When the cassette transport trolley 60 arrives at the corresponding port P along the movement path 2, the power supply connector 54 and the power receiving connector 74 are provided through optical communication between the optical communication devices 56 and 76. ) Position is confirmed, and when the alignment is confirmed, the power supply connector 54 of the port (P) is drawn out to the outside to physically contact the power supply connector (74) of the cassette transport cart (60) To supply.

However, the above-described method of charging the cassette feed cart 60 exhibits some problems. As a representative case, while the cassette feed cart 60 is charged at the port P on which the feed unit 50 is mounted, the cassette feed cart 60 is charged. The port P cannot be used, and furthermore, in the service area, the cassette transfer truck 60 is busy in a large number along the movement path 2 defined in the form of a net. In addition, the cassette transport cart 60 acts as an obstruction blocking the copper wire of another cassette transport cart.

In addition, the operation of the general cassette transfer truck 60 may be divided into a general charging mode for transporting the cassette and a dedicated charging mode for charging. Typically, when the power consumption of the battery 72 reaches about 68%, the cassette transport truck ( 60) is operated in a dedicated charging mode only for charging irrespective of the cassette transport, the cassette transport cart 60 does not contribute to the cassette transport at all until charging. Therefore, considering the operation yield, etc., the dedicated charging mode of the cassette transport truck 60 should be avoided if possible, but in the present situation in which the charging of the cassette transport truck 60 is possible only to a few ports P, it is inevitably dedicated charging mode. There is no choice but to appear, resulting in a decrease in yield.

In addition, a strong spark is generated during the physical contact between the power supply connector 54 and the power receiving connector 74, and it is also pointed out that a high possibility of a fire occurs.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to solve a number of problems according to the existing charging method that was carried out in contact only a few selected ports.

Specifically, the use of the corresponding port is restricted when charging the cassette transport truck, and the operation of other cassette transport trucks is prevented, and the work yield decreases due to the dedicated charging mode, and the physical contact between the connectors for power supply is provided. To provide a concrete way to solve the sparks caused by this, and to this end, to provide a wireless charging system and a wireless charging method of the cassette transport cart that can charge the battery in a contactless manner in the normal charging mode for cassette transport. I would like to.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, the one or more is mounted along the movement path of the floor, the charging pad for generating and outputting high frequency using external power; A power supply unit for charging the battery by an induction current by the linkage with the battery and the charging pad is provided, and the cassette transport cart including a cassette transport cart for transporting the cassette while driving along the movement path by the power of the battery Provides a wireless charging system.

At this time, the cassette transfer cart, the main body providing a stage on which the cassette is seated; A moving unit installed at a lower end of the main body and configured to move along the moving path; It is characterized in that it comprises an arm mounted to the stage for loading and unloading the cassette.

In addition, the charging pad, the oscillator for generating the high frequency with the external power; And a first coil to which the high frequency wave is applied, and in this case, the power receiving unit is provided on the bottom surface of the main body and faces the charging pad at a predetermined interval during the driving. A second coil for generating an induced current by induced electromotive force; Rectifying the induction current characterized in that it comprises a rectifying unit for charging the battery.

The moving unit includes a plurality of wheels rotating in contact with the bottom; And a motor for rotating the plurality of wheels with the power of the battery, wherein the arm unit comprises: a rotating disk mounted on the stage to be elevated and rotatable; An arm contracting and extending in a state where one end is coupled to the rotating disk; It is characterized in that it comprises a catch plate coupled to the other end of the arm to directly support the cassette.

At this time, the cassette transport cart is characterized in that the rail guided vehicle (RGV), automatic guided vehicle (AGV) or laser guided vehicle (LGV).

In another aspect, the present invention is a wireless charging method of the cassette transport cart using a wireless charging system according to the above description, while the cassette transport cart is moved along the movement path of the floor, while the cassette is transported, the pause on the top of the charging pad Or it provides a wireless charging method of the cassette transport cart comprising the step of charging the battery in a slow motion.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Prior to the full description, the present invention, which will be described later, includes all kinds of cassette transport trucks, for example, rail guided vehicles (RGV) and AGVs, which carry cassettes while driving a predetermined movement path along the floor in the service area. Although it can be applied to Automatic Guided Vehicle (LV) or Laser Guided Vehicle (LGV), it will be described through the most widely used AGV for convenience.

Accordingly, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless charging system of the AGV 110 according to the present invention, AGV (110) for transporting the cassette (C) while traveling along the movement path 100 of the floor and its movement path At least one charging pad 160 mounted to the floor on the 100. Therefore, the AGV 110 is excessively over the charging pad 160 during operation, wherein the electromagnetic induction between the AGV 110 and the charging pad 160 appears, the charge of the battery of the AGV 110 is induced by the induced current Represent the principle.

In more detail, first, the AGV 110 according to the present invention includes a main body 120 providing a stage 122 and a moving part 130 provided at a lower end thereof and moving the whole, and the sub-mount mounted on the stage 122. It includes the arm 140.

The dual main body 120 forms a mother body on which the components of the AGV 110 described later are mounted, and provides a stage 122 on which the cassette C is seated. In addition, the main body 120 includes a rechargeable battery 124 as a power supply source for the entire operation of the AGV 110, and a power receiving unit 126 for generating an induced current by the induced electromotive force to charge it. .

Next, the moving part 130 at the bottom of the main body 120 is a part for supporting the entire AGV 110 and moving along the movement path 100 of the floor, and a plurality of wheels rotating along the floor ( 132 and a driving means such as a motor for rotating the wheel 132, although not clearly shown in the drawings, and a brake capable of forcibly stopping the rotation of the wheel 132. In this case, the wheel 132 may be made of a urethane or rubber material to reduce vibration and noise, and may have a caster shape that is free to change direction.

Subsequently, the arm 122 is mounted on the stage 122 at the top of the main body 120 to load and unload the cassette C. For this purpose, the rotating disk 142 is mounted on the stage 122 to be elevated and rotatable. And an arm 144 that contracts and extends in a state where one end is connected to the rotating disk 142 and a catch plate 146 coupled to the other end of the arm 144 to directly support the cassette C. do.

In this case, the arm 144 may have a shape that contracts and expands in a sliding manner as illustrated, and alternatively, may have a shape of a multi-joint consisting of several links folded or unfolded based on an intermediate link part. In the latter case, the arm consisting of several links is provided in pairs on the left and right sides of the rotating disk 142 so that both ends are rotatably linked to the catch plate 146 including the rotating disk 142, respectively.

As a result, the AGV 110 according to the present invention can load and unload the cassette C through the lifting, rotating, contracting, and extending of the arm unit 140, and the moving path 100 through the moving unit 130. The cassette can be transported to transport the cassette to its intended location.

In this case, in particular, the AGV 110 according to the present invention is characterized in that the battery 124 is powered in a contactless manner during operation for carrying a cassette, for this purpose, at least one along the bottom of the movement path 100. The charging pad 160 is mounted, which generates and outputs high frequency using external power. At this time, the AGV 110 according to the present invention is excessively over the charging pad 160 during the process of moving along the movement path 100, using the high frequency of the charging pad 160 in the AGV 110 body 120 Since the power receiving unit 126 for generating an induced current by the induced electromotive force is provided, the battery 124 is charged with the induced current obtained through the electromagnetic induction action therebetween.

The components of the power receiver 126 and the charging pad 160 of the AGV 110 are shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5, and as shown, the charging pad 160 generates a high frequency from an external AC voltage, which is a commercial voltage. The oscillator 162 and the primary coil 164 to which the high frequency is applied, the power receiver 126 of the AGV 110 is induced current by the induced electromotive force through the linkage with the primary coil 164 The second coil 127 for generating a and a rectifying unit 128 to be recharged by rectifying the induced current generated from the supply to the battery 124.

In this case, in order to minimize the loss of electromagnetic induction effect between the charging pad 160 and the power receiver 126, it is preferable that the distance between the first coil 164 and the second coil 127 is as close as possible. The first coil 164 may be arranged close to the outer surface of the charging pad 160, and the first coil 127 of the power receiver 126 of the AGV may be disposed on the bottom surface of the body 120 of the AGV. (See Fig. 4, the same below.)

As a result, the AGV 110 may pause or slow down on the charging pad 160 when it is necessary to charge the battery 124 while traveling along the movement path 100, during which the battery 124 may be driven by an induced current. ) Is charged.

As described above, the AGV wireless charging system according to the present invention adopts a contactless power supply and supply method, and there is no need to install a separate feeder in the port, and the AGV side receives power through physical contact with this. No power supply connector is required. Accordingly, the optical communication element for position alignment between the power feeding connector of the feeder and the power receiving connector is also unnecessary, and as a result, there is an advantage of simplifying the configuration of the AGV including the port.

In addition, when adopting the AGV wireless charging system according to the present invention, the battery can be charged during operation for carrying a cassette, so a dedicated charging mode is not necessary at all, and thus, an effect of improving yield and work efficiency can be expected.

In addition, the wireless charging method of the AGV according to the present invention can be made at any time within a short time during the operation of the AGV does not limit the use of the port or interfere with the movement of other AGVs, and there is no physical contact for power supply due to spark This has the advantage of completely eliminating the possibility of fire.

Claims (8)

A charging pad mounted to one or more along a moving path of a floor, and configured to generate and output a high frequency using external power; A power receiving unit for charging the battery with an induction current by the linkage between the battery and the charging pad is provided, the cassette transport cart for transporting the cassette while driving along the movement path by the power of the battery Wireless charging system of the cassette transport cart comprising a. The method of claim 1, The cassette transport cart, A main body providing a stage on which the cassette is seated; A moving unit installed at a lower end of the main body and configured to move along the moving path; Arm portion mounted on the stage for loading and unloading the cassette Wireless charging system of the cassette transport cart comprising a. The method of claim 1, The charging pad, An oscillator for generating the high frequency with the external power; A first coil to which the high frequency is applied Wireless charging system of the cassette transport cart comprising a. The method of claim 3, wherein The power receiver, A second coil provided on a bottom surface of the main body to face the charging pad at a predetermined interval during the driving, and generating an induction current by induction electromotive force in connection with the first coil; Rectifier for charging the battery by rectifying the induced current Wireless charging system of the cassette transport cart comprising a. The method of claim 2, The moving unit, A plurality of wheels rotating in contact with the floor; A motor for rotating the plurality of wheels with the power of the battery Wireless charging system of the cassette transport cart further comprising. The method of claim 2, The arm part, A rotating disk rotatably mounted and lifted on the stage; An arm contracting and extending in a state where one end is coupled to the rotating disk; Catch plate coupled to the other end of the arm to directly support the cassette Wireless charging system of the cassette transport cart comprising a. The method of claim 1, The cassette transport cart is a wireless charging system of the cassette transport cart is a rail guided vehicle (RGV), automatic guided vehicle (AGV) or laser guided vehicle (LGV). As a wireless charging method of a cassette transport truck using a wireless charging system according to claim 1, The battery is charged by pausing or slowing the upper portion of the charging pad while the cassette transport cart moves along the movement path of the bottom, while the cassette is transported. Wireless charging method of the cassette transport cart comprising a.

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