U.S. patent application number 14/212719 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for normalizing performance data across industrial vehicles.
This patent application is currently assigned to Crown Equipment Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Crown Equipment Corporation. Invention is credited to Sergio Schulte de Oliveira, Benjamin J. Purrenhage, Philip W. Swift.
Application Number | 20140278823 14/212719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50693991 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140278823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
de Oliveira; Sergio Schulte ;
et al. |
September 18, 2014 |
NORMALIZING PERFORMANCE DATA ACROSS INDUSTRIAL VEHICLES
Abstract
Approaches are provided for normalizing performance data for the
operation of industrial vehicles. The approaches comprise
categorizing operations of an industrial vehicle into distinct,
measureable activities. The approaches further comprise measuring
the actual usage of the industrial vehicle as a function of each
category of operation and wirelessly transmitting that measured
usage to a remote server. The approaches also comprise associating
for each category, a weighted impact on the work performed by each
category as a function of energy consumed in performing that
work.
Inventors: |
de Oliveira; Sergio Schulte;
(Troy, OH) ; Purrenhage; Benjamin J.; (Kalamazoo,
MI) ; Swift; Philip W.; (Dayton, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Crown Equipment Corporation |
New Bremen |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Crown Equipment Corporation
New Bremen
OH
|
Family ID: |
50693991 |
Appl. No.: |
14/212719 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61800071 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 5/008 20130101;
G07C 5/08 20130101; G06Q 10/0639 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/7.38 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/06 20060101
G06Q010/06 |
Claims
1. A method of normalizing industrial vehicle performance data,
comprising: establishing at least one category where: each category
is associated with a distinct, measureable activity capable of
being performed by an industrial vehicle, and each category is
characterized by at least one parameter; electronically collecting
data from an industrial vehicle corresponding to actual vehicle
use, where the collected data satisfies the parameter defining each
category; accumulating the collected data according to each
category; associating for each category, a weighted impact on work
performed by that category as a function of energy consumed in
performing that work; and providing an indication of the work
performed by the industrial vehicle based upon the accumulated
data.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: using a communication
device that communicates with native industrial vehicle components
across a vehicle network to obtain the collected data from the
industrial vehicle.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein: establishing at least one
category, comprises: establishing a category as whether the
industrial vehicle is in use; and electronically collecting data
from an industrial vehicle corresponding to actual vehicle usage,
comprises: extracting information from a battery coupled to the
industrial vehicle so as to measure actual energy consumed by the
industrial vehicle.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein: establishing at least one
category, comprises: establishing a category as travel distance;
and electronically collecting data from an industrial vehicle
corresponding to actual vehicle usage, comprises: measuring a
travel distance, where the travel distance is the distance traveled
by the industrial vehicle while the industrial vehicle is being
operated.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein measuring a travel distance
comprises using odometery that measures tire travel and accounts
for tire slippage in determining travel distance of industrial
vehicles within a warehouse.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein measuring a travel distance
comprises using a location tracking system to track the travel of
industrial vehicles within a warehouse.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein: establishing at least one
category, comprises: establishing a category as lift distance; and
electronically collecting data from an industrial vehicle
corresponding to actual vehicle usage, comprises: measuring a lift
distance, where the lift distance is the distance of lift
operations performed by the industrial vehicle while being
operated.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein: establishing a plurality of
categories, comprises: establishing a first category as travel of
the industrial vehicle where the industrial vehicle is traveling
with a load; establishing a second category as travel of the
industrial vehicle where the industrial vehicle is traveling with
no load; establishing a third category as lift operations with a
load; and establishing a fourth category as lift operation without
a load.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising establishing a fifth
category that comprises the blending of travel and lifting into a
single operation.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein: associating for each category,
a weighted impact comprises assigning a static baseline value for
each category.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: adjusting the
static value associated with a first category by a dynamic
value.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein associating for each category, a
weighted impact on the work performed by each category comprises:
defining a work unit expressed as power expended per unit of time;
and using the work unit to compute a cost associated with each
category.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein defining a work unit comprises:
defining the work unit as kilowatt hours.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein using the work unit to compute
a cost associated with each category comprises: multiplying the
total measure by a cost of energy expended per unit of time.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising: determining cost for
defined tasks based upon the weighted impacts for the
categories.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: comparing an actual
measured cost for a given task to an ideal cost for that task to
evaluate the performance of an operator of the industrial
vehicle.
17. A method of normalizing industrial vehicle performance data,
comprising: measuring a total horizontal movement of an industrial
vehicle over a pre-determined interval; measuring a total vertical
movement of the forks of the industrial vehicle over the
pre-determined interval; summing the total horizontal movement and
the total vertical movement to a summed total; deriving a work unit
by dividing the summed total by a standardizing factor; and
providing an indication of the derived work unit.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: determining a cost
per work unit by dividing a determined total cost by the derived
work unit.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: defining a
plurality of categories, each category corresponding to a
predefined task; computing the work units for each predefined task
for multiple industrial vehicles; and comparing the work units for
each industrial vehicle, for each predefined task to compare fleet
operations.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein deriving a work unit further
comprises: defining a work unit expressed as power expended per
unit of time, measured in kilowatt hours; and using the work unit
to compute a cost associated with each category.
21. A method of normalizing performance data of industrial
vehicles, comprising: identifying distinct, measurable activities;
identifying a measure Y.sub.1 . . . Y.sub.N as at least one of: a
time duration (t.sub.1 . . . t.sub.N) corresponding to each
activity, and a distance (d.sub.1 . . . d.sub.N) corresponding to
each activity; assigning a weight (X.sub.1 . . . X.sub.N) to each
activity to produce a weighted activity: A.sub.n=X.sub.nY.sub.n;
and calculating total event cost (EC.sub.total) as: EC total = n =
1 N ( A n ) ##EQU00005##
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: calculating a
normalized event cost (EC.sub.norm) as: EC norm = EC total n = 1 N
( t n ) . ##EQU00006##
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising: calculating total
work units expended as: WU=(S)(EC.sub.norm), wherein S is a scaling
factor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/800,071, filed Mar. 15, 2013,
entitled NORMALIZING PERFORMANCE DATA ACROSS INDUSTRIAL VEHICLES,
the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates in general to measurements of
industrial vehicle usage, and in particular, to the measurement and
normalization of industrial vehicle work for comparison and
analysis.
[0003] Wireless strategies may be deployed by business operations,
including distributors, retail stores, manufacturers, etc., to
improve the efficiency and accuracy of business operations.
Wireless strategies may also be deployed by such business
operations to avoid the insidious effects of constantly increasing
labor and logistics costs. In a typical wireless implementation,
workers are linked to a management system executing on a
corresponding computer enterprise via a mobile wireless
transceiver. The wireless transceiver may be used as an interface
to the management system to direct workers in their tasks, e.g., by
instructing workers where and/or how to pick, pack, put away, move,
stage, process or otherwise manipulate the items within the
operator's facility. The wireless transceiver may also be used in
conjunction with a suitable input device to scan, sense or
otherwise read tags, labels or other identifiers to track the
movement of designated items within the facility.
[0004] In order to move items about the operator's facility,
workers often utilize industrial vehicles, including for example,
forklift trucks, hand and motor driven pallet trucks, etc. However,
disruptions in the operation of such materials handling vehicles
impact the ability of the management system and corresponding
wireless strategy to obtain peak operating efficiency. Moreover,
conventional enterprise software, including corresponding
management systems do not account for the industrial vehicles
required to perform the work required to move the items about the
operator's facility.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method of
normalizing industrial vehicle performance data is provided. The
method comprises establishing at least one category associated with
a distinct, measureable activity capable of being performed by an
industrial vehicle. Each category is characterized by at least one
parameter. The method also comprises electronically collecting data
from an industrial vehicle corresponding to actual vehicle use,
where the collected data satisfies the parameter defining each
category. The method still further comprises accumulating the
collected data according to each category. The method yet further
comprises associating for each category, a weighted impact on work
performed by that category as a function of energy consumed in
performing that work. The method also comprises providing an
indication of the work performed by the industrial vehicle based
upon the accumulated data.
[0006] According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a
method of normalizing performance data for the operation of
industrial vehicles is provided. The method produces a universal
measurement for a unit of work, providing a way of measuring and
evaluating the ability of an industrial vehicle to perform work.
The universal measurement also allows a way of comparing industrial
vehicles against each other, using a standard unit of measure.
[0007] The method comprises measuring the horizontal movement of an
industrial vehicle over a pre-determined interval and measuring the
vertical movement of the forks of the industrial vehicle over the
pre-determined interval. The method also comprises summing the
horizontal movement and the vertical movement to a summed total.
Still further, the method comprises deriving a work unit by
dividing the summed total by a standardizing factor. For instance,
the work unit may be defined as power expended per unit of time,
measured in kilowatt hours.
[0008] According to yet further aspects of the present disclosure,
a method of normalizing performance data of industrial vehicles is
provided. The method comprises identifying distinct, measurable
activities. The method also comprises identifying a measure Y.sub.1
. . . Y.sub.N as at least one of a time duration (t.sub.1 . . .
t.sub.N) corresponding to each activity, and a distance (d.sub.1 .
. . d.sub.N) corresponding to each activity. The method also
comprises assigning a weight (X.sub.1 . . . X.sub.N) to each
activity to produce a weighted activity as A.sub.n=X.sub.nY.sub.n;
and calculating total event cost (EC.sub.total) as
EC total = n = 1 N ( A n ) . ##EQU00001##
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an illustrative operating
environment in which aspects of the disclosure herein may be
practiced;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a view of an operator in an industrial vehicle
having a battery, a battery management system and an information
linking device for wirelessly communicating with a computing
environment, according to aspects of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for normalizing
performance data for the operation of industrial vehicles,
according to various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exemplary representation of a single category
for industrial vehicle monitoring, according to aspects of the
present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exemplary representation of a set of categories
for industrial vehicle monitoring, according to aspects of the
present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a chart showing exemplary travel and lift
operations plotted as kilowatt hours as a function of time,
according to aspects of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a chart plotting exemplary kilowatt hours as a
function of time for an ideal compared to a measured response,
according to aspects of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the movement of a
load in the horizontal and vertical directions, according to
aspects of the present disclosure; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a computer system for
executing computer-readable program code, according to various
aspects of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] According to various aspects of the present disclosure,
approaches are provided for normalizing performance data for the
operation of industrial vehicles. The normalization approaches
herein may be used to translate performance data across operating
facilities (e.g., warehouses), enterprise operations, industries,
etc., by providing a normalized measure that is vehicle
independent. As such, the normalized measure herein is useful in
evaluating industrial vehicles based upon different manufacturers,
makes, models, etc.
[0019] In this manner, aspects of the present disclosure herein
provide a standardized measure of work for an industrial vehicle.
By normalizing industrial vehicle work to a standardized and
consistent unit of measure, comparative analysis (cost, efficiency
or both) may be performed for aspects such as fleet operation,
operational efficiency, team efficiency, and industrial vehicle
operation.
System Architecture
[0020] Aspects of the present disclosure comprise systems that
enable industrial vehicles to wirelessly communicate with an
application deployed in an enterprise computing environment. As
used herein, an industrial vehicle is any equipment that is capable
of moving or otherwise being moved about a work site. Exemplary
industrial vehicles include materials handling vehicles, such as
forklift trucks, reach trucks, turret trucks, walkie stacker
trucks, tow tractors, hand operated pallet trucks, etc.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, an
exemplary computing environment 10 is illustrated, which includes
components that support wireless communication capabilities. A
plurality of industrial vehicles 12, such as materials handling
vehicles (shown as forklift trucks for convenience of
illustration), each includes a communications device that enables
that industrial vehicle 12 to wirelessly communicate with a
processing device, such as an industrial vehicle application server
14. The industrial vehicle application server 14 may further
interact with a data resource 16, e.g., one or more databases, data
stores or other sources of information, to facilitate interaction
with the industrial vehicles 12 as will be described in greater
detail herein.
[0022] The computing environment 10 may further support additional
processing devices 18, which may comprise for example, servers,
personal computers, etc. One or more of the processing devices 18
may also communicate with the industrial vehicles 12 and/or the
industrial vehicle application server 14 across the computing
environment 10.
[0023] The wireless communication architecture may be based upon a
standard wireless fidelity (WiFi) infrastructure, such as may be
deployed using standard 802.11.xx wireless networks for a
communications protocol. However, any other suitable protocol may
alternatively be implemented. In an exemplary WiFi implementation,
one or more wireless access points 20 may be utilized to relay data
between a wireless transceiver of each industrial vehicle 12 and
one or more wired devices of the computing environment 10, e.g.,
the industrial vehicle application server 14.
[0024] Moreover, the computing environment 10 may be supported by
one or more hubs 22 and/or other networking components that
interconnect the various hardware and/or software processing
devices, including for example, routers, firewalls, network
interfaces and corresponding interconnections. The particular
networking components provided in the computing environment 10 may
thus be selected to support one or more intranets, extranets, local
area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), wireless networks
(WiFi), the Internet, including the world wide web, and/or other
arrangements for enabling communication across the computing
environment 10, either real time or otherwise, e.g., via time
shifting, batch processing, etc.
[0025] Also, one or more computing devices may further communicate
with a remote server 30 across a network 32, such as the Internet.
The remote server 30 may comprise, for example, a third party
server (e.g., operated by the industrial vehicle manufacturer) that
interacts with the industrial vehicles 12, the industrial vehicle
application server 14 and/or other processing devices 18 of the
computing environment(s) 10. The remote server 30 may further
interact with a data resource 34, e.g., one or more databases, data
stores or other sources of information.
Industrial Vehicle Data Collection
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, an industrial vehicle 12 includes a
communication device referred to herein as an information linking
device 38, a battery 40 comprised of a plurality of battery cells
42 and a battery monitor 44 that allows monitoring of battery
characteristics, e.g., one or more of current, voltage, resistance,
temperature, water level, etc.
[0027] The information linking device 38, the industrial vehicle
12, and the corresponding computer environment, e.g., as described
with reference to FIG. 1, can incorporate any of the features and
structures as set out in U.S. Pat. No. 8,060,400 to Wellman,
entitled "Fleet Management System", the disclosure of which is
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0028] For instance, the information linking device 38 can include
a display, a transceiver for wireless communication, e.g., with the
application server 14, I/O, a processor in data communication with
memory for storing collected data about the corresponding
industrial vehicle and/or for implementing methods and processes as
set out herein, etc.
[0029] In exemplary implementations, the information linking device
38 is coupled to and/or communicates with industrial vehicle system
components via a suitable industrial vehicle network system, e.g.,
a vehicle network bus. The industrial vehicle network system is any
wired or wireless network, bus or other communications capability
that allows electronic components of the industrial vehicle 12 to
communicate with each other. As an example, the industrial vehicle
network system may comprise a controller area network (CAN) bus,
ZigBee, Bluetooth, Local Interconnect Network (LIN), time-triggered
data-bus protocol (TTP) or other suitable communication strategy.
As will be described more fully herein, utilization of the
industrial vehicle network system enables seamless integration of
the components of the industrial vehicle information linking device
into the native electronics including controllers of the industrial
vehicle 12 and optionally, any electronics peripherals associated
with the industrial vehicle 12 that integrate with and can
communicate over the network system.
[0030] The battery monitor 44 communicates with the information
linking device 38, the information server 14 or both. Moreover, the
battery monitor 44 may be wired to the information linking device
38, or the battery monitor 44 may communicate with the information
linking device 38 using a wireless technology such as Bluetooth,
etc. The battery monitor 44 may include a processor in data
communication with memory, to implement battery monitoring, battery
data logging, for implementing methods and processes as set out
herein, etc.
[0031] Moreover, the battery monitor 44 may interface with various
sensors, such as a current sensor, one or more temperature sensors,
a water level sensor, voltage sensor, etc. to sample battery
characteristics of interest. The results can be stored on the
battery monitor itself. In alternative configurations, the samples
can be communicated to the information linking device 38 for
processing, storage, forwarding to the information server 14, etc.
In still further alternative implementations, the results can be
forwarded to the information server 14, etc.
Normalization--the Unit of Work
[0032] Normalization approaches herein can be understood with
reference to FIG. 3, which illustrates a method 300 of normalizing
industrial vehicle performance data.
[0033] The method 300 comprises establishing, at 302, at least one
category. Each category is associated with a distinct, measureable
activity capable of being performed by an industrial vehicle.
Moreover, each category is characterized by at least one parameter,
which is utilized to measure the corresponding activity. In this
regard, the method can establish distinct, measurable, categories
of industrial vehicle operation. Examples of categories may include
travel distance, travel time, vertical lift distance (i.e., fork
raise and fork lower operations), vertical lift time, etc.
[0034] The method 300 also comprises measuring, at 304, the actual
usage of the industrial vehicle, according to each category of
operation. For instance, the method 300 may electronically collect
data from an industrial vehicle corresponding to actual vehicle
use, where the collected data satisfies the parameter(s) defining
each category. This can be accomplished, for instance, using the
information linking device 38 connected to the industrial vehicle
12, described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As noted in greater
detail herein, the information linking device 38 can communicate
with components, e.g., vehicle controllers, vehicle processors,
sensors, monitors, encoders, etc., by communicating across a
vehicle network bus. The information linking device 38 can also use
dedicated input/output connections to interface with various
sensors, encoders, switches, and other devices on the industrial
vehicle. Thus, in the above example, the method maps data types
that can be extracted from the industrial vehicle 12 by the
information linking device 38, to the parameter(s) that define the
category (or categories). During use of the industrial vehicle, the
information linking device 38 extracts the data values
corresponding to the data types that are mapped to parameters of
the categories to generate the underlying data necessary to compute
a unit of work, as described in greater detail herein.
[0035] The method at 304 may also accumulate the collected data
according to each category. Thus, as the industrial vehicle 12 is
operated, the data associated with each category is accumulated to
provide the ability to normalize the industrial vehicle usage
across a range of operations. For instance, if a category is travel
distance, the parameter may be an expression of distance. As such,
as the industrial vehicle is operated (e.g., throughout a shift),
the total distance traveled is accumulated.
[0036] The method may wirelessly transmit the measured usage to a
remote server at 304, such as by using the information linking
device 38 to communicate the collected data to the information
server 14. In this regard, the accumulation may be carried out at
the industrial vehicle or at the server. For instance, the
industrial vehicle may be configured to send data to the server in
batches, e.g., based upon a preset time interval or otherwise. In
this situation, the server may accumulate the data. As another
example, the industrial vehicle may be outside the range of the
wireless infrastructure (e.g., within a semi trailer on a loading
dock). As such, the information linking device on the industrial
vehicle may accumulate usage data.
[0037] The method 300 also comprises associating, at 306, for each
category, a weighted impact on the work performed by each category
as a function of energy consumed in performing that work at
306.
[0038] The method 300 also comprises providing, at 308, an
indication of the work performed by the industrial vehicle. The
particular manner in which the indication is provided, will likely
depend upon the implementation. However, some examples are
described in greater detail herein.
[0039] Working Examples:
[0040] Referring FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 generally, a simplified approach
to categorizing operations of an industrial vehicle into distinct,
measureable activities (see 302 of FIG. 3) is to define a single
category, corresponding to "in use". For instance, the illustrated
"in use" category 400 is a measure of when the industrial vehicle
is operated. This may comprise travel operations, lift operations,
other operations and combinations thereof. That is, any operation
of use may be grouped into the single category.
[0041] In an illustrative implementation, the measure of actual
vehicle usage may be recorded by a communications device (e.g.,
information linking device 38) monitoring various industrial
vehicle controllers, e.g., traction control, hydraulics control,
etc. through the vehicle network bus to determine the total
industrial vehicle use. The information linking device 38 may, for
instance, communicate across a vehicle CAN bus to determine the
total distance traveled, total time spent traveling, total distance
that forks of the industrial vehicle are moved during lift
operations, etc.
[0042] As used herein, lift operations correspond to the lift
distance, e.g., to the distance that the forks move on the
industrial vehicle. This may be raise only operations, lower only
operations, or a combination of raising and lowering operations, as
the particular application may dictate.
[0043] The singular in use measure may be expressed in an interval
such as time (e.g., minutes of use), in distance (e.g., feet
traveled) or a combination of the two. That is, the "in use"
implementation can be used to capture a measure of work that is
done by an industrial vehicle.
[0044] As noted above with reference to FIG. 2, the industrial
vehicle may also include a battery monitor 44. The battery monitor
44 can be used to measure power drawn, current drawn or other
measures necessary to determine the energy consumed in order to
perform the work measured by the information linking device 38.
[0045] By correlating the information collected by the information
linking device 38 with the battery usage history collected by the
battery monitor 44, a measure of the performance of the industrial
vehicle 12 may be derived based upon work performed and energy
required to perform the measured work.
[0046] The basic concept of FIG. 4 can be expanded to comprehend
multiple categories. For instance, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and
5, an example is provided where at least four categories of
industrial vehicle work are defined. The categories conceptually
define "buckets" of productivity that split the activity of the
industrial vehicle, e.g., by time. For instance, categorizing
operations (see 302 of the method 300) may comprise distinguishing
lift operations from travel operations. In an illustrative example,
operations may be more narrowly defined as "Travel Loaded"--travel
operations while the industrial vehicle is traveling with a load;
"Travel Unloaded"--travel operation while the industrial vehicle is
traveling without a load; "Lift Loaded"--lift operations involving
a load; and "Lift Unloaded"--lift operations not involving a
load.
[0047] In an illustrative example, an encoder or other suitable
device is utilized to measure lift travel. The distance traveled by
the industrial vehicle can be measured using odometer measurements
(taking into account tire travel and slippage), location tracking
systems, navigation systems, combinations of the above, etc.
[0048] Keeping with the above example, the communications device
(information linking device 38) on the industrial vehicle may be
used to measure the actual usage of the industrial vehicle as a
function of each category. For instance, in an illustrative
implementation, the measure of actual vehicle usage may be recorded
by the information linking device 38 monitoring various industrial
vehicle controllers, e.g., traction control, hydraulics control,
etc., through the vehicle network bus to determine the total
industrial vehicle use. The information linking device 38 may, for
instance, communicate across a vehicle CAN bus to relevant native
vehicle controllers to determine the total distance traveled, total
time spent traveling, total distance that forks of the industrial
vehicle are moved during lift operations, etc., for each
category.
[0049] By way of example, the information linking device 38 may
measure a travel distance, where the travel distance is the
distance traveled by the industrial vehicle while the industrial
vehicle is being operated. The information linking device 38 may
also separately measure a lift distance, where the lift distance is
the distance of lift operations performed by the industrial vehicle
while being operated. Still further, the information linking device
38 may separately measure a travel time, where the travel time is
the time required to travel the travel distance. Still further, the
information linking device may separately measure a lift time,
where the lift time is the time required by the lift operations.
Still further, the above-categories can be further defined into
smaller subcategories, such as travel with load, travel without
load, lift with load and lift without load.
[0050] In certain implementations, lift, while generally describing
vertical movement, can be further sub-divided into raising
operations (movement against the direction of gravity) and lowering
operations (movement in the direction of gravity). As such, raising
operations may affect usage differently from lowering operations.
Also, it should be appreciated that vehicle idle time may also
contribute a different usage amount when considered along with the
other recited movements. In other words, even when the vehicle is
not traveling or lifting (raising or lowering), there still exists
a nominal drain on the battery that results from the vehicle simply
being in an operational state, but not moving. Further
clarification is provided below with reference to a specific
example.
[0051] Some industrial vehicles enable "blending", which is the
simultaneous performance of two or more features that define work.
An example of blending is the simultaneous performance of a lifting
operation with a travel operation, etc. Blending may define one or
more additional categories, e.g., a category for each class of
blending. Thus, the capabilities of the particular industrial
vehicle, and the desired complexity/resolution of the method 300
will be used to determine the number of categories. In this regard,
the listing of categories of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are by way of
simplified illustration of concepts, which are not presented by way
of limitation.
[0052] Moreover, as noted above, the battery monitor 44 may be
utilized for extracting information from a battery coupled to the
industrial vehicle so as to measure actual energy consumed by the
industrial vehicle over the travel and/or over the lift operations
(for each category). As such, the battery monitor facilitates
associating for each category, a weighted impact on work performed
by that category as a function of energy consumed in performing
that work. In this regard, the battery monitor 44 may be replaced
by one or more sensors, e.g., a current sensor, voltage sensor,
temperature sensor, or combination thereof, in data communication
with the information linking device 38 or a suitable data capture
device.
Actual or Estimated
[0053] As noted in greater detail herein, the industrial vehicle 12
includes a battery monitor 44 that is capable of sampling battery
characteristics, e.g., current drawn from the battery during use.
As such, the industrial vehicle's use of energy as a function of
work can be based upon actual measurements. Alternatively, the
industrial vehicle's use of energy as a function of work can be
based upon an assigned parameter. The assigned parameter may be
implemented as a programming variable assigned by a remote server,
a value stored within the information linking device 38 or
information server 14, etc. Such an arrangement may be useful, for
instance, where an industrial vehicle does not have a battery
monitor 44. Moreover, estimated and/or actual energy use may be
static or dynamic. Also, the estimated and/or actual energy use may
be task dependent. Regardless, in illustrative implementations
herein, work performed by the industrial vehicle is measured in
power expended per unit of time. An example comprises kilowatt
hours (kWh). The use of kilowatt hours allows for the normalization
of energy usage as a function of work.
Cost of Work
[0054] Aspects of the present disclosure herein contemplate that
work performed by an industrial vehicle corresponds in general, to
the amount of energy transferred by the industrial vehicle acting
through a distance, e.g., net force times a change in distance. In
this regard, one approach to defining a weighted impact on work
performed by a category as a function of energy consumed in
performing that work, is to express the weighted impact as a
"cost".
[0055] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a work
measure (i.e., weighted impact) is defined, that is expressed as
power expended per unit of time, e.g., kilowatt hours. To determine
kilowatt hours of use, the wattage (in watts) times the hours used
divided by 1000 provides kilowatt hours. In practice, the battery
voltage is known or measureable, and is multiplied by the various
measured current draws over time by the battery monitor 44 to
compute power in watts. In other examples, power can be calculated
in other ways, e.g., using load resistance and current, load
resistance and voltage, etc.
[0056] To further reduce the calculation to a measure of financial
cost (cost in dollars), the computed usage in kilowatt hours is
multiplied by cost per kilowatt hour. The cost value may vary,
e.g., based upon the cost to acquire the energy (to charge the
battery for instance). The cost per kilowatt hour may fluctuate
based upon geographic location, day, season and any number of other
factors. However, all such factors are identifiable or discoverable
to the system.
[0057] Moreover, the cost can be further characterized. For
instance, because both time and distance measurements are
available, the system can consider the cost as a function of
distance. By way of example, the system can further characterize
work per unit distance, e.g., kWh/ft.
Static Assignment
[0058] Various aspects of the present disclosure assign a static
baseline value to each defined category of operation. That is, each
category can be given a relative weighted impact on work, e.g.,
weighted impact on the work to energy ratio (and in turn, cost) due
to the amount of energy used. Keeping with the above example, of
both travel and lift operations, each with load and without load, a
static assignment can be made to associate a cost per category. In
a non-limiting but illustrative example, Travel Unloaded may be
assigned a first cost, e.g., 10 kWh/ft. Travel Loaded may be
assigned a second cost, e.g., 15 kWh/ft. Lift Unloaded can be
assigned a third cost, e.g., 20 kWh/ft. Moreover, Lift Loaded can
be assigned a fourth cost, e.g., 25 kWh/ft. Of course, the above is
merely illustrative, and any assigned static amount can be
assigned.
Dynamic Assignment
[0059] The values for the weighted impact on work used when the
industrial vehicle is loaded may be dependent upon the weight of
the load being carried. Any number of techniques may be employed to
account for load weight. For instance, static approximations can be
used. Alternatively, a baseline static value can be used, as
supplemented by a dynamic contribution that accounts for the weight
of the load. As further alternatives, the categories can be defined
granularly to include many buckets, each bucket holding a load or
range of loads. Still further a correction, graduated scale, etc.
may be used. For dynamic loading, there is an increased demand in
the quantity of data required to accurately track the dynamic load
as compared to the static implementation. However, the information
linking device 38 and/or battery monitor 44 may have sufficient
bandwidth to capture the quantity of required data to implement
dynamic compensation.
Task Profiles/Usage Profiles
[0060] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the
categories can be utilized to evaluate energy in terms of
predetermined tasks, e.g., based upon task profiles (also referred
to herein as usage profiles). For instance, in a warehouse
operation, work may be measured by a factor such as "pallets
moved". However, tasks may also comprise measures over a shift,
day, week, replenishment operation, pick operation, etc.
[0061] Moreover, the system can track actual compared to ideal
numbers and measure how efficiently an executed task associated
with a task profile is performed. In this regard, an average kWh/ft
value can be established (ideal, measured or both) per industrial
vehicle, based upon task profiles.
[0062] For instance, a task profile may specify that for a given
industrial vehicle (or type of industrial vehicle/fleet of
industrial vehicles, plant location, or other logical grouping) a
put away profile has a first weighted impact on work (i.e., cost),
e.g., 23.2 kWh/ft. A second task profile, e.g., a replenish profile
has a second cost, e.g., 22.7 kWh/ft. Another task profile has a
third cost, e.g., 13.8 kWh/ft, and yet another task profile, e.g.,
a transport profile, has a fourth cost, e.g., 11.6 kWh/ft. Of
course, any number of task profiles with different costs may be
provided by an implementation of the systems and methods set out
herein.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 6, a chart 600 illustrates via exemplary
data, kWh as a function of total lift distance 602. The chart 600
also illustrates kWh as a function of time for total distance
traveled 604. By evaluating kWh over time, trends and useful data
can be extracted.
[0064] For instance, the chart illustrates that at t0, the
industrial vehicle was stationary. The industrial vehicle began
traveling as noted by 604 having a non-zero value between t0 and
t1. At t1, the kWh as a function of total lift distance 602 spikes,
levels off then subsides by t2. This informs an analyst that a put
away was likely being performed. Also, total distance traveled 604
is non-zero at the initial time that the total lift distance 602
begins to spike. Because the total distance traveled 604 is
non-zero, it can be presumed that a blending operation was being
performed. From t2 to t3, the travel distance is non-zero,
indicating travel of the industrial vehicle. However, the lift
distance is zero, indicating that the industrial vehicle has not
engaged in a lift operation.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 7, a chart 700 illustrates an example
measurement 702 of actual work in kWh performed by an industrial
vehicle as a function of time. The chart 700 also illustrates a
first ideal curve 704 (Max curve) representing operation of the
industrial vehicle in an ideal manner where energy usage is
maximized in favor of potentially (but not necessarily) increasing
worker productivity. For instance, operating the industrial vehicle
along the first ideal curve 704 may correspond to operation of the
industrial vehicle at its maximum capability, thus maximizing the
potential of the industrial vehicle to get work done, e.g., move
pallets.
[0066] The chart 700 also includes a second ideal curve 706 (Min
curve) representing operation of the industrial vehicle in an ideal
manner where energy usage is minimized, potentially (but not
necessarily) at the reduction of worker productivity. For instance,
operating the industrial vehicle along the second ideal curve 706
may correspond to operation of the industrial vehicle in a manner
that minimizes use of energy.
[0067] The area between the example measurement 702 and the first
ideal curve 704, and the area between the example measurement 702
and the second ideal curve 706, represent opportunity for
improvement. More particularly, the area between the first ideal
curve 704 and the example measurement 702 represents an opportunity
for an operator to improve worker productivity by better taking
advantage of the capabilities of the industrial vehicle, e.g., to
move more pallets in a given timeframe. The area between the second
ideal curve 706 and the example measurement 702 represents an
opportunity for an operator to improve energy conservation. This
may be accomplished, e.g., through more efficient use of blending,
traveling with a load lower on the forks, etc.
[0068] Thus, the availability of improvement opportunity is the
integral of the Max (ideal) usage over time (t) minus the integral
of the actual usage as a function of time (t) in order to improve
productivity opportunity (PO). Likewise, the availability of
improvement opportunity is the integral of the Actual usage over
time (t) minus the integral of the Min usage as a function of time
(t) in order to improve energy opportunity (EO). In this regard,
the selection of the proper sampling rate is necessary to achieve
the desired resolution of performance and measure.
[0069] The above chart 700 also demonstrates that opportunities
exist to optimize industrial vehicle utilization based upon a
customized profile. For instance, it may be that a particular
implementation does not want to fully maximize energy consumption
(Max curve) or energy conservation (Min curve). As such, a
customized energy profile can be created that follows a path
intermediate to the first ideal curve 704 and the second ideal
curve 706. Moreover, multiple energy profiles may be created, each
for a desired purpose. Still further, a system such as that
described more fully herein can capture the actual operator energy
use, and create a usage profile that can be compared to a
customized profile. As yet another example implementation, multiple
energy profiles may be available to the operator. The industrial
vehicle operator can then select an energy profile that is suitable
for the operator and/or operator assigned tasks. For instance, the
operator can be first shown their actual energy usage. Based upon
knowing their actual energy usage, the operator may have the
opportunity to select among one or more energy profiles. This
information can be utilized for assessments of energy use compared
to worker productivity, examples of which are set out in greater
detail herein.
Efficiency Assessments
[0070] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the
assessment of operations and operation efficiency can be carried
out in an efficient and organized manner. For instance, the unit of
work discussed more fully herein, may be used to implement a
warehouse management system that is standardized to the industrial
vehicle. That is, by measuring the work performed by each
industrial vehicle, data is naturally collected as a matter of
normal operation. According to aspects of the present disclosure,
pre-determined tasks can be utilized against which standardized
measures of each industrial vehicle work is measured (e.g., on an
individual vehicle basis). This allows the measurement of work
required by various industrial vehicles to perform activities, such
as put-aways, picks, etc. Thus, the normal job of an industrial
engineer with a stop watch and a clip board is replaced with an
accurate, automatic, continuous data collection device. The analyst
simply allows the industrial vehicles to do their jobs and allow
the data to be collected. Once collected, the analyst can evaluate
the collected data to perform any necessary operations
optimizations that are desired.
Operational Productivity
[0071] According to aspects of the present disclosure herein,
operational productivity can be evaluated. More particularly, the
unit of work described herein allows for a vehicle-driven standard
for measuring performance. Thus, a standard of measure can be
customized to each particular industrial vehicle. By customizing
the standard to the truck, any factors unique to the industrial
vehicle can be normalized out of an analysis, so that activities
such as performance measures related to the operation of the
industrial vehicle can be more accurately evaluated. For example,
an operator using an older truck is not penalized in a performance
assessment due solely to the truck. Rather, the normalized
capabilities of the truck serve as a benchmark for gauging the
performance of operations involving the industrial vehicle.
[0072] As a few additional illustrative examples, in evaluating
operation productivity, the cost of inputs to a productivity
calculation, divided by the revenue of output should be less than a
maximum acceptable productivity ratio. Using the techniques herein,
various productivity metrics can be realized. For instance, a ratio
can be measured, representing the total time spent on the
industrial vehicle while using the vehicle for productive work. As
another example, time required to perform certain tasks can be
evaluated. This may be an inverse relationship to pallets moved for
a given time period. Moreover, the efficiency of the industrial
vehicle itself can be evaluated (e.g., kWh as a function of work
completed/tasks completed.
[0073] Still further, aspects of the present disclosure herein
allow an analysis of the cost of operation in terms of
compensation, the cost of energy to perform work (e.g., in dollars
per kWh), etc.
Universal Units of Work--Work Unit (W.U.)
[0074] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method of
normalizing performance data for the operation of industrial
vehicles, comprises defining a universal unit of work. A universal
unit of work may be determined by measuring the total horizontal
movement of an industrial vehicle over a pre-determined interval
and measuring the total vertical movement of the forks of the
industrial vehicle over the pre-determined interval. The universal
unit of work is further defined by summing the total horizontal
movement and the total vertical movement to a summed total and
dividing the summed total by a standardizing factor.
[0075] The universal unit of work may be used with the other
approaches herein. For instance, a method may define a plurality of
categories, each category corresponding to a predefined task, as
described in the examples discussed with FIGS. 3 and 4. Moreover,
the universal unit of work may be used with predefined tasks, e.g.,
using the task profiles described more fully herein. This allows
standardized measures of varying degrees of granularity. For
instance, industrial vehicles can be compared down to the measure
of a work unit. Alternatively, comparisons can be made by category,
e.g., travel with a load, travel without a load, lift with a load,
lift without a load, blending, etc. Still further, comparisons can
be made for particular tasks (usage profiles) such as picks,
replenishments, pallet movement, etc. Still further, comparisons
can be made on operators, teams, shifts, fleets, industrial
vehicles, and other desired measures.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 8, the Work unit is a mechanism for
normalizing performance data across warehouses, operations and
industry-vertical database categories.
[0077] Let X=Total Horizontal Travel Distance Loaded (e.g., in
feet)
[0078] Let Y=Total Vertical Lift Distance Loaded (e.g., in
feet)
[0079] Let .SIGMA.(X,Y)/Z=Total Work units (W.U.). Here, Z is the
standardizing factor. That is, Z is an arbitrary number selected to
normalize the summation to a reasonable number for convenience of
manipulation of the unit of work. In an illustrative
implementation, Z=100. Thus, as a few illustrative examples: [0080]
1 W.U.=100 feet moved with a load in either/both directions; [0081]
1 W.U.=80 feet traveled loaded+20 feet lifted loaded; [0082] 1
W.U.=100 feet traveled loaded+0 feet lifted loaded.
[0083] The W.U. may be utilized to evaluate the cost of operation
by dividing cost by the W.U. that was determined to derive
cost/W.U. The W.U. can be used with the categories described above
with reference to FIGS. 3-7. For instance, the W.U. can be computed
for each category, and the calculated W.U. for each category can be
applied to determine cost of operations.
Management
[0084] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the
unit of work herein, can be utilized to create management standards
based upon a combination of dynamic tasks (i.e., tasks centered
around the industrial vehicle), static tasks (i.e., non-dynamic
tasks not utilizing the industrial vehicle), or combination of
dynamic and static tasks. Thus, using the unit of work described
herein, warehouse management systems, labor management systems,
etc., can shift to a vehicle-centered focus. Moreover, tasks can be
characterized in the management system, which are normalized by the
industrial vehicle. For instance, vehicles for tasks such as pick
and put away operations may be allocated based upon the cost per
vehicle to complete each operation in order to drive cost of fleet
ownership down. Still further, factors that may ultimately affect
the performance of an industrial vehicle, e.g., battery condition,
tire diameter, tire wear, hydraulic pump motor efficiency,
operation of the industrial vehicle, etc. can be fleshed out using
the industrial vehicle comparisons.
Analyst Dashboard
[0085] As noted above with regard to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the
information linking device 38, the battery monitor 44 or both, can
communication collected information to a remote server, e.g.,
server 14. This allows the server to explore the collected data to
generate reports, displays, etc. In an illustrative implementation,
a (near) real-time dashboard displays information about the work
being performed by a fleet of industrial vehicles.
[0086] For instance, a dashboard may reside on an analyst or
manager computer screen desktop to allow the analyst to monetize
the opportunities for improvement in the operation of the managed
industrial vehicle fleet, to prioritize activities and take
action.
[0087] In general, an analyst can use the above-described data to
answer queries such as "which opportunities represent the largest
savings and highest priority"; "what actions are required to take
to realize savings", etc. The analyst can start off by measuring
relative performance. For instance, a database (e.g., local site's
application specific database or a broad vertical database of a
manufacturer, such as database 34 of FIG. 1) of warehouse
performance is utilized to identify opportunities for reducing
operational waste (cost) by comparing a site (environment)
performance to performance in their industry. Monetization of the
delta between actual performance and the benchmarked performance
from the historical databases (customer's data or industry data)
can be implemented. Monetization of opportunities helps managers
prioritize their focus.
[0088] An exemplary dashboard may show, for example, a main cost
rollup charting cost per unit work of a fleet of industrial
vehicles over a period of time. Thresholds can be set where the
cost/unit work is too high, thus triggering an alert. Approaches
such as that above, provide an opportunity in identifying money
that has been spent in the operation (for example, cost per hour of
operators that have been driving industrial vehicles). A second
opportunity is lost time, measured in terms of money (for example,
excessive non-productive time spent on the industrial
vehicles).
Specific Example
[0089] Having described various embodiments, this disclosure
provides a specific example in an effort to more clearly describe
how the above-described embodiments may be implemented. It should,
however, be appreciated that this specific example is a
non-limiting example and is only provided for purposes of
clarity.
[0090] By way of example, presume that a 3 ton (2,721 Kilogram)
unloaded forklift truck that is located in a center of a
5,000-foot-by-5,000-foot (1524 meter.times.1524 meter) warehouse
will be used to carry a 2000 pound (907 Kilogram) pallet from a
three-foot-high shelf (0.91 meter shelf) on a first location of the
warehouse to an eight-foot-high shelf (2.44 meter shelf) at a
second location of the warehouse. For simplicity, presume that only
orthogonal paths are permitted (e.g., 90-degree left turns,
90-degree right turns, 180-degree U-turns, straight-line paths,
etc.). With these presumptions, the example calculation would
proceed as follows.
[0091] The unloaded forklift proceeds northbound from the center of
the warehouse, and travels 25 feet (7.62 meters). This unloaded,
northbound travel draws 50 amperes of current from a 36 volt, 600
amp-hour battery over the course of 0.2 minutes. When the unloaded
forklift reaches the northern stopping point, it makes a 90-degree
turn toward the east. This 90-degree turn draws 25 amperes of
current from the battery over 0.1 minutes. The unloaded forklift
then travels eastbound 25 feet (7.62 meters) until it reaches the
destination where the pallet resides. This eastbound travel draws
50 amperes of current from the battery over 0.2 minutes.
[0092] To the extent that the pallet is located on a
three-foot-high shelf (0.91 meter shelf), the forklift raises its
forks three feet (0.91 meter) and moves forward to place the forks
underneath the pallet and slightly raise the now-loaded forks. This
lifting operation draws 100 amperes of current over 0.2 minutes.
The now-loaded forklift makes a 180-degree U-turn, drawing 50
amperes of current from the battery over 0.1 minutes. The forks are
lowered three feet (0.91 meter) to ground level, drawing 10 amperes
of current over 0.1 minutes. The lowering operation draws less
current than the raising operation, since the work is being done
along the direction of gravity rather than against the direction of
gravity.
[0093] For this example, other traffic in the warehouse causes the
now-loaded forklift to remain stationary (or idles) for 2 minutes,
for which 10 amperes of current are drawn due to the idle time.
Because the forklift is still in operation, idling draws some
nominal amount of current from the battery.
[0094] Having made the U-turn, the loaded forklift travels 50 feet
(15.24 meters) westbound, thereby drawing 150 amperes from the
battery over 0.7 minutes. From this example, the loaded forklift
draws more current and moves more slowly than the unloaded forklift
Upon reaching the western stopping point, the loaded forklift makes
a 90-degree southward turn, which draws 50 amperes over 0.3
minutes. Thereafter the loaded forklift travels southbound 50 feet
(15.24 meters) to its final destination where the pallet is to be
unloaded. This southbound travel draws 150 amperes over 0.7
minutes.
[0095] Having reached the southwest destination, the loaded
forklift raises its forks slightly above eight feet (2.44 meter),
which is the height of the shelf on which the pallet must be
deposited. That lifting operation draws 200 amperes over 0.2
minutes. This raising operation with the pallet draws more current
than the raising operation without the pallet, since more energy is
needed to raise loaded forks than unloaded forks.
[0096] The pallet is placed on the shelf, and the now-unloaded
forklift moves backward 10 feet (3 meters) while concurrently
lowering its forks from eight feet (2.44 meter) to ground level
(for a total linear distance of 12.8 feet/3.9 meters). In other
words, having unloaded the pallet, the unloaded forklift performs a
blended operation (concurrently traveling and lowering of forks).
This blended operation draws 25 amperes of current over 0.1
minutes.
[0097] Thus, in this specific example, the total event cost (or the
cost of the entire sequence of events) of this operation is 31,320
kWh. This event cost was expended over the course of 4.9 minutes
and over a total distance of 176.8 feet (53.89 meters).
[0098] Should more information than simply the total event cost be
desired, then the total event cost can be further weighted or
modified to extract those numbers. For example, in a very simple
example, the total event cost can be divided by the total linear
distance traveled by the forklift to provide the event cost per
unit distance (i.e., kWh/ft) or event cost per unit time (i.e.,
kWh/min). So, for this particular example, the event cost per unit
distance would be 177.1 kWh/ft and the event cost per unit time
would be 6391.8 kWh/min.
[0099] As noted above, each distinct operation (e.g., idle,
unloaded travel, loaded travel, unloaded raising, loaded raising,
unloaded lowering, loaded lowering, turning, etc.) results in a
different current draw on the battery. In other words, each
distinct operation results in a different usage cost. As such, one
may wish to know more than simply the coarse kWh/ft or kWh/min. For
those types of specifics, one may assign a distinct weighting
factor that corresponds to each distinct task to properly reflect
the actual energy cost for those distinct tasks. For example, from
experimental measurement data, a higher weight can be assigned to
loaded raising of the forks than unloaded lowering of the forks,
and yet another weight to vehicle idling, etc. By assigning
weighting factors indicative of each distinct task, the system can
more-accurately estimate the total energy cost associated with a
predefined task. Also, this weighting factor may take into
consideration the weight of a particular vehicle (e.g., hand
operated pallet truck may be assigned a lower weight than an
industrial forklift truck, since one would require more current
than the other).
[0100] Taking all of these factors into account, it is
mathematically possible to assign a universal unit of work (W.U.),
as described above, which permits an equivalent comparison between
the hand operated pallet truck and the industrial forklift truck.
In other words, the universal unit of work would effectively allow
comparisons of vehicles and tasks that were previously difficult
(if not impossible) without the W.U.
[0101] By way of example, using the specific forklift example, the
total event cost (EC.sub.total) may be calculated according to the
following equations:
EC total = n = 1 N ( A n ) , [ Eq . 1 ] ##EQU00002##
where A.sub.n=X.sub.nt.sub.n, with A.sub.n representing a weighted
activity, X.sub.n representing a weight, and t.sub.n representing a
time-duration during which each corresponding activity is being
performed. From Eq. 1, a normalized event cost (EC.sub.norm) can be
calculated as:
EC norm = EC total n = 1 N ( t n ) , [ Eq . 2 ] ##EQU00003##
Should one wish to scale the normalized event cost with a scaling
factor (S), then Eq. 2 can simply be multiplied by the scaling
factor (S).
[0102] In another example, rather than using time as a baseline,
the total event cost (EC.sub.total) may be calculated using
distance as a baseline. So, in Eq. 1, A.sub.n=X.sub.nd.sub.n, with
A.sub.n representing a weighted activity, X.sub.n representing a
weight, and d.sub.n representing a distance that corresponds to the
activity that is being performed. From this, the normalized event
cost (EC.sub.norm) can be calculated as:
EC norm = EC total n = 1 N ( d n ) , [ Eq . 3 ] ##EQU00004##
Again, should one wish to scale the normalized event cost with a
scaling factor (S), then Eq. 3 can simply be multiplied by the
scaling factor (S).
[0103] Since each activity or task expends a different amount of
energy (e.g., raising loaded forks expends more energy than
lowering unloaded forks, etc.), and since each different type of
vehicle expends a different amount of energy for the same task
(e.g., forklift expends more energy than hand pallet mover, etc.),
the weight is a function of both vehicle type and activity type
(e.g., unloaded traveling, loaded traveling, unloaded turning,
loaded turning, unloaded raising, loaded raising, unloaded
lowering, loaded lowering, blended combination of activities, etc.)
and a combination of vehicle type and activity type.
[0104] The specific numbers (e.g., amperes of current drawn,
minutes traveled, weight of the pallet, truck weight, type of
truck, etc.) are only used as examples, and these numbers may be
different based on actual measurements, more-detailed
specifications, etc. Also, it should be appreciated that
experimental results from varying vehicles, tasks, and conditions
can be used to refine weighting factors that are used to derive the
universal W.U.
[0105] Referring to FIG. 9, a schematic of an exemplary computer
system having computer readable program code for executing aspects
described herein with regard to the preceding FIGURES. The computer
system can be in the server computer 14, the information linking
device 38, the battery monitor 44, combinations thereof, etc.
[0106] The computer system 900 includes one or more microprocessors
910 that are connected to memory 920 via a system bus 930. A bridge
940 connects the system bus 930 to an I/O Bus 950 that links
peripheral devices to the microprocessor(s) 910. Peripherals may
include storage 960, such as a hard drive, removable media storage
970, e.g., floppy, flash, CD and/or DVD drive, I/O device(s) 980
such as a keyboard, mouse, etc. and a network adapter 990. The
memory 920, storage 960, removable media insertable into the
removable media storage 970 or combinations thereof, implement
computer-readable hardware that stores machine-executable program
code for implementing the methods, configurations, interfaces and
other aspects set out and described herein.
[0107] Still further, the exemplary computer system may be
implemented as an apparatus for normalizing industrial vehicle
performance data, which may comprise a processor (e.g.,
microprocessor 910) coupled to a memory (e.g., memory 920, storage
960, removable media insertable into the removable media storage
970 or combinations thereof), wherein the processor is programmed
to normalize industrial vehicle performance data by executing
program code to perform one or more of the methods set out
herein.
[0108] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product. The computer program product may include
a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer
readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to
carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0109] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device, e.g., the system described with
reference to FIG. 9. Thus, a computer readable storage medium, as
used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per
se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic
waves through a transmission media.
[0110] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless
network.
[0111] Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams. Each
block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and
combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions.
These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor
of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other
programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such
that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the
computer or other programmable instruction execution apparatus,
create a mechanism for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. In some
alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may
occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two
blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially
concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the
reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will
also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or
flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block
diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by
special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified
functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and
computer instructions.
[0112] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that when executed can direct a computer,
other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions when
stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of
manufacture including instructions which when executed, cause a
computer to implement the function/act specified in the flowchart
and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0113] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the
disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the"
are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0114] The corresponding structures, material s, acts, and
equivalents of any means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any disclosed structure,
material, or act for performing the function in combination with
other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of
the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive
or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure herein were chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure
and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary
skill in the art to understand the disclosure with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0115] Having thus described the disclosure of the present
application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it
will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible
without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the
appended claims.
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