Lead wire
What is a lead wire?
A guide wire is a conductor laid in the roadway that flows through the current and serves as a reference for inductive vehicle guidance.
How does a lead wire work?
In this method, a driverless or partially automated vehicle does not rely on optical markers but on the electromagnetic field generated by the guide wire. Sensors on the vehicle continuously detect this field and use it to determine the lateral position relative to the specified path. Based on this information, the steering is adjusted so that the vehicle follows the path precisely.
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The sensors mounted on the vehicle, often in the form of wheel sensors, measure the field generated by the guide wire and evaluate its strength and position. This allows the vehicle to determine its position relative to the wire without requiring mechanical contact or a visible trace. The inductive guidance system is thus a robust, self-contained guidance system for defined paths.
What are the benefits?
An essential advantage of inductive vehicle guidance lies in its high sensitivity to environmental influences on the roadway. Unlike optical systems that rely on visible lines or contrast markings, the function remains reliable even in the presence of oil, dust, dirt, tire wear, or adverse lighting conditions. This robustness is particularly crucial in industrial facilities, logistics areas, or harbor environments, making it a key reason for its widespread use.
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In addition, the operating frequency, current intensity, and the permissible distance between the sensor and the lead wire can be adapted to different applications. Modern sensor systems with integrated evaluation electronics or microcomputers enhance the control quality, diagnostic capabilities, and operating convenience.
How is the system structured?
Such a system typically consists of a track guidance generator or inductive frequency generator, vehicle-side sensors or guidance or steering antennas, and the wire installed in the ground. The ground system is usually designed based on application requirements and created by the operator.
What are the applications of a lead wire?
Inductive track guidance systems are primarily used in intra-company transport, for example in driverless transport systems. In addition, they are increasingly being used in specialized applications, for example in buses in public transport, in special vehicles in tunnel systems, and in driver assistance and collision protection systems.
Synonyms:
Lead wire
Induction wire
Power cable
Track guidance wire
Power cable
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