Adaptive Leg Mechanism for Unmanned Package Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing package supporting devices and unmanned transporters are limited in their ability to accommodate packages of different sizes and shapes, as they often have fixed dimensions and shapes that cannot be adjusted.
Innovation Solution
A package supporting device with movable and rotatable leg portions that can adjust to support packages of varying sizes and shapes, featuring a base with leg portions that can move towards the package and rotate vertically to abut adjacent sides, and a drive mechanism to facilitate this adjustment, along with rotation restricting springs to prevent unnecessary rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size containers are used below the unmanned aerial vehicle, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different package sizes and shapes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The leg portions are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to extend and retract to accommodate packages of different sizes. The second supporting portions enable rotation of the leg portions around the vertical axis, providing dynamic adaptation to various package shapes and orientations
Solution Approach 2:
The package supporting device is designed with universal functionality to support various types of packages (different sizes, shapes, and orientations) using the same base structure. The movable and rotatable leg portions allow a single device to adapt to multiple package configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotatable leg portions are added to accommodate different package orientations, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leg portions incorporate rotational capability through the second supporting portions, allowing them to pivot around the vertical axis. This dynamic rotation enables the device to adapt to packages with different orientations without requiring multiple fixed-position support structures
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: first supporting portions for vertical movement, second supporting portions for rotation, and leg portions for package contact. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design
3Reliability
If rotation restricting portions are added to prevent unnecessary rotation, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rotation restricting portions are incorporated to preemptively prevent unnecessary rotation of the leg portions around the vertical axis. This ensures stable package support by counteracting potential instability before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation restricting portions modify the rotational parameter of the leg portions, allowing controlled rotation when needed while preventing unnecessary rotation. This selective parameter control maintains reliability without completely restricting movement
Data Source
AI summary
A package supporting device includes: a base; leg portions provided at an underside of the base, each of the leg portions including two abutting portions that abut two adjacent side surfaces of a package when viewed from above, and each of the leg portions supporting a corner portion of the package; first supporting portions fixed to the underside of the base, each first supporting portion supporting a respective one of the leg portions so as to be movable toward the package and away from the package; a drive portion that causes each of the leg portions to move toward the package or away from the package; and second supporting portions that are provided between the base and a respective one of the leg portions, and supports the respective one of the leg portions so as to be rotatable with a vertical direction as an axial direction.