AGV Cart Coupling With External Lift for Precise Machining Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driverless transport systems in machining workshops face issues with positioning inaccuracy, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for precise robot positioning and additional load carrying, which reduces the weight capacity and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A driverless transport system comprising a cart with wheels, an autonomous guided vehicle, and a lifting device with a gripper and coupling mechanism that compensates for positioning inaccuracies by using a fixed lifting device outside the vehicle, allowing the cart to carry heavy loads without motorization, and integrating a cart locking mechanism for precise engagement with the vehicle and lifting device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the robot is integrated on the driverless vehicle to compensate positioning inaccuracy, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the vehicle must carry additional load which reduces energy efficiency and load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the positioning function from the transport function. The fixed positioning device remains stationary while the driverless vehicle remains mobile, eliminating the need for the vehicle to carry additional positioning equipment. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to optimize its specific function without burdening the vehicle with extra load.
Solution Approach 2:
A cart is introduced as an intermediary component between the driverless vehicle and the positioning device. The cart can be coupled to both the vehicle for transport and the fixed positioning device for accurate positioning. This intermediary allows the vehicle to achieve precise positioning without carrying the positioning device itself, thus maintaining energy efficiency while improving positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the robot is integrated on the driverless vehicle, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the total load capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the functionality into separate components: the driverless vehicle handles transport, the fixed positioning device handles positioning, and the cart serves as a transfer interface. This segmentation allows the vehicle to maintain full load capacity since it does not need to carry the positioning device or robot, while still achieving accurate positioning through the fixed device and cart coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cart acts as an intermediary that can be coupled to both the driverless vehicle and the fixed positioning device. This allows the vehicle to transport heavy loads on the cart while the positioning device provides accurate positioning when needed, without the vehicle itself carrying the positioning equipment weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cart is motorized to move independently, then transport flexibility is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cart is designed to be self-moving through simple mechanisms such as rollers or a conveyor belt, eliminating the need for complex motorization. The cart can move objects independently while being coupled to the driverless vehicle for transport, providing flexibility without significant system complexity or cost increase.
4Reliability
If the autonomous guided vehicle positions highly precisely, then automation system integration is improved, but the positioning inaccuracy of driverless vehicles makes this difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed positioning device and cart coupling mechanism serve as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the driverless vehicle's limited positioning accuracy and the automation system's high precision requirements. The cart can be precisely positioned by the fixed device after being transported by the vehicle, enabling reliable automation system integration despite the vehicle's positioning limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces reliance on the driverless vehicle's mechanical positioning precision with a fixed positioning device that provides accurate positioning. This substitution transfers the precision requirement from the mobile vehicle to the stationary device, enabling reliable automation integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances positioning accuracy, reduces energy consumption, and increases load capacity, enabling efficient transport of heavy objects up to 1000 kg while minimizing costs and maintaining stability.
Implementation Method 1
The lifting device includes a column, a gripper and a driving unit configured to move the gripper in the vertical direction on the column
Implementation Method 2
The cart locking mechanism is movably connected to the cart and includes at least one receiving element and at least one receiving means. The autonomous guided vehicle includes at least one coupling element configured to be engaged with the receiving element for locking the cart with the autonomous guided vehicle
Implementation Method 3
The cart comprises supporting elements with wheels and a carry element supported by the supporting elements for holding the object. The cart is moveable on the wheels
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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AI summary
Driverless transport system (1) for transporting an object applied for machining, in particular for machining a part by a machine tool (2) comprising: a. a cart (50) for holding the object having supporting elements with wheels and a carry element supported by the supporting elements for holding the object; b. a cart locking mechanism movably connected to the cart including at least one receiving element (63, 64) and at least one receiving means (62, 65); c. an autonomous guided vehicle (10) including at least one coupling element (20a, 20b,) configured to be engaged with the receiving element for locking the cart with the autonomous guided vehicle, wherein during transport the cart is located above the autonomous guided vehicle and driven by the autonomous vehicle to move on its wheels; and d. a lifting device (30) arranged at the outside of the autonomous guided vehicle, wherein the lifting device includes a column, a gripper (40) and a driving unit configured to move the gripper in the vertical direction on the column, wherein at least one coupling means (43a, 43b) is provided and configured to be engaged with the receiving means for locking the cart with the lifting device.