AGV Transfer Mechanism With Extendable Carrier Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing solutions for transferring load carriers between industrial conveyors and workstations require significant effort, costs, and installation space, especially when converting manual systems to automated guided vehicles, due to the need for synchronized driven roller conveyors and increased data processing and communication efforts.
Innovation Solution
A driverless transport vehicle with a movable traversing element that can extend and retract horizontally beyond its frame dimensions, allowing for easy pickup and delivery of load carriers without the need for synchronized conveyor systems, thereby reducing the requirement for additional infrastructure and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If driven roller conveyors are installed at both the industrial truck and the workstation to enable bidirectional transfer of load carriers, then the transfer capability is improved, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drive mechanism from the workstation side and relocates it entirely to the industrial truck (AGV). The workstation retains only passive roller conveyors for support, while the AGV carries active roller conveyors and drive units that enable it to independently perform both pickup and delivery operations at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller conveyors on the AGV are designed to be movable and extendable, allowing the drive units to be positioned dynamically at different locations along the AGV body. This enables the single drive system to serve multiple transfer points without requiring permanent installation at each workstation.
2Reliability
If synchronized driven roller conveyors are implemented at both transfer points, then the transfer reliability is improved, but the energy consumption and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive function is extracted from the stationary workstation infrastructure and consolidated into the mobile AGV system. This eliminates the need for parallel drive systems at both ends, reducing total energy consumption while maintaining transfer reliability through the AGV's centralized control and drive capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The AGV performs all active transfer operations independently using its own drive units, without requiring external power or control systems at the workstation. The passive rollers at the workstation merely provide mechanical support, and the AGV's own propulsion system handles all load carrier manipulation.
3Manufacturing precision
If communication and synchronization systems are added to coordinate between the industrial truck and workstation conveyors, then the transfer precision is improved, but the data processing effort and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control and coordination functions are extracted from the workstation and consolidated into the AGV's control system. The AGV independently manages all transfer operations, positioning, and timing without requiring complex bidirectional communication protocols with the workstation, simplifying the overall control architecture.
4Productivity
If the AGV uses a compact frame design, then the productivity and speed are improved, but the ability to pick up load carriers from workstations is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The AGV employs movable and extendable roller conveyors that can be deployed outward from the compact frame during pickup operations, then retracted during transport. This dynamic configuration allows the AGV to maintain a compact profile for high-speed travel while expanding its functional reach when interacting with workstations.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller conveyor system is divided into modular segments that can be independently positioned and controlled. This segmentation allows different portions of the conveyor system to perform specialized functions at different times, enabling the compact AGV to effectively interact with various workstation configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an automated guided vehicle (1) having a frame (10) designed to receive a transit auxiliary (3). The automated guided vehicle (1) is characterized by at least one displacement element (14) which is designed to be moved in and out in at least one horizontal direction (Y) relative to the frame (10) at least to one side beyond the external dimensions of said frame, wherein the displacement element (14) is further designed to carry the transit auxiliary (3) along with it.