AGV Fall Prevention Actuators for Cleanroom Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of electric outriggers in automated guided vehicles increases the scale of the vehicle body, making them unsuitable for clean environments.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle is equipped with a fall prevention device comprising first and second electric actuators with heads that move vertically to contact a drive linkage, sensors to detect contact, and a control unit to manage these components, reducing the need for hydraulic actuators and minimizing vehicle body scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electric outriggers are used to replace hydraulic outriggers for clean environment operation, then the vehicle can be used in clean environments, but the vehicle body scale increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fall prevention function is segmented into multiple electric actuators positioned at different locations (front, rear, left, right) of the vehicle body. Each actuator independently provides stabilization in its respective direction, replacing the need for a single large hydraulic outrigger system while maintaining clean environment compatibility through electric actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric actuators are integrated into the vehicle body structure with their heads positioned within or near the drive units. The actuators are nested within the existing vehicle framework, utilizing available space efficiently to minimize overall vehicle scale increase while providing the necessary fall prevention capability for clean environment operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electric actuators are used instead of hydraulic actuators, then the vehicle can operate in clean environments, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic fluid system is extracted and removed from the actuation mechanism. Electric actuators are used instead, eliminating hydraulic hoses, pumps, and fluid management systems. This extraction of the hydraulic subsystem reduces potential contamination sources while the electric actuators are directly integrated into the vehicle's electrical system, managing complexity through electrification rather than hydraulic complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric actuators serve multiple functions: they provide fall prevention stabilization, can potentially assist with drive unit oscillation control, and integrate with the existing electrical control system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, managing overall device complexity by having the actuators perform multiple roles within the vehicle.
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 solution allows the vehicle to operate in clean environments without increasing its scale, ensuring stability and preventing falls while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric actuator, having a first head that moves vertically under the control of the control unit
Implementation Method 2
a second electric actuator, having a second head that moves vertically under the control of the control unit
Implementation Method 3
the first sensor attached to the first contact member is disposed via a bracket in the first opening portion and directly detects the contact of the first head with the first head contact surface
Implementation Method 4
the second sensor attached to the second contact member is disposed via a bracket in the second opening portion and directly detects the contact of the second head with the second head contact surface
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(C)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is an automated guided vehicle which can be used in a clean environment and with which it is possible to suppress increases in the scale of a vehicle body. An automated guided vehicle 1 provided with a fall prevention device for preventing the vehicle body 2 from falling over, wherein the fall prevention device is provided with a control unit 13, a first electric actuator 11 attached to the vehicle body 2 above a first drive unit 4, and a second electric actuator 12 attached to the vehicle body 2 above a second drive unit 5. The first electric actuator 11 prevents the vehicle body 2 from falling over toward one side by bringing a first head into contact with a drive linkage 10, and the second electric actuator 12 prevents the vehicle body 2 from falling over toward the other side by bringing a second head into contact with the drive linkage 10.