AGV Tray Lifting and Rotation for Uneven Surface Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) in logistics and warehousing needs improvement, particularly in adapting to undulating road surfaces and maintaining stable operation over time.
Innovation Solution
An AGV design featuring a hinged chassis with a rotating and lifting mechanism, including a slewing bearing, damping assembly, and multi-link lifting mechanism, which allows the tray to ascend, descend, and rotate, enhancing adaptability and stability by distributing pressure and reducing mechanical wear-induced shaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed chassis is used, then the structure is simple, but the AGV cannot adapt to undulating road surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is divided into a fixed base portion and a movable platform portion connected by a hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows the platform to rotate independently to adapt to uneven surfaces while the base remains stable, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism enables the platform to dynamically adjust its angle relative to the base, transforming the static chassis into a dynamic structure that can adapt to varying road conditions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
2Reliability
If a rigid connection is used between tray and chassis, then the structure is stable, but mechanical wear causes shaking over time
Solution Approach 1:
A damping assembly with elastic elements is introduced as an intermediary between the tray and chassis. This intermediary component absorbs mechanical wear and vibrations, maintaining stable operation over time while allowing the rigid connection to provide structural stability. The elastic elements act as a buffer that compensates for wear-induced gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection stiffness is made variable through the damping assembly, which can adjust its effective stiffness based on operating conditions. This parameter change allows the system to maintain stability during normal operation while accommodating wear over time, extending the duration of steady operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tray is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the AGV cannot flexibly transfer goods
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism and rotating mechanism are merged into an integrated assembly that operates from a single drive source. This merging provides both vertical lifting and rotational movement capabilities while sharing common structural and actuation components, reducing overall complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray assembly is designed with multi-functionality, capable of both lifting and rotating operations. This universal design allows a single mechanism to perform multiple goods transfer functions, reducing the need for separate specialized mechanisms and thereby controlling complexity while enhancing adaptability.
4Force
If a direct drive mechanism is used, then the structure is compact, but the lifting force is insufficient for heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism uses a nested arrangement where the crank mechanism is integrated within the existing platform structure. The crank rotates within the platform's rotational degree of freedom, and the connecting rod transfers motion to the lifting point. This nesting provides mechanical advantage for heavy loads while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The crank mechanism introduces curved motion paths that convert rotational motion into vertical lifting motion with mechanical advantage. The curved geometry of the crank and connecting rod arrangement provides force multiplication, enabling heavy load lifting without requiring a complex multi-stage transmission system.
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 design improves the AGV's ability to navigate uneven surfaces, reduces tray shaking, and enhances operational steadiness and reliability, ensuring efficient and flexible goods transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a damping assembly, including a connecting plate and an elastic ball, the connecting plate being arranged on an axial side of the outer ring and connected to the inner ring, and the elastic ball being arranged on the connecting plate and being squeezed by the outer ring
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to the technical field of transfer equipment, in particular to an AGV. The AGV includes: a chassis; a traveling mechanism arranged on the chassis to implement traveling of the AGV; and a supporting assembly including a tray, a rotating assembly and a lifting mechanism, the tray being connected to the lifting mechanism through the rotating assembly, the lifting mechanism being arranged on the chassis and including a lifting drive mechanism and a lifting mechanism, the lifting drive mechanism being in drive connection with the rotating assembly through the lifting mechanism to drive the rotating assembly and the tray to ascend or descend, and the rotating assembly driving the tray to rotate relative to the chassis. Based on this, the performance of AGVs can be improved.