Autonomous Mobile Robot Rear-Mounted Load Carrier Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous mobile robots face challenges in safely and efficiently picking up and placing load carriers due to the exposed and space-consuming fork carriages, which pose operational safety risks and maneuverability issues.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates pivotable or rotatable arms arranged asymmetrically on the chassis, allowing for gripping and positioning load carriers above the chassis, with a balancing weight system to manage center of gravity and improve stability, and interchangeable gripping means for various load types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fork carriages are used to pick up load carriers, then load carrying capability is improved, but operational safety deteriorates due to exposed and space-consuming structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load carrying function from the exposed fork carriage structure and relocates it to a compact receiving device positioned at the rear of the robot. The receiving device includes a platform and gripping mechanism that can secure load carriers without exposing dangerous protruding elements in the front operating area, thereby eliminating the safety hazard while preserving load carrying capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the load carrying operation from a front-facing horizontal approach (fork carriages extending forward) to a rear-facing vertical approach (receiving device at the rear end). This dimensional repositioning allows the robot to pick up load carriers from the side/rear rather than from the front, changing the spatial arrangement from exposed horizontal forks to a compact rear-mounted platform.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fork carriages are used for load handling, then load picking capability is improved, but maneuverability deteriorates due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the space-consuming fork carriage structure from the front of the robot and replaces it with a compact receiving device at the rear. This extraction of the load handling function from the front operating area eliminates the spatial obstruction that hindered maneuverability, allowing the robot to navigate tight spaces while still capable of picking up load carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the load picking operation from the front horizontal dimension to the rear vertical dimension. By mounting the receiving device at the rear end with vertical positioning capability, the robot can pick up load carriers from the side/rear without requiring the extensive horizontal clearance needed for traditional fork carriages, thereby improving maneuverability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If permanent fork carriage arrangement is used, then load carrying function is improved, but device complexity and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load carrying function from the complex, permanent fork carriage structure and implements it through a simpler, more compact receiving device. The receiving device uses a platform with gripping mechanisms rather than the elaborate fork carriage assembly, reducing structural complexity while maintaining the essential load carrying capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent consolidates the load carrying function into a compact rear-mounted platform that operates in a different spatial dimension. This vertical platform approach replaces the horizontal fork carriage structure, reducing the overall device footprint and structural complexity while preserving load carrying functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) (1) designed for picking up, placing and transporting load carriers (8) and comprising at least one chassis (2) of at least approximately rectangular base shape with a preferred longitudinal axis and a preferred transverse axis, wherein the preferred longitudinal axis and the preferred transverse axis define a chassis plane, with a chassis, a drive, a control system and with at least one load carrier receiving device for grasping at least one load carrier (8), for lifting the load carrier (8) from a floor and/or for lowering ordesigned to place the load carrier (8) on a floor in an area and/or at a location in the vicinity of the chassis (2), as well as to carry the at least one load carrier (8) in a position completely above the chassis (2) and/or to place the at least one load carrier (8) on the chassis (2) and/or to lift the at least one load carrier (8) from the chassis (2).