Autonomous Carrier Transfer With External Lift for Precise Machine Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machining-related transport systems in manufacturing workshops face challenges with positioning accuracy, as driverless vehicles cannot precisely align with machine tools, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption due to the need for robots to carry additional loads.
Innovation Solution
A transport system featuring an autonomous vehicle with a lifting device externally mounted, providing higher positioning accuracy and reducing the load on the vehicle by allowing the lifting device to serve as an intermediate station for holding the carrier, which can be calibrated by machine tool automation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the robot is integrated on the driverless vehicle to transport machining-related objects, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the weight of the vehicle increases due to carrying additional loads
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the driverless vehicle for transport and the stationary lifting device for positioning. The vehicle carries only the carrier without integrating a robot, while the lifting device provides precise positioning at the transfer point. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the mobile transport function from the precision positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
A stationary lifting device acts as an intermediary between the driverless vehicle and the machine tool. The lifting device receives the carrier from the vehicle and performs precise positioning, then transfers it to the machine tool. This intermediary component enables accurate positioning without requiring the vehicle itself to have high positioning accuracy or carry additional robotic equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the robot carries additional loads to transport objects, then the transport capability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is segmented into the driverless vehicle for movement and the stationary lifting device for loading/unloading. The vehicle maintains a lightweight design without integrated robots or additional loads, while the lifting device provides the necessary transport capability at fixed locations. This reduces the vehicle's energy consumption while maintaining overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary lifting device performs the loading and unloading operations automatically at fixed positions, eliminating the need for the vehicle to carry robotic equipment or additional mechanisms for object manipulation. The vehicle's simple function of transport is optimized for low energy consumption, while the lifting device handles the complex operations at stationary locations.
3Extent of automation
If the driverless vehicle is used to transport machining-related objects, then the automation level is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates compared to traditional automation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary lifting device serves as an intermediary that compensates for the driverless vehicle's positioning limitations. The vehicle transports the carrier to the general location, and the lifting device performs the precise positioning and transfer to the machine tool. This intermediary approach maintains high automation while achieving the positioning accuracy required for machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from requiring the vehicle to achieve precision in the transport dimension to using the stationary lifting device for precision in the transfer dimension. The vehicle operates in the macro-scale transport dimension with lower precision requirements, while the lifting device operates in the micro-scale transfer dimension with high precision requirements, effectively resolving the positioning accuracy issue.
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
This solution enhances positioning accuracy, reduces energy consumption by minimizing the weight carried by the autonomous vehicle, and allows for reliable transfer of heavy machining-related objects between machine tools, improving overall manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The lifting device (30) includes a gripper (40) and a driving unit (32) configured to move the gripper (40) in a vertical direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is related to a transport system for transporting a machining-related object. The system comprises a carrier for holding the machining-related object, an autonomous vehicle and a lifting device. The carrier includes a plurality of receiving elements and a plurality of receiving means. The autonomous vehicle includes a plurality of coupling elements for engaging with the receiving elements of the carrier. The lifting device is arranged at the outside of the autonomous vehicle and includes a column provided with a guide rail, a gripper movably mounted on the guide rail of the column, and a driving unit configured to move the gripper on the guide rail. The gripper is provided with a plurality of coupling means for being engaged with the receiving means of the carrier.