Autonomous Module Transport for Flexible Machine Tool Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driverless transport systems for goods in workshops are inflexible due to reliance on complex rail systems that cannot adapt to changes in production processes or locations, and often require long distances to transport multiple containers or devices to their destinations.
Innovation Solution
A transport device that can freely move on a base surface to position module units relative to machine tools, equipped with receiving devices for various machine tool accessory devices, allowing for customizable and flexible positioning without the need for rail systems, and includes a central control device for automation and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a rail system is used to guide transport vehicles to stations, then the transport system can operate automatically, but the system becomes very complex in manufacture, arrangement and alignment of rails and rail segments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rail system entirely from the transport setup. Instead of guiding vehicles along fixed rails, the system uses freely movable transport vehicles that navigate autonomously on a base surface, extracting the constraint of the rail infrastructure while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical rail guidance system is replaced with an autonomous navigation system. Transport vehicles equipped with sensors and control systems navigate freely on the base surface, substituting the rigid mechanical rail structure with a flexible electronic control-based positioning approach.
2Reliability
If a rail system is used for transporting goods, then transport vehicles can be guided to specified places, but the system cannot react or be adapted to changes in the positions of the places or the production process at short notice
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system transitions from a static rail configuration to a dynamic, freely movable vehicle system. Transport vehicles can change their positions and routes autonomously based on real-time production requirements, enabling the system to adapt dynamically to changing production processes while maintaining reliable delivery through autonomous navigation control.
3Device complexity
If transport vehicles are equipped with only a single interface for receiving transport goods, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the vehicles have to travel long distances to get a large number of containers to their respective destination
Solution Approach 1:
The transport vehicle is designed with multiple receiving interfaces and the capability to carry diverse module units simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows a single vehicle to service multiple destinations with different types of modules in one trip, reducing total travel distance while maintaining simple individual interface structures through standardized mounting mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a transport device (100) for receiving one or more module units having machine tool accessory devices and for transporting the one or more received module units to a machine tool (1000) set up on a base surface for use of the machine tool accessory devices of the one or more received module units on the machine tool (1000), wherein the transport device (100) is freely movable on the base surface for positioning the one or more received module units relative to the machine tool (1000), in particular within a region in front and/or next to the machine tool (1000) and/or in front and/or next to a working space of the machine tool (1000).