Autonomous Pallet Routing via Embedded Drive and Sensor Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems lack flexibility and scalability, requiring complex installations and control technologies for diverting and stopping pallets, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, especially when handling different products or layouts.
Innovation Solution
A pallet equipped with a rechargeable power source, control unit, and wireless communication means, allowing for autonomous navigation and direction changes without external diverters or stoppers, using guidance means and lifting devices that can be adjusted based on calculated transport paths and topography of the conveyor system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional conveyor systems use external diverters and stoppers for routing pallets, then the system provides basic routing capability, but the device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the routing control function from the fixed conveyor infrastructure and relocates it to the mobile pallet itself. The pallet is equipped with its own driving mechanism, sensors, and control unit, enabling it to autonomously navigate to different destinations without requiring external diverters or stoppers installed in the conveyor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet becomes self-sufficient in terms of navigation and routing. It autonomously determines its destination, plans its route using map data of the conveyor system, navigates to junctions, and executes direction changes independently. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex external control infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous navigation components are added to the pallet, then routing flexibility and adaptability improve, but the weight and cost of the pallet increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous navigation system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a driving mechanism with drive wheels, a sensor system for detecting position and environment, a control unit for processing information, and memory for storing map data. This modular segmentation allows for optimized weight distribution and selective implementation based on specific application requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting the pallet's position on the conveyor track, identifying upcoming junctions, recognizing direction indicators, and monitoring the environment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby controlling weight while maintaining comprehensive autonomous navigation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If asynchronous operations are implemented at work stations, then system flexibility improves, but the need for queues and waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system transitions from static, synchronous operation to dynamic, asynchronous operation. Each pallet can independently adjust its speed and timing based on its destination, current position, and system conditions. The control unit dynamically plans routes and adjusts navigation timing to minimize waiting time and optimize throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system continuously provides feedback about the pallet's position, speed, and environmental conditions to the control unit. This feedback enables real-time adjustments to the navigation plan, allowing pallets to optimize their timing and reduce waiting time at junctions and work stations through adaptive speed control and route selection.
Data Source
AI summary
Pallet for a conveyor system comprising a conveyor track, where the pallet comprises a housing having an upper side adapted to support an object, and an underside opposite to the upper side, where the underside is adapted to bear on a conveyor track, where the housing comprises a front side, a rear side, a right side and a left side, where the pallet comprises a rechargeable power source, a control unit, a wireless communication means and a plurality of actuating means arranged to be controlled by the control unit, where the actuating means are adapted to extend out of the housing or to retract into the housing by a control signal from the control unit. The advantage of the invention is that a self-contained pallet is provided, which can navigate through a conveyor system without the need of dedicated diverters.