Autonomous Transport Vehicle with Central Lifting Mandrel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driverless transport systems face challenges in safely and efficiently transporting heavy loads, particularly those exceeding 1000 kg, on varying inclines and uneven surfaces, without compromising flexibility and throughput.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a transport vehicle with a central lifting mandrel and emergency stop mechanism, supported by rollers and castors, allowing for adaptable load support and braking, along with a laser scanner for orientation, enabling safe navigation on inclines up to 5% and precise load management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional forklift trucks are used for transporting heavy loads, then flexibility and universal application are improved, but safety and efficiency on inclines and uneven surfaces deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into modular components: a transport vehicle unit and a separate carriage that can be detached and replaced. This segmentation allows the system to maintain flexibility while incorporating specialized safety features in the vehicle unit for reliable operation on inclines and uneven surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking traverse acts as an intermediary mechanism between the transport vehicle and the carriage. It enables automatic docking and undocking operations, allowing the vehicle to securely connect to different carriages while maintaining stability and control during transitions, thereby improving both flexibility and safety.
2Productivity
If driverless transport systems are implemented, then productivity and throughput are improved, but handling of heavy loads on varying terrain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic docking and undocking capabilities where the transport vehicle autonomously connects to and disconnects from carriages without human intervention. The vehicle also self-adjusts its position and orientation during these operations, enabling high-speed automated handling of heavy loads on varying terrain while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle employs dynamic control systems that automatically adjust braking forces, steering angles, and speed based on real-time terrain conditions and load characteristics. This dynamic adaptation enables the driverless system to effectively handle heavy loads on inclines and uneven surfaces while maintaining high throughput.
3Productivity
If high-speed automated guidance is used, then productivity is improved, but safety control and emergency response deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is equipped with preliminary safety mechanisms including pre-positioned braking systems and emergency stop capabilities that are activated before potential hazards occur. The automatic docking system also performs preliminary alignment and positioning to ensure safe connection, maintaining high speed while ensuring safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance system incorporates continuous feedback loops that monitor vehicle position, speed, and terrain conditions in real-time. This feedback enables the system to automatically adjust its operation to maintain safety margins while operating at high speeds, and to trigger emergency responses when necessary.
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
Enables the fast, safe, and flexible transport of heavy loads across diverse terrain, including slight inclines, by dynamically adjusting load distribution and braking mechanisms, ensuring reliable operation in large workshops.
Implementation Method 1
orientieren können mit einem Laserscanner (2)
Implementation Method 2
mit zwei Kompressionsfedern (32, 34), wobei die äußere Kompressionsfeder (34) auf die Andocktraverse (5) drückt
Implementation Method 3
wird durch Reibung an einem Rollenelement (3) verlangsamt und/oder gestoppt
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a driver-free transport vehicle and to a method for the safe transportation of heavy loads which are in the form of loaded carriages which can be moved on castors, said vehicle having the following characteristics: a) vehicle housing (40) having a central lifting mandrel (15) for receiving and transporting a carriage (1) by means of a docking traverse (5), with two drive wheels (7) arranged on both sides of the vehicle housing (40), and in the centre thereof, and at least one laser scanner system (2) which is installed in the outer area of the vehicle housing (40); b) a drive motor for driving a hub spindle (23) which presses, by means of a compression spring (34), the central lifting mandrel (20) in a central opening of the docking traverse (5), and a system for supplying energy of the transport vehicle via inductive lines laid in the ground, by means of an induction current collector (39), is provided; c) an emergency stop system which comprises an emergency switch (9) on the transport vehicle, the activation on the emergency stop switches triggering on each castor (3) of the carriage (1), the simultaneous locking of a pressurized brake shoe (45).