Autonomous Transport Robot for Flexible Workpiece Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for delivering and picking up workpieces on a working level require complex and costly machinery, including lifting conveyors and buffer sections, which are inflexible and require significant control effort, leading to high installation and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of autonomously movable transport robots on a rail track with transverse conveyors allows for flexible delivery and pick-up of workpieces, eliminating the need for complex switch systems and buffer sections by automatically navigating to different stations based on workpiece availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lifting conveyors and switch systems are used to deliver and pick up workpieces, then workpiece handling is achieved, but device complexity and control effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transport robot is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities, sensors, and intelligence to independently determine its position, select appropriate delivery and pick-up stations, and execute transfer operations without external control signals. The robot serves itself by autonomously navigating to delivery stations to receive workpieces, transporting them to pick-up stations, and returning for additional workpieces, thereby eliminating the need for complex external switch systems and control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If lifting conveyors are arranged at specific points on the longitudinal conveyor, then workpiece delivery is enabled, but adaptability to change delivery points is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed lifting conveyor positions to a dynamic transport robot that can autonomously navigate to any delivery station along the longitudinal conveyor. The robot's ability to dynamically select and move to different delivery and pick-up stations based on real-time requirements enables flexible adaptation to changing production needs without requiring physical reconfiguration of the system.
3Productivity
If buffer sections are set up on the working level to ensure workpiece availability, then continuous processing is maintained, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the buffer section from the system by implementing a transport robot with autonomous navigation and intelligence. The robot continuously monitors workpiece availability at pick-up stations and autonomously navigates to delivery stations to replenish workpieces as needed, thereby maintaining continuous processing without requiring a dedicated buffer section and its associated infrastructure.
4Ease of operation
If complex switch systems and buffer sections are installed to control workpiece flow, then workpiece delivery control is achieved, but installation and maintenance costs become extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical switch system and buffer section infrastructure with an autonomous transport robot equipped with sensors, navigation capabilities, and intelligence. The robot uses its autonomous decision-making capabilities to control workpiece flow by independently navigating to delivery and pick-up stations, thereby eliminating the need for expensive mechanical switching infrastructure and reducing both installation and maintenance costs.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves arranging a delivery station (25) and a receiving station (26) at a work surface (15), and equipping each transportation robot (2) with a cross conveyor. Work pieces are supported on a work piece carrier plate or a carrier box. The work pieces are conveyed on a cross conveyor to the delivery station on a work surface and are received again at the receiving station from the work surface. The work surface consists of different processing machines, which work in a strict time. An independent claim is also included for a device for delivering and placing work pieces onto a work surface.