Autonomous Truck Multi-Load Carrier Left Right Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous industrial truck systems face challenges in achieving high throughput in limited spaces while maintaining flexibility and adaptability, as they are often restricted by fixed geometries and require complex modifications to optimize throughput and route planning.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an autonomous industrial truck equipped with a multiple load carrier and an adjusting device that allows for the rotation of receiving positions to either a left-hand or right-hand discharge position, enabling efficient sorting and dropping of goods on both sides of the truck, along with a sorting system featuring targets arranged on both sides of tracks, allowing for flexible and efficient cargo handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple load carriers are used on linked continuous conveyors, then throughput is improved, but system complexity and fixed geometry requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The load carrier is divided into multiple independent picking positions (first picking position, second picking position, etc.) that can be independently controlled. Each picking position can be selectively positioned at different discharge locations, allowing the system to handle multiple items simultaneously without requiring a completely fixed geometry for the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The picking positions are made dynamically repositionable through the positioning device that can move each picking position to different discharge locations. This dynamic capability allows the same physical structure to adapt to different sorting requirements and throughput scenarios without permanent structural modifications.
2Productivity
If AGV systems transport only one item per vehicle at a time, then vehicle simplicity is maintained, but throughput on limited area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple picking positions are integrated onto a single mobile platform (the forklift truck). This merging allows one vehicle to carry and sort multiple items simultaneously by having multiple picking positions on its load carrier, effectively increasing throughput without requiring proportionally more vehicles or a larger facility area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-item per vehicle constraint to a multi-item capability by utilizing the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the load carrier. The positioning device enables picking positions to be arranged in multiple dimensions (front/rear, left/right) allowing one vehicle to handle multiple items that would traditionally require multiple separate vehicles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed system geometry is used in sorting systems, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to new conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device enables the picking positions to be dynamically repositioned along the load carrier. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its effective geometry to different sorting scenarios and requirements without changing the fundamental physical structure of the forklift or requiring complex reconfiguration of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The load carrier with multiple picking positions that can be selectively positioned serves multiple functions: it can sort items at different locations, handle different product configurations, and adapt to varying throughput requirements. This multi-functionality is achieved through the positioning mechanism rather than through multiple specialized systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
Autonomous industrial truck (1) comprising a multi-load carrier (4) and a positioning device (6); wherein the multi-load carrier (4) comprises several receiving positions (3), each of which is designed to receive a unit load (5); wherein the positioning device (6) is configured to move each of the receiving positions (3) to a left-hand drop-off position (ls) from which a unit load (5) can be dropped on the left side of the industrial truck (1) and to a right-hand drop-off position (rs) from which a unit load (5) can be dropped on the right side of the industrial truck (1).