Autonomous Vehicle With Rotating Shelf For Warehouse Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-motorized carts become cumbersome to move when fully loaded with goods in warehouses, necessitating a more efficient transportation solution for order fulfillment and distribution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a base assembly, rack assembly, and processing system, featuring Mecanum wheels, a rotating storage shelf, and a light projector, which enables autonomous navigation, item location determination, and ergonomic positioning of shelves for efficient loading and unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-motorized carts are used for transporting goods, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to cumbersome movement when fully loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into modular components: base assembly with drive system, rack assembly with storage shelves, and coupling assembly with bearing assemblies. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module while maintaining overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle integrates multiple functions into a single platform: autonomous navigation via processors and sensors, motorized propulsion, rotating storage shelves for ergonomic access, and light projection for route guidance. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating capabilities that would otherwise require separate systems.
2Ease of operation
If storage shelves are fixed on the platform, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to poor ergonomic access
Solution Approach 1:
The storage shelves are transformed from static to dynamic components through the coupling assembly with bearing assemblies, enabling rotation and repositioning. This allows the shelves to adapt their position based on operational needs, improving ergonomic access while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assemblies enable the storage shelves to rotate and move in multiple dimensions relative to the platform, not just linearly. This dimensional freedom provides ergonomic access from various angles and positions, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural simplicity.
3Productivity
If autonomous navigation is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to processing systems and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous navigation components (processors, sensors, light projectors) are merged with the vehicle's existing structural elements. The processing system is integrated into the base assembly, and light projectors are mounted on existing components, reducing overall system complexity while enabling autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing system serves multiple functions: autonomous navigation, route planning, obstacle detection, and coordination of storage shelf positioning. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating control capabilities that would otherwise require separate dedicated systems.
4Ease of operation
If light projectors are added for route guidance, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light projectors act as intermediaries between the autonomous navigation system and the physical environment, projecting visual guides onto the floor to communicate route information. This intermediary function improves operator awareness and ease of operation without requiring direct mechanical modifications to the vehicle's core systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system replaces or supplements mechanical guidance mechanisms with optical signals. Instead of physical markers or mechanical indicators, the vehicle uses projected light patterns to guide operators, reducing mechanical complexity while enhancing operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle can include a base assembly, a rack assembly, and a processing system. The base assembly can include a platform, a plurality of wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the plurality of wheels. The rack assembly can include a storage shelf connected to the base assembly through a coupling, which includes a bearing assembly enabling the storage shelf to rotate with respect to the platform. The processing system can be configured to communicatively couple with the rack assembly and include one or more processors configured to: determine a location of a target good; cause the storage shelf to move based on the determined location.