Storage Bin Transport Robot With Central Cavity for Stable Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remotely operated vehicles for storage systems face issues with access to all storage columns, high torque and instability during lifting, limited maximum handling weight, and speed reduction due to design limitations, restricting their effectiveness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated vehicle with a centrally arranged cavity and symmetrically distributed rolling means within the vehicle body, allowing movement in two directions and enabling higher stability, increased handling capacity, and efficient bin lifting and transportation by reducing torque and maintaining speed throughout the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot uses an integrated yoke/overhang in the upper part of the section receiving the storage bin, then the robot can receive storage bins, but it necessitates an undesired speed reduction at the final stage of the lifting process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the integrated yoke/overhang structure from the robot design. Instead, it uses a separate lifting device with lifting elements that engage the storage bin independently. This extraction of the problematic structural element eliminates the need for speed reduction during the final lifting stage while maintaining bin receiving capability.
2Ease of operation
If the robot design includes a specific configuration for receiving storage bins, then it can handle bins, but it prevents access to all storage columns in the storage system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the robot with a universal platform that can access all storage columns. The lifting device is configured to handle storage bins of various sizes and types, making the robot adaptable to different storage column configurations and bin specifications, thereby achieving both bin handling capability and universal access.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot employs adjustable and reconfigurable lifting elements that can adapt their position and configuration based on the specific storage column and bin being handled. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the robot to access all storage columns while maintaining effective bin handling for various bin types and sizes.
3Power
If the robot uses a particular design for lifting storage bins, then it can lift bins, but it causes an undesirable high torque during lifting and transportation, creating potential instability problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the lifting elements and their attachment points asymmetrically optimized to minimize torque generation during lifting and transportation. The lifting device is configured to distribute forces evenly, reducing rotational moments and improving overall robot stability while maintaining adequate lifting power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lifting elements as intermediary components between the lifting device and the storage bin. These elements act as mediators to distribute and balance the forces during lifting, reducing peak torque demands on the robot and enhancing stability throughout the lifting and transportation process.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the robot is designed to accept one particular bin and one particular bin height, then stability is ensured, but it limits the maximum handling weight and reduces versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable lifting elements and reconfigurable gripping mechanisms that can adapt to different bin sizes, shapes, and weights. This dynamic adjustability allows the robot to maintain operational stability across a wide range of bin configurations while significantly increasing versatility and maximum handling weight capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot features adjustable parameters including lifting element position, gripping force, and engagement depth, which can be dynamically modified based on the specific bin being handled. These parameter changes enable the robot to maintain stability for various bin types and weights without being limited to a single bin specification.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a remotely operated vehicle or robot for picking up storage bins from a storage system. The inventive vehicle or robot comprises a vehicle body, which vehicle body further comprises a first section for storing vehicle driving means and a second section for receiving any storage bin stored in a storage column within the storage system, a vehicle lifting device which is at least indirectly connected to the vehicle body in order to lift the storage bin into the second section, a first set of vehicle rolling means connected to the vehicle body in order to allow movement of the vehicle along a first direction (X) within the storage system during use and a second set of vehicle rolling means connected to the vehicle body in order to allow movement of the vehicle along a second direction (Y) in the storage system during use. The second direction (Y) is oriented perpendicular to the first direction (X). The inventive vehicle is characterized in that the second section comprises a cavity arranged centrally within the vehicle body. This cavity has at least one bin receiving opening facing towards the underlying storage columns during use. In addition, at least one of the two sets of vehicle rolling means is arranged fully within the vehicle body.