Buffer Vehicle Transfer on Grid Tracks for Multi-Article Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport vehicle systems face challenges in improving article transport efficiency due to size constraints and difficulty in handling multiple articles while navigating a grid-patterned track without interfering with other objects.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a transport vehicle system that includes a buffer vehicle and a transfer unit, allowing for temporary article transfer between vehicles, along with a rotating article placement unit and a guide mechanism to prevent articles from jumping out, enabling efficient multi-article transport without increasing vehicle size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transport vehicle is configured to hold multiple articles, then transport efficiency is improved, but the vehicle size exceeds the track navigation limit
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the transport function into two segments: the transport vehicle V maintains its original single-article capacity and navigates the track, while the buffer vehicle VB provides additional article storage capacity. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple articles without increasing the size of the track-navigating vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer vehicle VB acts as an intermediary between the transport vehicle V and the destination. Articles are transferred from the transport vehicle to the buffer vehicle, which then delivers them to the destination. This intermediary approach enables multi-article transport without requiring the transport vehicle itself to be enlarged.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the article placement unit rotates to enable delivery from various directions, then delivery flexibility is improved, but the risk of articles jumping out increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide 65 is positioned to prevent articles from jumping out before rotation occurs. During the rotation process and after rotation, the guide maintains article containment. This preliminary protective measure counteracts the potential harmful effect of articles jumping out during rotation, enabling flexible multi-directional delivery while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the buffer vehicle travels with the article placement unit in the first state, then articles can be loaded and unloaded, but articles may fall during travel
Solution Approach 1:
The article placement unit 61 is designed to be rotatable between two states: the first state for loading/unloading operations and the second state for secure transport. The system dynamically switches between these states based on operational requirements. During travel, the unit is rotated to the second state where the guide 65 prevents article fallout, while during loading/unloading, it rotates to the first state for accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport vehicle system includes a transport vehicle having a first travel unit configured to travel on a track and a transfer unit configured to move in a horizontal direction with respect to the first travel unit to transfer an article and a buffer vehicle having a second travel unit configure to travel on the track on which the transport vehicle travels and an article placement unit provided to be movable integrally with the second travel unit and to be able to deliver the article with the transfer unit of the transport vehicle.