Unmanned Carrier Vehicle Steering Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned carrier vehicles face difficulties in smoothly adjusting steering angles when the vehicle body is stopped, leading to excessive twisting forces and burdens on the floor and wheels, especially with large loads.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a control unit that outputs instructions to move the cargo section to reduce the load on target wheels during steering angle adjustments, using load sensors and weight measuring sensors to calculate and redistribute loads, allowing for smoother steering angle adjustments by reducing twisting forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If steering angle is adjusted while vehicle body remains stopped, then steering operation is simplified, but twisting force between floor surface and wheel increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo section is moved in advance to a position that reduces load on the target wheel before steering angle adjustment is performed. This preliminary action of repositioning the cargo section prevents excessive twisting force from occurring during the subsequent steering operation, while still allowing the vehicle body to remain stopped for simplified steering control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If steering angle is adjusted while vehicle body remains stopped, then maneuverability in confined space is improved, but burden on wheel and floor surface becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
Before performing steering angle adjustment in a stopped state, the control unit moves the cargo section to a position that reduces the load on the target wheel. This preliminary repositioning action maintains the ability to perform in-place maneuvering while preventing excessive burden on the wheel and floor surface during the steering operation.
3Ease of operation
If cargo section is moved to reduce load on target wheel, then steering angle adjustment becomes smooth, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo section serves a dual function: it not only carries the load but also acts as a counterbalance that can be repositioned to reduce load on target wheels during steering operations. The system uses its own cargo section rather than requiring external counterweights or additional mechanical assistance, thereby achieving smooth steering adjustment without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo section is designed to perform multiple functions: it carries the transported load, maintains vehicle stability during normal operation, and serves as a movable counterbalance during steering angle adjustments. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve smooth steering control without adding dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An unmanned carrier vehicle includes a vehicle body; a plurality of wheels attached to the vehicle body; a steering actuator for adjusting a steering angle of each of the wheels; a cargo section arranged movably on the vehicle body in planar view; and a control unit configured to output an instruction for moving the cargo section, when adjustment of the steering angle is performed at least in a state that the vehicle body remains stopped, to reduce a load acting on one or more target wheels each being an adjustment target for the steering angle with the steering actuator among the plurality of wheels.