Carrier Transfer Lifter for Inaccurate Autonomous Vehicle Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machining-related transport systems in manufacturing facilities face challenges due to the positioning inaccuracy of autonomous vehicles, which hinders the precise interaction with automation systems like automatic pallet changers and robots, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A transport system comprising a carrier with receiving elements, an autonomous vehicle with coupling elements, and a lifting device with a gripper that provides higher positioning accuracy, allowing the carrier to be temporarily held and transferred between the vehicle and the lifting device, compensating for the vehicle's inaccuracy and reducing the load on the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the autonomous vehicle carries the robot and all loads, then the robot can be positioned at the proximity of the machine tool, but the positioning accuracy is insufficient and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is extracted from the autonomous vehicle and positioned at a fixed location near the machine tool. The autonomous vehicle only carries the carrier with the machining-related object, separating the positioning function (performed by the fixed robot) from the transport function (performed by the autonomous vehicle). This reduces the weight the vehicle must carry and eliminates the need for the vehicle to achieve high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the autonomous vehicle position itself accurately to transfer the carrier to the robot, the system inverts the approach: the fixed robot positions itself to receive the carrier from the autonomous vehicle. The lifting device, controlled by the robot, actively transfers the carrier to the autonomous vehicle, reversing who performs the precise positioning action.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the robot is integrated on the driverless vehicle, then the system can transport objects, but the vehicle must carry unnecessary load and consume more power
Solution Approach 1:
The robot is extracted from the autonomous vehicle and positioned at a fixed location near the machine tool. The autonomous vehicle only carries the carrier with the machining-related object, separating the positioning function (performed by the fixed robot) from the transport function (performed by the autonomous vehicle). This reduces the weight the vehicle must carry and eliminates the need for the vehicle to achieve high positioning accuracy.
3Extent of automation
If the autonomous vehicle positions itself to transfer the carrier, then the system can operate autonomously, but the positioning inaccuracy prevents reliable interaction with automation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device acts as an intermediary between the autonomous vehicle and the robot. It performs the precise transfer operation, compensating for the positioning inaccuracy of the autonomous vehicle. The lifting device is controlled by the fixed robot, which has precise positioning capability, ensuring accurate and reliable interaction between the autonomous vehicle and the automation system.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system for transporting a machining-related object including a carrier configured to hold the machining-related object, the carrier including a plurality of receiving elements and a plurality of receiving means, an autonomous vehicle including a plurality of coupling elements configured to engage with the receiving elements of the carrier, and a lifter. The lifter is arranged at an outside of the autonomous vehicle. The lifter includes a gripper and a driver configured to move the gripper in at least one direction. The gripper is provided with a plurality of coupling means for being engaged with the receiving means of the carrier.