Ceiling Traveling Vehicle Coupler for Accurate Track Direction Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traveling vehicle systems in semiconductor manufacturing factories face complications and reduced space efficiency due to the need for separate mechanisms to change the direction of guide rollers, leading to positional deviations of the main body during direction changes.
Innovation Solution
A traveling vehicle system with a coupler and guider that integrates a direction changer and guide roller, allowing the guider to switch directions without additional structures, using guide surfaces on the tracks and connection tracks to maintain positional accuracy and prevent main body deviation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate mechanism is provided to change the direction of the guide roller, then the guide roller can follow the traveling wheel's direction change, but the configuration of the traveling vehicle becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide roller direction changing function with the existing direction changer mechanism. The guide roller is integrated into the direction changer assembly, allowing it to automatically change direction along with the traveling wheel without requiring a separate direction control mechanism. This merging of functions simplifies the overall configuration while maintaining the ability to adapt to different track directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The direction changer mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it controls the traveling wheel's direction and simultaneously guides the guide roller's orientation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated guide roller control mechanisms, reducing system complexity while preserving full directional adaptability across different track configurations.
2Manufacturing precision
If a guide roller is added to prevent positional deviation, then the main body's positional accuracy is improved, but the height dimension of the traveling vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the guide roller horizontally adjacent to the traveling wheel rather than vertically above or below it. This horizontal placement in the same dimensional plane as the wheel allows the guide roller to provide positional guidance without increasing the vertical height of the traveling vehicle, thus maintaining compact dimensions while achieving precise positional control.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide roller is nested within or integrated into the existing traveling vehicle structure, specifically positioned within the space between the traveling wheel and the main body. This nested arrangement allows the guide roller to function effectively for positional accuracy without adding external height to the vehicle assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents positional deviations of the main body with a simple configuration, maintaining space efficiency by integrating the guide roller direction change with the coupler's turning mechanism, ensuring smooth movement and reduced frictional resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a traveling wheel rolling on the first track, on the second track, and on the connection track
Implementation Method 2
reducing frictional resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A traveling vehicle system includes a track and a ceiling traveling vehicle. The track includes a first track, a second track, and a connection track. The ceiling traveling vehicle includes a direction changer that turns a coupler, which couples a traveling wheel and a main body to each other and passes through a gap between the first track or the second track and the connection track. A guider is provided in the coupler, moves along a first guide surface in a first state in which the traveling wheel rolls on the first track, and moves along a second guide surface in a second state in which the traveling wheel rolls on the second track.