Ceiling Vehicle Coupler Guiding for Track Switching Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing traveling vehicle system faces complications in preventing positional deviation of the main body when changing direction between tracks, leading to increased complexity and reduced space efficiency due to the need for a separate mechanism to change the guide roller's direction.
Innovation Solution
A traveling vehicle system with a coupler that integrates a guider capable of switching direction without additional structures, using the side faces of the tracks as guide faces and a continuous face on the connection track to maintain positional accuracy and reduce height, thereby preventing positional deviation and maintaining space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate mechanism is provided to change the direction of the guide roller when switching between tracks, then the positional deviation of the main body is prevented, but the configuration of the traveling vehicle becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guide roller direction changing function with the existing traveling wheel direction changing mechanism. The guide roller is integrated into the traveling vehicle structure such that it automatically changes direction along with the traveling wheel when switching between first and second tracks, eliminating the need for a separate direction changing mechanism and simplifying the overall configuration while maintaining positional accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The traveling wheel's direction changing mechanism is given a dual function: it simultaneously controls both the traveling wheel's direction and the guide roller's direction. This multi-functional design allows a single mechanism to serve multiple purposes, preventing positional deviation without adding extra components
2Measurement precision
If a guide roller is placed in the traveling vehicle to prevent positional deviation, then the positional accuracy is improved, but the height dimension of the traveling vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the guide roller within the vertical dimension of the traveling vehicle, placing it between the traveling wheel and the main body rather than extending the overall height. This strategic placement within the existing vertical space allows the guide roller to perform its positioning function without increasing the traveling vehicle's external height dimensions
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 deviation of the main body during direction changes without complicating the configuration and maintains space efficiency by integrating the guider with the coupler, 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
a direction changer switching between a first state in which the traveling wheel rolls on the first track, and a second state in which the traveling wheel rolls on the second track, by turning the coupler about a turning axis with respect to the main body
Implementation Method 3
a guider provided in the coupler, moving along the first guide face in the first state, and moving along the second guide face in the second state. The guider may be a guide roller capable of rolling when coming into contact with the first guide face or the second guide face
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a traveling vehicle system capable of preventing the positional deviation of a main body of a traveling vehicle by a simple configuration while avoiding the configuration of the traveling vehicle from being complicated. A traveling vehicle system SYS includes a grid-like track R and a ceiling traveling vehicle 100. The grid-like track R includes a first track R1, a second track R2, and a connection track R3. The ceiling traveling vehicle 100 has a direction changer 34 turning a coupler 30 coupling a traveling wheel 21 and a main body 10 to each other and passing through a gap D between the first track R1 or the second track R2 and the connection track R3. A guider 40 is provided in the coupler 30, moves along a first guide face G1 in a first state in which the traveling wheel 21 rolls on the first track R1, and moves along a second guide face G2 in a second state in which the traveling wheel 21 rolls on the second track R2.