Container Handling Vehicle Motor Layout for Lower Center of Gravity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container handling vehicles in automated storage and retrieval systems face instability due to high center of gravity caused by drive, power, and control components being positioned above the lifting mechanism, leading to reduced stability and limited space for larger motors.

Innovation Solution

A container handling vehicle design with a motor positioned at a lower elevation than the lifting shafts, utilizing a single drive belt to rotate the lifting shafts in opposite directions, enhancing stability and allowing for a larger motor and additional components, with a lifting assembly featuring pulleys and a ratchet brake for controlled lifting operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drive, power, and control components are positioned above the lifting mechanism, then lifting function is achieved, but vehicle stability deteriorates due to high center of gravity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidcomponent arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motor is inverted from its conventional position above the lifting shafts to below them. This inversion of the drive component placement lowers the center of gravity, thereby improving vehicle stability while still achieving the lifting function through the belt and pulley mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor is positioned in a different vertical dimension (below the lifting shafts rather than above), changing the spatial arrangement of components. This dimensional repositioning resolves the stability issue by lowering the center of gravity without compromising the lifting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If motor size is increased to handle heavier loads, then lifting capacity is improved, but vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capacityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle body structure serves as a counterweight platform. By positioning the motor below the lifting shafts and utilizing the vehicle body's mass distribution, the system balances the additional weight of larger motors, allowing increased lifting capacity without proportionally increasing the vehicle's operational weight impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Reliability

If motor is positioned at lower elevation, then vehicle stability is improved, but space for motor and components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidspace for motor and components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motor and associated components are nested within the vehicle body structure. The motor is positioned below the lifting shafts and integrated into the vehicle's existing structural volume, efficiently utilizing available space without requiring additional external volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle body structure is designed to be dynamic in its space utilization, accommodating the motor and components in the lower portion while maintaining structural integrity and stability. The design allows for flexible arrangement of components within the available volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design provides increased stability, allows for the use of larger motors, and enhances the vehicle's ability to handle heavier loads while optimizing space utilization, improving the efficiency and capacity of the lifting operations.

Implementation Method 1

a drive belt for rotating the first lifting shaft and the second lifting shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a ratchet brake for controlled lifting operations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 3

a first lifting shaft pulley for rotation with the first lifting shaft; a second lifting shaft pulley for rotation with the second lifting shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS20260021963A1Container handling vehicle with motor at lower elevation than first and second lifting shafts, a system comprising the container handling vehicle, and method of driving the first and second lifting shafts

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 AUTOSTORE TECH AS

AI summary

The invention relates to a container handling vehicle for moving storage containers stacked in stacks within an automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the container handling vehicle is configured to move on a rail system above storage columns, wherein the container handling vehicle comprises a lifting assembly (60) which comprises a first lifting shaft (25) and a second lifting shaft (26) supported in an upper portion of the vehicle and a motor (13) for driving a drive belt (20) for rotating the first lifting shaft (25) and the second lifting shaft (26), and wherein the motor (13) is arranged at a lower elevation than the first and second lifting shafts (25,26).