Conveyance Body Impact Absorption for Power Storage Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing article conveyance devices, such as ceiling carriers, are prone to damage their power storage sections during collisions with obstacles.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates impact absorption members positioned forward and rearward of the power storage section, which absorb impacts by deforming in a stepwise manner, reducing the force transmitted to the power storage section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power storage section is installed in the body section without additional protection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power storage section is vulnerable to damage during collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower storage section durabilityVSAvoidbody section structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by installing impact absorption members (deformable parts) in front of and behind the power storage section before any collision occurs. These members are designed to deform during impact events, absorbing kinetic energy and preventing direct transmission of forces to the power storage section, thereby protecting it from damage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If impact absorption members are added to protect the power storage section, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower storage section protectionVSAvoidbody section structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the protective function into separate impact absorption members positioned at specific locations (front and rear of the power storage section). Each member is an independent deformable component that handles impact from its respective direction, allowing the protection system to be modular and not overly complex while effectively protecting the power storage section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable protective elements by using deformable impact absorption members that are designed to be replaced after use. These members sacrifice themselves during impact events by deforming and absorbing energy, then can be replaced with new ones, providing cost-effective protection without requiring complex reusable mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the impact absorption member is positioned close to the power storage section, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the available space for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact absorption effectivenessVSAvoidbody section space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating protective resources (impact absorption members) specifically at the locations where collisions most likely occur - the front and rear faces of the power storage section. Rather than uniformly distributing protection throughout the entire body section, the deformable parts are strategically placed only where needed, maintaining effective protection while preserving space for other components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This design effectively prevents damage to the power storage section by absorbing and distributing collision impacts, ensuring the power storage section remains undamaged during collisions.

Implementation Method 1

impact absorption members positioned forward and rearward of the power storage section, which absorb impacts by deforming in a stepwise manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

The structure accommodates the power storage section and includes an impact absorption member arranged in a forward or rearward position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS20250206526A1Article conveyance device

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 DAIFUKU CO LTD

AI summary

An article conveyance device includes a travelling section configured to travel along a travelling path, a body section suspended from the travelling section, and a power storage section storing electricity. The body section includes a first structure extending downward from a travelling section side. The first structure accommodates the power storage section and includes an impact absorption member arranged in a forward position on a side farther from a center position of the body section in a front-and-rear direction than the power storage section.