Container Handling Vehicle Direct-Drive Lifting Axles for Level Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face issues with unstable lifting of storage containers due to mechanical wear and tear in conventional lifting systems, leading to uneven lifting and horizontal movement during vertical operations.
Innovation Solution
A lifting system for container handling vehicles utilizing a pair of equal or near-equal diameter lifting shafts connected by a force transferring assembly, such as a timing belt or chain, ensuring synchronized rotation and minimal horizontal movement, with a motor drive assembly and a brake arrangement for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical lifting systems are used, then lifting function is achieved, but mechanical wear and tear causes instability and uneven lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical lifting system with an electric motor-driven system. The motor (23) directly drives the lifting shaft (25) through electromagnetic force, eliminating complex mechanical transmissions such as gears, belts, and linkages. This substitution reduces mechanical wear and tear, improves lifting stability, and enhances reliability while maintaining the lifting function.
2Reliability
If motor directly drives lifting shaft, then mechanical wear is reduced, but precise control and synchronization require additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motor (23) and lifting shaft (25) into a integrated direct-drive assembly, eliminating intermediate mechanical components. The motor shaft is directly coupled to the lifting shaft, merging the drive mechanism and lifting mechanism into one unified system. This reduces the number of parts, simplifies the control system, and extends service intervals while maintaining precise control through electronic modulation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If lifting shafts are synchronized, then horizontal stability is maintained, but force transfer requires additional assembly components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical force transfer assemblies with a simplified direct-drive configuration. The motor (23) generates rotational force that is directly transmitted to the lifting shaft (25), eliminating the need for belts, chains, or gear systems to synchronize the shafts. This substitution maintains horizontal stability through precise electronic control while reducing the complexity of the force transferring 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 provides stable, levelled lifting of storage containers, reducing mechanical dependency, enhancing efficiency, and extending service intervals while maintaining horizontal stability during vertical operations.
Implementation Method 1
a motor drive assembly comprising at least one motor, wherein the at least one motor encircles one of the lifting shafts
Implementation Method 2
a force transferring assembly rotatably connecting the first and second lifting shafts via a force transferring element
Data Source
AI summary
An automated storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns, and a container handling vehicle. The container handling vehicle includes a transport mechanism for transport of the vehicle, and a lifting assembly for picking up storage containers from the storage columns. The lifting assembly includes: a lifting frame connectable to a storage container, a first lifting shaft and a second lifting shaft, the first and second lifting shafts being mainly parallel, and each of the first and second lifting shafts being supported in an upper portion of the vehicle, two lifting elements extending from each of the first and second lifting shafts to the lifting frame, and a motor drive assembly having at least one motor including a first motor, and a force transferring assembly rotatably connecting the first and second lifting shafts via a force transferring element.