Dual-Use Pallet Fork Handling for Multi-Basket Robots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-layer container robots inefficiently utilize their components, as the fork remains idle even when the pack baskets are fully loaded, limiting the handling capacity and efficiency of goods transportation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for controlling robots with liftable forks and pack baskets, allowing simultaneous use of both to enhance handling capacity by loading goods onto the fork and pack baskets, optimizing movement and placement of goods at multiple stop positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot uses only pack baskets for goods handling, then the structure is simple, but the handling capacity is limited when pack baskets are fully loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fork multi-functional by enabling it to both transport goods directly to destination and serve as temporary storage during robot movement. The fork can hold goods while the robot navigates to target positions, effectively combining transportation and temporary storage functions into a single component, thereby increasing overall handling capacity without adding new components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by loading the fork with goods before the robot begins movement to the target position. This allows the fork to be prepared in advance with goods that will be needed at the destination, enabling smoother operations and reducing waiting time at destination points, thus improving handling capacity.
2Productivity
If the robot waits for pack baskets to be emptied before returning to goods-taking position, then goods are placed correctly, but time is lost and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves continuity of useful action by enabling the robot to transport goods using the fork during movement between positions, rather than idle waiting. The fork-loaded goods are transported continuously during robot navigation, eliminating idle time and ensuring the robot is constantly engaged in productive activities, thereby improving handling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading the fork with goods before robot movement begins. This preparation ensures that goods are ready for immediate placement at the destination, eliminating the need for the robot to wait at the destination for pack baskets to be emptied, thus reducing idle time and improving efficiency.
3Productivity
If the robot transports goods only in pack baskets, then loading is straightforward, but the robot cannot fully utilize its components during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances component utilization by making the fork serve dual purposes: traditional goods manipulation and temporary goods storage during transport. This multi-functionality ensures that the fork remains actively engaged throughout robot operations, maximizing component utilization without requiring additional specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the fork's function adaptable based on operational context. The fork dynamically switches between traditional manipulation tasks and temporary storage roles depending on the robot's operational state, allowing flexible adaptation to different operational requirements while maintaining high component utilization.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
A robot control method and apparatus, and a goods handling system (5) and a computer-readable storage medium. A robot (10) comprises a pallet fork (11) capable of moving up and down, and at least one pack basket (12), wherein the pallet fork is used for taking and placing goods, and each pack basket is used for temporarily storing goods. The robot control method comprises : controlling a robot to move to a first goods-taking and stopping position, wherein the first goods-taking and stopping position is a stopping position at which the robot takes out at least one first target good; controlling the robot to use a pallet fork to take out the at least one first target good at the first goods-taking and stopping position, wherein using the pallet fork to take out the at least one first target good comprises : using the pallet fork to take out one of the at least one first target good and loading same onto the pallet fork; and when the at least one first target good has been taken out at the first goods-taking and stopping position, controlling the robot to move to a target position, wherein the pallet fork loads one of the at least one first target good during the process of the robot moving to the target position.