Energy-Limiting Device for Misaligned Container Transfers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic arms in logistic environments often inefficiently transfer containers, leading to decreased throughput and safety issues due to misalignment with storage racks, which can cause damage and repositioning of racks.
Innovation Solution
An energy limiting device is integrated with the conveyance mechanism to translate away from the storage rack upon experiencing a threshold force, limiting energy transfer and preventing further contact of containers with the rack, using mechanisms like a poppet valve, magnetic elements, or a cam mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robotic arms transfer containers to storage racks, then container throughput increases, but misalignment causes containers to contact the rack leading to damage and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The energy limiting device is positioned between the conveyance mechanism and the storage rack to act as a cushioning element. When a container contacts the rack due to misalignment, the device absorbs the impact energy through controlled deformation or movement, preventing direct transmission of force to the rack and preventing rack tipping, while allowing the container to be safely redirected
Solution Approach 2:
The energy limiting device serves as an intermediary component between the conveyance mechanism and the storage rack. It mediates the interaction by translating excessive force from container-rack contact into controlled device deformation, thereby protecting both the rack from damage and the container from further impact while maintaining safe operation
2Speed
If the conveyance mechanism pushes containers into storage racks, then transfer speed increases, but excessive force causes rack tipping and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The energy limiting device is pre-positioned to absorb excessive forces before they can cause rack tipping. When a container contacts the rack during high-speed transfer, the device deforms or moves to absorb the impact energy, preventing the force from transmitted to the rack structure and causing instability
Solution Approach 2:
The device converts the harmful excessive force from misaligned container contact into beneficial controlled deformation or movement. This transformation allows the system to maintain high transfer speeds while the device absorbs the excess energy that would otherwise cause rack tipping, turning a potential hazard into a protective mechanism
3Productivity
If robotic arms operate at high speed, then throughput increases, but misalignment errors cause containers to be pushed further into racks
Solution Approach 1:
The energy limiting device provides self-correcting functionality by automatically translating or deforming when excessive force is applied. This self-service mechanism compensates for alignment errors without requiring external intervention or slowing down the high-speed robotic arms, allowing the system to maintain both high throughput and acceptable precision
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a conveyance mechanism configured to move in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and an energy limiting device coupled to the conveyance mechanism. The energy limiting device is configured to move in the first direction with the conveyance mechanism, and move in the second direction as the conveyance mechanism moves in the first direction upon an amount of force greater than a threshold amount of force being imparted to the energy limiting device. A sensor is configured to generate sensor data associated with movement of the energy limiting device in the second direction as the conveyance mechanism moves in the first direction.