FOUP Swing Suppression Buffer Mechanism for Overhead Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead transport vehicles face challenges in effectively suppressing the swing of heavier transported objects and maintaining high-speed transportation while preventing unnecessary stress on the drive unit.
Innovation Solution
A transport vehicle equipped with a pair of swing suppression units that contact the transported object from the front and rear, featuring a moving mechanism and a buffer mechanism with dual bias portions to adjust the biasing force based on the swing amplitude, ensuring effective suppression of swing without overloading the drive unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the swing suppression unit uses a constant biasing force, then the structure is simple, but the swing suppression effectiveness is insufficient for large swing amplitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the biasing force adjustable rather than constant. The biasing mechanism transitions from a static constant force to a dynamic variable force that adapts to the actual swing conditions, enabling effective suppression of both small and large swing amplitudes without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of biasing force from a fixed constant value to a variable value that depends on swing amplitude. By introducing a mechanism that automatically adjusts the biasing force parameter based on the operational state, the system achieves improved swing suppression effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple structure.
2Reliability
If the drive unit continuously moves the swing suppression unit to suppress swing, then the swing suppression is effective, but the drive unit is overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the swing suppression unit to automatically adjust its own biasing force based on the swing conditions without requiring continuous active control from the drive unit. The mechanism uses the swing energy itself to trigger the adjustment, reducing the power burden on the drive unit while maintaining effective swing suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by having the biasing force activate only when swing detection is required, rather than maintaining continuous high-force engagement. This intermittent activation pattern reduces the average power consumption and load on the drive unit while still providing effective swing suppression when needed.
3Reliability
If the swing suppression unit contacts the transported object continuously, then the swing is suppressed, but the transported object experiences unnecessary stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by making the contact force between the swing suppression unit and the transported object intermittent rather than continuous. The biasing force is activated only during swing events, allowing the transported object to experience natural motion during non-swing periods, thereby reducing cumulative stress and potential damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preparing the biasing mechanism to activate only when swing detection occurs. The system preemptively engages the suppression force at the moment of swing detection, providing counter-action exactly when needed rather than applying continuous force, thus minimizing unnecessary stress on the transported object.
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 solution effectively reduces or prevents swing of transported objects by instantaneously switching biasing forces when the swing exceeds a predetermined range, minimizing the load on the drive unit and maintaining efficient transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a first bias portion configured to bias the operation portion so that the swing suppression unit presses the transported object
Implementation Method 2
a second bias portion configured to act on the operation portion when the operation amount of the operation portion is greater than a predetermined amount and to bias the operation portion so that the swing suppression unit presses the transported object
Data Source
AI summary
A moving mechanism moves a swing suppression unit in a traveling direction between an advanced position contacting a FOUP and a retracted position away from the FOUP by a drive of a drive unit. A buffer mechanism that allows the swing suppression unit that has been moved to the advanced position by the drive of the drive unit to move to the traveling direction after stopping the drive of the drive unit. The buffer mechanism includes a first coupling portion and a rod-shaped portion coupled to the swing suppression unit to perform a movement of an operation amount in accordance with an amount of movement of the swing suppression unit to a second position direction, a first bias portion that biases the first coupling portion and the rod-shaped portion so that the swing suppression unit presses the FOUP, and a second bias portion that acts on the first coupling portion and the rod-shaped portion when the operation amount of the first coupling portion and the rod-shaped portion is greater than a predetermined amount and that biases the first coupling portion and the rod-shaped portion so that the swing suppression unit presses the FOUP.