Front-Steered Transport Robot for Heavy Loads in Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems, such as forklifts and pallet trucks, struggle with maneuverability and safety when handling non-palletizable goods of significant bulk and weight, particularly in confined spaces, leading to potential collisions and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A transporter robot with front wheels and a guiding unit, equipped with multiple motors, allows for independent wheel rotation and steering, enabling easy maneuverability and safe handling of non-palletizable goods in small spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional transporters (forklifts, pallet trucks) are used to handle non-palletizable goods of significant bulk and weight, then the goods can be transported, but the transporter dimensions become large which prevents easy manoeuvrability in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional wheel arrangement by making the front wheels both propulsive and steering, rather than having separate steering and drive wheels. This inversion allows the transporter to achieve excellent maneuverability in confined spaces while maintaining the capability to handle heavy goods, as the front wheels are positioned to provide both direction control and propulsion force.
Solution Approach 2:
The front wheels are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they serve as both steering elements and propulsive wheels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate steering and drive mechanisms, reducing the overall size of the transporter while maintaining both maneuverability and weight-carrying capacity.
2Productivity
If conventional transporters are used in confined spaces, then goods can be transported, but the large dimensions increase the risk of collisions with other objects and persons
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the conventional wheel arrangement to make front wheels both propulsive and steering, the patent creates a more compact and agile transporter that can navigate confined spaces with ease, thereby reducing the risk of collisions with obstacles and persons while maintaining transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic steering capability provided by the front wheel arrangement allows the transporter to change direction quickly and adapt to the confined space environment, enabling it to avoid collisions proactively while maintaining productive transport operations.
3Extent of automation
If additional forklift or motor is installed on the forklift to provide propulsion, then the forklift can operate autonomously, but the dimensions become significant which prevents use in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the propulsion and steering functions into the front wheel assembly, eliminating the need for separate propulsion motors installed on the forklift body. This integration maintains autonomous operation capability while significantly reducing the overall dimensions, allowing the transporter to operate in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The front wheels serve as both propulsive and steering elements, providing multi-functionality that enables autonomous operation without requiring additional dedicated propulsion components, thereby maintaining compact dimensions suitable for confined space operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A goods and objects transporter robot having two front wheels (3) and one rear wheel (4) operatively coupled to a structural body (5). Such a transporter robot (1) comprises a front axle (8), a propulsive and steering guiding unit (9) operatively coupled to the two front wheels (3) to obtain movement and direct said transporter robot (1) and a support element (11) of the goods and objects coupled to the transporter robot (1) so as to discharge the load thereof mainly on the front axle (8).