Autonomous Guide Cart Coupling for Safer Intralogistics Transport

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional forklifts are limited in their ability to handle items of varying sizes and pose safety risks in environments with human workers, while manual carts are labor-intensive and have load capacity limitations, necessitating a more efficient and safe intralogistics solution.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a self-propelled load bearing cart and a remote controlled or autonomous guide unit, equipped with a drive unit, mechanical connection, and computing unit for navigation and sensor integration, allowing for efficient and safe movement of goods in intralogistics environments, with optional optical projected routes for human prediction and collision avoidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If forklifts are used for transporting goods, then load capacity and efficiency are improved, but safety risks increase in environments with human workers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoidsafety risks to human workers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional forklifts with autonomous mobile robots that use sensors, computing units, and automated navigation systems instead of human-operated mechanical systems. This substitution eliminates the safety risks associated with human workers operating heavy equipment while maintaining transport efficiency through automated control and planning algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous mobile robots perform material transport tasks independently without human intervention. The robots navigate autonomously, avoid obstacles, and execute transport tasks based on computed paths, thereby eliminating safety risks to human workers while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual carts are used for transporting goods, then safety in human-populated environments is improved, but labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety for human workersVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual carts with autonomous mobile robots that use automated drive units, sensors, and computing systems. This substitution eliminates the need for human labor while maintaining safety in human-populated environments, thereby reducing labor intensity without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous mobile robots independently perform transport tasks without human assistance. The robots self-navigate, self-control their movement, and self-manage obstacle avoidance, thereby eliminating labor intensity while maintaining the safety benefits of non-human-operated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If forklifts are used for handling items, then load capacity is improved, but adaptability to different item sizes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload capacityVSAvoidadaptability to different item sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs autonomous mobile robots with dynamically adjustable platforms and modular designs that can adapt to different item sizes and configurations. The robots can adjust their carrying surfaces, heights, and arrangements to accommodate various loads, thereby maintaining both load capacity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous mobile robots are designed with universal capabilities to handle different types of items and loads. The robots can transport various items including pallets, individual boxes, and irregular objects by adjusting their platform configurations, thereby achieving both high load capacity and versatility across different item sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12195277B2Navigator for intralogistics

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 FQ IP AB

AI summary

A system for intralogistics comprising a self-propelled load bearing cart (200, 200′, 200″, 200′″, 200B) and a remote controlled or autonomous self-propelled guide unit (100, 100′). The self-propelled load bearing cart (200, 200′, 200″, 200′″, 200B) comprises a drive unit (223) comprising at least one drive wheel (222) for propelling the self-propelled load bearing cart (200, 200′, 200″, 200′″, 200B), a mechanical connection (172), and a computing unit (253) connected to the drive unit (223). The computing unit (253) comprises a transceiving unit (253′) for communicating with the remote controlled or autonomous self-propelled guide unit (100, 100), and the remote controlled or autonomous self-propelled guide unit (100, 100′) comprises a mechanical connection (171) configured to connect to the mechanical connection (172) of the self-propelled load bearing cart (200, 200′, 200″, 200′, 200B), such that a mechanical interconnection can be created between the remote controlled or autonomous self-propelled guide unit (100, 100′) and the self-propelled bearing cart (200, 200′, 200″, 200′, 200B).