Guiding Vehicle Coupling for Autonomous Intralogistics Carts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional forklifts are limited in their ability to handle items other than pallets, require large clearance, and pose safety risks, while manual carts are labor-intensive and have load capacity limitations, making them unsuitable for efficient intralogistics systems.

Innovation Solution

A remote-controlled or autonomous guiding vehicle that connects to a self-propelled load bearing cart, providing navigation data and electrical energy, and features a mechanical connector for secure attachment, enabling efficient transportation and load handling within intralogistics systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If forklifts are used for transporting goods, then load capacity and lifting capability are improved, but safety risks and workspace clearance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload capacityVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent components: a self-propelled cart that carries the load and a separate guiding vehicle that provides navigation and control. This segmentation allows the load-bearing function to be separated from the navigation function, enabling safer operation in human-populated areas while maintaining high load capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding vehicle acts as an intermediary between the control system and the self-propelled cart. It receives navigation data from the cart's drive wheels via encoders or motors and uses this information to autonomously guide the cart, reducing the need for human operators in hazardous environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual carts are used for transporting goods, then safety and adaptability are improved, but labor intensity and maximum load capacity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The self-propelled cart is equipped with its own propulsion system including drive wheels with motors or encoders, allowing it to move autonomously without human physical effort. The guiding vehicle further enhances this by providing autonomous navigation capabilities, completely eliminating the need for manual pushing while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical pushing action is replaced by an automated system combining the cart's own propulsion mechanism and the guiding vehicle's navigation control. Sensors, encoders, and control algorithms substitute for human physical labor, reducing labor intensity to zero while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If forklifts are used for material handling, then lifting capability is improved, but workspace clearance and operational flexibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The self-propelled cart is designed with universal functionality to handle various types of loads and operate in different configurations. It can transport items individually or in groups, navigate through narrow aisles, and work in conjunction with the guiding vehicle for autonomous operation, providing both lifting capability and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If a larger guiding vehicle is used for navigation, then navigation capability is improved, but the ability to operate in confined spaces and fit under loads worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoidguiding vehicle size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding vehicle is designed to be compact and nestable under the load-bearing cart when not in use. Its smaller size allows it to fit in confined spaces and position itself optimally for navigation, while still containing all necessary navigation sensors, processors, and communication equipment for reliable autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12110050B2Navigator

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 FQ IP AB

AI summary

A guiding vehicle (100) for an intralogistics system, wherein the guiding vehicle (100) is remote controlled or autonomous and configured to be connected to a self-propelled load bearing cart (200), and guide and control the propulsion of the self-propelled load bearing cart (200) such that the self-propelled load bearing cart (200) can transport a load in the intralogistics system. The guiding vehicle (100) comprising a mechanical connector (170) for mechanically connecting the guiding vehicle (100) to the self-propelled load bearing cart (200) and a connector for transferring data. The guiding vehicle (100) is configured to receive navigation data from the self-propelled load bearing cart (200), using the connector for transferring data, in the form of information concerning the movement of a drive wheel of the self-propelled load bearing cart (200) obtained from at least one motor of the self-propelled load bearing cart (200) or from at least one encoder connected to the drive wheel. And wherein the guiding vehicle (100) is smaller than the self-propelled load bearing cart (200).