Hoist Tail Plate and Bumper Layout for Factory Transport Collision Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport vehicles in manufacturing factories face collisions due to malfunctioning sensors or undetected obstacles, particularly in branching and curved sections, leading to potential damage to articles and electronic components.
Innovation Solution
The transport vehicle is equipped with a hoist unit featuring a frame with rearward-protruding tail plates and bumper units on its front and rear surfaces, including a damper member in the rear bumper unit to absorb impact, and tail plates that reflect light to avoid collision detection sensors, minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transport vehicle is equipped with sensors to detect objects, then the ability to avoid collisions is improved, but the sensors may malfunction or fail to detect objects in branching and curved sections, leading to collision damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by installing a bumper unit with shock-absorbing elements (such as rubber bumpers or springs) at the front of the transport vehicle. This cushioning structure is positioned to absorb impact forces during collisions that occur despite sensor detection efforts, thereby mitigating damage to the vehicle body and articles while acknowledging the limitations of sensor reliability in complex path conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transport vehicle travels along curved and branching sections, then the transport flexibility is improved, but the possibility of collision without sensor detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper unit with shock-absorbing elements provides beforehand cushioning for collisions that may occur in curved and branching sections where sensor detection is less reliable. The cushioning structure is designed to engage during such collisions to protect the vehicle body and transported articles
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper unit acts as an intermediary element between the transport vehicle and potential obstacles. It provides a physical buffer zone that can absorb impact forces before they reach critical components, serving as a mechanical backup to the sensor-based detection system in areas where optical or electronic sensors may struggle
3Productivity
If the transport vehicle collides with another transport vehicle, then the articles being transported may be damaged due to impact
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper unit with shock-absorbing elements provides beforehand cushioning specifically designed to protect articles and electronic devices during vehicle-to-vehicle collisions. The cushioning structure absorbs impact energy before it can transmit to the transported articles, maintaining productivity by preventing damage that would require costly repairs or article replacement
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
Prevents collision damage to vehicle sensors and articles by ensuring the transport vehicle's detection by rear vehicles, thus protecting sensitive components and reducing sensor damage.
Implementation Method 1
the tail plate may be configured to reflect light emitted from the vehicle detection sensor
Implementation Method 2
a rear bumper unit provided on the rear surface of the frame, and a damper member which is provided between the rear bracket and the rear cover plate and generates buffering force
Data Source
AI summary
A transport vehicle for transporting an article in a manufacturing factory includes a driving unit which drives along a driving rail, and a hoist unit which is located under the driving unit and supports the article. The hoist unit includes a frame, and a pair of tail plates which is provided on a rear surface of the frame and protrudes rearward.