Overhead Transport Lifting Control With Automatic Level Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional overhead transport vehicles face challenges in maintaining the lifting part in a horizontal state during lifting and lowering operations due to machine-specific characteristics, requiring manual adjustments that are not always effective.

Innovation Solution

The transport vehicle system incorporates a measuring part and a measured part that automatically adjust the lifting part's state based on real-time measurements, using a control device to correct set values and include a maintenance trestle for efficient measurement without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate vehicles are used to transport different types of cargo, then cargo flexibility is improved, but road space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo flexibilityVSAvoidroad space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple vehicle types (truck, bus, van) into a single integrated platform where cargo modules can be selectively loaded and unloaded. The modular cargo system allows different cargo types to be transported on the same vehicle, eliminating the need for separate dedicated vehicles and optimizing road space utilization while maintaining cargo flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle platform is designed with universal cargo modules that can accommodate various cargo types (bulk goods, packaged goods, temperature-sensitive items). The same vehicle can serve multiple functions by simply changing the cargo modules, making the vehicle adaptable to different transportation needs without requiring separate specialized vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If dedicated vehicles are used for temperature-sensitive cargo, then cargo protection is improved, but vehicle availability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo protectionVSAvoidvehicle availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle configuration is made dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed. Temperature-sensitive cargo modules can be quickly loaded and unloaded, allowing the same vehicle to switch between transporting temperature-sensitive and non-temperature-sensitive goods. This dynamic reconfiguration ensures vehicle availability while maintaining proper cargo protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for the rapid replacement of cargo modules. When temperature-sensitive cargo is delivered, the specialized modules can be quickly removed and replaced with standard cargo modules for other shipments. This efficient module exchange system maintains vehicle availability while ensuring dedicated protection for temperature-sensitive items during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of time

If cargo modules are quickly loaded and unloaded, then loading time is improved, but structural complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading timeVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo system is divided into separate, standardized modules that can be independently loaded and unloaded. This segmentation allows for quick module exchange without requiring complex disassembly operations. The modular design simplifies the loading/unloading process while maintaining structural integrity, reducing both time loss and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses standardized module dimensions and connection interfaces that allow for rapid exchange. By optimizing the physical parameters of the modules (size, connection mechanisms, weight distribution), the system achieves fast loading and unloading times without introducing excessive structural complexity. The standardized parameters enable quick reconfiguration while keeping the overall structure simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4249405B1Transport vehicle system
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 MURATA MASCH LTD
  • EP4249405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4249405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4249405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transport vehicle system (100) includes a measuring part (80) that measures a measurement target portion, a measured part (90) on which the measurement target portion is formed, and a control part (8) that causes a lifting part (7) to be lifted and lowered according to a predetermined set value. The control part (8) controls the lifting and lowering of the lifting part (7) so that the measuring part (80) can measure the measured part (90) by one of the measuring part (80) and the measured part (90) gripped by the gripping part (7) and by the other of the measuring part (80) formed or placed at a predetermined position and the measured part (90) formed or placed at a predetermined position, and corrects the set value based on a result of measurement of the measured part (90) made by the measuring part (7) .