Mobile Drive Unit for Warehouse Carts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for driving mobile objects like warehouse carts are costly due to the need for individual drives, and they compromise maneuverability when equipped with drives, making them impractical for frequent use and transport.
Innovation Solution
A device that can be easily coupled and decoupled from the bottom of a mobile object, using a single drive unit with frame wheels and coupling elements like magnetic forces or suction cups, allowing the same drive to be shared among multiple carts and maintaining maneuverability by transferring part of the device's weight to the object, thus stabilizing it without altering the object's support points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a drive unit is permanently integrated into each cart, then the cart can be driven automatically, but the cost increases and the cart becomes harder to transport and maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into a mobile drive unit that can be detached and attached to different carts. This segmentation allows the drive to be separated from the cart, reducing the complexity of individual carts while maintaining the ability to drive them automatically when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile drive unit is designed to be universal and can be attached to multiple different carts. This multi-functionality allows a single drive unit to serve multiple purposes and multiple carts, reducing the overall complexity and cost compared to having dedicated drives in each cart.
2Productivity
If a drive unit is integrated into each cart, then the cart can be driven automatically, but the cost price becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile drive unit is designed to be universal and can be attached to multiple different carts. This multi-functionality allows a single drive unit to serve multiple purposes and multiple carts, reducing the overall complexity and cost compared to having dedicated drives in each cart.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit and cart are merged temporarily when the drive is attached to the cart for automated operation. When not in use, they are separated. This merging approach allows the benefits of automated driving without the permanent cost and complexity of integrated drives in each cart.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the drive wheel remains in contact with the ground during positioning, then the device is stable, but the maneuverability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive wheel's contact status with the ground is made dynamic rather than static. The drive wheel can be raised to improve maneuverability during positioning and lowered to contact the ground when driving is needed. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between stability and maneuverability based on operational requirements.
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
Enables cost-effective and efficient driving of multiple carts with reduced physical effort and improved maneuverability, as the device's weight is transferred to the cart, maintaining the object's stability and steering behavior without unnecessary contact or noise.
Implementation Method 1
coupling elements like magnetic forces or suction cups
Implementation Method 2
coupling elements like magnetic forces or suction cups
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for driving a mobile object such as for instance a warehouse cart, which device comprises: - a frame (2); - at least one frame wheel (6) for displacing the device (1) over and parallel to a ground surface, which at least one frame wheel (6) is mounted on the frame (2); - a drive unit (5), which drive unit (5) is mounted on the frame (2) and comprises at least one drive wheel, which at least one drive wheel is displaceable between a positioning position and a driving position, wherein the at least one drive wheel is clear of the ground surface in the positioning position and makes contact with the ground surface in the driving position, and - a coupling device (8), which coupling device (8) is mounted on the frame (2), for coupling and uncoupling the device (1) respectively to and from the underside of a mobile object. The invention also relates to a combination of the device (1) and a mobile object such as for instance a warehouse cart.