Mobile Robot Pallet Interface With Adjustable Sliding Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile robots require dedicated receiving stations with rollers and brake mechanisms for pallet handling, occupying significant space and lacking versatility in handling both fixed pallet racks and conveying equipment.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot arrangement with a sliding mechanism and a fixed surface, allowing adjustable vertical levels for pallets to slide on and off, eliminating the need for dedicated brake mechanisms and additional handling stations, and enabling interaction with both fixed pallet racks and conveying equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dedicated receiving stations with rollers and brake mechanisms are used for pallet handling, then the mobile robot can load and unload pallets, but the space occupied by these stations increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the receiving station functionality directly with the mobile robot by integrating rollers and brake mechanisms onto the robot's upper surface. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated receiving stations, thereby reducing the space they occupy while maintaining full pallet loading and unloading capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot is designed with universal pallet handling capabilities by equipping it with both rollers for loading/unloading and brake mechanisms for securing pallets during transport. This multi-functional design allows the robot to perform multiple operations (loading, unloading, transporting) without requiring separate dedicated stations for each function.
2Reliability
If rollers with brake mechanisms are used to prevent pallet movement, then the pallet can be secured during transport, but the device complexity increases due to robust brake requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the brake mechanism with the roller assembly, creating an integrated unit where the brake is directly associated with the rollers. This combination simplifies the overall device structure compared to having separate brake systems, while still providing reliable pallet fixation during transport through the coordinated action of rollers and brakes.
3Ease of operation
If a lift system is used to load/unload pallets from pallet racks, then the pallet can be transferred vertically, but additional handling stations are required increasing space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates lift functionality directly into the mobile robot structure, allowing the robot to perform vertical pallet transfer operations without requiring separate external handling stations. This merging of lift capability into the mobile robot eliminates the need for additional space-consuming stationary handling infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement (20) for a mobile robot (10) is provided. The arrangement forms an interface for a pallet (100) to be loaded and unloaded from the mobile robot (10). The arrangement comprises a sliding mechanism (40) that forms a sliding interface for an associated pallet (100) and a fixed surface (50) that forms a stationary interface for the associated pallet (100). The sliding mechanism (40) and the fixed surface (50) define respective first and second vertical levels (L1, L2), wherein at least one vertical level (L1, L2) is adjustable to an extent allowing an associated pallet (100) to be loaded and/or unloaded from an associated pallet rack (110).