Modular AGV Platform Assembly for Collaborative Manipulator Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AGV systems face challenges in central control, prioritization of machine requests, and efficient routing, with manual assistance required for loading and unloading materials, and expensive integration of collaborative manipulators.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous mobile vehicle platform with a modular design that includes a base, motor, wheel, battery, AGV controller, and a platform assembly supporting a collaborative manipulator, with a safety controller to manage power supply and ensure safe operation, allowing for integration with various AGVs and manipulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual assistance is used for loading and unloading materials, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity and automation level are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The AGV is equipped with a collaborative manipulator that enables it to perform loading and unloading operations autonomously without requiring manual assistance. The manipulator can independently grasp, lift, and place materials, allowing the AGV to serve itself in material handling tasks while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive control interfaces.
2Extent of automation
If robot arms are mounted on AGVs for material manipulation, then automation capability is improved, but integration cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a collaborative manipulator designed with universal applicability that can be integrated across different AGV models. The manipulator features standardized mounting interfaces and control protocols that enable it to perform material manipulation tasks on various AGV platforms, reducing integration costs through economies of scale and eliminating the need for custom-designed robot arms for each AGV type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If collaborative manipulators are integrated with AGVs, then operational versatility is improved, but system complexity and control integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary device that mediates between the AGV's navigation system and the collaborative manipulator. This controller receives commands from the AGV controller and translates them into appropriate manipulator actions, simplifying the control architecture by creating a clear separation of functions and reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining operational versatility.
4Productivity
If centralized control of AGVs is implemented, then coordination capability is improved, but routing efficiency and request prioritization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into hierarchical levels: a central controller that handles high-level coordination and task assignment, and local AGV controllers that manage individual vehicle routing and manipulation operations. This segmentation allows centralized coordination benefits while distributing the computationally intensive routing planning tasks to individual AGVs, reducing overall system complexity and improving routing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous mobile vehicle includes an AGV having a base, a motor coupled to the base, a wheel driven by the motor for moving the AGV, a battery coupled to the motor to power the motor, and an AGV controller for controlling movement of the AGV. The autonomous mobile vehicle includes a platform assembly coupled to the base. The platform assembly includes a frame defining a cavity and a support plate supported by the frame configured to support a collaborative manipulator. The platform assembly includes a collaborative manipulator controller received in the cavity configured to be operably coupled to the collaborative manipulator to actuate the collaborative manipulator in accordance with a control scheme. The platform assembly includes a safety controller received in the cavity electrically coupled to the battery of the AGV to control a power supply to the collaborative manipulator controller.