Modular Autonomous Guided Vehicle for Flexible Material Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logistics and material handling in commercial facilities rely on specialized, manually operated equipment for various transport operations, requiring multiple devices and limited autonomy, which is inefficient and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A configurable modular robotic autonomous guided vehicle equipped with a robotic engine module, sensors, and a control system for intrinsic navigation, along with interchangeable logistic or material handling accessory modules, enabling fully autonomous, semi-autonomous, or manual operation for diverse transport tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized transport equipment are used for different operations, then each operation can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the overall system complexity and equipment quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous guided vehicle is designed with a universal platform that can perform multiple transport operations including lifting, tugging, and pushing by attaching different accessory modules. The base vehicle unit remains constant while interchangeable modules provide specialized functions, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated equipment types for different operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport equipment is divided into modular components: a base autonomous guided vehicle unit and separate interchangeable accessory modules. Each module can be attached or detached based on operational requirements, allowing the system to be reconfigured for different tasks without requiring entirely different equipment.
2Ease of operation
If manually operated transport equipment is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but automation level and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous guided vehicle system provides dynamic operational modes that can be adjusted based on task requirements. The vehicle can operate autonomously for routine transport tasks, switch to semi-autonomous mode for complex operations, or allow manual control when flexibility is needed, thus adapting the automation level to match the operational context.
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized equipment is tailored to specific operations, then operational precision is improved, but system adaptability to different tasks decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different accessory modules are pre-configured with specialized functions for specific operations such as lifting, tugging, or pushing. Before a transport task begins, the appropriate module is attached to the autonomous guided vehicle, ensuring the system is precisely configured for the required operation while maintaining the ability to adapt to different tasks by changing modules.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable modular robotic autonomous guided vehicle having an engine module and multiple different ones of selectably interchangeable logistic or material handling accessory modules. The engine module has motors, sensors and a control system integrated with each other for autonomous navigation freely throughout a travel area forming a logistic space. A module interface is located at one end of the engine module for modular coupling of the engine module with a handling accessory module of the vehicle. Each of the handling accessory modules has a different predetermined logistic or material handling characteristic that on integral coupling with the engine module define a different logistic or material handling autonomous guided vehicle type. Selectable coupling of the handling accessory module with the engine module configures the vehicle so as to change the vehicle type from a first vehicle type to a second vehicle type different than the first vehicle type.