Modular Low-Profile Chassis for Autonomous Transport Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional autonomous transport vehicles in logistics/warehouse facilities are heavy and costly due to bespoke cast or machined chassis, which necessitate larger and more expensive motors and suspension components, increasing their weight and cost.

Innovation Solution

The use of a modular chassis constructed from readily available materials like bar stock and tubing, allowing for customizable configurations to suit different case handling requirements, reducing weight and manufacturing costs while maintaining stability and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a bespoke cast or machined chassis is used, then the autonomous transport vehicle can be manufactured for a specific task, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask-specific configurationVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is divided into modular components (frame rails, cross members, mounting brackets) that can be selectively assembled. This allows the vehicle to be configured for specific tasks by selecting appropriate modules while keeping the base structure lightweight and reusable across different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis design uses standardized mounting interfaces and universal frame components that can accommodate different payloads and configurations. This multi-functional approach allows a single chassis platform to serve multiple tasks without requiring heavy custom-built structures for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a bespoke cast or machined chassis is used, then the autonomous transport vehicle can be manufactured for a specific task, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask-specific configurationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis uses readily available, inexpensive materials such as aluminum extrusions and standard metal stock instead of costly custom-cast or precision-machined components. This approach prioritizes cost-effective standard materials that can be easily sourced and assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If heavier motors and suspension components are used to support the mass, then the vehicle can carry the weight, but the weight and cost further increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system is divided into independent wheel assemblies with individual shock absorbers and spring elements. This segmented approach allows each suspension component to be optimized for minimal weight while providing adequate support, rather than using a heavy monolithic suspension system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension parameters (spring rate, damping coefficients) are optimized to provide adequate support capability with minimal mass. By carefully selecting suspension component parameters, the system achieves reliable weight support without requiring excessively heavy components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12391475B2Autonomous transport vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 SYMBOTIC LLC

AI summary

An autonomous transport robot vehicle for transporting a payload, includes a chassis that is a space frame formed of longitudinal hollow section beams, arrayed to form longitudinally extended sides of the space frame, and respective front and rear lateral beams closing opposite ends of the space frame. A payload support is connected to the chassis. Ride wheels depend from the chassis. The ride wheels and chassis in combination form a low profile height from the traverse surface to atop the chassis, where chassis height and ride wheel height are overlapped at least in part and the payload support is nested within the ride wheels. The space frame has predetermined modular coupling interfaces, each disposed for removably coupling, as a module unit, a corresponding predetermined electronic or mechanical component module of the autonomous transport robot vehicle to the chassis.