Modular Conveyor Tracks With Cross Traverse for Variable Intralogistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor devices face challenges in achieving an efficient variability-to-capacity ratio, particularly in intralogistics environments with highly variable conveying paths and lower capacity requirements, where AGV-based systems are limited by safety installations and low capacity compared to stationary conveyor units.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor device comprising two conveyor tracks with modular rack elements and a robot unit, allowing for highly variable control of object movement and synchronization with the robot unit's movement, along with a cross traverse rack element for efficient lateral movement between tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If AGV-based conveyor devices are used for highly variable conveying paths, then adaptability is improved, but conveying capacity deteriorates due to collision avoidance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor device is segmented into multiple independent rack elements that can be individually controlled. Each rack element can move objects independently, allowing parallel operations and eliminating the collision avoidance bottlenecks that limit AGV-based systems. This segmentation enables multiple objects to be conveyed simultaneously along different paths within the same system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control where the conveying path and speed of each rack element can be adjusted in real-time based on destination requirements. Objects can be accelerated, decelerated, or redirected at different points along the conveyor tracks, enabling highly variable paths while maintaining high capacity through optimized object flow management.
2Productivity
If stationary conveyor units with conveyor drives are used, then conveying capacity is improved, but adaptability to variable conveying paths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining the high capacity of stationary conveyor units, the system introduces dynamic path selection capabilities. Each rack element can be independently controlled to deliver objects to different destinations along the conveyor tracks, enabling the stationary infrastructure to adapt to variable conveying requirements without sacrificing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor tracks and rack elements are designed to serve multiple functions. The same physical infrastructure can handle both high-capacity bulk conveying and flexible individual object delivery to various destinations, making the system universally applicable to different intralogistics scenarios.
3Productivity
If multiple AGVs are increased to compensate for low conveying capacity, then conveying capacity is improved, but device complexity and costs deteriorate due to safety installations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying multiple independent AGVs with their own safety systems, the invention uses multiple controlled rack elements that share a common control infrastructure. This approach achieves equivalent or superior capacity while avoiding the redundant safety installations that would be required for multiple autonomous vehicles.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention describes a conveyor device, comprising a plurality of rack elements arranged in a first row to define a first conveyor track, wherein said first conveyor track is adapted to guide and carry an object along a first conveying direction, a plurality of rack elements arranged in a second row to define a second conveyor track, wherein said second conveyor track is adapted to guide and carry an object along a second conveying direction, wherein said second conveyor track extends in said second conveying direction and is positioned in a lateral distance to said first conveyor track with respect to said second conveying direction, wherein each rack element comprises a movable carrier device having an upper load surface and a coupling interface, a robot unit with a traction device and a driving device, wherein said traction device is adapted to move said robot unit along said first or said second conveying direction and said driving device is adapted to engage said coupling interface of said movable carrier device to drive said movable carrier device, a cross traverse rack element adapted to take up said robot unit.