Modular Robot Vehicle Kit with Universal Interface Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic and logistics vehicles are inflexible and costly, requiring significant effort to adapt to new production processes, and existing modular systems lack resilience for industrial use.
Innovation Solution
A modular kit comprising interchangeable module blocks with a uniform interface geometry, including drive, energy storage, control, and sensor blocks, allowing for the creation of robotic vehicles with freely selectable dimensions and omnidirectional wheel drives for enhanced adaptability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If highly specialized transport systems are used for mass production, then operational efficiency is improved, but adaptability to new production processes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into modular components that can be independently selected and combined. Each module serves a specific function (drive unit, platform, payload carrier) and can be reconfigured for different production processes, maintaining high operational efficiency while enabling rapid adaptation to new requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular transport system uses standardized interfaces and common components across different module types. This universal design allows the same basic modules to serve multiple functions in different production configurations, resolving the contradiction between specialized efficiency and general adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If vehicles with fixed basic structure are used, then structural stability is improved, but ease of adaptation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle structure is segmented into standardized modular components with fixed, stable internal structures. Each module maintains its structural integrity independently while connecting to others through standardized interfaces, enabling both stability and adaptability through modular reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed overall structure to a dynamically reconfigurable modular structure. While individual modules maintain stable compositions, the entire vehicle can be dynamically adapted by adding, removing, or repositioning modules based on production requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary interfaces are used, then manufacturer control is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs standardized universal interfaces that are openly specified, allowing any manufacturer to produce compatible modules. This eliminates proprietary restrictions while maintaining system integrity through standardized connection protocols and mechanical interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized interface design enables manufacturers to independently adapt and customize their modules without requiring proprietary tools or specialized knowledge from the original manufacturer. Each manufacturer can service and modify their own modules using common standards.
4Ease of manufacture
If modular systems with low load-bearing capacity are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the vehicle into modular components that are easy to assemble individually. The overall load-bearing capacity is achieved through the cumulative effect of multiple standardized modules working together, with load distributed across the modular structure rather than requiring each individual module to be extremely strong.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple modular components are combined to create a vehicle system with sufficient load-bearing capacity. The standardized interfaces ensure that when modules are assembled together, they form a structurally sound unit capable of handling industrial loads while maintaining ease of assembly through standard connection methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a module block for building a robot vehicle or logistics vehicle (1). The module block (2) comprises a housing (3), which has a component receptacle (14) for a first electronic component (15), which is designed, in interaction with at least one further electronic component (15') of a further module block (2'), to create a controlled drive device for the robot vehicle or logistics vehicle (1). The module block (2) is designed as a drive block (72) and comprises a controllable wheel drive (60) as the first electronic component (15). The housing (3) of the module block (2) comprises a straight box profile body (8). The box profile body (8) is open on two opposing axial end faces (O, U) and encloses a cavity (6) in an annular manner. A cover plate (4, 5) is arranged on at least one of the open end faces (O, U) and fits over the opening in this end face (O, U). One or more T-shaped grooves (7) are provided on at least two, preferably all of the outer walls of the box profile body (8). The disclosure further relates to an accompanying module kit (100) for providing a robot vehicle or logistics vehicle (100).