Modular Transport Robot Platform Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems face challenges in accommodating loads of varying sizes, leading to potential transport failures.
Innovation Solution
A transport system comprising a transport robot and multiple loading platform portions, where a determination unit selects the appropriate loading platform based on transport conditions, and a connection control unit manages the connection between the robot and the platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single type of accommodating device is used in the transport system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different load sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodating device is divided into a base unit and multiple interchangeable loading platform portions. Each loading platform portion can be independently selected and connected to the base unit to form a customized accommodating structure that matches the load requirements, thereby achieving high adaptability without requiring a completely different device for each load type.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed with universal connection interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of loading platform portions. This universal design allows a single base unit to work with various loading platform portions, enabling the system to handle different load sizes and types while maintaining relatively simple device complexity at the base level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of accommodating devices are provided, then the adaptability to different load sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing multiple complete accommodating devices, the system segments the accommodating function into a universal base unit and separate loading platform portions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multiple configurations by combining different platform portions with the base unit, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic reconfiguration of the accommodating device by allowing the base unit to connect with different loading platform portions based on the specific load requirements. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for multiple fixed accommodating devices, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If the transport robot connects to any available loading platform portion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of transport deteriorates due to potential size mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
Before the transport robot connects to a loading platform portion, the determination unit performs preliminary identification of the load characteristics (size, shape, weight) and selects the most suitable loading platform portion in advance. This preliminary action ensures that the connected platform is appropriate for the load, maintaining transport reliability while simplifying the actual connection operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit continuously monitors the load characteristics and provides feedback to select the optimal loading platform portion. This feedback mechanism ensures that the connection between the robot and platform is always appropriate for the load requirements, maintaining high reliability without complicating the operation for the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system includes a transport robot and a plurality of kinds of loading platform portions each of which is able to be connected to the transport robot. The transport system includes: a determination unit that determines a loading platform portion to which the transport robot is to be connected, from the plurality of kinds of loading platform portions, based on a transport condition; and a connection control unit that controls a connecting operation between the transport robot and the loading platform portion determined by the determination unit.