Offset-Axis Wheel Assembly for Stable ASRS Container Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) with container handling vehicles operating on a rail system face instability issues when traveling in certain directions, particularly due to the high center of gravity caused by the placement of drive, power, control, and lifting components above the storage containers.
Innovation Solution
The container handling vehicle is equipped with a wheel assembly featuring a first wheel and a gear wheel arranged on parallel and offset axes, allowing for a more stable operation by moving at least two wheels into the tracks of a neighboring grid cell. This configuration also enables the use of larger motors by relocating the motor to a more spacious area within the vehicle body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drive, power, control, and lifting components are placed above the storage containers, then the container handling vehicle can perform lifting and transportation functions, but the center of gravity becomes high causing instability when traveling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the motor from the vertical dimension (above storage containers) to the horizontal dimension (within the vehicle body at lower level). This dimensional shift moves the center of gravity downward, improving stability while preserving lifting and transportation capabilities through the wheel assembly mechanism.
2Power
If the motor is relocated to a more spacious area within the vehicle body, then larger motors can be used for enhanced performance, but the wheel assembly configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the motor unit housed within the vehicle body, the power transmission mechanism through the gear wheel, and the drive wheel that contacts the rail. This segmentation allows the motor to be positioned in the spacious lower area while maintaining functional integrity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear wheel acts as an intermediary element between the motor (located in the spacious lower area) and the drive wheel (contacting the rail). This intermediary mechanism transmits power from the relocated motor to the wheel, enabling larger motors to be used without direct coupling complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If at least two wheels are moved into the tracks of a neighboring grid cell, then the vehicle gains increased stability, but the wheel assembly design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is designed with universal functionality to operate in multiple configurations. The same wheel assembly can function with wheels on the original rail or extended into neighboring grid cell tracks, providing stability enhancement without requiring entirely separate mechanisms for different operating modes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides increased stability to the container handling vehicle, allowing it to move more efficiently and effectively in various directions within the ASRS, while also enabling the use of larger motors for enhanced performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first gear wheel engaging the toothed circular surface of the first wheel, wherein the first gear wheel is rotatable around a gear wheel axis; wherein the wheel axis and the gear wheel axis are arranged parallel and offset relative to each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel assembly (550',550") for a container handling vehicle (501), the wheel assembly (550',550") comprising: - a wheel (510',510") and a gear wheel (511',511"), - the wheel (510',510") being rotatable around a wheel axis (WA) and comprising a toothed circular surface arranged radially inwards of a wheel rim of the wheel (510',510"), - the gear wheel (511',511") being rotatable around a gear wheel axis (GA) and engaged to the toothed circular surface (512) of the wheel (510',510") via a toothed outer surface (519',519"); wherein the wheel axis (WA) and the gear wheel axis (GA) are arranged parallel and offset relative to each other.