Overhead Conveying Vehicle Contact Mechanism for Accurate Height Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing overhead transport vehicles face challenges in accurately determining the relative height position of the container contact portion with respect to the lifting platform due to horizontal shifts of the container, which can lead to inaccurate height detection and potential damage to the container surface.

Innovation Solution

The overhead transport vehicle includes a container contact portion that is movably provided along a horizontal direction with respect to the lifting platform, equipped with a height detecting unit to accurately determine the relative height position, and features such as magnets and sliding members to maintain the contact portion's position and prevent horizontal shifts from converting into vertical movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the container contact portion is fixed in position on the lifting platform, then the height detecting unit can maintain a stable detection position, but horizontal shifts of the container will be converted into vertical movements causing inaccurate height detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight position detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection accuracy under container shift

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container contact portion is made movable in the horizontal direction with respect to the lifting platform. This dynamic configuration allows the contact portion to follow horizontal shifts of the container, preventing conversion of horizontal displacement into vertical movement, thereby maintaining accurate height detection even when containers are shifted during transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the container contact portion is made movable in the horizontal direction, then accurate height detection is maintained during container shifts, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight position detection accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container contact portion is segmented into multiple functional components: a contact portion that interfaces with the container, a sliding member that enables horizontal movement, and an energizing portion with magnets that provides positioning force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively achieving accurate height detection with controlled complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sliding member is introduced as an intermediary component between the container contact portion and the lifting platform. This sliding member facilitates horizontal movement while maintaining the functional relationship between the contact portion and the platform, enabling accurate detection without directly coupling the contact portion to the platform structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the container contact portion is made movable, then horizontal shifts are accommodated, but the position stability during unloaded state becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to container shiftVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

An energizing portion comprising magnets is provided to preliminarily position the sliding member and container contact portion in predetermined positions. During the unloaded state, the magnetic force maintains stable positioning of the movable components, preventing unintended movement while allowing controlled movement when containers are placed and shifted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This configuration allows for precise determination of the container contact portion's height relative to the lifting platform, preventing damage to the container surface and reducing false height detections by ensuring accurate positioning and movement alignment.

Implementation Method 1

The energizing portion may include a first magnet provided in the sliding member and a second magnet provided in the container contact portion. In this case, using the magnetic force of the first magnet and the second magnet, it is possible to maintain constant the position of the container contact portion with respect to the lifting platform.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4230496B1Overhead conveying vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 MURATA MASCH LTD

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AI summary

An overhead transport vehicle includes a lifting platform configured to transfer a container, a container contact portion configured to come into contact with a top surface of the container and movably provided along a height direction with respect to the lifting platform, and a height detecting unit configured to detect a relative height position of the container contact portion with respect to the lifting platform. The container contact portion is movably provided along the horizontal direction with respect to the lifting platform.