Autonomous Payload Bay Registration for Fast Underpick Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous transport vehicles in logistics/warehouse facilities have complex and expensive components, such as transfer arms and payload bays, which increase manufacturing and maintenance costs due to their bespoke nature.
Innovation Solution
The autonomous transport vehicles employ a simplified case handling structure with interchangeable universal structures, reducing the number of actuators/motors and using registration facets for secure payload engagement, allowing quick registration and handling of payloads in six degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional bespoke transfer arms and payload bays are used, then payload handling capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by replacing bespoke transfer arms and payload bays with standardized, interchangeable components that can serve multiple functions across different autonomous transport vehicles. The modular payload bay design allows the same basic structure to handle various payload types and sizes, eliminating the need for custom-manufactured components for each vehicle model, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the payload handling system into modular components including interchangeable payload bays, standardized transfer arms, and separate actuator assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, reducing overall device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining full payload handling capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If numerous actuators and motors are used in transfer arms and payload bays, then payload transfer functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuator functions into fewer, more versatile actuator assemblies. The standardized transfer arm design consolidates positioning, gripping, and transfer functions into integrated actuator units, reducing the total number of motors and actuators required while maintaining full payload transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal actuator assemblies that can perform multiple functions across different payload handling configurations. These standardized actuators replace numerous specialized motors, reducing component quantity and manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to handle various payload types through software-controlled functionality.
3Productivity
If registration facets are used for payload engagement, then payload registration speed is improved, but structural complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical registration mechanisms with simplified registration facets that use geometric matching and passive alignment features. These facets enable rapid payload registration through shape-complementary interfaces rather than active mechanical adjustment, achieving high registration speed with minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous transport vehicle includes a frame forming a transport payload area of the vehicle. The payload area includes a payload contact support surface that defines a payload support plane that supports the payload. The payload area further includes an articulated underpick end effector that engages and underpicks the payload with respect to the support plane, and extends and retracts with respect to the payload area effecting payload transfer. Payload registration facets are mounted to the frame to engage the payload. The registration facets are disposed to provide, upon engagement with the payload, at least two degrees of registration capturing and securing the payload in a predetermined position in the payload area, and are configured to effect payload engagement with the at least two degrees of registration registering the payload substantially coincident with seating of the payload on the payload support plane of the payload area.