Autonomous Payload Transport via Floor-Contact Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing payload transportation methods using vehicles often lead to difficulties in controlling the vehicle due to the weight of the payload, causing performance issues and potential damage to the vehicle or lifting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that autonomously connects and disconnects a payload carrying device with a vehicle, ensuring the payload's weight rests on the floor during transport, using sensors and a control unit to manage the connection and disconnection, and employs a wheel locking system to immobilize the payload at the desired location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the payload is carried on the vehicle or towed behind it, then the payload can be transported to the desired location, but the vehicle performance suffers due to the payload's weight affecting control and vehicle dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the payload transport function into two independent parts: the vehicle provides autonomous navigation and transport capability, while the payload carrying device provides payload support and ground contact. This segmentation allows the vehicle to remain lightweight and maneuverable while the payload device handles the weight burden through floor contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The payload carrying device acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and the payload. It connects to the vehicle via a connection device but maintains independent floor contact, serving as a mediator that transfers the payload weight to the floor rather than to the vehicle, thus resolving the weight-control contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If lifting mechanisms are used to carry the payload, then the payload can be elevated and transported, but the system becomes more complex and vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the lifting function entirely from the system by allowing the payload carrying device to maintain floor contact during transport. This eliminates the need for complex lifting mechanisms, reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of payload transport operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The payload carrying device maintains a constant potential state by keeping its wheels in contact with the floor throughout the transport process. This eliminates the need for elevation changes and associated lifting mechanisms, simplifying the system while enabling easy payload transport.
3Extent of automation
If the vehicle autonomously transports the payload carrying device, then operational flexibility is improved, but precise control of connection and disconnection becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor devices to detect the environment and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the control unit to make real-time adjustments to the connection device operation, facilitating precise autonomous control of connection and disconnection operations while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit autonomously operates the connection device based on sensor feedback and pre-programmed logic. The system serves itself by making independent decisions about when to connect and disconnect the payload carrying device, reducing the need for manual intervention while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for transporting a payload carrying device is disclosed. The method comprises providing at least one payload carrying device, a vehicle for transporting the at least one payload carrying device, a connection device for connecting the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device, at least one sensor device for capturing information regarding the vehicle's surrounding environment, and a control unit for operating the connection device autonomously to connect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device where, once connected, the weight of the at least one payload carrying device rests directly on the floor and the vehicle autonomously transports the at least one payload carrying device to a desired location, and operating the connection device autonomously to disconnect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device at the desired location where the at least one payload carrying device is immobilized.