Pivotable Wheel Support Arms for Autonomous Transport Vehicle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles for transporting luggage or goods lack cost-effectiveness, robustness, and efficiency, especially when navigating bends and varying loads during rapid acceleration and braking.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a chassis with pivotable wheel support arms, electric drive motors, and a control unit, allowing for independent operation and efficient path coverage, with a conveyor belt for unloading and guards to prevent objects from sliding, optimizing stability and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vehicle designs are used for transporting luggage or goods, then the construction is simpler and cost is lower, but the vehicle lacks robustness and efficiency when navigating bends and handling variable loads during rapid acceleration and braking
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into modular components: a chassis beam, multiple wheel support arms (front and rear), and independently controllable wheel modules. Each wheel support arm can pivot independently about its pivot axis, allowing segmented adaptation to varying loads and navigation requirements, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely complex monolithic structure
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel support arms are designed to be dynamically adjustable through pivoting motion about vertical pivot axes. The front wheel support arm can pivot to adjust steering angle, and the rear wheel support arm can pivot to adjust wheel orientation during turns. This dynamic adaptability allows the vehicle to maintain stability and reliability when navigating bends and handling variable loads during rapid acceleration and braking
2Strength
If the chassis is designed with a simple structure, then manufacturing is easier and cost is lower, but the chassis lacks the robustness needed for rapid acceleration, braking, and bend navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is segmented into a central chassis beam and separate wheel support arms that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. The chassis beam serves as the primary structural element, while the wheel support arms are separate components that pivot relative to the beam. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and manufactured using appropriate processes, balancing robustness with manufacturing ease
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel support arms are connected to the chassis beam through pivot connections that combine structural support with rotational freedom. The front wheel support arm merges steering function with load-bearing capability, while the rear wheel support arm merges drive transmission with structural support. This merging allows the chassis to achieve robustness through the integrated assembly rather than requiring an overly complex monolithic structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses independent wheel control for dynamic maneuverability, then the vehicle can navigate bends and handle variable loads effectively, but the control system and drive mechanism become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into independent wheel modules, with each wheel having its own drive motor. The front wheel support arm has independent steering control, and the rear wheel support arm has independent drive control. This segmentation allows each wheel to be controlled independently for optimal maneuverability while using standardized motor components that keep the overall system manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the position and orientation of each wheel support arm based on navigation requirements and load conditions. The front wheel support arm pivots to achieve desired steering angles, while the rear wheel support arm pivots to optimize wheel orientation during turns. This dynamic control allows the vehicle to adapt to varying conditions, and the control unit can implement these adjustments using straightforward pivot angle commands rather than complex mechanical linkages
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 vehicle achieves dynamic and reliable transport of luggage or goods with enhanced stability and operational reliability, ensuring objects remain on the carrying surface during movement and easy unloading, even in complex environments.
Implementation Method 1
per wheel an electric drive motor connected thereto for driving the relevant wheel
Implementation Method 2
a source of electrical energy such as a battery which is connected to each of the drive motors and to the control unit
Implementation Method 3
The first and second pivot axes extend mutually parallel and vertically... during operation of the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an automatically controlled vehicle for transporting an object, comprising a chassis having on an upper side a carrying surface for the object, a pivotable first and second wheel support arm, each having a wheel at the outer ends thereof, per wheel an electric drive motor connected thereto and a control unit for separate control of each of the drive motors. The chassis is formed by an elongate central chassis beam extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein the first wheel support arm is connected to the chassis beam at a first distance from a first outer end of the chassis beam, and wherein the second wheel support arm is connected to the chassis beam at a second distance from a second outer end of the chassis beam.