Pneumatic Charging Coupler for Mobile Robot Uptime
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems for warehouses face inefficiencies in storage density, order fulfillment times, and vehicle congestion due to the need for extensive aisle space and complex picking/sorting zones, particularly for infrequently ordered products and diverse product varieties.
Innovation Solution
A high-density storage structure with a mobile, manipulator robot equipped with a pneumatic gripping tool and a fluid supply system, allowing the robot to traverse parallel rails, identify products using image data, and grasp items efficiently, reducing the need for extensive aisle space and complex infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If containers are stacked in adjacent rows without aisles to increase storage density, then storage space utilization is improved, but vehicles must navigate long distances to retrieve infrequently ordered products, increasing energy consumption and retrieval time
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the retrieval process by deploying multiple autonomous vehicles that can independently navigate and retrieve containers from different locations simultaneously, rather than using a single vehicle that must travel long distances sequentially
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central control system that acts as an intermediary to optimize vehicle routing and coordinate multiple vehicles, enabling efficient retrieval from densely stacked containers without requiring long individual travel paths
2Productivity
If multiple vehicles are added to the grid to increase throughput, then order fulfillment speed is improved, but the grid becomes congested with vehicles, causing gridlock and reducing system throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vehicle routing and task allocation in real-time based on current grid conditions, allowing the fleet to adapt to changing congestion patterns and maintain high throughput without causing gridlock
Solution Approach 2:
The central control system continuously monitors vehicle positions and grid congestion levels, using this feedback to optimize routing decisions and task distribution, preventing vehicle accumulation and maintaining system fluidity
3Adaptability or versatility
If containers are transported to picking/sorting zones for order fulfillment, then product variety handling is improved, but the picking/sorting zones reduce overall storage density and add system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the picking function from separate physical zones and integrates it directly onto the autonomous vehicles, allowing containers to be picked from wherever they are located in the stacked storage, eliminating the need for dedicated picking/sorting zones
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicles are designed as multi-functional units that can perform both container retrieval and picking operations, eliminating the need for separate picking/sorting zones and maintaining high storage density while handling diverse product varieties
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
Enhances storage density, reduces order fulfillment times, and improves the robot's ability to handle diverse products by providing a compact and efficient means of retrieving inventory items, minimizing downtime and increasing system throughput.
Implementation Method 1
a first pneumatic gripping tool configured to grasp inventory items
Implementation Method 2
a fluid supply line having a plurality of valves disposed within the supply line
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile manipulator robot having a pneumatic charging system. The mobile robot includes an energy source and a charging system to charge the energy source. The charging system includes a coupler having a mating end configured to mate with an external pneumatic supply system to access a pneumatic supply and a pneumatic actuator disposed downstream of the coupler. The pneumatic actuator is configured to convert energy from the pneumatic supply to charge the energy source. The pneumatic actuator may be an air motor or a piezo.