Rail-Bound Transport Robot Lifting Platform With Longitudinal Conveyor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail-bound transport robots with hoists are limited in their ability to handle loads of different formats and piece goods, as they require adaptation to specific load types, can only hold loads from above, and lack the capability to separate or stack loads transversely, restricting their operational mode and application.

Innovation Solution

A rail-bound transport robot with a loading platform equipped with a longitudinal conveyor that allows for the transportation and separation of unformatted loads transversely to the lifting direction, featuring a conveyor belt or other conveying elements that enable lateral loading and unloading, and a telescopic design for extended reach, allowing for format-independent loading and rearrangement of goods in rack storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lifting gear is used to hold loads from above, then the load can be transported vertically, but the lifting gear must be constantly engaged with the load and cannot separate multiple loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload holding capabilityVSAvoidability to handle multiple load types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting gear is divided into a lifting device and a separate loading device. The lifting device holds the loading device, which in turn holds the load. This segmentation allows the loading device to be released from the load while still supported by the lifting device, enabling multiple loads to be handled sequentially.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The loading device acts as an intermediary between the lifting device and the load. It provides a platform that can be positioned at different locations and can hold various types of loads, while the lifting device remains engaged with the loading device rather than directly with the load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a lifting gear is designed for specific load formats, then it can securely hold that load type, but it cannot transport loads of different formats or piece goods individually

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload securing capabilityVSAvoidformat independence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The loading device is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of loads including boxes, containers, and piece goods. The loading device includes a loading opening and can be positioned at different locations, allowing it to handle various load formats without requiring reconfiguration of the lifting device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The loading device is made movable relative to the lifting device, allowing it to be positioned at different locations along the lifting direction. This dynamic positioning capability enables the same loading device to adapt to different load formats and storage locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If the lifting gear is arranged vertically, then it can lift loads, but it cannot separate or stack loads transversely to the lifting direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidlateral separation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The loading device is extended in the direction transverse to the lifting direction, creating a loading opening that allows loads to be loaded and unloaded from the side. This dimensional extension enables lateral separation and stacking of loads while maintaining vertical lifting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3456662B1Track-bound transport robot with lifting platform
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 HERON INNOVATIONS FACTORY GMBH
  • EP3456662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3456662B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3456662B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Rail-bound transport robot with lifting device which is arranged in a recess (27) of the transport robot (2) in a vertical direction so as to be raised and lowered and is suitable for receiving a load (6, 7, 7', 7"), wherein the lifting device is designed as a load platform (10) which can be raised and lowered and has at least one longitudinal conveyor (8, 9; 8a, 9a; 30) arranged on it.