Rail Container Vehicle Mass Balancing for Center-of-Gravity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container handling vehicles in automated storage and retrieval systems face issues with stability and potential malfunctions due to changes in center of gravity during operations such as lifting containers, loss of wheel traction, and handling non-uniformly loaded containers, leading to risks like standstill or dropped containers.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated vehicle equipped with a mass balancing system that includes a displaceable balance weight to dynamically adjust the center of gravity in response to vehicle-related events, improving stability by compensating for changes and disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional container handling vehicles operate without a mass balancing system, then the vehicle structure remains simple, but stability deteriorates during operations such as lifting containers or handling non-uniformly loaded containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by introducing a mass balancing system with movable weights that can be positioned to counterbalance the center of gravity shifts occurring during container lifting and handling operations. This directly addresses the stability issue while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mass balancing system employs movable weights that can be dynamically repositioned along the vehicle body based on operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to varying load configurations and operational phases, improving stability without requiring a completely rigid complex structure.
2Reliability
If the center of gravity is fixed, then the vehicle structure is simple, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to compensate for changes in center of gravity during operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed center of gravity to a dynamic one by implementing movable weights that can be repositioned in response to operational changes. This dynamic mass balancing capability enables the vehicle to compensate for center of gravity shifts during container lifting and handling, significantly improving operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mass balancing system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that monitor operational parameters and automatically adjust weight positions to maintain optimal center of gravity. This feedback-driven adjustment ensures reliable operation across varying conditions without requiring overly complex manual intervention systems.
3Reliability
If no mass balancing system is implemented, then the device complexity is low, but the risk of malfunctions like standstill or dropped containers increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing movable counterweights that can be positioned to offset harmful forces and moments generated during container handling, the system prevents malfunctions such as unintended vehicle standstill or container drops. This counterbalancing approach addresses reliability issues while adding only necessary complexity to achieve the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mass balancing system acts as a preventive measure by proactively compensating for potential center of gravity shifts before they can cause malfunctions. The movable weights are positioned in advance to counterbalance expected forces during lifting and handling operations, cushioning against the development of harmful conditions before they occur.
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 mass balancing system enhances vehicle stability, reducing the risk of malfunctions like standstill or dropped containers by dynamically adjusting the center of gravity in response to events like lifting containers or loss of wheel traction.
Implementation Method 1
a mass balancing system comprising a balance weight, said mass balancing system being configured to purposely displace the balance weight in order to improve stability of the remotely operated vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a remotely operated vehicle (500) for handling a storage container (106) or a further vehicle on a two-dimensional rail system (108) of an automated storage and retrieval system (1). The vehicle (500) comprises a mass balancing system (450) configured to purposely displace a balance weight (452) in order to improve stability of the remotely operated vehicle (500). The invention further relates to a method for operating a remotely operated vehicle (500).