Mobile Robot Handle Gripping for Omnidirectional Carrier Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic solutions for handling carriers, such as carts and trolleys, are costly, require modifications to existing carriers, and are inefficient in dynamic logistics environments, limiting their use to controlled and static logistics flows.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing the handles of carriers as the connection point between a mobile robot and the carrier, enabling omnidirectional motion and agile navigation, allowing for efficient, flexible, and cost-effective handling of various types of carriers without modifications, using end effectors like grippers to secure to handles and employing omnidirectional motion for maneuverability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional AGVs are used to pick up and move carriers, then carriers can be transported between locations, but the AGVs require special carrier designs, significant cost for replacing existing carriers, and large footprint to carry complete weight/size of carrier and content
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the connection interface from the carrier body by utilizing the existing handle as the connection point. The end effector attaches to the handle rather than requiring integration with the carrier structure, thereby eliminating the need for special carrier designs while maintaining transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The handle, originally designed for manual operation, is repurposed as a universal connection interface for robotic attachment. This multi-functional use of the handle allows the same carrier design to be used with both manual handling and robotic automation, achieving universality across different operating modes
2Reliability
If AGVs are designed to carry complete weight/size of carrier and content, then stable and safe transport is achieved, but the AGV requires large footprint and high lifting capability
Solution Approach 1:
The handle serves as an intermediary connection element between the mobile robot and the carrier. By attaching to the handle rather than lifting the entire carrier, the robot uses the handle as a lever arm and connection point, enabling stable transport with reduced footprint and lifting requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The connection is established in a different dimensional approach - rather than vertical lifting of the entire carrier, the robot connects horizontally to the handle and pulls/pushes the carrier along the ground, changing the primary force application dimension and reducing the robot's required lifting capacity
3Extent of automation
If carriers are replaced with mobile robots, then automation is achieved, but the mobile robots would be poorly utilized since carriers often stand still most of the time
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static carrier positions to dynamic mobile robot operation. The mobile robot can dynamically navigate to carriers, attach to handles, transport them, and return empty carriers, creating a dynamic automation system that adapts to varying logistics needs rather than requiring dedicated robots for each fixed position
4Ease of manufacture
If end effectors are secured to handles for connection, then no modification of carriers is required, but the connection point is limited to handle positions
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier's existing handle, designed for manual service, now serves the dual purpose of human operation and robotic attachment. The handle's original design inherently provides the necessary connection interface, eliminating the need for additional modification while enabling robotic automation
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method of handling a carrier (12a, 12b, 12c, 66, 68) by means of a mobile robot (10a, 10b) comprising a body (16) having a base (22); a traction arrangement (26a, 26b); at least one manipulator (30); and at least one end effector (32) movable relative to the base; wherein the mobile robot is configured to perform an omnidirectional motion of the base relative to a surface; the method comprising obtaining environment data (60) of a carrier positioned on the surface by means of an environment sensor (36); determining a handle position (40) of at least one handle (38) of the carrier based on the environment data; positioning each end effector in relation to at least one handle based on the one or more handle positions; securing each end effector to the at least one handle; and moving the mobile robot and the carrier in common over the surface by means of the mobile robot.