Mobile Robot Pallet Jack Stowage to Prevent Wheel Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous mobile robots equipped with jacks for payload lifting and transportation face challenges due to wheels that are not designed for simultaneous movement with the robot, particularly when handling heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robot with a lifting device, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic pallet jack, is integrated with a controller and actuators to manage the jack's configuration and movement, allowing it to lift, transport, and place payloads autonomously, ensuring the jack's wheels do not interfere with the robot's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the jack is equipped with wheels for linear motion, then the jack can move independently on the ground, but the wheels interfere with the mobile robot's movement when the jack is in stowed configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The wheels are extracted from the ground-contacting function by lifting them off the ground when the jack is in stowed configuration. The actuators raise the jack body so that the wheels are elevated and do not interfere with the mobile robot's movement, while still preserving the wheels' function for moving the jack when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The jack system transitions from a static ground-contacting configuration to a dynamic elevated configuration when stowed. The actuators enable the jack body to move vertically, changing the position of the wheels from ground level to an elevated position, making the system adaptable to different operational states.
2Strength
If the jack is designed to handle heavy payloads, then the lifting capacity is sufficient, but the available unidirectional wheels cannot support the weight of a loaded jack
Solution Approach 1:
The weight-bearing function is extracted from the wheels and transferred to the mobile robot's drive wheels and chassis. The jack's wheels are removed from the load-supporting role, allowing them to be lightweight and non-load-bearing, while the mobile robot's proven load-bearing components handle the heavy payload and jack weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot acts as an intermediary that supports the jack's weight and the payload. Instead of the jack's wheels directly bearing the load, the mobile robot's chassis and drive mechanism serve as the load-bearing intermediary, transferring the weight to the ground through the robot's wheels.
3Productivity
If the jack remains in extended configuration for payload handling, then the forks can engage and lift payloads, but the jack's wheels contact the ground and interfere with the mobile robot's movement
Solution Approach 1:
The jack system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operational needs. When the mobile robot needs to move, the actuators raise the jack body to elevate the wheels off the ground. When payload handling is required, the jack can extend its forks while maintaining the elevated wheel position, eliminating interference during both movement and operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for moving a payload, comprising: a driving mechanism; a lifting device; one or more load bearing surfaces, and a central wall, a first side wall and a second side wall that are arranged to form a boundary defining a space for residing the lifting device; an attachment mechanism mounted to the lifting device; and a processor configured to operate the apparatus to: control the lifting device to lift the payload and place the payload on the one or more load bearing surfaces; and control the driving mechanism to move the apparatus to transport the payload to a location, wherein the lifting device is in a stowed configuration when not in use, wherein the first side wall/the second side wall comprises one or more actuators comprising an extendable member extendable to engage the lifting device to support it at above ground level.