Robot Pickup Unit With Rotatable Shelving for Space-Efficient Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport robots have inefficient space usage, necessitating unnecessary travel distances and energy consumption due to suboptimal temporary storage capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A robot design featuring a pick-up unit that can move, rotate, and extend/retract along different directions, combined with a rotatable shelf unit, allowing efficient storage and reduced travel distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the robot uses a fixed shelf unit for temporary storage, then the structure is simple, but the space usage is inefficient and travel distances increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf unit incorporates a rotatable portion that can rotate relative to the support structure, transforming the static storage system into a dynamic one. This rotation capability allows the shelf to reorient and maximize storage space utilization, directly resolving the contradiction between simple structure and efficient space usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable portion adds a rotational dimension to the otherwise fixed shelf structure. By introducing this additional degree of freedom, the system can access and utilize storage space more effectively without significantly complicating the overall structure, thereby increasing storage capacity while maintaining relative structural simplicity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the robot travels longer distances to access storage locations, then the robot can use a simpler fixed shelf structure, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic rotatable shelf unit allows the robot to optimize its travel path by rotating the shelf to position items in optimal locations. This reduces unnecessary travel distances and time, directly addressing the contradiction between energy consumption and travel time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot can pre-rotate the shelf unit to position frequently accessed items in optimal locations before retrieval operations begin. This preliminary action minimizes subsequent travel time and energy consumption during item retrieval, resolving the contradiction between energy use and time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pick up device has limited movement range, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to reach different storage locations is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pick up device incorporates rotation capability around a vertical axis in addition to linear movement, creating a dynamic positioning system. This allows the device to reach multiple storage locations without requiring excessive linear travel range, balancing adaptability with controlled device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding rotational movement around a vertical axis to the linear movement capability, the pick up device gains access to a three-dimensional workspace. This dimensional expansion allows the device to reach different storage locations more effectively without proportionally increasing the device's structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a robot (2) configured to pick up and transport items; wherein the robot (2) comprises a pick up unit (10), wherein the pick up unit (10) comprises a pick up device (110) configured to pick up and release items, wherein the robot (2) is configured to move the pick up device (110) along a first direction, rotate the pick up device (110) around a first axis, and extend and retract the pick up device (110) along a second direction different from the first direction; wherein the robot (2) further comprises a shelf unit (8) configured to temporarily store items, wherein the shelf unit (8) comprises a rotatable portion (80) and a support structure (84), wherein the rotatable portion (80) is rotatable with respect to the support structure (84). The present invention also relates to a use of the robot and to a corresponding method.