Robotic Load Vehicle With Side Pickup and Non-Rotating Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic vehicles are not well-suited for situations where goods are supplied and discharged in loads, particularly in agriculture and horticulture, as they require specific holders that can lead to increased damage during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A robotic vehicle design that allows the use of existing, non-specific holders such as Danish trolleys, with motor-driven wheels and a control unit enabling movement in various directions without rotating the vehicle as a whole, using optical sensors and magnetic holding means to secure the holder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotic vehicle uses a conventional docking head with conical protrusions and a screw thread mechanism to secure holders, then the holder can be firmly fixed to the vehicle, but the system requires specifically designed holders and increases the complexity of the vehicle structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the holder securing function from the vehicle body by introducing a separate, removable holder that can be independently attached and detached. This simplifies the vehicle structure while maintaining reliable holder fixation through the dedicated holder design with engagement features.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed as a universal component that can be used with different vehicle configurations. The holder includes standardized engagement features that work with various vehicle types, reducing the need for vehicle-specific holder designs and simplifying overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the robotic vehicle rotates as a whole to change direction, then the vehicle can navigate to different positions, but the holder may become unstable or damaged during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle navigation system is segmented into independent wheel units that can rotate individually. This allows the vehicle to change direction by differential wheel rotation rather than rotating the entire vehicle body, maintaining holder stability while achieving maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel units are designed with dynamic rotation capability, allowing them to adjust their orientation independently. This dynamic wheel configuration enables the vehicle to navigate efficiently while keeping the holder stable, as the wheels can change direction without causing rotational forces on the mounted holder.
3Productivity
If the robotic vehicle is designed for individual item handling, then it can process goods in small quantities, but it is inefficient for handling loads supplied in bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate both individual items and bulk loads. The holder structure includes configurable compartments and securing mechanisms that can be adjusted to handle different quantities and types of goods, allowing the vehicle to efficiently process both individual items and bulk shipments without requiring separate systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
Robotic vehicle and use thereof for displacing a holder for goods, which is for instance loaded with goods, which vehicle can be operated in an empty position and a loaded position, comprising of (1) moving the robotic vehicle to a position under the holder in a first direction, wherein the robotic vehicle is in the empty position, wherein a holding means is countersunk in a body of the vehicle; (2) lifting the holder, wherein the robotic vehicle lifts the holder by performing a vertical movement of the holding means relative to the wheels of the vehicle, such that the holding means comes into contact with an underside of the holder, wherein the robotic vehicle transfers to the loaded position; (3) rotating driven wheels of the robotic vehicle from the first direction to the second direction without the body of the vehicle being rotated, and (4) displacing the robotic vehicle in the loaded position in a second direction, wherein the first and second direction enclose a mutual angle of between 60 and 120 degrees, preferably 75 and 105 degrees, more preferably 85 and 95 degrees, such as a substantially right angle.