Traveling Roller Contact Measurement for Accurate Wheel Diameter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheel-diameter measurement devices for article transport vehicles are complex and prone to inaccuracies due to the need for multiple optical sensors, which can be affected by foreign objects or dust, leading to unreliable diameter measurements.

Innovation Solution

A traveling vehicle system with a measurement device comprising an upper and lower measurement plate that physically contacts the traveling roller, using detectors to measure the height positions of these plates for accurate diameter calculation, eliminating the need for multiple optical sensors and simplifying the configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple optical sensors (light emitters and light receivers) are provided to measure wheel diameter, then measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel diameter measurementVSAvoidmeasurement device configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the measurement function from complex optical sensors and implements it using simple contact plates. The upper and lower plates physically contact the wheel to transfer position information, eliminating the need for multiple light emitters and receivers while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the optical measurement system with a mechanical contact system. Instead of using light emitters and receivers to measure wheel diameter, the invention uses upper and lower plates that physically contact the wheel to determine its position, thereby simplifying the device configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If optical sensors are used to measure wheel diameter, then non-contact measurement is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to foreign objects and dust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-contact measurementVSAvoidwheel diameter measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of physical contact (which could cause deformation) into a benefit by using the contact between plates and wheel to achieve accurate measurement. The upper and lower plates physically contact the wheel to transfer position information, and this contact is controlled to prevent deformation while ensuring measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If plates are positioned close to the rolling area to enable measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for actuators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediameter measurement capabilityVSAvoidactuator configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the upper and lower plates in advance within the rolling area before the wheel arrives. The plates are pre-configured to make contact with the wheel at the appropriate position, eliminating the need for actuators to adjust plate positions during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by allowing the wheel itself to trigger the measurement process. When the wheel enters the rolling area, it automatically makes contact with the upper and lower plates, and the system detects the position information without requiring external actuation or complex control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system allows for easy and accurate measurement of the wheel diameter by physical contact, preventing deformation of the wheel and simplifying the device structure, while maintaining the vehicle's attitude without additional actuators.

Implementation Method 1

an upper measurement plate configured to be brought into contact with the traveling roller from above; a lower measurement plate configured to be brought into contact with the traveling roller from below; and a detector configured to detect height positions of the upper measurement plate and the lower measurement plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical contact measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS12631436B2Traveling vehicle system

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 MURATA MASCH LTD

AI summary

A traveling vehicle that includes a traveling roller travels on a rail. The traveling vehicle system is provided with a measurement device. The measurement device includes: an upper measurement plate configured to be brought into contact with the traveling roller from above; a lower measurement plate configured to be brought into contact with the traveling roller from below; and a detector configured to detect height positions of the upper measurement plate and the lower measurement plate.