Rotatable Holding Portion for Compact Product Conveyance Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Product conveyance robots face design restrictions due to varying conditions requiring a compact holding portion that does not protrude during travel, while also needing easy user access and the ability to change orientation without altering the user's position or posture.
Innovation Solution
A product conveyance robot with a holding portion that is rotatable around a lateral turn axis and swingable around a vertical turn axis, allowing it to change posture and orientation to accommodate different conditions, and featuring side displays for increased visibility and advertising opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the holding portion is designed to be compact and not protrude outwardly during travel, then the robot maintains a compact profile for easy navigation, but the user cannot easily access the inside of the holding portion without changing standing position or orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The holding portion is designed to be rotatable around a lateral turn axis, allowing it to dynamically change its orientation from a compact profile during travel to an open-facing orientation during delivery. This dynamic adjustment enables the holding portion to adapt its shape characteristics based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds rotational freedom in the lateral direction, transforming the holding portion from a fixed two-dimensional profile into a three-dimensionally adjustable structure. This allows the same structure to present different effective profiles depending on the rotation angle.
2Ease of manufacture
If the holding portion has a fixed design, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot satisfy varying conditions such as compactness during travel and easy access during delivery
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing rotational capability around the lateral turn axis, the holding portion transforms from a static structure to a dynamic one. The basic structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but its adaptability increases as it can rotate to different orientations based on operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable holding portion serves multiple functions: during travel, it maintains a compact profile for navigation, and during delivery, it rotates to present an open face for easy user access. A single structure design thus fulfills multiple operational requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the holding portion changes orientation to satisfy user access requirements, then user access becomes easier, but additional control mechanisms increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The holding portion incorporates rotational movement around the lateral turn axis, which can be controlled by the controller based on operational state. This dynamic adjustment mechanism, while adding some complexity, enables significant improvement in user access during delivery operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A product conveyance robot includes: a travel portion configured to travel on a road surface; a holding portion provided above the travel portion and configured to hold a product, the holding portion being provided rotatably around a lateral turn axis extending in the height direction of the holding portion; and a controller configured to control driving of the travel portion and a rotation angle of the holding portion around the lateral turn axis.