Satellite Vehicle Wheel Axle Configuration for Track Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated warehouse satellites face instability and irregular movement due to discontinuities in tracks, as all wheels are driving wheels and lack sufficient support, leading to vertical movement and load instability.

Innovation Solution

The satellite vehicle is designed with first and second wheels arranged in pairs, where each pair has axles that do not coincide, ensuring at least one wheel remains on the track during discontinuities, and all wheels are drive wheels for continuous movement, with a frame and actuating means for advancing along tracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all wheels are driving wheels to ensure continuous movement, then movement continuity is improved, but vertical movement and instability occur when passing discontinuities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement continuityVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel system is segmented into driving wheels and non-driving wheels. The non-driving wheels (support wheels) are specifically positioned to provide stable support when passing discontinuities, while driving wheels ensure movement continuity. This segmentation allows the system to handle discontinuities without compromising either movement continuity or vehicle stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different wheels have different functional qualities: driving wheels are positioned to ensure continuous movement, while non-driving support wheels are positioned to provide stable support during discontinuity passage. This local differentiation of wheel functions allows the system to maintain both movement continuity and stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If multiple wheels are used to cover track discontinuities, then support continuity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport continuityVSAvoidwheel arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel system is divided into functional segments: driving wheels for movement and non-driving support wheels for stability. This segmentation provides a clear, organized structure that maintains support continuity without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making all wheels driving wheels (excessive action), the invention uses a partial approach with some driving and some non-driving wheels. This partial differentiation provides sufficient support continuity while avoiding the complexity of coordinating multiple driving mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If non-driving support wheels are added to maintain stability, then vehicle stability is improved, but the number of wheels and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidwheel system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Non-driving support wheels are strategically positioned at specific locations where stability is needed during discontinuity passage. This localized approach provides stability improvement without requiring a complete redesign of the entire wheel system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel system is segmented into driving and non-driving functions, with non-driving wheels specifically positioned to provide stability. This functional segmentation creates a manageable system structure that improves stability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2951109B1Satellite vehicle for automated warehouse
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 E80 GRP SPA
  • EP2951109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2951109B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2951109B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A satellite vehicle for automated storage systems, of the type provided with tracks for the vehicle to move along, comprising a frame (2), a support surface (5) of a load foreseen on top of said frame (2), first wheels (6) and second wheels (7), supported by said frame (2) respectively along a first side portion (3) and a second side portion (4) and suitable for rolling on the tracks of the automatic storage system, and actuating means (8) of said first wheels (6) and second wheels (7) to move the vehicle (1) along the tracks. The first wheels (6) and the second wheels (7) are arranged according to at least two pairs in which the first wheel (6) and the second wheel (7) of at least one of said pairs respectively have a first axle (XI) and a second axle (X2) not coinciding with one another.