Self-Centring Pallet Shuttle for Multi-Directional Rack Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guided vehicles for transporting pallets in rack structures face high manufacturing and maintenance costs due to complex designs with multiple components and limited operational efficiency, particularly when moving in multiple directions, leading to unwanted side movements and friction.
Innovation Solution
A guided vehicle with a self-centring system featuring retractable wheels and an actuator mechanism that automatically adjusts the vehicle's position on rails, using retractable wheels operable by an actuator mechanism linked to the movement of movable housings, ensuring centring without electrical or software control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex shuttle design with multiple actuator mechanisms is used to enable movement in multiple directions, then the vehicle can access pathways on both sides of main rails, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple actuator mechanisms into a single actuator mechanism that simultaneously controls both the longitudinal movement of the platform and the lateral movement of the guide wheels. This merging reduces the total number of components while maintaining the ability to move in multiple directions along the rack structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it actuates the platform along the rails for longitudinal movement and simultaneously controls the guide wheels for lateral positioning. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate actuator mechanisms for each direction of movement.
2Manufacturing precision
If guide wheels are added to keep the vehicle centred on rolling rails, then positioning accuracy improves, but friction between the vehicle frame and guide rails increases causing unwanted side movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide wheels as intermediary elements that contact the guide rails to provide lateral positioning. These guide wheels act as mediators between the vehicle frame and the rails, allowing the frame to remain clear of direct contact while still achieving accurate centring through the wheels' interaction with the rail surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wheels are positioned at specific locations on the vehicle frame where lateral guidance is needed, rather than having the entire frame contact the rails. This localized approach provides positioning accuracy only where necessary, minimizing unnecessary friction and side movements across the entire vehicle structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple groups of wheels are used for movement in different directions, then the vehicle can navigate complex rack structures, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wheel groups for longitudinal and lateral movement into an integrated system where the platform wheels and guide wheels work together under the control of a single actuator mechanism. This reduces the total number of wheel groups and associated mounting structures, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining multi-directional movement capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a guided vehicle for transporting pallets, intended to be moved along a rack structure provided with movement rails to be movable in a first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first, comprising a main frame provided with a first plurality of wheels for moving the main frame in the first direction and a second plurality of wheels for moving the frame in the second direction, a loading platform that supports the pallets which is able to be axially lifted perpendicular to the horizontal plane, in which actuation means for lifting the loading platform are provided, controlled by a control unit mounted on the frame, the upwards and downwards movement of the loading platform being able to be linked to the upwards and downwards movement of the first plurality of wheels, the first plurality of wheels being located in movable housings arranged on opposite sides of the frame; and characterised in that it includes a specific self-centring system.