Sensor Fork Control for Robotic Pallet Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variance in size and design of platforms, such as pallets, poses challenges for efficient and controlled lifting and movement by robotic vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A robotic vehicle equipped with forks featuring multiple sensor arrangements that detect platform elements as they are inserted, enabling identification of the platform type and optimizing lifting parameters such as speed and force based on the detected data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic vehicle uses fixed lifting parameters to handle all platforms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different platform types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic vehicle performs preliminary scanning of the platform using sensors (cameras, LIDAR, weight sensors) before lifting to identify platform type, size, and weight characteristics. This preliminary detection enables the system to pre-determine appropriate lifting parameters, resolving the contradiction by adding adaptability through initial information gathering without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during the lifting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where sensor data from the platform (weight, dimensions, type identification) is continuously fed back to the control system. The control system adjusts lifting parameters (speed, force, fork position) based on this feedback, enabling adaptive handling of different platform types while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated closed-loop control.
2Productivity
If the robotic vehicle uses high lifting speed for all platforms, then productivity is improved, but the reliability of safe lifting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic vehicle dynamically adjusts lifting speed based on platform characteristics. The control system varies the lifting speed parameter in real-time according to the detected platform type, weight, and stability characteristics. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables high productivity for stable, heavy platforms while ensuring slow, careful lifting for unstable or lightweight platforms, resolving the contradiction between speed and safety.
3Productivity
If the robotic vehicle uses high lifting force for all platforms, then the productivity is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic vehicle applies lifting force locally and adaptively based on platform characteristics. The control system distributes lifting force across multiple forks and adjusts the force applied by each fork according to the platform's structural characteristics, weight distribution, and material properties. This localized, adaptive force application enables efficient lifting of robust platforms while preventing damage to delicate or lightweight platforms, resolving the contradiction between lifting efficiency and platform integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic vehicle is provided which can detect the type of a platform, such as a pallet. The robotic vehicle may comprise forks which can be inserted into the platform. The forks of the robotic vehicle comprise at least one sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement(s) can detect the size and location of the platform elements as the forks are inserted into the platform, enabling the platform type to be determined. The operation of the vehicle can then be controlled in accordance with the platform type.