Shuttle Car Braking With Cable Arrest for Power-Loss Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shuttle cars in warehouse environments may continue moving uncontrollably due to loss of power or wireless communication, leading to potential collisions and damage.
Innovation Solution
A shuttle car braking system featuring attachment mechanisms that deploy to engage with arresting cables and locking mechanisms to secure these mechanisms to the ends of the shuttle car, allowing it to stop when power is lost or communication is severed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shuttle car operates without a braking system to maintain simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates as the car cannot stop in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanisms are pre-positioned on the shuttle car in a retracted state, ready to deploy immediately when power is lost or communication is severed. This preliminary preparation allows the braking system to activate instantly without requiring complex real-time decision-making or additional sensors, thus improving reliability while keeping the system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking function is extracted as a separate, independent safety system that operates autonomously when power is lost. The attachment mechanisms are distinct from the propulsion system and can function independently, ensuring that the braking capability remains reliable even when the main control system fails.
2Reliability
If attachment mechanisms are always deployed to ensure immediate braking, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to continuous engagement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanisms transition from a static always-engaged state to a dynamic system that switches between retracted and deployed states. The locking mechanisms enable this dynamic transition, allowing the car to move freely during normal operation while providing immediate braking when needed, thus balancing reliability with operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanisms are designed to automatically engage or disengage based on the power and communication status of the shuttle car. When power is lost or communication is severed, the locking mechanisms automatically release, allowing the attachment mechanisms to deploy and engage the arresting cables without requiring external control input, thereby improving reliability while reducing control complexity.
3Productivity
If the shuttle car continues moving after power loss to maintain operational continuity, then productivity is preserved, but harmful factors increase due to potential collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system implements preliminary anti-action by automatically deploying attachment mechanisms to counteract the momentum of the shuttle car when power is lost or communication is severed. This preemptive braking action prevents the harmful outcome of uncontrolled movement and potential collisions, ensuring safety while minimizing disruption to overall operational continuity.
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
Effectively halts the shuttle car's motion in emergency situations, preventing collisions and damage by utilizing elastic arresting cables and electromechanical locking systems.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more locking mechanisms includes a solenoid bolt. the solenoid bolt is configured to secure the one or more attachment mechanisms to the first end or the second end when then the solenoid bolt is powered, and wherein the solenoid bolt is configured to selectively deploy the one or more attachment mechanisms when the solenoid bolt is depowered
Implementation Method 2
one or more attachment mechanisms are configured to be selectively deployed, wherein, when the one or more attachment mechanisms are selectively deployed, the one or more attachment mechanisms are configured to operably engage with one or more arresting cables and bring the shuttle car to a stop
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, assemblies, and/or the like are provided. According to various embodiments, a shuttle car has a first end; a second end; a platform disposed between the first and second ends, wherein the platform is configured to support and transport one or more objects; one or more attachment mechanisms, wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms are configured to be selectively deployed, wherein, when the one or more attachment mechanisms are selectively deployed, the one or more attachment mechanisms are configured to engage with one or more arresting cables and bring the shuttle car to a stop; and one or more locking mechanisms, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms are configured to secure the one or more attachment mechanisms to the first end or the second end of the shuttle car, and wherein the one or more locking mechanism are configured to selectively deploy the one or more attachment mechanisms.