Stacker Crane Drive Wheel Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stacker cranes face challenges in achieving high performance due to wheel slippage issues caused by variations in wheel pressure, making it difficult to set a proper pressurizing force on the drive wheels, which can lead to increased wheel size and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a configuration where the first and second drive wheels clamp the side surfaces of the rail, with the second drive wheel being pivotable and urged towards the first drive wheel, reducing wheel pressure fluctuations and allowing for a stable and controlled pressurizing force, thus reducing the size of the drive wheels and extending their lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the drive wheels support the weight of the whole stacker crane, then the stacker crane can achieve high speed performance and high acceleration-deceleration performance, but variations in wheel pressure occur causing wheel slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The drive wheels are divided into two independent units: first drive wheels that support the weight of the stacker crane, and second drive wheels that provide propulsive force. This segmentation allows the first drive wheels to maintain stable wheel pressure for reliable support, while the second drive wheels can independently generate the necessary propulsion for high speed and acceleration performance without causing pressure variations that lead to slippage.
2Reliability
If the pressurizing force on drive wheels is increased to prevent slippage, then wheel slippage is reduced, but the size of drive wheels must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the support function (first drive wheels) from the propulsion function (second drive wheels), the system can apply pressurizing force only to the second drive wheels when propulsion is needed. This eliminates the need to continuously pressurize all drive wheels, allowing for smaller overall wheel size while maintaining sufficient grip during acceleration and high-speed operation.
3Reliability
If the pressurizing force is increased to prevent slippage, then wheel grip improves, but the lifespan of drive wheels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of support and propulsion functions means that the second drive wheels (which receive pressurizing force) are specifically designed for this purpose with appropriate materials and structures. The first drive wheels, which bear the weight, are optimized for load bearing. This functional specialization allows each wheel type to be optimized for its specific role, improving overall durability and lifespan under the necessary pressurizing conditions.
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
This configuration enables stable and rectilinear travel of the stacker crane, allows for easier setting of the pressurizing force, and reduces the impact of wheel pressure fluctuations, leading to smaller drive wheels and extended lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the second drive wheel is attached to the lower travelling vehicle main body such that the second drive wheel is pivotable and the second drive wheel is urged toward the first drive wheel
Data Source
AI summary
First and second masts of a stacker crane are provided in a travelling vehicle main body to be spaced away from each other in an X-direction and extending in a Z-direction. First and second travel wheels are mounted to the travelling vehicle main body to be spaced away from each other in the X-direction, and roll on an upper surface of a lower guide rail. First and second drive wheel units are provided in the travelling vehicle main body to be spaced away from each other in the X direction. Each of the first and second drive wheel units includes a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The first drive wheel is in contact with a first side surface of the lower guide rail, and the second drive wheel is pivotably attached to the travelling vehicle main body and urged toward the first drive wheel so that the second drive wheel is in contact with a second surface of the lower guide rail.