Stacker Crane Wheel Clamping Mechanism for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stacker cranes face challenges in achieving high-speed and high-acceleration performance due to wheel slippage issues, which are exacerbated by variations in wheel pressure, making it difficult to set and maintain an optimal pressurizing force for the drive wheels.
Innovation Solution
The stacker crane design incorporates a mechanism with pivotable wheel supporting portions and driving wheels that clamp the rail using a pressing mechanism, allowing for consistent wheel pressure and easy maintenance by spacing the driving motors away from the rail during maintenance, thereby reducing wheel pressure fluctuations and facilitating proper pressurizing force setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the drive wheels support the weight of the whole stacker crane, then the crane can travel stably, but the wheel pressure varies and becomes difficult to set optimally
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the wheel supporting function into two separate parts: (1) the travelling vehicle main body supports the weight of the crane, and (2) the pressing mechanism applies independent pressurizing force to the drive wheels. This segmentation allows the wheel pressure to be controlled precisely without affecting the overall stability of the crane.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing mechanism acts as an intermediary device between the travelling vehicle main body and the drive wheels. It transmits a controlled pressurizing force to the drive wheels, enabling independent adjustment of wheel pressure without compromising the stability provided by the main body weight support.
2Volume of moving object
If the driving motors are positioned close to the rail for compact design, then the structure is more compact, but maintenance becomes difficult when wheels need to be spaced from the rail
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel supporting portions are designed to be pivotable relative to the travelling vehicle main body, allowing dynamic adjustment between two states: (1) during operation, the wheels are positioned to clamp the rail for stable travel, and (2) during maintenance, the wheels can be pivoted to space away from the rail, enabling easy access for repair while maintaining compact overall structure.
3Productivity
If the stacker crane operates at high speed and high acceleration, then productivity increases, but wheel slippage occurs and requires higher pressurizing force
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism is designed to apply pressurizing force to the drive wheels that can be adjusted to compensate for wheel slippage during high-speed and high-acceleration operation. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable wheel-rail grip under varying operational conditions, maintaining productivity while preventing slippage.
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 design enhances the stability and performance of the stacker crane by maintaining consistent wheel pressure, reducing the size of each drive wheel, and simplifying maintenance, leading to improved operational efficiency and extended wheel lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel clamp the side surfaces of the rail by the urging of the first pressing mechanism
Implementation Method 2
The first wheel supporting portion is fixed to the travelling vehicle main body such that the first wheel supporting portion is pivotable horizontally
Data Source
AI summary
A first wheel supporting portion of a stacker crane is fixed to a travelling vehicle main body to be pivotable in the horizontal direction. A first drive wheel is supported by the first wheel supporting portion and is able to contact one side surface of a lower guide rail. A lock mechanism fixes the first wheel supporting portion to the travelling vehicle main body so that the first wheel supporting portion cannot pivot. A second wheel supporting portion is fixed to the travelling vehicle main body to be capable of pivoting horizontally. A second drive wheel is supported by the second wheel supporting portion and is able to contact with another side surface of the lower guide rail. A pressing mechanism presses the first and second wheel supporting portions such that a distance between the first wheel supporting portion and the second wheel supporting portion is reduced, to cause the first and second drive wheels to laterally clamp the lower guide rail. Pressing of the pressing mechanism is capable of being released.