Supply device from supplying a mobile device with a material and mobile device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional supply systems for autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) are limited by the need for specific docking stations and pose safety concerns due to high forces during coupling, which restrict design flexibility and increase liability risks.
Innovation Solution
A supply device with a plug and nozzle system that allows for adjustable positioning and orientation using a movement device, enabling coupling with different mobile device arrangements and reducing the risk of object damage during coupling by using smaller forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional docking stations use fixed horizontal coupling for material supply, then the coupling mechanism is simple, but the system lacks adaptability to different mobile device arrangements and requires high sealing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is transformed from a fixed horizontal arrangement to a dynamically adjustable system. The mobile device's coupling elements can be positioned at different heights and orientations, and the docking station detects and adapts to these configurations automatically, enabling versatility without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical alignment and positioning system is replaced by an optical/electronic detection system. The docking station uses detectors to identify the position and orientation of coupling elements on the mobile device, then uses control signals to guide the coupling process, eliminating the need for precise mechanical pre-alignment.
2Reliability
If conventional docking stations use horizontal coupling direction, then the coupling structure is straightforward, but sealing requirements are high to prevent leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system allows dynamic change of the coupling direction parameter. Instead of being constrained to horizontal coupling, the system can adapt the coupling angle and direction based on the mobile device's orientation, thereby reducing sealing demands while maintaining coupling reliability.
3Force
If mobile devices with considerable mass are coupled to docking stations, then the coupling force is high, but this creates safety risks of crushing objects or people between the devices
Solution Approach 1:
The high-force mechanical coupling process is replaced by a low-force detection and guidance system. Detectors on the docking station identify the mobile device's position and guide the coupling elements together with minimal force, eliminating the crushing hazard while maintaining secure coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device autonomously positions and couples to the docking station using detection signals. The device's own drive system performs the coupling movement under electronic guidance, requiring minimal external force and eliminating the need for high-force mechanical coupling mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different mobile devices have different connection element arrangements, then each device requires a specific docking station, but this increases system complexity and reduces versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station is designed with universal functionality through detection and adaptation capabilities. A single docking station can detect and accommodate different arrangements of coupling elements on various mobile devices, eliminating the need for multiple specialized docking stations and reducing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A supply device for supplying a device that can be moved on a driving surface with a material supplied through a supply line. The supply device has a plug with an electric plug contact element that extends along a plug axis and is coupled to a plug receptacle of the mobile device by a linear joining movement, and a supply line with a valve, and detects a coupled state of the plug with the plug receptacle by an electric plug contact element. In the coupled state the valve is actuated. The supply device has a nozzle arranged on the supply line and is coupled to an inlet port of the mobile device. A feeding holder keeps the nozzle and the plug in a defined position and orientation relative to each other so that when coupling the plug to the plug receptacle the nozzle couples to the inlet port. The movement device makes the feeding holder with the plug and nozzle at least height adjustable and movable in the direction of the joining movement along a joining axis. The detection system determines a position of the plug receptacle. The supply device couples the plug to the plug receptacle and thereby the nozzle to the inlet port by a linear joining movement along the joining axis based on the determined position.