Support Wheel Unit With Nested Pivot Bearing for AGV Scanner Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial trucks, especially driverless AGVs equipped with scanners, the height of non-driven support roller units poses a challenge when trying to detect unloaded loading aids like pallets, as it requires scanners to be positioned below the rollers, leading to either a widened truck or reduced stability if the rollers are moved or rearranged.
Innovation Solution
A compact design for the support roller unit with an annular pivot bearing where the pivot bearing is within the height of the support roller, allowing the rollers to be positioned completely below the scanning level, enabling scanners to be placed within the vehicle contour without widening the truck, and using a rocker element and adjustable stop elements to maintain stability and facilitate maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the support roller units are positioned at a standard height, then the truck structure is simple and stable, but the scanners cannot detect unloaded pallets resting on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot bearing is nested within the vertical extent of the support roller, with the inner bearing element positioned inside the roller's vertical space. This nesting arrangement allows the scanning plane to be positioned below the support rollers while maintaining a compact overall structure, enabling scanner detection of ground-level pallets without increasing device complexity
2Measurement precision
If the scanners are positioned outside the vehicle contour to achieve 360° viewing, then the scanning capability is improved, but the truck width increases which is disadvantageous for block storage
Solution Approach 1:
The support roller units are positioned within the vehicle contour by utilizing vertical space through the nested pivot bearing design. This allows scanners to be positioned within the vehicle's horizontal footprint while achieving comprehensive scanning coverage, effectively moving the scanning function to a different spatial dimension without increasing truck width
3Length of moving object
If the support roller units are moved closer together to fit within vehicle contour, then the truck width is reduced, but the track width decreases making driving behavior less stable
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the vertical dimension through the nested pivot bearing design, the support rollers can be positioned closer together horizontally while maintaining adequate track width for stability. The vertical nesting frees up horizontal space without compromising the lateral separation needed for stable driving behavior
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 allows for a full vehicle width usage without obstructing scanners, maintaining stability, and enabling easy maintenance, while minimizing the risk of the support roller losing contact with the ground, thus ensuring accurate navigation and safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary bearing with a substantially vertical axis of rotation
Implementation Method 2
at least one non-driven support roller with a substantially horizontal roller axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a support roller unit (30) for a forklift truck, comprising at least one undriven support roller (32) with a substantially horizontal roller axis (A), and a pivot bearing (38) with a substantially vertical axis of rotation (B), wherein the roller axis (A) and the axis of rotation (B) are arranged at a predetermined distance (D) from one another. According to the invention, the pivot bearing (38) is designed as a ring pivot bearing with an outer bearing element (38a) and an inner bearing element (38b) rotatable relative to it about the axis of rotation (B). Furthermore, an axle bolt (34) of the support roller (32) is mounted directly or indirectly on the inner bearing element (38b) of the pivot bearing (38). In addition, the pivot bearing (38) is arranged at least partially within the height (H) of the support roller (32). The invention further relates to a forklift truck with at least one such support roller unit (30).