Tilting Load Receptacle for Inertial Cargo Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-throughput dynamic sorting systems, there is a need for efficient cargo transfer from driverless vehicles to cargo take-up stations without requiring actively driven elements at the stations, as existing solutions often result in cargo damage at higher velocities or necessitate active intervention.
Innovation Solution
The cargo receiving portion is designed to tilt around a tilting axle on the vehicle's chassis, allowing cargo to be transferred onto the take-up station through changes in vehicle velocity or spring loading, eliminating the need for additional elements at the take-up station by utilizing the vehicle's own mechanisms for tilting and inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If actively driven elements are used at the cargo take-up station for cargo transfer, then cargo transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle performs cargo transfer autonomously by tilting its own cargo receiving portion, without requiring active driven elements at the take-up station. The vehicle uses its own drive unit and tilting mechanism to complete the transfer, making the system simpler and more cost-effective while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the take-up station actively receiving cargo, the vehicle actively delivers cargo by tilting its cargo receiving portion. This inverts the traditional approach where the stationary station performs the transfer action, thereby reducing complexity at the station while maintaining transfer reliability
2Device complexity
If passive platforms are used for cargo transfer, then device complexity is reduced, but cargo transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo receiving portion is designed to tilt dynamically around a tilting axle, transforming from a static passive platform to a dynamic active delivery mechanism. This tilting motion enables efficient cargo transfer while keeping the overall system simpler than fully active station-based solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle autonomously performs the cargo delivery action by tilting its own cargo receiving portion, eliminating the need for external active elements at the take-up station while maintaining high transfer efficiency through the vehicle's own drive and control systems
3Speed
If comb-like stripping is used for cargo transfer, then cargo transfer speed increases, but cargo damage occurs at higher velocities
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo receiving portion tilts dynamically to a delivery position, creating a controlled inclined plane for cargo release. This dynamic tilting motion allows for high transfer speeds while maintaining cargo integrity through smooth gravitational release rather than forced stripping
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting mechanism creates a natural gravitational flow path for cargo, allowing cargo to slide or roll off smoothly under gravity's influence. This equipotential approach eliminates the need for high-velocity forced stripping, reducing cargo damage while maintaining transfer speed
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 solution enables seamless, cost-effective cargo transfer without active elements at the take-up station, reducing the risk of cargo damage and ensuring efficient operation within dynamic sorting systems.
Implementation Method 1
the vehicle, before arrival at the cargo take-up station, is oriented by the vehicle control unit and/or by at least one guide device disposed in the region of the cargo take-up station in such a way that the trajectory of the cargo moving away from the cargo receiving portion due to the change of the velocity vector ends in a receiving region of the cargo take-up station
Implementation Method 2
a torque generated by a spring loading of the cargo receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle with a cargo receiving portion for transportation of cargo and for transfer of the cargo onto a cargo take-up station, the cargo receiving portion is disposed on a chassis with running gear coupled with a drive unit and a vehicle control unit is provided. The cargo receiving portion is linked tiltably around a tilting axle on the chassis and is open or openable at one delivery rim at least. The tilting axle and the delivery rim are disposed relative to one another so that, in tilted position, the cargo can be transferred via the delivery rim onto the cargo take-up station, wherein, for transfer of the cargo onto the cargo take-up station, the cargo receiving portion is tilted around the tilting axle by a change of the vector of velocity of the vehicle and/or by a torque generated by a spring loading of the cargo receiving portion.