Transfer Robot Battery Swapping for Continuous Cargo Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned cargo transport devices face safety risks due to unbalanced cargo loads and prolonged idle times during battery charging, which reduce operating efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A transfer robot equipped with a lifting module, battery replacement system, and strain gauges to adjust control parameters based on cargo weight and gravity, combined with an automatic battery replacement mechanism using a magnet gripper to minimize downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the transfer robot charges its built-in battery, then the battery is recharged, but the transfer robot cannot operate during charging which reduces operating rate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into a built-in battery and an external removable battery. The built-in battery provides immediate power while the external battery can be quickly swapped when depleted, eliminating the need to wait for charging and maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple external batteries are prepared in advance and stored near the transfer robot. When the built-in battery needs recharging, a pre-charged external battery is immediately attached to the robot, ensuring no operational downtime.
2Ease of operation
If the transfer robot uses a fork bar to lift cargo, then the cargo can be transported, but safety accidents may occur due to unbalanced loads or exceeded weight limits
Solution Approach 1:
A weight sensor is integrated into the fork bar to detect the actual weight of the cargo being lifted. This feedback is transmitted to the control unit, which automatically adjusts operational parameters or issues warnings to prevent overloaded or unbalanced cargo conditions, ensuring safe operation.
3Device complexity
If the transfer robot operates without autonomous battery replacement, then the system is simpler, but idle time increases when battery needs charging
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer robot is equipped with an autonomous battery replacement system that automatically detects when the built-in battery is depleted and independently attaches a fresh external battery without requiring human intervention. This self-service capability eliminates idle time while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
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
Enhances motion control stability and reduces idle times by automatically adjusting to cargo loads and replacing batteries, improving safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet gripper that sucks and holds the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an automatic battery replacement system of a transfer robot which includes a transfer robot which autonomously moves and includes a lifting module which supports and lifts a cargo, a battery which is detachably mounted on the transfer robot and is provided as a power source to supply a power required for an operation of the transfer robot, and a battery replacement robot which sucks and handles the battery and performs an operation of sucking the battery previously mounted on the transfer robot to be removed or mounting a new fully-charged battery on the transfer robot and an automatic battery replacement method of a transfer robot using the same.