Transport Device Step Climbing via Adjustable Auxiliary Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport devices, such as pallet trucks, face difficulties in climbing steps due to insufficient wheel diameter and torque, and existing solutions like auxiliary tools are cumbersome and not applicable to all mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a vehicle body, calculation unit, and control unit, featuring a fork portion, lift portion, movable carriage, and auxiliary leg portion, which allows the device to calculate the center of gravity and control operations to climb steps using adjustable auxiliary wheels and support mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the wheel diameter is increased to climb steps, then the torque for climbing is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a main body and a detachable auxiliary wheel attachment. The auxiliary wheels can be added or removed independently based on whether step climbing is needed, allowing the main device to remain simple while providing enhanced climbing capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary wheels are designed to be movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The attachment mechanism allows dynamic configuration where the auxiliary wheels can be positioned or removed based on operational requirements, providing adaptability without permanent complexity.
2Force
If an auxiliary tool is mounted to increase wheel diameter, then step climbing capability is improved, but the operation becomes troublesome due to removal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary wheel attachment is designed with self-aligning and self-locking features that allow it to be attached and detached without complex procedures. The attachment mechanism automatically positions itself correctly when connected, reducing the operational burden on the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary wheels are pre-positioned on the attachment mechanism in the correct orientation and position. When the attachment is connected to the main device, the wheels are already in their proper configuration, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a movable robot mechanism is added to select transfer methods, then adaptability to different steps is improved, but the device complexity increases and cannot be applied to pallet trucks
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a complex movable robot mechanism, the solution provides different wheel configurations at different locations on the device. The auxiliary wheels are positioned specifically to contact steps, while the main wheels handle normal ground travel, creating localized functionality for different surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary wheel attachment serves multiple functions: it provides step climbing capability, maintains stability on uneven surfaces, and can be used with different pallet truck configurations. This single attachment design replaces the need for complex movable mechanisms to adapt to different conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device includes: a vehicle body including a fork portion that supports a load, a lift portion that drives the fork portion up and down, a movable carriage portion that supports the lift portion, and is movable on a traveling surface by driving a drive wheel, and an auxiliary leg portion that is provided in the movable carriage portion, is movable along a longitudinal direction of the fork portion, and has an auxiliary wheel having a variable position with respect to the movable carriage portion; and a control unit that, in a case where a step is present on the traveling surface, controls operations of the lift portion, the movable carriage portion, and the auxiliary leg portion such that the movable carriage portion climbs the step, based on the position of the center of gravity calculated by a calculation unit.