Overhead Transport Holder Interface for Automated Teaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional overhead transport vehicle systems require manual electrical connection for powering and controlling teaching units, which hinders the automation of teaching operations.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates power-feeding and communication terminals in the holder and teaching unit, allowing for automatic power feeding and data exchange when the teaching unit is held by the holder, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual electrical connection is used for teaching units, then power feeding and control can be established, but automation of teaching operations cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The holder and teaching unit are equipped with self-aligning power-feeding terminals and communication terminals that automatically connect when the teaching unit is held by the holder. The power-receiving terminal automatically contacts the power-feeding terminal, and the communication terminals automatically establish wireless communication, eliminating the need for manual connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary device that facilitates automatic connection between the power source and the teaching unit. The power-feeding terminal on the holder serves as a mediator to transfer power to the power-receiving terminal on the teaching unit without manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If power-feeding terminal is exposed on the holder surface, then power can be fed to teaching unit, but worker safety is compromised due to inadvertent contact risk
Solution Approach 1:
The power-feeding terminal is nested within a recess formed in the lower surface of the holder. This recess structure protects the power-feeding terminal from inadvertent contact by workers while still allowing the power-receiving terminal to make contact with it when the teaching unit is properly held by the holder.
3Device complexity
If power-receiving terminal is fixed, then connection is simple, but terminal damage risk increases during holder-teaching unit contact
Solution Approach 1:
The power-receiving terminal is designed to be movable rather than fixed. It can move in the vertical direction to accommodate variations in holding position and to absorb impact forces during contact with the power-feeding terminal, thereby reducing the risk of terminal damage while maintaining connection simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead transport vehicle system includes an overhead transport vehicle to travel on a track to transport an object and including holder to transfer the object to a placement portion below the track, and a teaching unit. The system is configured or programmed to cause the overhead transport vehicle to hold the teaching unit and perform teaching of a transfer operation to the placement portion. The holder includes a power-feeding terminal to feed power from a power source and a first communication terminal to receive teaching information. The teaching unit includes a power-receiving terminal to which the power is fed and a second communication terminal to transmit teaching information. When the teaching unit is held by the holder, the power-receiving terminal and the power-feeding terminal become energizable and the first and second communication terminals become communicable.