Transport Robot Height Adjustment via Load Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to adjust the height of an object to align with guide rails on a rack due to equipment variations, making precise positioning difficult in transport systems.
Innovation Solution
A transport system and method that utilize a transport robot equipped with a top plate, elevating portion, load sensors, and a control unit to adjust the height of the object by measuring load sensor data, ensuring accurate alignment with guide rails on a rack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the height of the object is adjusted manually to align with guide rails, then the positioning accuracy may be sufficient for simple cases, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient for precise alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical height adjustment with an automated control system that uses load sensor measurements and controller calculations to determine the precise elevating distance, substituting human operation with an automated measurement-control system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using load sensors to detect the actual load on the object, transmitting this information to the controller, which then calculates the required height adjustment and controls the elevating mechanism to achieve precise alignment with the guide rails
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed height adjustment is used for the elevating table, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to equipment variations and achieve precise alignment with guide rails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static fixed height adjustment into a dynamic adaptive system where the elevating distance is determined in real-time based on load sensor measurements and controller calculations, allowing the system to adapt to different equipment configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically measuring the load, calculating the required height adjustment, and executing the elevating action without external intervention, making the system self-adapting to equipment variations
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
Facilitates precise adjustment of the object's height to match the guide rails, enabling efficient storage and retrieval of objects in racks with varying equipment configurations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more load sensors provided on the top plate, and a controller for controlling the elevating portion based on measurement results of each of the one or more load sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A rack includes a pair of first rail portions extending in a depth direction for supporting protrusions, a pair of first gradient portions inclining downward toward a front surface of the rack, a pair of second rail portions facing the pair of the first rail portions, and a pair of second gradient portions inclining upward toward the front surface of the rack. A transport robot includes a top plate on which an object is placed, an elevating portion that raises and lowers the top plate, one or more load sensors provided on the top plate, and a control unit for controlling the elevating portion based on measurement results.