Transport Vehicle Multi-Container Transfer Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport vehicles can only transport one container at a time due to their design, which limits efficiency in moving containers to and from container shelves.
Innovation Solution
A transport vehicle equipped with a support region, a transfer apparatus, and a lifting mechanism that allows for the stacking and repositioning of containers, enabling multiple containers to be transferred simultaneously between shelf portions and the support region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transport vehicle uses a transfer robot to remove one container at a time from the container shelf, then the container can be transported to another location, but the transportation efficiency is low because only one container can be transported at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The transport vehicle is divided into multiple independent transfer robots (first transfer robot and second transfer robot) that can operate simultaneously. Each transfer robot has its own holding portion and can handle containers independently, allowing parallel processing of multiple containers without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transfer robots are integrated into a single transport vehicle body, sharing common support structures and control systems. The first and second transfer robots are combined within the same vehicle platform, enabling coordinated operation to transport multiple containers simultaneously while maintaining device compactness
2Productivity
If the transport vehicle stops in front of the container shelf to transfer containers, then the transfer robot can accurately place containers, but the transportation process is time-consuming due to repeated stopping and starting
Solution Approach 1:
The transport vehicle pre-positions multiple containers in its support region before approaching the container shelf. The first and second transfer robots hold containers in advance, allowing the vehicle to move continuously to multiple shelf locations without stopping to pick up each container individually, thus maintaining both speed and placement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The transport vehicle maintains continuous motion along the container shelf by coordinating the operations of multiple transfer robots. While the vehicle moves, the transfer robots simultaneously perform container transfer operations at different locations, eliminating idle stopping time while ensuring accurate container placement through synchronized control
3Productivity
If the transfer robot supports a container during vehicle travel, then the container can be moved to another shelf, but only one container can be transported at a time reducing overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's container support capability is segmented into multiple independent transfer robots, each with its own holding portion capable of supporting containers independently. This segmentation allows parallel container handling operations without requiring complex coordination of a single robotic system
Solution Approach 2:
Each transfer robot is designed with universal functionality to perform both container pickup and placement operations. The first and second transfer robots can independently execute complete transfer cycles, allowing the vehicle to operate multiple containers simultaneously with simplified control logic for each individual robot
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a transport vehicle 2 that travels along a container shelf 1 provided with a plurality of levels of shelf portions 11 arranged in a vertical direction Z and configured to support a container W, thereby transporting the container W. The transport vehicle 2 comprises a support region 22 where the container W is supported and a transfer apparatus 24 that transfers the container W supported by the shelf portions 11 to the support region 22 and transfers the container W supported in the support region 22 to the shelf portions 11. While the container W to be stored in the container shelf 1 is referred to as a carry-in container W1 and the container W to be removed from the container shelf 1 is referred to as a carry-out container W2, the transfer apparatus 24 is configured to transfer the carry-out container W2 supported on the shelf portion 11 to the support region 22, and is configured to transfer the carry-in container W1 in the support region 22 and stores it at a position where the carry-out container W2 was stored.