Two-Wheel Drive Carriage with Slab Guidance for Rack Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and distribution systems face complexities due to multi-wheels and multi-axles, leading to intricate structures, high component counts, and increased failure points, as well as strict design and installation accuracy requirements, which hinder efficient operation and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A rack apparatus with a two-wheel drive carriage system that utilizes multiple slabs at intersections to guide movement between vertical and horizontal rails, reducing the need for driving wheels and power mechanisms, and incorporates idler wheels guided by leveling rails to maintain orientation, allowing for simplified structure and reduced failure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a four-wheel drive system with multiple motors and driving axles is used, then the carriage can achieve stable movement and navigation, but the structure becomes complex and the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the driving function from multiple wheels and axles, concentrating it into a single driving wheel. The idler wheels are separated from the driving mechanism and serve only for support and guidance, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining stable movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple driving wheels to achieve stability, the patent inverts the approach by using one driving wheel combined with multiple passive idler wheels. The idler wheels, which traditionally would be active components, are transformed into passive support elements that still contribute to stable navigation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driving wheels and power mechanisms are used, then the carriage can navigate complex paths, but the number of failure points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transmission system from multiple wheels, leaving only a single driving wheel connected to the motor. This reduction in active driving components directly reduces the number of potential failure points while the idler wheels provide the necessary mechanical support for complex path navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The idler wheels serve as intermediary elements between the single driving wheel and the rack structure. They mediate the transmission of motion and force, enabling complex navigation paths without requiring multiple active driving mechanisms that would increase failure points
3Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional traffic mechanism at the intersection is used, then the carriage can change directions, but other carriages are obstructed for a period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the rail configuration dynamic by introducing movable slabs that can change position based on traffic requirements. This allows the rail structure to adapt to different traffic patterns, enabling direction changes while minimizing obstruction to other carriages and improving overall system productivity
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a rack apparatus, a delivery carriage and the automated storage and distribution system thereof. In the rack apparatus, there are only two racks at both sides of the rack apparatus extending in a generally vertical direction. And in the carriage, there are only two driving wheels. Therefore, both the rack apparatus and the carriage simplify the structure of the rack apparatus and the carriage and reduce the installation accuracy and the failure points thereof, but still provide new improvements to keep the carriage body horizontal with the ground.