Variable-Height Transport Vehicle for Stable Directional Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport facilities do not effectively manage the relationship between the traveling state of transport vehicles and the height of support surfaces, affecting the stability and speed of article transport, which in turn impacts transport time.
Innovation Solution
A transport facility with a transfer device that includes a support surface capable of changing height and a turner to adjust orientation, allowing the transport vehicle to maintain article stability during directional changes by positioning the support surface at different heights based on distance and orientation requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the support surface is positioned at a higher height to facilitate transfer operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the transport time increases due to slower travel speeds required for stability
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface height is made dynamically adjustable through a lift mechanism that can position the support surface at different heights (first height higher than placement surface, second height lower than placement surface, or third height lower than second height) based on operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between ease of transfer operation and transport time by selecting appropriate heights for different phases of operation.
2Productivity
If the transport vehicle travels at high speed to reduce transport time, then the productivity is improved, but the stability of the supported article deteriorates during directional changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the support surface at the second height (lower than placement surface) before directional changes. This preliminary action prepares the system for high-speed travel by establishing a stable configuration in advance, allowing the transport vehicle to maintain high speed while keeping the article stable during directional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The height parameter of the support surface is changed based on the travel state. When the straight distance to the directional change position is within a predetermined distance, the support surface is positioned at the second height for high-speed stable transport. When the distance exceeds the predetermined distance, the support surface is positioned at the third height (lower than second height) to further enhance stability during directional changes.
3Reliability
If the support surface is positioned at a lower height to improve stability during directional changes, then the reliability is improved, but the transport time increases due to reduced travel speed
Solution Approach 1:
Different height positions are assigned to different operational contexts. The second height (lower than placement surface) is used for short-distance directional changes where moderate stability is sufficient, while the third height (lower than second height) is used for long-distance directional changes requiring enhanced stability. This local quality differentiation optimizes the balance between stability and transport time for each specific operational scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport vehicle travels with a support surface positioned at a second height if a straight distance (L) from a travel starting point at which the transport vehicle starts traveling while supporting an article to a directional change position (80) at which the transport vehicle is to perform a turning operation that does not involve a change of the orientation of the article is within a predetermined distance (Ls), and the transport vehicle travels with the support surface positioned at a third height if the straight distance (L) is longer than the predetermined distance (Ls).