Container Vehicle Charging Interface With Resilient Contact Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges with the charging of container handling vehicles due to wear caused by minor misalignments between charging pins and sockets, and inefficiencies in power usage during the charging process, particularly due to the lack of brakes on the vehicle wheels.
Innovation Solution
A charging system with resiliently mounted charge-receiving and charge-providing elements that allow independent elastic movement, minimizing mechanical wear and optimizing alignment during coupling, and a method to lock the vehicle in place during charging using wheel positioning to prevent movement on the rail grid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If rigid charging pins and sockets are used for coupling, then structural simplicity is maintained, but mechanical wear increases due to misalignment during coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system transitions from rigid fixed-position pins and sockets to resiliently mounted elements that can dynamically adjust their positions. The resilient mounting allows the charge-providing and charge-receiving elements to move independently in lateral directions, automatically compensating for misalignments during coupling and maintaining reliable electrical contact without increasing structural complexity.
2Productivity
If the vehicle wheels are kept free to move during charging, then operational readiness is maintained, but power consumption increases and positioning stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel braking system operates periodically rather than continuously - brakes are applied only when the vehicle approaches and during the charging coupling process, then released when coupling is complete. This periodic braking reduces energy consumption compared to continuous braking while maintaining positioning stability during the critical charging period.
3Stability of the object's composition
If continuous braking is applied to maintain vehicle position during charging, then positioning stability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system uses periodic rather than continuous action - brakes are engaged only during the approach and coupling phases, then disengaged while maintaining position through the resilient mounting of charging elements and rail constraints, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining necessary stability.
4Measurement precision
If lateral movement of charging elements is prevented, then alignment precision is maintained, but mechanical wear increases due to coupling misalignments
Solution Approach 1:
The charging elements are mounted resiliently to allow dynamic lateral movement, enabling automatic alignment adjustment during coupling. This dynamic capability reduces mechanical wear by accommodating misalignments through elastic deformation rather than rigid contact, while the resilient mounting naturally guides elements into proper alignment.
5Device complexity
If the charging elements are rigidly fixed, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to alignment variations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The charging elements transition from rigid fixed mounting to resilient mounting that provides dynamic adaptability. The resilient elements can laterally move to accommodate various alignment conditions while maintaining simple overall system structure, achieving both adaptability and structural simplicity.
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
The solution reduces mechanical wear and improves the reliability of the charging process by minimizing lateral skewing and power usage, ensuring efficient and reliable charging of container handling vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
each of the charge-providing elements and/or each of the charge-receiving elements is resiliently mounted to the support structure or the vehicle framework and configured to allow independent elastic movement of the resiliently mounted charge-providing element and/or charge-receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system includes at least one container handling vehicle, a horizontal rail grid and a charging system for charging a rechargeable power source of the container handling vehicle. The container handling vehicle includes a vehicle framework, a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels for moving the container vehicle upon the rail grid in two perpendicular directions. The charging system includes two separated charge-receiving elements arranged on a sidewall of the container vehicle and connected to the power source, and a charging station. The charging station includes a support structure and two separated charge-providing elements connected to a power source charger. The charge-receiving elements are arranged to couple with the corresponding charge-providing elements when the container vehicle is moved in a horizontal connection direction towards and adjacent to the charging station. Each of the charge-providing elements and/or each of the charge-receiving elements are resiliently mounted to the support structure or the vehicle framework and configured to allow independent elastic movement of the resiliently mounted charge-providing element and/or charge-receiving element from a neutral position in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction during coupling of the charge-providing and charge-receiving elements.