Warehouse Shuttle Flexible Drive Layout for Smooth Package Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing variable-pitch shuttles in warehouse systems suffer from a complex structure due to multiple articulation points and linkage mechanisms, leading to issues like abrasion, damage to packages, and jamming during article handling.
Innovation Solution
A warehouse shuttle design featuring flexible drive parts with transmission belts and synchronized wheels to drive arms, ensuring smooth movement and reducing articulation points, using a 2:1 diameter ratio for synchronized wheel velocities to maintain a consistent intermediate support for packages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linkage mechanism with multiple articulation points is used to connect the intermediate support plate to the arms, then the package can be supported during movement, but the structure becomes complex and generates large noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate support plate and linkage mechanism from the system. Instead of supporting the package from the middle, the package is supported only at both ends by the first and second arms. This extraction of the complex intermediate support structure eliminates multiple articulation points while maintaining package support functionality through the arms alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented into two independent points (first arm and second arm) rather than using a connected intermediate structure. Each arm independently supports one end of the package, eliminating the need for articulation points between components while maintaining stable support during movement.
2Device complexity
If the screw rod is arranged on one side of the vehicle body to drive the moving arm, then the structure is simplified, but the moving arm is not evenly stressed and jamming occurs during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric arrangement of drive components. The screw rod is positioned on one side of the vehicle body, but the first and second arms are arranged asymmetrically relative to the screw rod's rotation axis. This asymmetric configuration allows the screw rod to effectively drive both arms while maintaining even stress distribution through proper geometric arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw rod acts as an intermediary mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear motion of the arms. By positioning the screw rod on one side and using threaded connections with both arms, it mediates the force transmission to achieve even stress distribution and smooth movement without requiring symmetric arrangement of all components.
3Reliability
If the intermediate support plate is connected to arms by linkage mechanism with many articulation points, then the package can be supported in the middle, but the structure generates large noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the intermediate support plate and linkage mechanism entirely. The package middle support function is eliminated in favor of end-supported configuration where the package rests on the first and second arms at its ends. This removal eliminates the source of noise from multiple articulation points while maintaining package support capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a warehouse shuttle. The warehouse shuttle comprises: a vehicle body; a first arm mounted to the vehicle body; a second arm mounted to the vehicle body and arranged spaced apart from the first arm; a first carrying member arranged between the first arm and the second arm to carry articles between the first arm and the second arm; a first flexible drive part comprising a first flexible transmission member, the first flexible transmission member being connected to the second arm to cause the second arm to move relative to the first arm; and a second flexible drive part comprising a second flexible transmission member, the second flexible transmission member being connected to the first carrying member to cause the first carrying member to move relative to the first arm. By adopting the technical solution of the present disclosure, both the second arm and the first carrying member are driven by the flexible drive parts, which improves the problem of many articulation points and a complex structure due to connecting an intermediate support plate to arms by a linkage mechanism in the prior art.