A passive securing device is provided for restricting movement of a solar panel service vehicle (SPSV), the passive securing device including a barrier portion, a restorative element and a mechanical limiter. The SPSV includes at least one motorized wheel, having an abrasive surface, for securing the SPSV moving over a platform into a predetermined area. The mechanical limiter prevents upwards movement of the SPSV from the platform when the SPSV is in the predetermined area. The barrier portion in a far edge position and the restorative element in a relaxed position prevents the SPSV from passively exiting the predetermined area. When the motorized wheel is actively rotated into the barrier portion, the abrasive surface forces the restorative element into a compressed position, thereby moving the barrier portion into a near edge position and enabling the SPSV to leave the predetermined area.

A passive securing device is provided for restricting movement of a solar panel service vehicle (SPSV), the passive securing device including a barrier portion, a restorative element and a mechanical limiter. The SPSV includes at least one motorized wheel, having an abrasive surface, for securing the SPSV moving over a platform into a predetermined area. The mechanical limiter prevents upwards movement of the SPSV from the platform when the SPSV is in the predetermined area. The barrier portion in a far edge position and the restorative element in a relaxed position prevents the SPSV from passively exiting the predetermined area. When the motorized wheel is actively rotated into the barrier portion, the abrasive surface forces the restorative element into a compressed position, thereby moving the barrier portion into a near edge position and enabling the SPSV to leave the predetermined area.

A transformable wheel and method of transforming a wheel between open and closed positions. An exemplary transformable wheel may include a plurality of wheel segments (legs), including at least one passive leg and at least one active leg. The active leg(s) is actuated by a powered active leg transformation mechanism, while the passive leg(s) is actuated by a passive leg actuation mechanism that employs an elastic element, spring, or other passive actuator to automatically move the passive leg(s) toward the current position of the active leg(s).

An outdoor power machine includes a chassis including first and second main frame rails; two or more drive wheel assemblies physically mounted to the chassis, each drive wheel assembly coupled to an electric motor; an electrical power pack configured to supply electric energy to the electric motors; at least one steer wheel pivotally mounted to the chassis; a mowing deck assembly; and a deck lift connecting the mowing deck assembly to the chassis, the deck lift including: a first lift assembly connected to the first main frame rail of the chassis at a first rotation point; a second lift assembly connected to the second main frame rail of the chassis at a second rotation point; wherein the first and second lift assemblies are separated at the first and second rotation points and the first and second rotation points are not interconnected.

A mobile vehicle includes: a vehicle body unit; a plurality of vehicle wheel parts; a first driving part configured to be connected to the vehicle wheel parts, and be able to rotate the vehicle wheel parts around a first rotation axis as its rotation center in a first rotation direction; a second driving part configured to connect the vehicle body unit and the first driving part, and be able to rotate the vehicle wheel parts and the first driving part around a second rotation axis as its rotation center in a second rotation direction; and a control unit configured to be disposed in the vehicle body unit and be able to control the first driving part and the second driving part. The vehicle wheel part includes a plurality of sub-vehicle wheel parts that are able to rotate in a third rotation direction different from the first rotation direction.

Provided is a vehicle wheel with which it is possible to obtain a large propulsive force. The vehicle wheel comprises: a wheel portion to be mounted to a hub provided at the end of a drive axle for a drive wheel of the vehicle body; a wheel cover portion detachably mounted to the wheel portion; and a detach/attach mechanism portion that detachably fixes the wheel cover portion to the wheel portion. The wheel cover portion has a drum shape with a thickness in the shaft center direction of the wheel portion, and comprises a plurality of concave puddle portions in the peripheral surface portion thereof. The detach/attach mechanism portion includes: a plurality of mating recess portions provided on the wheel portion; a plurality of mating protrusion portions provided on the wheel cover portion so as to be matable with the plurality of mating recess portions; and a fixing portion that detachably fixes the mating between the plurality of mating recess portions and the plurality of mating protrusion portions. The fixing portion includes: a center screw hole portion provided in the wheel portion on the shaft center, a center hole provided in the wheel cover portion on the shaft center, a center bolt member that threadedly engaged in the center screw hole portion through the center hole; and a stopper screw for preventing the loosening of the center bolt member threadedly engaged in the center screw hole portion.

Adhesion devices for transport assemblies are configured to engage non-metallic surfaces. The transport assemblies can be wheels, such as omni-directional wheels, or can be a tractor tread assembly. The transport assembly is configured to move adjacent to a non-metallic surface of a structure. The transport assembly comprises an outer surface disposed adjacent to the non-metallic surface as the transport assembly moves, and a plurality of adhesion devices are each mounted to the outer surface and extend at least in a normal direction away from the outer surface. Each adhesion device is responsive to proximity to the non-metallic surface to adhere to the non-metallic surface. The adhesion devices in one or more embodiments include a Van der Waals-type adhesion device, a micro spine-type adhesion device, a suction cup-type adhesion device, or a combination of such devices.

Adhesion devices for transport assemblies are configured to engage non-metallic surfaces. The transport assemblies can be wheels, such as omni-directional wheels, or can be a tractor tread assembly. The transport assembly is configured to move adjacent to a non-metallic surface of a structure. The transport assembly comprises an outer surface disposed adjacent to the non-metallic surface as the transport assembly moves, and a plurality of adhesion devices are each mounted to the outer surface and extend at least in a normal direction away from the outer surface. Each adhesion device is responsive to proximity to the non-metallic surface to adhere to the non-metallic surface. The adhesion devices in one or more embodiments include a Van der Waals-type adhesion device, a micro spine-type adhesion device, a suction cup-type adhesion device, or a combination of such devices.

An automated storage system including a shuttle and a rack having several rack supports, the shuttle operable to vertically ascend the rack on two adjacent rack supports by a frictional connection, the shuttle including: ground contact wheels; a load handling device; two motor-driven friction wheels arranged in a friction wheel gauge for vertical friction wheel climbing; and a first pair of counterpressure wheels, and the counterpressure wheels are displaceable by a shuttle control between a docking position and a climbing position, and the shuttle is coupled to the two adjacent rack supports in the climbing position and the shuttle is detached from the two adjacent rack supports in the docking position and, in the climbing position, the counterpressure wheel gauge corresponds to the friction wheel gauge, and one rack support each is arranged at least in sections between one of the friction wheels and one of the counterpressure wheels.