Patent classifications
B60Y2200/49
FREE RANGING AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE AND OPERATIONAL SYSTEM
An automated guided vehicle (AGV) that is configured to operate with a navigation and guidance system includes a base frame structure that supports a material handling apparatus. Casters may be attached at peripheral portions of the base frame structure to movably support the base frame structure away from a ground surface. Drive wheel assemblies may be disposed between two of the casters and configured to propel and steer the AGV. A suspension system may have intersecting swing arms that are pivotally mounted at the base frame structure and independently attach at each of the drive wheel assemblies. The suspension system biases the drive wheel assemblies against the ground surface to maintain friction of the drive wheel assemblies against the ground surface, such as for traversing sloped or uneven surfaces.
Motor system for vehicle steering and locomotion
The present disclosure provides an example motor system. The motor system includes a steering motor with a first rotor positioned within a first stator. The steering motor is configured to rotate the first rotor about a steering axis. The motor system also includes a traction motor including a second stator positioned within a second rotor. The second rotor includes a traction surface defining a wheel. The traction motor is configured to rotate the second rotor about a rolling axis, and the traction motor is positioned within an opening in the first rotor. The motor system also includes an axle positioned coaxial to the second rotor and coupled to the first rotor such that the traction motor rotates about the steering axis as the steering motor rotates the first rotor about the steering axis.
Platform apparatuses
In various embodiments, an automated platform may autonomously move around a site, loading dock, dock leveler, and/or trailer to transport goods. In one or more embodiments, the automated platform may be loaded with goods and, once loaded, navigate a path from a loading area onto a trailer autonomously. In some embodiments, once the automated platform is loaded onto the trailer, the automated platform may utilize hydraulics to extend legs to the ground with enough force so that the automated platform wheels are not touching the ground in the trailer, which stabilizes the automated platform while it is being hauled to a different site. In at least one embodiment, once the trailer is at the different site, the automated platform may autonomously unload itself out of the trailer and navigate over a dock leveler, through the loading dock, and to an unloading area.
LOADING PLATFORM ALIGNMENT SYSTEM AND LOADING/UNLOADING METHOD THEREOF
A method and an alignment system which auto-levels and/or auto-centers a loading platform (104) to load and unload a wheeled stretcher (106) to and from an emergency transport vehicle (100) are disclosed. A controller (114) of the alignment system receives a command to extend the loading platform from the emergency vehicle and extends the loading platform under power from the emergency transport vehicle. The controller recognizes an approaching wheeled stretcher, and aligns automatically the loading platform with a leading edge of the approaching wheeled stretcher to compensate automatically for any alignment issues between the loading platform and loading wheels (130) of the wheeled stretcher.
Fire apparatus
A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a torque box coupled to the chassis, a pedestal coupled to the torque box, a ladder assembly coupled to the pedestal, and a stability assembly. The torque box has a front end and a rear end. The pedestal is positioned between the front end and the rear end of the torque box. The stability assembly includes a housing coupled to the chassis and the front end of the torque box, a pair of outriggers received within the housing, and a downrigger coupled to the rear end of the torque box. The pair of outriggers is selectively extendable laterally outward in opposing directions. The downrigger is selectively extendable downward.
Tire assembly for providing enhanced vehicle stability
A tire assembly according to the disclosure may include a wheel having a first outer circumferential surface and a second outer circumferential surface, and a tire mounted on the wheel and having a first portion that mates with the first outer circumferential surface of the wheel, and a second portion that is spaced away from the second outer circumferential surface of the wheel to form a cavity. Furthermore, the first portion may be a solid portion that extends from the first outer circumferential surface of the wheel to an outer circumferential surface of the tire.
Motor System for Vehicle Steering and Locomotion
The present disclosure provides an example motor system. The motor system includes a steering motor with a first rotor positioned within a first stator. The steering motor is configured to rotate the first rotor about a steering axis. The motor system also includes a traction motor including a second stator positioned within a second rotor. The second rotor includes a traction surface defining a wheel. The traction motor is configured to rotate the second rotor about a rolling axis, and the traction motor is positioned within an opening in the first rotor. The motor system also includes an axle positioned coaxial to the second rotor and coupled to the first rotor such that the traction motor rotates about the steering axis as the steering motor rotates the first rotor about the steering axis.
VEHICLE, VEHICLE DRIVE ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE STEERING ASSEMBLY
A drive assembly is provided and includes a rotatable housing, a motor disposed within and to rotate with the housing, the motor including a drive element and first and second drive shafts, which are independently rotatably drivable by the drive element, a first drivable element coupled to the first drive shaft such that rotation thereof is transmitted to the first drivable element and configured to propel the housing in a first direction during first drive shaft rotation and a second drivable element coupled to the second drive shaft such that rotation thereof is transmitted to the second drivable element and configured to propel the motor in a second direction, which is transversely oriented relative to the first direction, relative to the housing during second drive shaft rotation.
Moveable tandem axle trailer
A trailer for towing a power vehicle with a towable frame forming an undercarriage chassis and a tandem wheel assembly positioned under the undercarriage chassis. The tandem wheel assembly having a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly and an extension assembly moving the second wheel assembly along a longitudinal axis of the chassis between trailing position and self-propelled position, with the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly are positioned to support the undercarriage chassis.
Traveling operation device of crawler-type aerial work platform
A traveling operation device of a crawler-type aerial work platform including an operation of an enable switch by one hand is provided. An enable switch and a changeover switch are disposed on an operation rod main body at positions where the enable switch and the changeover switch are operable by fingers gripping the operation rod main body of an operation rod during traveling so that all of them are operable by one hand. When a controller receives a switching command signal in accordance with the operation of the changeover switch in a state of usual travel control according to tilt of the operation rod in front-rear and right-left directions, the controller stops the usual travel control to transition the usual travel control to spin turn control that rotates motors in mutually opposite directions and turns the platform on the spot.