Patent classifications
B66F7/085
Lift structure with adjustment assistance optimized based on ergonomics and installation method thereof
A lift structure with adjustment assistance optimized based on ergonomics includes a top, a base, an X-shaped cross arm and a gas spring, wherein the X-shaped cross arm includes a first directional arm and a second directional arm; wherein one end of the gas spring rotates around a second rotating shaft fixed relative to the first directional arm, and the other end rotates around a third rotating shaft fixed relative to the second directional arm, and the first, second and third rotating axes being parallel with each other; and wherein at the reference height, in a plane where an axis of the gas spring is located and is perpendicular to the respective rotating axes, the axis of the gas spring is tangent to a circumference centered on the first rotating shaft and having a set radius, with a tangent point being located on the second rotating shaft.
VEHICLE COUPLING SYSTEM
A vehicle coupling system includes a first vehicle, a second vehicle, and a tow bar. The first vehicle includes a drive motor configured to propel the first vehicle and a lifting implement configured to support a product for movement. The second vehicle includes a lifting implement configured to support the product for movement. The tow bar is coupled to the first vehicle at a first end of the tow bar and coupled to the second vehicle at a second end of the tow bar opposite the first end. Responsive to the drive motor propelling the first vehicle, the tow bar exerts a force on the second vehicle to maintain a space between the second vehicle and the first vehicle.
CART INTERFACE
A vehicle includes a chassis, a frame, a tractive element, a drive motor, and a cart interface. The cart interface includes a base frame coupled to the frame assembly of the vehicle, and a first and second pin assembly. The first and second pin assembly each include first pin configured to engage a cart and a actuator configured to raise the pin relative to the frame. The first pin assembly also includes a first linear actuator configured to bias the first pin relative to the first linear actuator and to permit relative movement between the first pin and first linear actuator. The cart interface includes a first actuator to reposition the first pin independently of the second pin and is configured to hold the pin in either of a lowered position, a raised position above a lowered position and an intermediate position between the raised and lowered positions.
VEHICLE WITH LIFT ASSEMBLY
A vehicle includes a frame, a drivetrain coupled to the frame, a base assembly coupled to the frame, and a lifting implement coupled to and supported on the base assembly. The lifting implement includes a platform, a cradle rotatably coupled to and supported on the platform so that the cradle, a scissor assembly coupled between the platform and the base assembly, and a lift actuator coupled between the base assembly and the scissor assembly. The lift actuator is configured to selectively raise the cradle relative to the base assembly. The lift actuator is a multi-stage telescoping actuator that includes a base stage, an intermediate stage, and an outer stage. The base stage is coupled to the base assembly, the outer stage is coupled to the scissor assembly, and the intermediate stage is arranged between the base stage and the outer stage.
CART
A cart includes a chassis including one or more frame members, one or more casters, a first channel and a second channel coupled to the chassis, the first channel defining a longitudinal axis and the second channel defining a lateral axis. The first channel and the second channel each include a pair of guides each including a first portion and a second portion and a flat member coupling the guide to the frame members. The first portions extend substantially parallel to one another. The second portions are angled to increase a distance between the second portions as the second portions extend away from the first portions.
VEHICLE WITH REMOVABLE PIN FOR LIFT ASSEMBLY
A vehicle system includes a first vehicle and a second vehicle. The first vehicle includes a first drive motor configured to drive one or more of a first plurality of tractive elements to propel the first vehicle, and a first cradle configured to support a product at a first end thereof for movement. The second vehicle includes a second drive motor configured to drive one or more of a second plurality of tractive elements to propel the second vehicle, and a second cradle configured to support the product at a second end thereof for movement. The first vehicle and the second vehicle move the product via at least one of the first drive motor or the second drive motor.
CART INTERFACE
A system includes a cart including a plurality of tractive elements and a platform configured to support a load and a vehicle including: a chassis, a drivetrain configured to propel the vehicle, a pin movably coupled to the chassis and configured to engage the cart to couple the cart to the chassis, an actuator assembly including at least one actuator, wherein the actuator assembly is configured to raise the pin relative to the chassis; and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator assembly and the drivetrain, wherein the controller is configured to: control the drivetrain to propel the vehicle to a position in which the pin is positioned beneath the cart; and control the actuator assembly to raise the pin until the pin engages the cart to couple the cart to the chassis.
ADJUSTABLE OPERATION OF MANUFACTURING VEHICLES
A vehicle may include a frame, a drive system configured to propel the vehicle, an energy storage device configured to provide power to the drive system, a lift implement including a cradle to support a load and a lift assembly configured to adjust a position of the cradle relative to the frame, one or more sensors configured to provide sensing data indicative of at least one of a status of the vehicle, the load supported by the cradle, or an environment surrounding the vehicle, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the vehicle in a first mode of a plurality of modes including a manual mode, a guided vehicle mode, and an autonomous mode, determine a match value between the sensing data and at least one operational criteria of a plurality of operational criteria; and operate the vehicle in a second mode based on the match value.
CART INTERFACE
A cart interface for coupling a cart to a vehicle includes a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to the vehicle, a cam plate, an actuator, a first pin assembly, and a second pin assembly. The cam plate is pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket. The actuator is coupled to the mounting bracket and the cam plate and configured to rotate the cam plate relative to the mounting bracket. The first pin assembly is coupled to the cam plate. The second pin assembly is coupled to the cam plate. Rotation of the cam plate is configured to cause the first pin assembly and the second pin assembly to move upward to engage the cart.
AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT
A system for transporting products throughout a manufacturing environment, includes a mobile robot including a frame, a tractive element coupled to the frame, a motor coupled to the frame and configured to drive the tractive element to propel the vehicle, at least one sensor configured to collect sensor data regarding a surrounding environment of the vehicle, an interface configured to engage a product, a lift assembly coupling the interface to the frame and configured to raise the interface relative to the frame, and a controller operatively coupled to the motor, the at least one sensor, and the lift assembly. The controller is configured to control the motor and the lift assembly based on information from the at least one sensor to autonomously transport the product.