The system includes a drive vehicle configured to attach to the platform at a pivot point and to move the platform relative to the target object. One or more distance sensors are positioned to sense the target object, and one or more rotation angle sensors acquire an angular position of the drive vehicle relative to the platform. A processing circuit is configured to calculate one or more distances between the platform and the target object based on inputs from the one or more distance sensors. The processing circuit receives a command to move the drive vehicle in one or more forward, reverse, or rotational directions. The processing circuit allows motion in one or more directions in which the platform will not contact the target object and prevents motion in one or more directions that would cause the platform to contact the target object.

A materials handling vehicle comprises an operator compartment, a compartment tower, a multi-field scanning tool, and mechanisms that facilitate movement along a travel plane in a warehouse. The tool establishes a scan field, and, within scan field bounds, an occupancy detection field and an obstacle detection field. Tool scanning hardware is configured to generate the scan field from a point of origin that is elevated relative to the operator compartment and to expand the scan field such that it intersects the operator compartment and extends laterally beyond lateral edges of the operator compartment such that the occupancy detection field falls within the operator compartment, the obstacle detection field falls outside of the operator compartment, and the multi-field scanning tool is configured to indicate the presence of an occupant in the occupancy detection field and obstacles in the obstacle detection field.

A chassis for a lift device includes a base, an arm coupled to the base and configured to support a tractive element, and a plate extending from the arm at an upward angle. The arm includes a steering actuator interface configured to support an end of a steering actuator for the tractive element. The plate is configured to extend past the steering actuator.

Device for vehicles, in particular fork-lift trucks, the device being designed at least for carrying out a steering movement of the vehicle, the device being arranged on an arm rest of a vehicle seat of the vehicle, wherein the device is at least partially rotatable about a first pivot axis relative to the arm rest, wherein rotation of the device about the first pivot axis causes the steering movement of the vehicle, and wherein the device comprises a first device element arranged above the arm rest, and a second device element which is fixedly connected to the first device element and extends downwards from the first device element beyond the first device element.

A method for operating an industrial truck having three wheels. During longitudinal travel, two steerable wheels run in succession in a first lane, and a third wheel runs in a second lane. The third wheel initially runs on an inside during a turning in while cornering until the industrial truck, during a further turning in, transitions into a revolving motion. The method includes reducing a drive power as of a specific steering angle during the turning in prior to the revolving motion, and disengaging or reversing a direction of a drive rotation of the third wheel after a delay time which begins with the reducing of the drive power, or, continuously reducing the drive power from the specific steering angle during the further turning in, and disengaging or reversing the direction of rotation of the third wheel when transitioning into the revolving motion.

An autonomous guided vehicle includes a chassis with a power supply and powered sections that are connected to the chassis and powered by the power supply. The powered sections include a drive section, a payload handling section, and a peripheral electronics section. A controller of the vehicle includes a comprehensive power management section communicably connected to the power supply so as to monitor a charge level of the power supply. The comprehensive power management section is connected to the drive section, the payload handling section, and the peripheral electronics section respectively powering the drive section, the payload handling section, and the peripheral electronics section from the power supply. The comprehensive power management section manages power consumption of branch circuits, of the powered sections, based on a demand level of each branch circuit relative to the charge level available from the power supply.

A steering system includes a first wheel and a second wheel laterally spaced apart from the first wheel, and a third wheel and a fourth wheel laterally spaced apart from the third wheel. The first wheel is rotatably coupled to a first knuckle and the second wheel is rotatably coupled to a second knuckle. The third wheel and the fourth wheel are both pivotally fixed in a forward-aligned orientation. The steering system includes a first tie rod having a first end pivotally coupled to the first knuckle and a second end pivotally coupled to a mechanical linkage, a second tie rod having a first end pivotally coupled to the second knuckle and a second end pivotally coupled to the mechanical linkage, and an electrical actuator coupled to the mechanical linkage. The mechanical linkage is arranged in front of the electrical actuator relative to a travel direction.

The present invention discloses a multifunctional vehicle lifting, steering, moving and obstacle crossing device. The apparatus is composed of a rotating mechanism, a lifting mechanism, a running mechanism and a control mechanism, is mounted at a bottom of an automobile, can be conveniently folded at the bottom of the automobile when not used at ordinary times, and has characteristics of portability, flexibility, no space occupation and easy operation. The apparatus can realize functions of a vehicle, such as lifting, rotating, moving and the like, in a wired or wireless control manner, and effectively overcome defects that the vehicle cannot realize four-wheel off-ground, entire side movement and in-situ rotation or pass through a narrow road or stride across a wide ditch or cross a high and narrow obstacle, thereby completing relatively difficult tasks of the vehicle, such as parking, moving, turning-around and turning in a narrow space, crossing ditches etc.

A vehicle to collect and transport flat articles; the vehicle being configured to transport at least 500 kg; the vehicle comprises a frame having at least one support device, which is configured to receive a plurality of flat articles; a first moving device, which is configured to move said vehicle; at least one holding device, which is configured to hold, grab and release at least one flat ceramic article; and a moving assembly to move at least one of either the holding device or said support device relative to the other one along at least one moving trajectory, which is at least partially vertical.

An exemplary embodiment may provide a robotic powered cargo handling system. An embodiment may implement a pallet-lift mechanism to lift cargo or pallets. Powered rollers may be embedded into the forks of a pallet-lift mechanism and on top of the vehicle body. An exemplary embodiment may be fully autonomous. A user or software may direct the vehicle to a pallet or piece of cargo and set a destination for the cargo. Sensors, cameras, GPS, and computer vision may be implemented to navigate and avoid obstacles. An exemplary embodiment may include independent 4-wheel steering, 4 corner height adjustment, in-hub electric motors, and pneumatic or solid tires.