Positionally compliant charge connector for robotic drive unit charging
First Claim
1. A system for charging a plurality of mobile drive units, comprising:
- a plurality of electric charging stations disposed on a floor, at least some of the plurality of electric charging stations each comprising;
a frame, comprising;
an upper support member carrying an electrical charging unit; and
a pair of side supports extending from a front end of the frame toward a back end of the frame and extending from the upper support member to the floor, wherein the front end of the frame defines a front end of the associated charging station; and
a station charge connector in electrical communication with the electrical charging unit and configured to mate with corresponding charge connectors of the mobile drive units, the station charge connector located below the upper support member and between the pair of side supports, the station charge connector extending along a longitudinal direction, the station charge connector suspended from the associated frame by a plurality of springs, comprising;
a first spring and a second spring each extending from the frame at least partially along a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first and second springs are configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance along the lateral direction; and
a third spring located rearward of the first and second springs, the third spring extending at least partially along the longitudinal direction, wherein the spring is configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance along the longitudinal direction,wherein the front ends of the electric charging stations collectively define a boundary of a zone of travel for the mobile drive units.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric charging station for a mobile drive unit includes a frame that defines an interior volume of space. The frame is configured to carry an electrical charging unit positioned above the interior volume of space. The station includes a station charge connector that is configured to be in electrical communication with the electrical charging unit and is also configured for mating with a corresponding charge connector of the mobile drive unit. The station charge connector extends forward within the interior volume of space along a longitudinal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. The station charge connector is connected to the frame by at least one compliant mechanism that is configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance with respect to the frame.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for charging a plurality of mobile drive units, comprising:
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a plurality of electric charging stations disposed on a floor, at least some of the plurality of electric charging stations each comprising; a frame, comprising; an upper support member carrying an electrical charging unit; and a pair of side supports extending from a front end of the frame toward a back end of the frame and extending from the upper support member to the floor, wherein the front end of the frame defines a front end of the associated charging station; and a station charge connector in electrical communication with the electrical charging unit and configured to mate with corresponding charge connectors of the mobile drive units, the station charge connector located below the upper support member and between the pair of side supports, the station charge connector extending along a longitudinal direction, the station charge connector suspended from the associated frame by a plurality of springs, comprising; a first spring and a second spring each extending from the frame at least partially along a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the first and second springs are configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance along the lateral direction; and a third spring located rearward of the first and second springs, the third spring extending at least partially along the longitudinal direction, wherein the spring is configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance along the longitudinal direction, wherein the front ends of the electric charging stations collectively define a boundary of a zone of travel for the mobile drive units. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An electric charging station for a mobile drive unit, comprising:
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a frame defining an interior volume of space, the frame configured to carry an electrical charging unit positioned above the interior volume of space along a vertical direction; and a station charge connector configured to be in electrical communication with the electrical charging unit, the station charge connector further configured for mating with a corresponding charge connector of the mobile drive unit, the station charge connector extending forward within the interior volume of space along a longitudinal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction, wherein the station charge connector is connected to the frame by at least one compliant mechanism that is configured to provide the station charge connector with positional compliance with respect to the frame, wherein the station charge connector is carried by a mount that at least partially extends within the interior volume of space, the mount is connected to the frame by the at least one complaint mechanism, and the station charge connector extends forward from the mount, and wherein the at least one compliant mechanism comprises a plurality of springs that includes a first spring and a second spring extending between the mount and the frame at least partially along a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction, and the first and second springs are configured to provide the mount with positional compliance along the lateral direction. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification