System For Providing Wireless Operation Of Powered Device(s) On A Vehicle with Direct Charging

• US 20180019788A1
• Filed: 09/27/2017
• Published: 01/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyri International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tyri International Inc.
• Inventors: Wadell, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 10,680,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/00 Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/14 to electric lighting circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/42 Fork lift trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/033 characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries for propulsion puposes B60K1/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06; testing of charge state G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/0755 Position control; Position detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/24 Electrical devices or systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

Charging for one or more powered devices on a vehicle may be implemented on support components of a vehicle which may be movable with respect to one another to accomplish a function. When the support components are in a first position, a power unit in communication with a power source of the vehicle may be used to charge a powered rail for charging a rechargeable power storage unit in contact with the powered rail. The power storage unit, in turn, may provide power to one or more powered devices which may be separately housed. When the support components are in a second position, such as to accomplish a work function, the charged power storage unit may continue to provide power to the powered device(s) despite the power storage unit and the powered device(s) being distal to the powered rail.

Claims

1. A system for operating a powered device on a vehicle comprising:

first and second support components that are movable with respect to one another;

a power storage unit and connector attached to the first support component;

a powered device configured to receive power from the power storage unit;

a powered rail attached to the second support component; and

a power unit configured to provide electrical power to the powered rail,

wherein the power storage unit is configured to receive electrical power from the power unit when the connector is in contact with the powered rail in a first position, and

wherein the powered device is configured to operate using power from the power storage unit when the connector is spaced apart from the powered rail in a second position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the powered rail is a rigid conductor having a length disposed in a direction of motion between the first and second support components.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the power unit is configured to provide Direct Current (DC) electrical power to the powered rail.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector includes an electrically conductive surface configured to conduct electrical power from the powered rail to the power storage unit when the electrically conductive surface is in direct contact with the powered rail in the first position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a wheel for moving with respect to the powered rail.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the powered device includes a light emitting diode (LED), a camera or a wireless communication interface.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first support component includes forks of a forklift.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the powered device is physically integrated with the power storage unit.

9. A method for operating a powered device on a vehicle comprising:

attaching a power storage unit and connector to a first support component;

configuring a powered device to receive power from the power storage unit;

attaching a powered rail to a second support component;

configuring a power unit to provide electrical power to the powered rail,

configuring the power storage unit to receive from electrical power the power unit when the connector is in contact with the powered rail in a first position, and

configuring the powered device to use power from the power storage unit when the connector is spaced apart from the powered rail in a second position.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the powered rail is a rigid conductor having a length disposed in a direction of motion between the first and second support components.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising configuring the power unit to provide DC electrical power to the powered rail.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising configuring an electrically conductive surface of the connector to conduct electrical power from the powered rail to the power storage unit when the electrically conductive surface is in direct contact with the powered rail in the first position.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising moving the connector with respect to the powered rail using a wheel.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the powered device includes a LED, a camera or a wireless communication interface.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the first support component includes forks of a forklift.

16. A system for operating a powered device on a forklift comprising:

a first support component including forks;

a second support component including a mast in communication with the forks, wherein the first and second support components are movable with respect to one another;

a power storage unit and connector attached to the first support component;

a powered device configured to receive power from the power storage unit, the powered device including a LED;

a powered rail attached to the second support component; and

a power unit configured to provide electrical power to the powered rail,

wherein the power storage unit is configured to receive electrical power from the power unit when the connector is in contact with the powered rail in a first position, and

wherein the powered device is configured to operate using power from the power storage unit when the connector is spaced apart from the powered rail in a second position.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the powered rail is a rigid conductor having a length disposed in a direction of motion between the first and second support components.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the power unit is configured to provide DC electrical power to the powered rail.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the connector includes an electrically conductive surface configured to conduct electrical power from the powered rail to the power storage unit when the electrically conductive surface is in direct contact with the powered rail in the first position.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the connector includes a wheel for moving with respect to the powered rail.