CHARGING SYSTEM FOR AN AUTONOMOUS MOBILE UNIT

• US 20180319286A1
• Filed: 05/07/2018
• Published: 11/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bastian Solutions, LLC (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bastian Solutions, LLC (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Greyson, Tiffany Lee, Leidenfrost, Hans Tokpa, Schroeder, Jeremiah Scott
• Granted Patent: US 10,744,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/005 using batteries, e.g. as a back-up power source
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/007 mounted on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/00 Type of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/44 Industrial trucks or floor conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/38 for collecting current from conductor rails B60L5/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/53 in combination with an external power supply, e.g. from overhead contact lines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/31 Charging columns specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/60 Electric or hybrid propulsion means for production processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/23 Electric motor

Abstract

A material handling system includes storage rack configured to store one or more items. An Autonomous Mobile Unit (AMU) is configured to move within the storage rack to service the items. The storage rack includes at least one power rail to charge the AMU when within the storage rack. The AMU includes a wheel assembly with a cogwheel electrically connected to the power rail. The AMU includes a power supply electrically connected to the wheel assembly. The power supply includes a power converter electrically coupled to an Energy Storage System (ESS). The power rail includes a cog track with track teeth. The cogwheel includes cogwheel teeth intermeshed with the track teeth.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a storage rack configured to store one or more items;

an Autonomous Mobile Unit (AMU) configured to move within the storage rack to service the items; and

wherein the storage rack includes at least one power rail to charge the AMU within the storage rack.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the AMU includes a wheel assembly with a cogwheel electrically connected to the power rail.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the AMU includes a power supply electrically connected to the wheel assembly.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the power supply includes a power converter electrically coupled to an Energy Storage System (ESS).

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the power converter includes a rectifier configured to convert Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC).

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the power converter includes an inverter configured to convert DC to AC.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the ESS includes a battery.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the power rail includes a cog track with track teeth; and

the cogwheel includes cogwheel teeth intermeshed with the track teeth.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the wheel assembly includes a drive wheel configured to move the AMU outside of the storage rack.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the drive wheel has a larger diameter than the cogwheel.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the drive wheel electrically connects the cogwheel to the power supply.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the wheel assembly includes a shaft that electrically connects the cogwheel to the power supply.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the wheel assembly includes a gear box that electrically connects the cogwheel to the power supply.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the wheel assembly includes a motor that electrically connects the cogwheel to the power supply.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the wheel assembly includes a steering collar that electrically connects the cogwheel to the power supply.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the AMU includes a shuttle that has a robotic arm.

17. A method, comprising:

servicing at least one item in a storage rack with an Autonomous Mobile Unit (AMU); and

charging the AMU with at least one power rail within the storage rack as the AMU moves within the storage rack.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the AMU include a cogwheel electrically connected to a power supply; and

said charging includes charging the power supply by flowing electrical current from the power rail, through the cogwheel, and to the power supply.