Radio controlled material handling apparatus
First Claim
1. A material handling system comprising:
- at least one delivery device;
means for defining a pathway along which said delivery device is adapted to travel; and
central electronic control means for controlling the operation of said system;
each of said delivery devices including drive means for driving the delivery device along said pathway;
an onboard power supply for providing power to said drive means; and
an onboard electronic control means for controlling operation of said delivery device;
said onboard electronic control means including an onboard transceiver and said central electronic control means including a central transceiver for providing a radio frequency communication link between said central electronic control means and said onboard electronic control means;
said onboard transceiver being capable of transmitting plural information signals to said central transceiver, said central transceiver being capable of receiving said information signals and for transmitting control signals to said onboard transceiver for control of said delivery device;
said drive means comprising a DC motor and said onboard power supply comprising a rechargeable battery;
means for monitoring the charge of said rechargeable battery and for generating a low battery signal when said charge drops below a predetermined level,said means for defining a pathway comprising track means which includes a supply track portion along which the delivery device is adapted to travel with a load from a loading station to an unloading station, a return track portion along which said delivery device is adapted to travel from said unloading station to said loading station, and a repair/battery recharging track portion with a track switching means for guiding the delivery device from said return track portion to said repair/battery recharging track portion for recharging said battery when said onboard electronic control means generates said low battery signal.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A material handling system, such as a monorail material handling system, and a delivery device therefor which is intelligent, self-powered and capable of communicating with a central system control via a radio frequency communication link without direct electrical connection therewith. The material handling system comprises at least one delivery device, a pathway along which the delivery device is adapted to be propelled, and a central electronic control for controlling operation of the system. Each delivery device includes a drive for propelling the delivery device along the pathway, an onboard power supply for providing power to the drive, and an onboard electronic control for controlling operation of the delivery device. The onboard electronic control and the central electronic control include radio frequency communications for providing a radio communication link therebetween. The onboard electronic control also includes a data processor for processing data received from the central electronic control and from external monitors connected thereto and for generating signals to carry out many of the control functions normally performed by a central system control.
58 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A material handling system comprising:
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at least one delivery device; means for defining a pathway along which said delivery device is adapted to travel; and central electronic control means for controlling the operation of said system; each of said delivery devices including drive means for driving the delivery device along said pathway;
an onboard power supply for providing power to said drive means; and
an onboard electronic control means for controlling operation of said delivery device;said onboard electronic control means including an onboard transceiver and said central electronic control means including a central transceiver for providing a radio frequency communication link between said central electronic control means and said onboard electronic control means; said onboard transceiver being capable of transmitting plural information signals to said central transceiver, said central transceiver being capable of receiving said information signals and for transmitting control signals to said onboard transceiver for control of said delivery device; said drive means comprising a DC motor and said onboard power supply comprising a rechargeable battery; means for monitoring the charge of said rechargeable battery and for generating a low battery signal when said charge drops below a predetermined level, said means for defining a pathway comprising track means which includes a supply track portion along which the delivery device is adapted to travel with a load from a loading station to an unloading station, a return track portion along which said delivery device is adapted to travel from said unloading station to said loading station, and a repair/battery recharging track portion with a track switching means for guiding the delivery device from said return track portion to said repair/battery recharging track portion for recharging said battery when said onboard electronic control means generates said low battery signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification