System and apparatus for driving a track mounted robot
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A drive system for a track mounted robot, comprising:
- a drive motor mounted on the robot;
a drive pulley coupled to the drive motor;
at least one drive wheel driven by the drive pulley positioned to engage the track when rotated to drive the robot; and
a drive belt extending around the drive pulley and an outwardly opening belt groove extending circumferentially around the drive wheel to rotate the drive wheel against the track when driven by the motor, the drive wheel and drive belt being configured such that the drive belt does not substantially engage the track as the robot travels along the track, andone or more extensions mounted on the track at selected locations, each extension being positioned so that the resilient belt engages the extension, increasing the frictional force between the drive unit and the track.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive system for a robot includes a track including opposed sidewalls, an electrified rail positioned between the sidewalls, a shoe mounted on the robot for contacting the electrified rail providing power to the robot, a drive motor mounted on the robot, a rotating drive member, the drive member engaging the track to drive the robot when the drive motor is actuated, means for coupling the drive member to the drive motor and means for increasing the friction between the drive system and the track at selected locations along the track.
38 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A drive system for a track mounted robot, comprising:
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a drive motor mounted on the robot; a drive pulley coupled to the drive motor; at least one drive wheel driven by the drive pulley positioned to engage the track when rotated to drive the robot; and a drive belt extending around the drive pulley and an outwardly opening belt groove extending circumferentially around the drive wheel to rotate the drive wheel against the track when driven by the motor, the drive wheel and drive belt being configured such that the drive belt does not substantially engage the track as the robot travels along the track, and one or more extensions mounted on the track at selected locations, each extension being positioned so that the resilient belt engages the extension, increasing the frictional force between the drive unit and the track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A drive system for a track mounted robot, comprising;
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a drive motor mounted on the robot; a drive pulley coupled to the drive motor; at least one drive wheel driven by the drive pulley positioned to engage the track when rotated to drive the robot; and a drive belt extending around the drive pulley and an outwardly opening belt groove extending circumferentially around the drive wheel to rotate the drive wheel against the track when driven by the motor, the drive wheel and drive belt being configured such that the drive belt does not substantially engage the track as the robot travels along the track, and an idler mounted on the robot, the idler contacting the side of the track opposite the drive wheel, the idler being biased against the track to maintain contact between the drive wheel and the track. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A drive system for a track mounted robot, comprising:
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a drive motor mounted on the robot; a drive pulley coupled to the drive motor; at least one drive wheel driven by the drive pulley positioned to engage the track when rotated to drive the robot; and a drive belt extending around the drive pulley and an outwardly opening belt groove extending circumferentially around the drive wheel to rotate the drive wheel against the track when driven by the motor, the drive wheel and drive belt being configured such that the drive belt does not substantially engage the track as the robot travels along the track, and a shoe for contacting an electrified rail mounted between opposing sides of the track to provide power to the drive motor.
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9. A track mounted robot, comprising:
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a frame; a drive system including a drive motor mounted on the frame and at least one drive wheel the drive wheel being coupled to the drive motor and positioned to engage the track when rotated to drive the robot; and means for increasing the friction between the drive system and the track in selected locations along the track, and a motor pulley coupled to the drive motor and a drive belt extending around the motor pulley and the drive wheel, the drive belt rotating the drive wheel against the track when driven by the motor, the drive wheel and belt being configured such that the drive belt does not substantially engage the track as the robot travels along the track. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification