Robot for transporting storage bins
First Claim
1. A remotely operated vehicle assembly for picking up storage bins from an underlying storage system, comprising:
- a vehicle body displaying a cavity for receiving a storage bin within the storage system,wherein the size of the cavity is adapted to contain components for a vehicle lifting device and to contain a largest storage bin intended to be picked up by the vehicle assembly,the vehicle lifting device at least indirectly connected to the vehicle body for vertically lifting the storage bin from the underlying storage system into the cavity,driving means connected to the vehicle body allowing remotely controlled movements of the vehicle assembly within the storage system,wireless communication means for providing wireless communication between the vehicle assembly and a remote control unit;
a main power source supplying electrical power to the driving means; and
vehicle coupling means for releasably coupling the main power source to the vehicle body,wherein said coupling means is configured to allow interchange of the main power source to a stationary charging station after receiving at least one communication signal from the control unit,wherein the vehicle assembly further comprises a management system that manages at least one of the power sources,said management system comprising;
means for monitoring at least one selected from the group consisting of;
voltage, temperature, state of charge (SOC), depth of discharge (DOD), state of health (SOH), coolant flow, and current; and
recharging controlling means for controlling at least one parameter related to recharging of at least one of the power sources.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A remotely operated vehicle assembly for picking up storage bins from a storage system includes a vehicle body that displays a cavity for receiving a storage bin situated somewhere within the storage system, a vehicle lifting device at least indirectly connected to the vehicle body for lifting the storage bin into the cavity, driving mechanisms or components connected to the vehicle body allowing remotely controlled movements of the vehicle assembly within the storage system, a wireless communication link that provides wireless communication between the vehicle assembly and a remote control unit such as a computer, one or more main power sources supplying electrical power to the driving mechanisms or components and vehicle coupling means for operational and releasable coupling of the main power source to the vehicle body.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A remotely operated vehicle assembly for picking up storage bins from an underlying storage system, comprising:
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a vehicle body displaying a cavity for receiving a storage bin within the storage system, wherein the size of the cavity is adapted to contain components for a vehicle lifting device and to contain a largest storage bin intended to be picked up by the vehicle assembly, the vehicle lifting device at least indirectly connected to the vehicle body for vertically lifting the storage bin from the underlying storage system into the cavity, driving means connected to the vehicle body allowing remotely controlled movements of the vehicle assembly within the storage system, wireless communication means for providing wireless communication between the vehicle assembly and a remote control unit; a main power source supplying electrical power to the driving means; and vehicle coupling means for releasably coupling the main power source to the vehicle body, wherein said coupling means is configured to allow interchange of the main power source to a stationary charging station after receiving at least one communication signal from the control unit, wherein the vehicle assembly further comprises a management system that manages at least one of the power sources, said management system comprising; means for monitoring at least one selected from the group consisting of;
voltage, temperature, state of charge (SOC), depth of discharge (DOD), state of health (SOH), coolant flow, and current; andrecharging controlling means for controlling at least one parameter related to recharging of at least one of the power sources. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16)
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13. A method for charging a power source arranged in a remotely operated vehicle assembly, the method comprising:
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a) moving the remotely operated vehicle assembly to a charging position adjacent to a first charging station; b) transferring a first main power source connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle assembly to the first charging station; c) moving the vehicle assembly to a second charging station using an auxiliary power source that supplies auxiliary electrical power to driving means; and d) transferring a second main power source connected to the second charging station to the vehicle body, the second main power source having been charged for a time period (T) by the second charging station. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification