Robotic mobile low-profile transport vehicle
First Claim
1. A robotic transport module operable within a mobile low-profile transport vehicle, said transport module comprising:
- a frame assembly;
a mobility system supported about said frame assembly, and configured to facilitate movement of said transport module;
a platform configured to receive a load, said platform being supported by and moveable in at least a lateral direction about said frame assembly;
a translation system configured to facilitate active, actuated translation of said platform in at least one degree of freedom about said frame assembly;
one or more sensors configured to detect a center of mass of said transport module,wherein said translation system operates to automatically alter the center of mass of said transport module, in response to information obtained by the one or more sensors, to enhance stability of said transport module during operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A robotic mobile low-profile transport vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle can comprise a first transport module having a frame assembly, a mobility system, and a propulsion system and a second transport module having a frame assembly and a mobility system. A multi-degree of freedom coupling assemblage can join the first and second transport modules together. The vehicle can include a first platform supported about the frame assembly of the first transport module, and a second platform supported about the frame assembly of the second transport module. Each of the platforms can be configured to receive a load for transport. Additionally, the vehicle can include a control system that can operate to facilitate intra-module communication and coordination to provide a coordinated operating mode of the first and second transport modules and the coupling assemblage about a given terrain.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A robotic transport module operable within a mobile low-profile transport vehicle, said transport module comprising:
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a frame assembly; a mobility system supported about said frame assembly, and configured to facilitate movement of said transport module; a platform configured to receive a load, said platform being supported by and moveable in at least a lateral direction about said frame assembly; a translation system configured to facilitate active, actuated translation of said platform in at least one degree of freedom about said frame assembly; one or more sensors configured to detect a center of mass of said transport module, wherein said translation system operates to automatically alter the center of mass of said transport module, in response to information obtained by the one or more sensors, to enhance stability of said transport module during operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A robotic mobile low-profile transport vehicle, comprising:
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a first transport module having a frame assembly, a mobility system, and a propulsion system; a second transport module having a frame assembly and a propulsion system a multi-degree of freedom coupling assemblage joining said first and second transport modules together; an interconnect system operable with the coupling assemblage to selectively couple and decouple the first transport module from the second transport module; a control system that operates to facilitate intra-module communication and coordination to provide a coordinated operating mode of said first and second transport modules and said coupling assemblage about a given terrain; and a control scheme operable to control operation of the robotic low-profile transport vehicle, and that is switchable between a unitary mode and a division mode, wherein, in the unitary mode, the control scheme facilitates coordinated control across the first and second transport modules and the coupling assemblage when coupled, and wherein, in the division mode, the control scheme facilitates independent operation of the first and second transport modules when decoupled. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for operation of a robotic low-profile mobile transport vehicle, comprising:
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operating a robotic low-profile mobile transport vehicle, comprising a first transport module having a frame assembly, a mobility system, and a propulsion system, a second transport module having a frame assembly and a propulsion system a multi-degree of freedom coupling assemblage joining said first and second transport modules together, and an interconnect system operable with the coupling assemblage to selectively couple and decouple the first transport module from the second transport module, a control system that operates to facilitate intra-module communication and coordination to provide a coordinated operating mode of said first and second transport modules and said coupling assemblage about a given terrain; and switching between a unitary mode and a division mode with a control scheme, wherein, in the unitary mode, the control schemed facilitates coordinated control across the first and second transport modules and the coupling assemblage when coupled, and wherein, in the division mode, the control scheme facilitates independent operation of the first and second transport modules when decoupled. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification