MODULAR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
A transport device for storing and retrieving loads into and out of storage racks. The transport device including a load handling module and a power module. The load handling module includes a load carrying portion, a load handling device with a pair of extendable arms to extend and retract relative to the load carrying portion towards and away from the storage racks. A pair of support wheels to support a weight of the loads while the extendable arms extract the loads from the storage rack into the load carrying portion. A pair of side guides to position the retrieved load on the load carrying portion. The load handling device is attached to a mounting platform with an attachment bracket having an elongated groove. Further, the power module includes a collector shoe assembly pivotable between a conducting position and a non-conducting position using a movable arm and a locking mechanism.
1 . A power module, comprising:
a current collector attached to a guide rail,
a collector shoe assembly mounted on a mounting bracket attached to a chassis of a transport vehicle, wherein the collector shoe assembly comprises:
a movable arm attached to the collector shoe assembly to pivot the collector shoe assembly between a conducting position and a non-conducting position, wherein in the conducting position the collector shoe assembly is in contact with the current collector to supply current for one or more components of the transport vehicle; and
a locking mechanism coupled to the movable arm to lock the collector shoe assembly in conducting position and the non-conducting position.
2 . The power module of claim 1 , wherein the current collector attached to the guide rail using mounting clips.
3 . The power module of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a lever arm facilitating the locking mechanism to lock and unlock the collector shoe assembly in the conducting position and the non-conducting position.
4 . The power module of claim 3 , wherein when the lever arm is pressed down to lock a pivoting movement of the movable arm and pulled up to unlock the pivoting movement of the movable arm.
5 . The power module of claim 2 , wherein the movable arm is hingedly coupled to the locking mechanism, wherein the movable arm pivots the collector shoe assembly related to the locking mechanism to transition between the conducting position and the non-conducting position.
6 . The power module of claim 4 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises spring loaded latches, cam operated latches, indexing plunger pins, locking skewers, or bolt binder clamps to lock the pivoting movement of the movable arm.
7 . The power module of claim 1 , wherein the collector shoe assembly comprising:
a collector shoe;
a collector arm; and
an insulating holder;
wherein the collector shoe is attached to the insulating holder;
wherein the insulating holder is attached to a U-shaped bracket;
wherein the U-shaped bracket is fastened to the collector arm.
8 . The power module of claim 7 , wherein the U-shaped bracket is fastened to the collector arm using fasteners.
9 . The power module of claim 7 , wherein the U-shaped bracket is fastened to the collector arm using a clevis joint.
10 . The power module of claim 7 , wherein the collector shoe assembly further comprising a collector spring, wherein the collector spring is configured to provide a continuous pressing contact of the collector shoe with the current collector.
11 . The power module of claim 10 , wherein the collector spring is positioned between the U-shaped bracket and the collector arm.
12 . The power module of claim 10 , wherein the collector spring is configured to decompress when the collector shoe assembly is moved from the non-conducting position to the conducting position.
13 . The power module of claim 10 , wherein the collector spring is configured to compress when the collector shoe assembly is moved from the conducting position to the non-conducting position.
14 . The power module of claim 7 , wherein the collector shoe comprises graphite impregnated copper contact shoes.
15 . The power module of claim 7 , wherein the collector shoe assembly further comprising a collector bracket, wherein the collector bracket is attached to the movable arm, wherein the collector arm is attached to the collector bracket.
16 . The power module of claim 15 , wherein the collector bracket is attached to the movable arm through an attachment plate, wherein the movable arm is hingedly coupled to the locking mechanism.
17 . The power module of claim 16 , wherein the attachment plate comprises bolted flanged plates extending from the movable arm.