OMNIDIRECTIONAL VEHICLE TRANSPORT

摘要

Concepts of omnidirectional vehicle transport are described. In one embodiment, an omnidirectional vehicle includes a transportation platform, a drive system, and wheels. At a surface level, the vehicle can maneuver in any direction, including longitudinal and lateral directions. The vehicle can also be positioned to engage the wheels with a track having a rack gear to engage with the wheels. A control system of the vehicle can then drive the wheels in engagement with the track to raise the vehicle to a second level. At the second level, the vehicle can maneuver to transfer items onto the vehicle for transportation of the items back to the surface level. After the items are transferred onto the vehicle, it can be positioned for engagement with the track, and the control system can drive the wheels to lower the vehicle to the surface level and offload the items.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a vehicle comprising a drive system, an arrangement of omnidirectional wheels mechanically coupled to the drive system, and a control system; and at least one track comprising a rack gear formed to engage with at least one omnidirectional wheel among the arrangement of omnidirectional wheels, wherein the control system is configured to direct the drive system to:
maneuver the vehicle in at least longitudinal and lateral directions over a first level of a facility;position the vehicle for engagement between the at least one omnidirectional wheel and the at least one track at the first level;drive the at least one omnidirectional wheel in engagement with the at least one track to raise the vehicle to a second level in the facility;maneuver the vehicle at the second level to transfer at least one item onto the vehicle at the second level;position the vehicle, with the at least one item on the vehicle, for engagement between the at least one omnidirectional wheel and the at least one track at the second level; anddrive the at least one omnidirectional wheel in engagement with the at least one track to lower the vehicle to the first level of the facility.