Automated guided vehicle movable in all directions

摘要

An object of this invention is to provide an automated guided vehicle movable in all directions in which the cables will never be broken due to twisting, and it is unnecessary to perform a rest swing operation. The automated guided vehicle is movable in all directions and includes vehicle wheels and drive wheel mechanisms with drive mechanisms for driving the vehicle wheels, each of the drive wheel mechanisms being controlled by a steering mechanism so that the direction of movement of the automated guided vehicle is controlled with the vehicle body maintained unchanged in heading. Transmission of electric power between an electric power source unit on a vehicle body and the drive mechanism and/or steering mechanism, and transmission of signals between a control unit on the vehicle body and the drive mechanism and/or steering mechanism are carried out through a signal/power transmitting and receiving device which includes: a stationary electrode section provided on a member which is stationary with respect to the vehicle body and a rotary electrode section provided on a steering shaft of the steering mechanism in such a manner that the rotary electrode section is rotatable with respect to the stationary electrode section.