Abstract: A modular assembly for a fuel-cell vehicle is configured to connect to a bracket arranged along a longitudinal frame of the vehicle. The modular frame can include one or more components for powering the vehicle, including one or more of a fuel cell, a battery, a battery cooling system, and hydrogen storage tanks. The modular assembly can communicate with the fuel-cell vehicle through standard integration components regardless of the particular components in the modular assembly. The modular assembly can be readily removed from the fuel-cell vehicle and replaced with a different modular assembly containing different components.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, kits, methods and storage medium associated with using different electrical energy source types with an electric vehicle are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with powered vehicles are disclosed herein. In examples, a system for controlling a vehicle may include sensors and a processor coupled to the sensors. The processor may identify one or more values received from the one or more sensors, wherein the one or more values are associated with one or more conditions of the vehicle and/or the vehicle's environment, and determine, based on the one or more values, a net resultant force vector of one or more forces acting on a center of mass of the vehicle. The processor may further determine a relationship between the net resultant force vector and a stability polygon that is superimposed at a base of the vehicle, and determine whether to limit one or more of a speed, rate of change, and/or travel amount for one or more of the operational systems controlled by the processor based on the relationship between the net resultant force vector and the stability polygon. Other examples may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods can prevent or reduce jerk during operation of a materials-handling vehicle that is unloaded or carrying a load. The vehicle comprises one or more user input devices configured to receive from an operator a request to perform an action and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, before performing the action requested by the operator, a force acting on the load carried by the materials-handling vehicle as a result of the action requested by the operator. The processor determines whether the force would result in a jerk if the action is performed as requested. If it is determined that the force would result in a jerk, the action is modified so as to reduce the force. If it is determined that the force would not result in a jerk, the materials-handling vehicle performs the action as requested by the operator without modification to reduce the force.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with powered vehicles are disclosed herein. In examples, a system for controlling a vehicle may include sensors and a processor coupled to the sensors. The processor may identify one or more values received from the one or more sensors, wherein the one or more values are associated with one or more conditions of the vehicle and/or the vehicle's environment, and determine, based on the one or more values, a net resultant force vector of one or more forces acting on a center of mass of the vehicle. The processor may further determine a relationship between the net resultant force vector and a stability polygon that is superimposed at a base of the vehicle, and determine whether to limit one or more of a speed, rate of change, and/or travel amount for one or more of the operational systems controlled by the processor based on the relationship between the net resultant force vector and the stability polygon. Other examples may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A survey unit is provided for collecting data related to load locations in a facility. The survey unit can include a plurality of visual and locational sensors configured to collect data related to locations of loads in the facility. The survey unit can be arranged in a box located on a pallet that can be easily transported by a forklift and easily moved between facilities without the need to move the forklift. The data collected by the survey unit can be processed to create a 3D locational map of load locations that can then be used by an AGV to automatically pick or drop loads in the surveyed facility.

Abstract: A load wheel assembly for an elongate fork of a forked material-handling vehicle with a chassis employs a non-motorized forward load wheel, a non-motorized rear load wheel, and a non-motorized torque-coupling assembly connected between the forward load wheel and the rear load wheel for coupling torque between the forward load wheel and the rear load wheel to overcome obstacles on a surface, such as a floor.

Abstract: An object-sensing bumper extension comprises a durable and flexible material. The bumper extension is connected to the bumper of a vehicle such as a lift truck to detect encroachment and/or impact between the vehicle and an operator or other object. A non-contact sensor detects encroachment of an object within an impact danger zone arranged immediately in front of and near the sides of the vehicle. An impact sensor detects impact between the vehicle and an object. A control system receives sensor signals and initiates a reaction operation of the vehicle in response to sensor activity. The reaction operation can include slowing the vehicle down, stopping the vehicle, and/or reversing the vehicle. The bumper extension can include a plurality of outwardly angled, substantially parallel ridges that deform outwardly and downwardly to push an impacted object away from danger and to fill a gap between the vehicle and the ground.

Abstract: A method controls the reverse speed of a materials-handling vehicle having a forward-facing operator seat, a front end, a back end, a reverse-consent sensor, and a controller. The method detects, via the reverse-consent sensor, whether an operator of the vehicle is in a position to view a path of the vehicle when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction; limits, via the controller, the reverse speed of the vehicle to a first maximum reverse speed when the operator is not detected to be in such a position when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction; and limits, via the controller, the reverse speed of the vehicle to a second maximum reverse speed when the operator is detected to be in such a position. The first maximum reverse speed of the vehicle may be lower than the second maximum reverse speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fork for an industrial vehicle such as a forklift, and a method of making the same. The fork includes an elongate body portion, a toe portion, and, optionally, a heel portion. The elongate body portion may be formed in any length and coupled to the toe portion (and optionally, to the heel portion) to form a fork.

Abstract: Lift trucks designed with a common chassis can include an ergonomically improved operator compartment, wheels, lift assembly, power plant, energy source, steering, seat, and counterweight components. Modular chassis designs can accommodate different form factors and different energy sources to accommodate different end uses of the lift truck, including lift trucks having a low floor, seatside steering, and/or a combination of operator-inaccessible compartments for high-reliability components and operator-accessible components for components that may require more frequent or convenient access. In one embodiment, the energy source is a lithium-ion battery bank in an operator-inaccessible compartment under a low, broad floor that facilitates easy entry into and exit from the operator compartment as well as ergonomic operation by the operator.

Abstract: A fork for an industrial vehicle such as a forklift, and a method of making the same. The fork includes an elongate body portion, a toe portion, and, optionally, a heel portion. The elongate body portion may be formed in any length and coupled to the toe portion (and optionally, to the heel portion) to form a fork.

Abstract: A proximity-detection and speed-control system for a materials-handling vehicle, such as a lift truck, is provided with a recommended direction of travel for the vehicle. A proximity sensor is provided to determine the vehicle's proximity to a restricted member, such as another vehicle, a high-value object, a dangerous location, or a pedestrian. If the vehicle is traveling in the recommended direction of travel, the speed control function is disabled. If, however, the vehicle is not travelling in the recommended direction and the proximity sensor indicates the vehicle is within a restricted distance of the restricted member, the speed control function is triggered to restrict the maximum speed of travel of the vehicle and to slow the vehicle if needed.

Abstract: A battery-retention system employs a retention jaw assembly and a battery-retention mechanism to secure a battery within a battery compartment of a material-handling vehicle. The retention jaw includes a battery-contact portion operatively associated with a barrier portion that is movable between a battery-retention position when the battery contacts the battery-contact portion and a battery-release position when the battery does not contact the battery-contact portion. The battery-retention mechanism includes a stopper block that is operable to be positioned within the battery compartment when the battery compartment door is in a closed position and operable to be positioned external to the battery compartment when the battery compartment door is in an open position.

Abstract: A system for a pallet truck load wheel mechanism comprises a logic device and first and second sensor arrangements. The first and second sensor arrangements include first and second sensing fields that define first and second edges of an operability window, respectively. The logic device has an operable state indicating that the load wheel mechanism can raise a pallet lifting device and an inoperable state indicating that the load wheel mechanism should not raise the pallet lifting device. The logic device is initialized in the operable state and is configured to change to the inoperable state in response to each time the first sensor arrangement detects an edge of a board intersecting, the first edge of the operability window and to change to the operable state in response to each time the second sensor arrangement detects an edge of a board intersecting the second edge of the operability window.

Abstract: A lift truck employs forward and reverse pedals connected through respective cams having different upper and lower cam profiles that engage to provide asymmetric reciprocal pedal motion. For example, first pedal depression causes a first cam upper profile to engage with a second cam upper profile and cause increased elevation of a second pedal, and first pedal depression causes a first cam lower profile to disengage with a second cam lower profile associated with the second pedal, such that first pedal depression is greater than the increased elevation of the second pedal.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle uses one or more inputs of a velocity request, a brake request, a speed request, travel direction indication, engine speed, and vehicle speed to determine a control strategy for a continuously variable transmission. A target engine speed is selected based upon the inputs, and the engine and continuously variable transmission ratio are controlled to achieve the target engine speed while controlling the vehicle according to the inputs. In some embodiments, the control strategy further selects the target engine speed according to accessory system demands, such as a hoist or lift system.