Abstract: A material handling vehicle may include a vertically moveable platform including an operator compartment and a load deck and a connection mechanism to secure an automated guided vehicle to the load deck. In some examples, the connection mechanism secures the automated guided vehicle to the load deck so that vertical movement of the load deck elicits corresponding vertical movement of the automated guided vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of obstacle detection and AGV control comprise and/or utilize a thermal imaging sensor; and an automation processing system (APS) having a processor and a memory, the APS coupled with the thermal imaging sensor and being configured to: receive sensor data based on an output of the thermal imaging sensor, process the sensor data to determine at least one of a presence or a motion of a heat-emitting obstacle in a vicinity of the AGV, generate, based on the processed sensor data, an output comprising an indication of a control action for the AGV, and send the generated output to the VCS.

Abstract: A tiller arm detection system for a material handling vehicle can include a tiller arm having a cam assembly. The cam assembly can include a first cam with a first surface profile and a second cam with a second, different surface profile. The tiller arm detection system can further include a first sensor to detect a portion of the first cam, a second sensor to detect a portion of the second cam, and a controller to communicate with the first sensor and the second sensor to determine a position of the tiller arm based on the detected portion of the first cam or the second cam. The controller may activate a feedback system based on the detected portion of the first cam or the second cam.

Abstract: A charging system for a material handling vehicle includes a charger plate assembly that is pivotally moveably coupled to a distal end of the mounting assembly arm. The charger plate assembly includes a first electrical contact that is configured to electrically couple with a second electrical contact of a charging port of the material handling vehicle. The charger plate assembly is configured to move relative to the mounting assembly arm when the first electrical contact electrically couples with the second electrical contact, which causes a scrubbing action between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contacts, thereby passively cleaning the contacts.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle is provided. The material handling vehicle includes a vehicle frame having a drive wheel and an offset wheel arranged under the vehicle frame. The material handling vehicle further includes a rear load wheel assembly pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame via an articulating axle assembly. The rear load wheel assembly includes a first load wheel and a second load wheel. The pivotal coupling between the rear load wheel and the vehicle frame provided by the articulating axle assembly is configured to maintain the drive wheel and the offset wheel in contact with a floor on which the drive wheel and the offset wheel travel.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle is provided. The material handling vehicle includes a vehicle frame having a drive wheel and an offset wheel arranged under the vehicle frame. The material handling vehicle further includes a rear load wheel assembly pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame via an articulating axle assembly. The rear load wheel assembly includes a first load wheel and a second load wheel. The pivotal coupling between the rear load wheel and the vehicle frame provided by the articulating axle assembly is configured to maintain the drive wheel and the offset wheel in contact with a floor on which the drive wheel and the offset wheel travel.

Abstract: A motorized pallet truck includes an angular indicator on the steering arm mechanism providing an internal controller with an angular position of the steering arm or tiller. The controller applies a brake when the tiller is in either of a substantially vertical or substantially horizontal position, limits the speed of the truck for a predetermined rotational movement from the vertical position, and allows full speed of the vehicle when the tiller arm is pulled into a predefined fast driving arc. The controller further limits the rate of acceleration of the truck when the truck is transitioned between a slow and a fast mode of operation to prevent rapid acceleration in the speed of the truck during the transition.

Abstract: A motorized pallet truck includes an angular indicator on the steering arm mechanism providing an internal controller with an angular position of the steering arm or tiller. The controller applies a brake when the tiller is in either of a substantially vertical or substantially horizontal position, limits the speed of the truck for a predetermined rotational movement from the vertical position, and allows full speed of the vehicle when the tiller arm is pulled into a predefined fast driving arc.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle for transporting loads includes a vehicle body and a control console connected to the vehicle body in a first position. The control console can be moved to a second position on the vehicle body by a user. The vehicle may include various devices for positioning the control console with respect to the body. For example, the devices may include separate post openings, a slot, a track, or a pivoting arm. In addition, the control console may include a stability support for the operator and various controls for operating the vehicle. The operator is able to maintain stability by holding the stability support with his or her hand. Furthermore, the operator does not need to remove his or her hand from the stability support in order to operate the various controls. The controls may be mounted on the stability support or may be located in relatively close proximity to the stability support.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle for transporting loads includes a vehicle body and a control console connected to the vehicle body in a first position. The control console can be moved to a second position on the vehicle body by a user. The vehicle may include various devices for positioning the control console with respect to the body. For example, the devices may include separate post openings, a slot, a track, or a pivoting arm. In addition, the control console may include a stability support for the operator and various controls for operating the vehicle. The operator is able to maintain stability by holding the stability support with his or her hand. Furthermore, the operator does not need to remove his or her hand from the stability support in order to operate the various controls. The controls may be mounted on the stability support or may be located in relatively close proximity to the stability support.