Abstract: Systems and methods for material handling vehicle task classification are provided. A method for task characterization on a material handling vehicle comprises monitoring data communicated between one or more on-board sensors and a vehicle controller on the material handling vehicle. The method further comprises identifying a repletion or pattern in the monitored data, and determining that the repetition or pattern in the monitored data is a vehicle task. The method also comprises modifying an operational parameter of the material handling vehicle based on the determined vehicle task.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to autonomous operation of material handling vehicles within a facility, such as a factory or warehouse. An unmanned, autonomous material handling vehicle can encounter a variety of issues operating within the facility, and may need assistance to resolve such issues. The unmanned, autonomous material handling vehicle can transmit a request for assistance to a manned, non-autonomous material handling vehicle, and a human operating the manned, non-autonomous material handling vehicle can assist the unmanned, autonomous material handling vehicle.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle may include a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly including a housing, a grip assembly, and a power source. The grip assembly may be pivotally engaged with the housing. The power source may be in electrical communication with the grip assembly. The grip assembly includes a lobe pivotally engaged with the housing and a contact supported by the lobe, the contact being electrically conductive.

Abstract: Sensor location and orientation systems and methods assist MHV manufacturers and operators in determining the precise location and orientation of MHV sensors by using a location tracking system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a material sorting system adapted to engage a material handling vehicle. The material sorting system can include a base including fork pockets adapted to receive a pair of forks from the material handling vehicle and a carousel assembly coupled to the base. The carousel assembly can include a plurality of storage units, and an actuation mechanism configured to move the plurality of storage units relative to the base. The base can also include at least one electrical contact within the base and in electrical communication with the carousel assembly.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a wheel having an axle, and a constant force mechanism coupled to the wheel. The constant force mechanism includes a horizontal support, a horizontal carriage associated with the horizontal support, a vertical support oriented perpendicular with respect to the horizontal support, a vertical carriage associated with the vertical support, and a rigid arm that is pivotally coupled with the horizontal carriage, the vertical carriage, and the axle. The rigid arm is coupled with the vertical carriage at a point intermediate where the rigid arm is coupled with the horizontal carriage and the axle. The horizontal carriage is capable of being urged along the horizontal support, and the vertical carriage is capable of being urged along the vertical support.

Abstract: Systems and methods for material handling vehicle task classification are provided. A method for task characterization on a material handling vehicle comprises monitoring data communicated between one or more on-board sensors and a vehicle controller on the material handling vehicle. The method further comprises identifying a repletion or pattern in the monitored data, and determining that the repetition or pattern in the monitored data is a vehicle task. The method also comprises modifying an operational parameter of the material handling vehicle based on the determined vehicle task.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle may include a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly including a housing, a grip assembly, and a power source. The grip assembly may be pivotally engaged with the housing. The power source may be in electrical communication with the grip assembly. The grip assembly includes a lobe pivotally engaged with the housing and a contact supported by the lobe, the contact being electrically conductive.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a material sorting system adapted to engage a material handling vehicle. The material sorting system can include a base including fork pockets adapted to receive a pair of forks from the material handling vehicle and a carousel assembly coupled to the base. The carousel assembly can include a plurality of storage units, and an actuation mechanism configured to move the plurality of storage units relative to the base. The base can also include at least one electrical contact within the base and in electrical communication with the carousel assembly.

Abstract: A lift truck can include a mast and a lift cylinder. The lift cylinder can include a piston rod and a cylinder housing. The lift truck also can include a piston rod retention mechanism that restricts movement of the lift cylinder in a direction lateral to an axial direction when the mast is in an extended position.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a wheel having an axle, and a constant force mechanism coupled to the wheel. The constant force mechanism includes a horizontal support, a horizontal carriage associated with the horizontal support, a vertical support oriented perpendicular with respect to the horizontal support, a vertical carriage associated with the vertical support, and a rigid arm that is pivotally coupled with the horizontal carriage, the vertical carriage, and the axle. The rigid arm is coupled with the vertical carriage at a point intermediate where the rigid arm is coupled with the horizontal carriage and the axle. The horizontal carriage is capable of being urged along the horizontal support, and the vertical carriage is capable of being urged along the vertical support.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a constant force mechanism and a wheel coupled to the constant force mechanism. The wheel is displaceable in at least one dimension, and the constant force mechanism imparts a substantially constant force on the wheel in the dimension. In one aspect, the wheel is displaceable in a first regime and a second regime. For a wheel displacement in the first regime, the constant force mechanism imparts a substantially constant force on the wheel, and for a wheel displacement in the second regime, the constant force mechanism imparts a variable force on the wheel. The variable force can be linear or non-linear to the magnitude of the displacement in the second regime and is equal to or greater than the substantially constant force.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a material handling vehicle (MHV) and associated method provide for damping of mast oscillations of a mast of the MHV. In one approach, mast oscillations can be detected and/or anticipated and a countering force can be generated by an elevated reach actuator of the MHV to damp the oscillations.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a material handling vehicle includes a chassis, a first caster wheel mounted to the chassis, a second caster wheel mounted to the chassis, a torsion bar coupling the first caster wheel to the second caster wheel, and a constant force mechanism coupled to at least one of the first caster wheel, the second caster wheel and the torsion bar. The first and second caster wheels are displaceable in at least one dimension, and the constant force mechanism imparts a substantially constant force opposing a displacement in the at least one dimension.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a material handling vehicle (MHV) and associated method provide for damping of mast oscillations of a mast of the MHV. In one approach, mast oscillations can be detected and/or anticipated and a countering force can be generated by an elevated reach actuator of the MHV to damp the oscillations.

Abstract: A lift truck includes systems and methods for improved vibration control. A corrective yaw input mechanism reduces or eliminates torsional vibration motion of the lift truck about the Z-axis. Some embodiments may include, alone or in combination, drive wheel control and load wheel control.

Abstract: A lift truck can include a mast and a lift cylinder. The lift cylinder can include a piston rod and a cylinder housing. The lift truck also can include a piston rod retention mechanism that restricts movement of the lift cylinder in a direction lateral to an axial direction when the mast is in an extended position.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a material handling vehicle includes a chassis, a first caster wheel mounted to the chassis, a second caster wheel mounted to the chassis, a torsion bar coupling the first caster wheel to the second caster wheel, and a constant force mechanism coupled to at least one of the first caster wheel, the second caster wheel and the torsion bar. The first and second caster wheels are displaceable in at least one dimension, and the constant force mechanism imparts a substantially constant force opposing a displacement in the at least one dimension.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a constant force mechanism and a wheel coupled to the constant force mechanism. The wheel is displaceable in at least one dimension, and the constant force mechanism imparts a substantially constant force on the wheel in the dimension. In one aspect, the wheel is displaceable in a first regime and a second regime. For a wheel displacement in the first regime, the constant force mechanism imparts a substantially constant force on the wheel, and for a wheel displacement in the second regime, the constant force mechanism imparts a variable force on the wheel. The variable force can be linear or non-linear to the magnitude of the displacement in the second regime and is equal to or greater than the substantially constant force.

Abstract: Systems and methods maintain a lift truck within defined bounds. A controller analyzes actual and/or predicted lift truck behavior, and based on the analyzed lift truck behavior, the controller control at least one lift truck performance parameter. The performance parameter is controlled to maintain the lift truck center of gravity within a stability map, the stability map to define a three-dimensional range of center of gravity positions that maintains lift truck stability. The performance parameter is also controlled to maintain an intended path of the lift truck within an allowable deviation map, the allowable deviation map defining a two-dimensional envelope of allowable lift truck travel deviation from the intended path of the lift truck.