Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to navigation alignment systems and methods for assisting material handling vehicles (MHVs), specifically in the navigation of the MHVs maneuver into, out of, or within a navigation space.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a torsion bar assembly coupled to one or more casters of a material handling vehicle (MHV). The torsion bar assembly is configured to maintain contact between a travel surface of the MHV (e.g., ground) and a drive wheel of the material handling vehicle throughout the service life of the drive wheel.

Abstract: A back pad assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided that includes a back pad, a framework, and a mounting frame. The back pad includes a center portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion. The first side portion defines a first curved profile, and the second side portion defines a second curved profile. The first curved profile and the second curved profile are arranged on laterally-opposing sides of the center portion. The framework includes a first mounting bar and a second mounting bar. The framework is coupled to the back pad. The first and second mounting bars are adjustably supported by the mounting frame to enable the back pad to be selectively mounted at varying heights along the mounting frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a travel control system to augment a supplemental object detection system of a material handling vehicle. Speed limits can be calculated for material handling vehicles based on properties of the vehicle, and a field of view of the object detection systems of the material handling vehicle. For given steer angles or ranges of steer angles, the speed of the material handling vehicle can be limited to ensure that the vehicle could stop before contact with a newly-detected object that was previously outside the field of view of the object detection system.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle with a rack sensor arranged on the one or more base legs is provided. The rack sensor is configured to detect a racking feature of a racking structure to provide an indication to an operator that the material handling vehicle is correctly positioned to transport a load to and from the racking structure.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle with a rack sensor arranged on the one or more base legs is provided. The rack sensor is configured to detect a racking feature of a racking structure to provide an indication to an operator that the material handling vehicle is correctly positioned to transport a load to and from the racking structure.

Abstract: A hydraulic system has a cylinder and ram assembly that raises and lowers a load carrying carriage on a material handling vehicle. The fluid exhausting from the cylinder, while the carriage is lowering, is controlled to recover energy from that fluid. A first path routes the exhausting fluid to drive the pump as a hydraulic motor. A second path routes the exhausting fluid to a reservoir, bypassing the pump. In a first lowering mode, the second path is closed and the first path is opened. In a second lowering mode, both the first and second paths are open and the flow through each one is proportionally controlled. In a third lowering mode, only the second path is opened. The mode to use is selected based on the desired lowering speed of the carriage.

Abstract: A lift cylinder for a mast assembly of a vehicle and a vehicle implementing the same. The lift cylinder includes a cylinder housing with a piston received therein. The piston is movable along an axis of extension between an extended position and a retracted position. The piston is formed of a composite material having a reinforcement phase oriented along the axis of extension of the piston, thereby increasing the buckling resistance of the piston. This improved buckling resistance potential allows for increased lift cylinder extension and/or more compact lift cylinder design.

Abstract: A hydraulic system has a cylinder and ram assembly that raises and lowers a load carrying carriage on a material handling vehicle. The fluid exhausting from the cylinder, while the carriage is lowering, is controlled to recover energy from that fluid. A first path routes the exhausting fluid to drive the pump as a hydraulic motor. A second path routes the exhausting fluid to a reservoir, bypassing the pump. In a first lowering mode, the second path is closed and the first path is opened. In a second lowering mode, both the first and second paths are open and the flow through each one is proportionally controlled. In a third lowering mode, only the second path is opened. The mode to use is selected based on the desired lowering speed of the carriage.