INDOOR AUTONOMOUS ROBOT WITH BI-DIRECTIONAL CHARGING

Abstract

The invention consists of symmetrically duplicating the contact charging system at the rear of a bidirectional vehicle or one with a reversing capability, even a limited one. The vehicle can thus be charged while moving forward or backward.

Description

Title of the invention: AUTONOMOUS INDOOR ROBOT WITH BIDIRECTIONAL CHARGING Technical field of the invention

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of indoor autonomous mobile vehicles, in particular vehicles which can be deployed within infrastructures such as factories, logistics centers, hospitals or public places without requiring substantial modifications to these infrastructures. Technological background

[0002] Autonomous mobile vehicles, better known by the English acronym AIV for Autonomous Intelligent Vehicles or AMR for Autonomous Mobile Robot, are robots designed to move around warehouses, production centers, logistics centers, etc., in free navigation, without guidance elements and without piloting. These robots thus make it possible to transport goods from one point to another in the warehouse, without external intervention or supervision.

[0003] In the field of intralogistics, AIVs enable optimization of flow management and are used to automate the transport of goods, sensors or tools. The AMR is composed of a vehicle that can move in its environment and a module that carries out a specific mission.

[0004] With a unidirectional charging system, the vehicle can only charge in one direction, resulting in the vehicle rolling over. Therefore, some of the module's activities are not optimal and using the robot in confined spaces may even be impossible.

[0005] The AÀ / Ractuels will position themselves so that the module can carry out its mission, but if this position requires the vehicle to be in a particular direction (unloading a package for example) this operation cannot be done while loading the robot. There is therefore a reduction in the robot's autonomy and therefore its operating rate.

[0006] Some modules are bidirectional, such as rollers that can turn in both directions.

[0007] Not all modules attached to the vehicle are compatible with two-way operation.

[0008] Some modules are equipped with robotic arms which do not have sufficient reach to reach all sides of the robot. Objective of the invention

[0009] The objective of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of prior solutions. Statement of the invention

[0010] The invention consists of symmetrically duplicating the contact charging system at the rear of the bidirectional vehicle or having a reversing capacity, even limited. The vehicle can thus charge while driving forward or in reverse.

[0011] We have symmetrically duplicated the contact charging system at the rear of the vehicle. We have symmetrically reproduced the entire system which includes: - Contact plates - The turntable support - The connection card for the turntables - Cables to the motherboard

[0012] This allows the charging plates to fall opposite the charging contacts of the station, regardless of the direction of the robot and without modification to the charging station.

[0013] We adapted the software so that the servo algorithm is compatible with a target and reverse control.

[0014] The main characteristic of the invention is the fact that the load system on the robot is perfectly symmetrical on both sides of the robot.

[0015] Furthermore, the load being symmetrical, this allows the charging plates to fall opposite the charging contacts of the station, regardless of the direction of the robot and without modification to the charging station.

[0016] The robot's speed and autonomy are then greatly improved.

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