Automatic cart

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic cart having a base (1) with wheels (2) at the bottom thereof, at least one wheel (2) being powered by a motor (3), and a guide system for guiding the carriage by means of a steering system (5) for steering at least one wheel (2). The cart comprises a control unit (7) and a tracking system (6) for detecting a user's position, both in terms of distance and angle with respect to a reference line on the cart. The control unit (7) is configured to act on the steering system (5) based on the user's position.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Automatic car

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention, as the title of this specification establishes, is an automatic, motorized cart that has a user-following guidance system.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] There are many types of carts known in the art, including those that are manually pushed, motorized, guided by rails, or marked on the floor. These carts allow the user to carry bulky or heavy objects comfortably. For example, they can be used to carry tools or cleaning products.

[0007] However, the known carts are either manual or designed to follow markings on the ground, so they are only useful for the predetermined route.

[0008] Currently, there is no known solution to this problem that has structural and constitutive technical characteristics equal to or similar to those described in this specification.

[0009] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The object of the present invention is the creation of an automatic trolley. It represents a significant innovation within its field of application in the current state of the art, the characterizing details that make it possible being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

[0011] Thus, the automatic trolley is of the type that starts from a base with wheels at the bottom, at least one of which is motorized. The trolley has a guidance system using an orientation system for at least one wheel. For example, it may have four support wheels and a central steerable drive wheel; four motorized wheels, four wheels with two of them motorized... The trolley also comprises a control unit and a tracking system, which detects the position of a user, both in distance and angle with respect to a reference line on the trolley. The control unit is configured to act on the orientation system according to the user's position in order to follow them.

[0012] In a preferred example, the cart has only two wheels and a self-stabilizing system. This type of system is known from products such as the Segway (registered trademark) or children's toys known as "hoverboards." Examples of this type of system are disclosed in US8830048B2 or US20140339003A1. This solution has the advantage that it can be mounted on elements such as escalators, which is particularly useful in the case of cleaning carts or other similar applications.

[0013] A preferred example of a tracking system comprises two antennas that receive a signal transmitted by a wearable device. This allows them to triangulate the user's position and thus determine both the distance and orientation.

[0014] Other ways of carrying out the invention are shown below.

[0015] EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] To complete the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, a section of drawings is presented where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following have been represented.

[0017] Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of an embodiment.

[0018] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.

[0019] The exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1 is based on a base (1 ) or structure designed to carry the intended load type. Thus, if the cart is used to carry boxes, the base (1 ) can be flat, with or without a rim. If the cart is a cleaning cart, the base (1 ) carries a series of levels for placing products, for example in drawers, and places for garbage or mop bins.

[0020] The cart also has wheels (2) on the bottom of the base (1), at least one of which is motorized. The motor (3) of the cart will preferably be electric, with a rechargeable and / or replaceable battery. The base (1) shown has a front part (4) that defines the main direction of movement.

[0021] The car has a guidance system, which includes an orientation mechanism

[0022] (5) of the wheels (2) and a tracking system (6) configured to detect the position of a user, both in distance and angle with respect to a reference line (virtual or real) on the cart. The reference line may be a longitudinal axis of the cart. A control unit (7) manages the information from the tracking system

[0023] (6) and translates it into orders to the guidance system (5). In one example, the guidance system (5) is reduced to giving a different speed, or direction of rotation, to each wheel (2).

[0024] The tracking system (6) may be based on object recognition, using two or more cameras that recognize the user and identify him or her with respect to the rest of the captured images. However, it is more preferable that they be two antennas receiving a signal emitted by a device carried by the user. This device may be specific, such as a bracelet, a transmitter box... or it may be an electronic device carried by the user, such as a mobile phone running a suitable pairing application. The signal will preferably use a short-range standard (less than 10 meters) since more is not necessary.

[0025] The tracking system (6) can work by triangulation from the signals from the antennas or the cameras.

[0026] In use, once the user activates the trolley, the tracking system (6) locates the user and starts the motor (3) to position itself at a preset distance from the user. Generally, it will be positioned at a maximum of 2 meters, so that the user does not have to move too far when taking things from the trolley. The trolley will be programmed so that it does not move if the user approaches. However, if the user moves away, it will remain at the preset distance.

[0027] The cart can have a small base (1) and rest only on two wheels (2), taking advantage of a self-stabilization system.

[0028] The cart may have safety systems that stop the cart if they detect contact with a user or object.

Claims

CLAIMS 1- Automatic cart, with a base (1) that has wheels (2) in its lower part, at least one wheel (2) being motorized by a motor (3), with a cart guidance system by means of an orientation system (5) of at least one wheel (2), characterized in that it comprises a control unit (7) and a tracking system (6) for detecting the position of a user, both in distance and angle with respect to a reference line on the trolley, and where the control unit (7) is configured to act on the orientation system (5) according to the position of the user. 2- Automatic trolley, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two wheels (2) and a self-stabilization system. 3- Automatic cart, according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor (3) of the cart is electric, and is associated with a rechargeable and / or replaceable battery. 4- Automatic car, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tracking system (6) comprises two antennas that receive a signal emitted by a portable device by the user. 5- Automatic cart, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has safety systems that stop the cart if they detect contact with a user or object.

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