# US 11,298,995 B2 · Automated guided vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,995 B2 - Document ID: US11298995B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/362,685 - Filed: 2019-03-24 - Published: 2019-10-03 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-30 - Assignees: Nidec-Shimpo Corporation - Applicants: Nidec-Shimpo Corporation - Inventors: Masashi Sokuza - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298995B2 ## CPC - B60D 1/02: Bolt or shackle-type couplings - B60D 1/24: characterised by arrangements for particular functions - B60D 1/26: for remote control, e.g. for releasing - B60D 1/36: for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers - B60D 1/481: {adapted for being mounted to the front and back of trailers, carts, trolleys or the like to form a train} - B60D 1/52: removably mounted - B60D 1/583: {Holding-down means, e.g. holding-down retainers} - B60D 1/62: involving supply lines, electric circuits or the like - B61G 1/28: with vertical bolt or pin - B60D 2001/001: {specially adapted for use on vehicles other than cars} - B60D 2001/005: {for carts, scooters or the like} - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS - B61G: COUPLINGS; DRAUGHT AND BUFFING APPLIANCES (vehicle connections in general B60D) ## Abstract In an automated guided vehicle, a connection mechanism includes a connecting part and a movable part, and is connected to an object by the connecting part. When the connecting part is in a first state and the movable part is at a first position, an end portion on the other side in a first direction of the connecting part contacts a surface on one side in the first direction of the movable part or penetrates the movable part in the first direction to protrude toward the other side in the first direction with respect to the surface on one side in the first direction of the movable part. When the connecting part is in the first state and the movable part is at a second position, the movable part is away from the connecting part. A force applied to the movable part maintains the movable part at the first position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automated guided vehicle which moves an object having an annular connected part, the automated guided vehicle comprising: a vehicle body: a drive wheel attached to the vehicle body: and a connection mechanism connected to the object via the connected part, wherein the connection mechanism comprises: a base having a hole recessed toward one side in a first direction; a connecting part extending in the first direction and having at least a portion thereof disposed in the hole; a drive unit moving the connecting part in the first direction; a support part protruding from a position different from the hole on the base toward another side in the first direction; and a movable part attached to be movable in a predetermined direction with respect to the support part, and is connected to the object when the connecting part is passed through an inside of the connected part, wherein the drive unit is able to switch a state of the connecting part between a first state in which an end portion of the connecting part protrudes from the hole toward the another side in the first direction and a second state in which the end portion of the connecting part is positioned on one side in the first direction with respect to that in the first state, the movable part is movable between a first position and a second position different from the first position, when the connecting part is in the first state and the movable part is positioned at the first position, the end portion of the connecting part comes into contact with a surface on one side in the first direction of the movable part or penetrates the movable part in the first direction to protrude toward the another side in the first direction with respect to the surface on one side in the first direction of the movable part, when the connecting part is in the first state and the movable part is positioned at the second position, the movable part is positioned at a position away from the connecting part in the predetermined direction, when the connecting part is in the second state, the connecting part and the movable part are disposed away from each other in the first direction, and a force is applied to the movable part in a direction that causes a position of the movable part to be maintained at the first position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the movable part comprises a through hole penetrating the movable part in the first direction, and when the connecting part is in the first state and the movable part is positioned at the first position, the end portion of the connecting part protrudes toward the another side in the first direction with respect to the movable part via the through hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 2, wherein an end portion of the movable part on a side opposite to the support part is bent toward the another side in the first direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the entire connecting part is accommodated in the hole in the second state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the connection mechanism comprises an elastic member that applies an elastic force to the movable part in the predetermined direction from the second position toward the first position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a hinge part having a rotating shaft extending a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the movable part is attached to the support part with the hinge part, the predetermined direction is a rotational direction around the rotating shaft, and the elastic member is a coil spring attached to the rotating shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the connection mechanism comprises an elastic member that applies an elastic force to the movable part in the predetermined direction from the second position toward the first position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a hinge part having a rotating shaft extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the movable part is attached to the support part with the hinge part, the predetermined direction is a rotational direction around the rotating shaft, and the elastic member is a coil spring attached to the rotating shaft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the entire connecting part is accommodated in the hole in the second state. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the connection mechanism comprises an elastic member that applies an elastic force to the movable part in the predetermined direction from the second position toward the first position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a hinge part having a rotating shaft extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the movable part is attached to the support part with the hinge part, the predetermined direction is a rotational direction around the rotating shaft, and the elastic member is a coil spring attached to the rotating shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the connection mechanism comprises an elastic member that applies an elastic force to the movable part in the predetermined direction from the second position toward the first position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a hinge part having a rotating shaft extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the movable part is attached to the support part with the hinge part, the predetermined direction is a rotational direction around the rotating shaft, and the elastic member is a coil spring attached to the rotating shaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the movable part on a side opposite to the support part is bent toward the another side in the first direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the entire connecting part is accommodated in the hole in the second state. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the connection mechanism comprises an elastic member that applies an elastic force to the movable part in the predetermined direction from the second position toward the first position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 16, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a hinge part having a rotating shaft extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the movable part is attached to the support part with the hinge part, the predetermined direction is a rotational direction around the rotating shaft, and the elastic member is a coil spring attached to the rotating shaft. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the entire connecting part is accommodated in the hole in the second state. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism comprises an elastic member that applies an elastic force to the movable part in the predetermined direction from the second position toward the first position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The automated guided vehicle according to claim 19, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a hinge part having a rotating shaft extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the movable part is attached to the support part with the hinge part, the predetermined direction is a rotational direction around the rotating shaft, and the elastic member is a coil spring attached to the rotating shaft.