US 4,944,357 A · Power transferring arrangement

Abstract

A contactor assembly having contacting head portion is mounted on a vehicle and a receiving device is mounted on a load transfer station. The contactor assembly and receiving device is provided for transferring electrical energy from a source of electrical energy between the load transfer station and the vehicle and improves the flexibility of load transfer station location and relocation. The contacting head portion is transversely movable between first and second spaced apart locations relative to the vehicle and into engagement with the receiving device. A sensing device is provided for sensing the position of the vehicle relative to the load transfer station and delivering an actuator control signal to an actuating device in response to the contacting head portion and the receiving device being aligned for mating engagement. The actuating device moves the contacting head portion from the first position to the second position in response to the receiving the actuating control signal. The contactor assembly is particularly suited for use on an automatic guided vehicle.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A power transferring arrangement for passing electrical energy from an electrical energy source between an automatic guided vehicle having a frame, and a longitudinal vehicle axis and a load transfer station;

comprising:
a contactor assembly having a contacting head portion movably connected to the frame, said contacting head portion being movable between a first position closely adjacent the frame and a second position outwardly of the frame and spaced from the first position;
means for receiving said contacting head portion and passing electrical energy from said source and between the vehicle and load transfer station;
means for sensing the position of the vehicle relative to the load transfer station and delivering a position control signal in response to the automatic guided vehicle being at a predetermined location adjacent the load transfer station;
control means for receiving the position control signal and delivering an actuator control signal in response to receiving said position control signal;
and
actuator means for moving said contacting head portion from said first position toward said second position and into engagement with said receiving means in response to receiving said actuator control signal.

4 more elements

A power transferring arrangement for passing electrical energy from a work vehicle having a frame, a longitudinal vehicle axis, and a source of electrical energy to a load transfer station having an electrically powered motor;

comprising:
a contactor assembly having a contacting head portion connected to the source of electrical energy and movably connected to the frame, said contacting head portion being movable between a first position closely adjacent the frame and a second position outwardly of the frame and spaced from the first position, said contactor assembly having a housing connected to the actuator and movable in response to movement of the actuator, a guide member connected to said contacting head portion, slidably connected to said guide housing, and movable relative to the guide housing between an extended position and a retracted position, and a biasing means for urging said guide member toward said extended position and permitting movement of said guide member toward said retracted position in response to the said external force of said preselected minimum magnitude being applied to the contacting head;
means for receiving said contacting head portion and passing electrical energy from said contacting head portion to said electric motor, said receiving means being connected to said load transfer station;
and
actuator means for receiving said actuator control signal and moving said contacting head portion from said first position toward said second position and into engagement with said receiving means.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power transferring arrangement

Life of this patent

Power transferring arrangement

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25