Universal anchor points for mobile robots

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11235818-B2
Application number	US-201916427007-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 30, 2019
Priority date	May 31, 2018
Publication date	Feb 1, 2022
Grant date	Feb 1, 2022

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for universal anchor points for mobile robots. In one embodiment, an example mobile robot may include a chassis, a removable assembly comprising a support member, and a first anchor point coupled to the chassis. The first anchor point may be configured to anchor the support member to the chassis. The first anchor point may be configured to be coupled to support members of different diameters or widths.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. An autonomous cart comprising:
a chassis;
a removable shelving assembly comprising a support member;
a first anchor plate coupled to the chassis, the first anchor plate configured to anchor the support member to the chassis, wherein the first anchor plate comprises:
a first set of holes forming a triangular pattern, the first set of holes comprising a first hole; and
a second set of holes forming a rectangular pattern, wherein the second set of holes comprises the first hole;

wherein the first anchor plate is positioned at a first corner of the chassis and is configured to be coupled to support members of different diameters or widths;
a second anchor plate positioned at a second corner of the chassis;
a third anchor plate positioned at a third corner of the chassis; and
a fourth anchor plate positioned at a fourth corner of the chassis.

2. The autonomous cart of claim 1 , wherein the removable shelving assembly can be removed from the chassis as an assembly.

3. The autonomous cart of claim 1 , wherein the first anchor plate further comprises:
a first flange having a first height, wherein the first flange is secured to the chassis;
a second flange having a second height that is less than the first height;
a third flange having the second height; and
a fourth flange having a third height that is less than the second height.

4. A mobile robot comprising:
a chassis;
a removable assembly comprising a support member;
a first anchor point coupled to the chassis, the first anchor point configured to anchor the support member to the chassis, wherein the first anchor point is disposed at a first corner of the chassis; and
a second anchor point disposed at a second corner of the chassis;
wherein the first anchor point is configured to be coupled to support members of different diameters or widths.

5. The mobile robot of claim 4 , wherein the removable assembly further comprises either a shelving assembly, a robotic arm assembly, or a conveyor belt assembly.

6. The mobile robot of claim 4 , further comprising:
a third anchor point disposed along a side of the chassis between the first anchor point and the second anchor point.

7. The mobile robot of claim 4 , wherein the first anchor point comprises:
a first set of holes forming a triangular pattern, the first set of holes comprising a first hole; and
a second set of holes forming a rectangular pattern, wherein the second set of holes comprises the first hole.

8. The mobile robot of claim 4 , wherein the first anchor point comprises:
a first flange having a first height, wherein the first flange is secured to the chassis.

9. The mobile robot of claim 8 , wherein the first anchor point further comprises:
a second flange having a second height that is less than the first height;
a third flange having the second height; and
a fourth flange having a third height that is less than the second height.

10. The mobile robot of claim 9 , wherein the second flange and the third flange comprise cutout portions along respective edges of the second flange and third flange.

11. The mobile robot of claim 4 , wherein the support member comprises a 1-inch structural tube, a 2-inch structural tube, or a 2-inch extruded aluminum tube.

12. The mobile robot of claim 4 , further comprising:
a battery disposed in a cavity formed by the chassis; and
a cable extending from the battery through an aperture in the first anchor point.

13. The mobile robot of claim 12 , further comprising:
a lid covering the cavity, the lid having a cutout to expose the first anchor point.

14. An autonomous cart comprising:
a chassis;
a battery disposed in a cavity formed by the chassis;
at least one anchor plate coupled to the chassis and configured to anchor a detachable shelf attachment to the chassis; and
a lid covering the cavity, the lid having a cutout to expose the at least one anchor plate.

15. The autonomous cart of claim 14 , wherein the detachable shelf attachment can be exchanged with a removable conveyor belt attachment or a robotic arm attachment.

16. The autonomous cart of claim 14 , wherein the at least one anchor plate comprises:
a first set of holes forming a triangular pattern, the first set of holes comprising a first hole; and
a second set of holes forming a rectangular pattern, wherein the second set of holes comprises the first hole.

17. The autonomous cart of claim 14 , wherein the at least one anchor plate comprises:
a first flange having a first height, wherein the first flange is secured to the chassis;
a second flange having a second height that is less than the first height;
a third flange having the second height; and
a fourth flange having a third height that is less than the second height.

18. The autonomous cart of claim 14 , further comprising:
a cable extending from the battery through an aperture in the at least one anchor plate.

19. The autonomous cart of claim 17 , wherein the second flange and the third flange comprise cutout portions along respective edges of the second flange and third flange.

20. The autonomous cart of claim 14 , wherein the at least one anchor plate comprises:
a first flange having a first height, wherein the first flange is secured to the chassis.

Assignees

• A9 Com Inc
• A9 Com

Inventors

• Walkemeyer Phillip
• Sekich Daniel
• Blacksberg Jacob
• Mcqueen Jonathan

Classifications

• B62D33/0207 Primary

  Connections of movable or detachable racks or stanchions to platforms · CPC title

• B25J5/007

  mounted on wheels · CPC title

• B60L2200/40

  Working vehicles · CPC title

• B60L50/66

  Arrangements of batteries · CPC title

• Y02T10/70

  Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries · CPC title