ON-BOARD CHARGING STATION FOR A REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE

• Main Authors: PULSKAMP, Steven, R, MEIRING, Donald, T, HENDON, Audrey, SCHLOEMER, James, F, SHINEW, Matthew, T, PILCHER, Kent, D, WOODRUFF, Vern, I, DUCKWORTH, Paul, C, LUTHMAN, Trisha, M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 11.10.2023
• Subjects: ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT OR PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLEDVEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES, IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A system (8) comprising: a materials handling vehicle (10); a remote control device (32) comprising: a wireless communication system (456) including a wireless transmitter (178); a rechargeable power source (180); and at least one charging contact (210); a receiver (102) at the vehicle (10) for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter (178); a controller (103) at the vehicle (10) that is communicably coupled to the receiver (102), the controller (103) being responsive to receipt of the transmissions from the remote control device (32); and a charging station (50) at the vehicle (10), the charging station (50) for charging the rechargeable power source (180) of the remote control device (32) and including at least one charging element (220) that is adapted to be engaged by the at least one charging contact (210) of the remote control. At least one of the remote control device (32) or the charging station (50) includes a presence contact (212, 222) that detects whether or not the at least one charging contact (210) is correctly engaged with the at least one corresponding charging element (220) for charging the rechargeable power source (180). If a correct engagement is detected, the transfer of power to the rechargeable power source (180) is enabled by the charging station (50), and if a correct engagement is not detected, the transfer of power to the rechargeable power source (180) is not enabled by the charging station (50).