US-20260125250-A1 - MOBILITY BASE

US20260125250A1US 20260125250 A1US20260125250 A1US 20260125250A1US-20260125250-A1

Abstract

A lift device includes a base including a motor configured to drive the lift device, a retractable lift assembly having a first end coupled to the base and a second end that is movable relative to the base, a coupler attached to the retractable lift assembly, the coupler configured to detachably couple the retractable lift assembly to an electro-mechanical device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine at least one of a load supported by the coupler or a position of the load based on at least one signal from one or more sensors and selectively restrict movement of the retractable lift assembly based on the load or the position of the load.

Inventors

Janine Borofka
Peter Tan
Gregory S. Brulo
JiHong Hao
Prabhu Shankar

Assignees

OSHKOSH CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251229

Claims (20)

1 . A lift device, comprising: a base including a motor configured to drive the lift device; a retractable lift assembly having a first end coupled to the base and a second end that is movable relative to the base; a coupler attached to the retractable lift assembly, the coupler configured to detachably couple the retractable lift assembly to an electro-mechanical device; and a controller configured to: determine at least one of a load supported by the coupler or a position of the load based on at least one signal from one or more sensors; and selectively restrict movement of the retractable lift assembly based on the load or the position of the load.
2 . The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the load supported by the coupler based on the at least one signal from the one or more sensors.
3 . The lift device of claim 2 , wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one strain gage positioned on the retractable lift assembly.
4 . The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the position of the load based on the at least one signal from the one or more sensors.
5 . The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the electro-mechanical device includes the one or more sensors.
6 . The lift device of claim 1 , further comprising outriggers coupled to the base.
7 . The lift device of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to at least one of deploy the outriggers or determine a position of the outriggers based on the load or the position of the load.
8 . The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to: determine at least one of a stress value or a strain value based on the at least one signal from one or more sensors; and selectively restrict movement of the retractable lift assembly based on the at least one of the stress value or the strain value.
9 . The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control operation of the lift device based on at least one of a position of an operator or a position of a bystander.
10 . The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the electro-mechanical device is detachably coupled to the retractable lift assembly via the coupler, the electro-mechanical device repositionable relative to the retractable lift assembly.
11 . The lift device of claim 1 , wherein the coupler further comprises at least one mounting stud extending outwardly away the retractable lift assembly.
12 . The lift device of claim 1 , further comprising a battery pack configured to provide power to the motor.
13 . The lift device of claim 12 , wherein the battery pack is in electrical communication with the controller.
14 . The lift device of claim 12 , wherein the battery pack is in electrical communication with the electro-mechanical device and is configured to selectively supply electrical power to the electro-mechanical device.
15 . A lift device, comprising: a base including a motor configured to drive the lift device; a retractable lift assembly having a first end coupled to the base and a second end that is movable relative to the base; a coupler mounted to the retractable lift assembly; an electro-mechanical device detachably coupled to the coupler, the electro-mechanical device repositionable relative to the retractable lift assembly; one or more sensors coupled to at least one of the retractable lift assembly or the electro-mechanical device; and a controller configured to: determine at least one of a load supported by the coupler or a position of the load based on at least one signal from the one or more sensors; and selectively restrict movement of the retractable lift assembly based on the load or the position of the load.
16 . The lift device of claim 15 , wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one strain gage positioned on the retractable lift assembly.
17 . The lift device of claim 15 , further comprising a battery pack electrically connected to the motor and the retractable lift assembly.
18 . A material handling system, comprising: a lift device having a base and a retractable lift assembly, wherein the retractable lift assembly has a first lift end coupled to the base and a second lift end that is movable relative to the base; and a coupler assembly coupled to the retractable lift assembly, the coupler assembly comprising a first flange, a second flange, and a pair of diametrically opposed mounting stud ends; and a controller configured to: determine at least one of a load supported by the coupler assembly or a position of the load based on at least one signal from one or more sensors; and selectively restrict movement of the retractable lift assembly based on the load or the position of the load.
19 . The material handling system of claim 18 , wherein: the first flange has a first surface and a first aperture; the second flange having a second surface and a second aperture; and a first stud end of the pair of mounting stud ends extends from the first flange in a first direction perpendicular to the first surface, a second stud end of the pair of mounting stud ends extends from the second flange in a second direction perpendicular to the second surface.
20 . The material handling system of claim 18 , wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one strain gage positioned on the retractable lift assembly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/367,289, filed Sep. 12, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/193,061, filed Mar. 5, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,787,674, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/986,468, filed Mar. 6, 2020, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates generally to lift equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to lift equipment configured for material handling. Lift devices, such as vertical lifts, telehandlers, and scissor lifts, are used to lift and transport materials in a variety of different fields (e.g., construction, farming, manufacturing, warehouse storage, etc.). Lift devices raise and lower materials relative to the ground. Some lift devices include wheels to permit transportation of the materials over extended distances. However, these lift devices are typically large, heavy, and have limited range of movement. SUMMARY One exemplary embodiment relates to a lift device. The lift device includes a base, a retractable lift assembly, and a coupler. The base includes at least two wheels. The retractable lift assembly includes a first end coupled to the base and a second end that is movable relative to the base. The coupler is attached to the retractable lift assembly a distance from the first end. The coupler is configured to detachably couple the retractable lift assembly to an electro-mechanical device. The coupler includes a first flange coupled to a first side of the retractable lift assembly and a second flange coupled to a second side of the retractable lift assembly opposite the first side. The coupler additionally includes a pair of diametrically opposed mounting studs. A first stud of the pair of mounting studs extends outwardly from the first flange normal to the first side. A second stud of the pair of mounting studs extends outwardly from the second flange normal to the second side. The coupler further includes a pin extending through at least one of the first flange or the second flange below the pair of mounting studs. Another exemplary embodiment relates to a lift device. The lift device includes a base, a retractable lift assembly, an electro-mechanical device, and a battery pack. The base includes an electric drive and at least two rotatable wheels powered by the electric drive. The retractable lift assembly includes a first end coupled to the base and a second end that is movable relative to the base. The electro-mechanical device is detachably coupled to the retractable lift assembly and is repositionable relative to the retractable lift assembly. The battery pack is electrically connected to the electric drive and the retractable lift assembly. Another exemplary embodiment relates to a material handling system. The material handling system includes a lift device and a coupler assembly. The lift device includes at least two rotatable wheels, a base, and a retractable lift assembly that has a first lift end coupled to the base and a second lift end that is movable relative to the base. The coupler assembly includes a first flange, a second flange, and a pair of diametrically opposed mounting stud ends. The first flange includes a first surface and a first aperture. The second flange includes a second surface and a second aperture. The pair of diametrically opposed mounting stud ends include a first stud end that extends from the first flange in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and a second stud end that extends from the second flange in a direction perpendicular to the second surface. The coupler is mounted to the retractable lift assembly. This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lift device, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lift device of FIG. 1 with a retractable lift assembly in an extended position, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 3 is a side view of the lift device of FIG. 1 and an electro-mechanical device that is connected to the lift device, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a steering system of a lift device, according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 5 is a reproduction of FIG. 1 near a coupler of the lift device, according to an exemplary embodiment; FI