Patent ID: 11866256
Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F | IPC B

Claim 16:
17. A method of transporting a mobile robot along a vertical or inclined passage between storage levels in an order fulfillment facility, the passage comprising a linear drive mount, comprising the steps:
a. extending a drive gear of the mobile robot from a first position spaced from the linear drive mount to a second position where the drive gear is engaged with the drive mount, the drive gear mounted to a shaft;
b. rotating the shaft and drive gear by a motor, the motor having a first spline and the shaft having a second spline, the shaft rotating by a force exerted by the first spline on the second spline; and
c. preventing improper seating of the drive gear against the linear drive mount by, at least in part, providing a degree of play between the first and second splines, the play allowing a degree of free rotation of the drive gear relative to the linear drive mount as the drive gear extends from the first position to the second position.