Patent ID: 6481521
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: B61B,B62B,B62D,G05D

Abstract:
An under-cart guided tractor adapted to travel guided by a guide signal sent out from a guide element laid along a traveling path on a floor surface, and to draw a cart provided with free wheels and loaded with goods, in a state such that said guided tractor is located under a load-carrying platform of said cart, comprising:a chassis provided with a driving unit including driving wheels on an underside thereof, wherein said chassis of said guided tractor has a height lower than the underside of the cart chassis, which allows said guided tractor to move under a chassis of said cart, and wherein said chassis of said guided tractor has a structure that does not allow a vertical load of said cart to act on said guided tractor, wherein said chassis of said guided tractor comprises at least two separate chassis components that are arranged in line in a travelling direction of said guided tractor and joined by a horizontal pin, and said driving wheels of said driving unit are on the underside of said guided tractor and near a portion of said horizontal pin in a manner such that said chassis components are allowed to take an upward or downward bent formation, said chassis of said guided tractor is provided with free wheels that are adapted to travel on said floor surface along with said driving wheels, said chassis of said guided tractor is equipped with a clamp mechanism capable of being raised and lowered, said clamp mechanism being adapted to be raised and to clamp said chassis of said cart when said guided tractor has come to a position under said chassis of said cart, and a sensor is provided at a portion suitable for detecting said guide signal sent out from said guide element.