Systems and methods for providing a slip gear for an industrial cart

Described herein are systems and methods providing a slip gear for an industrial cart. One embodiment includes a slip gear that includes a track gear for engaging with the track, a stabilizing bar, and a motor gear for engaging with a drive motor and the track gear. The slip gear may also include a stabilizing bar that is rotatably coupled to the track gear and the motor gear. In some embodiments, when the drive motor rotates the motor shaft, the motor gear rotates with the motor shaft to cause rotation of the track gear to propel the industrial cart. In response to an object pushing the industrial cart along the track, the stabilizing bar rotates to disengage the track gear from the track, thereby reducing friction between the industrial cart and the track.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for providing a slip gear for an industrial cart and, more specifically, to providing an industrial cart on an assembly line grow pod that utilizes a slip gear to enable power from an external source.

BACKGROUND

While crop growth technologies have advanced over the years, there are still many problems in the farming and crop industry today. As an example, while technological advances have increased efficiency and production of various crops, many factors may affect a harvest, such as weather, disease, infestation, and the like. Additionally, while the United States currently has suitable farmland to adequately provide food for the U.S. population, other countries and future populations may not have enough farmland to provide the appropriate amount of food.

Additionally many industrial carts, such as those which may be utilized in a grow pod or other industrial environment may be self-powered; powered by a single cart that pulls (or pushes) the remaining carts in the assembly line configuration; powered by a track, etc. However, if power to an industrial cart falters, current solutions do not have the ability to continue moving the failed industrial cart.

SUMMARY

Described herein are systems and methods providing a slip gear for an industrial cart. One embodiment includes a slip gear that includes a track gear for engaging with the track, a stabilizing bar, and a motor gear for engaging with a drive motor and the track gear. The slip gear may also include a stabilizing bar that is rotatably coupled to the track gear and the motor gear. In some embodiments, when the drive motor rotates the motor shaft, the motor gear rotates with the motor shaft to cause rotation of the track gear to propel the industrial cart. In response to an object pushing the industrial cart along the track, the stabilizing bar rotates to disengage the track gear from the track, thereby reducing friction between the industrial cart and the track.

One embodiment of a system includes a drive motor that facilitates propelling of the an industrial cart along a track and slip gear that is coupled to the drive motor, where the slip gear engages a gear of the track to enable the drive motor to propel the industrial cart. In some embodiments, in response to a trailing cart contacting the industrial cart to propel the industrial cart along the track without use of the drive motor, the slip gear disengages from the track to allow the trailing cart to propel the industrial cart along the track.

One embodiment of a slip gear includes a track gear for engaging with a track, a motor gear for engaging with a drive motor of the industrial cart and the track gear, and a stabilizing bar that is coupled to the track gear and the motor gear, where the track gear is also coupled to the motor gear. In some embodiments, the stabilizing bar defines a motor pass through for receiving a motor shaft of the drive motor. Similarly, some embodiments are configured such that when the drive motor rotates the motor shaft, the motor gear rotates with the motor shaft to cause rotation of the track gear to propel the industrial cart along the track. In some embodiments, in response to the drive motor ceasing rotation and an object contacting a rear surface of the industrial cart to push the industrial cart along the track, the stabilizing bar rotates to disengage the track gear from the track, thereby reducing friction between the industrial cart and the track.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for providing a slip gear for an industrial cart. Some embodiments may be configured to convert rotational energy provided by a motor into linear motion of the cart. In an assembly line configuration, each industrial cart may be independently powered, such that each industrial cart has its own motor or other propulsion mechanism. In these embodiments, the motor may be coupled to a slip gear, which engages with both the motor and the track to convert the rotational motion from the motor into linear motion of the industrial cart.

However, if the motor on the industrial cart fails, embodiments described herein may be configured such that an object, such as a trailing cart can push a rear surface of the industrial cart with the failed motor, thus preventing a stoppage of the assembly line. Some embodiments may be configured such that the pushing motion from the trailing cart causes the slip gear to disengage from the track, thereby reducing friction between the industrial cart and the track. In some embodiments, the industrial cart may include a sensor to determine when the industrial cart is being is being pushed by the object, has malfunctioned, and/or is about to malfunction. These embodiments may be configured to automatically disengage the gear assembly of the industrial cart via electrical power, to reduce friction and allow the trailing cart to push. The systems and methods for providing a slip gear for an industrial cart incorporating the same will be described in more detail, below.

Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1depicts an assembly line grow pod100, according to embodiments described herein. As illustrated, the assembly line grow pod100may be configured to facilitate growth of plants. The assembly line grow pod100may include a track102that receives at least one industrial cart104that may receive one or more seeds and/or plants for growth. The track102may include an ascending portion102a, a descending portion102b, and a connection portion102c. At the ascending portion102a, the track102may wrap around (in a counterclockwise direction inFIG. 1) a first axis such that the industrial carts104ascend upward in a vertical direction when traversing the track102. The connection portion102cmay be relatively level (although this is not a requirement) and is utilized to transfer industrial carts104to the descending portion102b. The descending portion102bmay wrap around a second axis (again in a counterclockwise direction inFIG. 1) that is substantially parallel to the first axis, such that the industrial carts104may be returned closer to ground level.

While not explicitly illustrated inFIG. 1, the assembly line grow pod100may also include a plurality of lighting devices, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). The lighting devices may be disposed on the track102above the industrial carts104, such that the lighting devices direct light waves to the industrial carts104on the portion the track102directly below. In some embodiments, the lighting devices are configured to create a plurality of different colors and/or wavelengths of light, depending on the application, the type of plant being grown, and/or other factors. While in some embodiments, LEDs are utilized for this purpose, this is not a requirement. Any lighting device that produces low heat and provides the desired lighting functionality may be utilized.

Also depicted inFIG. 1is a master controller106. The master controller106may include a computing device130and/or other hardware. As an example, the master controller106may include and/or be coupled to a nutrient dosing component, a water distribution component, a seeder component108, and/or other hardware for controlling various components of the assembly line grow pod100.

The seeder component108may be configured to seed one or more industrial carts104as the industrial carts104pass the seeder component108in the assembly line. Depending on the particular embodiment, each industrial cart104may include a single section tray for receiving a plurality of seeds. Some embodiments may include a multiple section tray for receiving individual seeds in each section (or cell). In the embodiments with a single section tray, the seeder component108may detect presence of the respective industrial cart104and may begin laying seed across an area of the single section tray. The seed may be laid out according to a desired depth of seed, a desired number of seeds, a desired surface area of seeds, and/or according to other criteria. In some embodiments, the seeds may be pre-treated with nutrients and/or anti-buoyancy agents (such as water) as these embodiments may not utilize soil to grow the seeds and thus might need to be submerged.

In the embodiments where a multiple section tray is utilized with one or more of the industrial carts104, the seeder component108may be configured to individually insert seeds into one or more of the sections of the tray. Again, the seeds may be distributed on the tray (or into individual cells) according to a desired number of seeds, a desired area the seeds should cover, a desired depth of seeds, etc.

The watering component may be coupled to one or more water lines110, which distribute water and/or nutrients to one or more trays at predetermined areas of the assembly line grow pod100. In some embodiments, seeds may be sprayed to reduce buoyancy and then flooded. Additionally, water usage and consumption may be monitored, such that at subsequent watering stations, this data may be utilized to determine an amount of water to apply to a seed at that time.

Also depicted inFIG. 1are airflow lines112. Specifically, the master controller106may include and/or be coupled to one or more components that delivers airflow for temperature control, pressure, carbon dioxide control, oxygen control, nitrogen control, etc. Accordingly, the airflow lines112may distribute the airflow at predetermined areas in the assembly line grow pod100.

FIG. 2depicts an industrial cart104that may be utilized on an assembly line grow pod100or for other industrial purpose, according to embodiments described herein. As illustrated, the industrial cart104may include a tray section220, one or more wheels222a,222b,222c,222d, a slip gear224, a drive motor226, a cart computing device228, and a power supply229. The tray section220may be configured for receiving a payload, such as one or more seeds. The drive motor226may be configured for receiving power from the power supply229(which may be configured as a battery, capacitor, and/or power supply) and turning the power into rotational energy. The drive motor226may additionally be coupled to a slip gear224, which is also removably coupled to a gear system of the track102. The slip gear224may receive the rotational energy from the drive motor226and may transfer that rotational energy to the track102for propelling the industrial cart104along the track102. The wheels222may also be coupled to the track102and, in some embodiments, may receive power for charging the power supply229and/or directly powering the drive motor226in embodiments that do not utilize a power supply229on the industrial cart104.

It should be understood that while embodiments described herein depict a single drive motor226and a single slip gear224, this is merely one embodiment. Some embodiments may be configured with a plurality of drive motors and/or a plurality of slip gears.

FIGS. 3A, 3Bdepict a slip gear224, according to embodiments described herein. As illustrated inFIG. 3A, the slip gear224includes a track gear326that includes a plurality of track gear teeth326a-326dand removably couples with the track102. The slip gear224also includes a motor gear328that includes a plurality of motor gear teeth328a-328d, where the motor gear328couples with the drive motor226(FIG. 3C). The track gear326and the motor gear328are coupled together (FIG. 4A-4C), such that rotation of the motor gear328necessarily imparts rotation into the track gear326. Also included in the slip gear224is a stabilizing bar330. The stabilizing bar330includes a track pass through332and a motor pass through334. The track pass through332may receive a shaft from the track gear326that rotatably couples the track gear326to the stabilizing bar330. Similarly, the motor pass through334may rotatably couple the motor gear328to the stabilizing bar330, as well as receive a motor shaft from the drive motor226, which rotates the motor gear328.

It should be understood that while in some embodiments the slip gear224and the drive motor226are separate components, this is merely one example. Some embodiments utilize an integrated motor slip gear, where the motor gear328is integrated into the drive motor226.

FIGS. 4A-4Ddepict a slip gear224coupled to a drive motor226, according to embodiments described herein. As illustrated inFIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the drive motor226is coupled to the motor gear328, causing rotation thereof. This rotation causes rotation of the track gear326. The track gear326is coupled to a gear system of the track102, causing the cart to traverse the track102.

However, if the drive motor226fails, the power supply229fails, and/or the industrial cart104is otherwise incapacitated, a trailing cart may have an active motor that will cause the trailing cart to collide with and thus push the industrial cart104with the drive motor226that has stalled. In this situation, the pushing force from the trailing cart causes the slip gear224to rotate around the motor pass through334. This causes rotation of the track gear326away from the track gear system, thus disengaging the track gear326from the track102. The disengagement from the track gear326system reduces friction between the industrial cart104and the track102, allowing the trailing cart to more easily push the industrial cart104until the industrial cart104is replaced or repaired.

It should be understood that while some embodiments may utilize physics to naturally rotate the slip gear224, this is merely one embodiment. Some embodiments may include one or more sensors for determining that the motor and/or cart are disabled and cause the slip gear224to disengage from the track gear system through a motorized process. In some of these embodiments, the drive motor226may be utilized for this function. In some embodiments however, an additional mechanism may be utilized for this purpose.

WhileFIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4Cdepict various perspectives of the drive motor226and the slip gear224,FIG. 4Ddepicts the slip gear224on the industrial cart104. As illustrated, the wheels222may align and may be configured for coupling with the track102(with wheel222bbeing hidden from view behind the slip gear224).

FIGS. 5A-5Cdepict a slip gear524a,524bon an industrial cart104rotate away from a plurality of track teeth532, according to embodiments described herein. As illustrated, the industrial carts104a,104bmay traverse a track102from left to right inFIG. 5A. The track102may include a plurality of rails531a,531b, to which the wheels222a-222d(not depicted inFIG. 5A) are engaged. In some embodiments, the track102may provide power and/or communication to the industrial carts104a,104b. However, in some embodiments, the track102may simply guide the industrial carts104a,104bin a predetermined path. The track102also includes a plurality of track teeth532that corresponds with the gear configuration of the slip gear524a,524b.

WhileFIG. 5Adepicts an overhead view of the industrial carts104a,104bon the track102,FIG. 5Bdepicts an underside view. As discussed above, the respective drive motors527a,527bmay cause rotation of the motor gear528a,528b(clockwise inFIG. 5B). The motor gear528a,528bthereby causes rotation of the track gear526a,526bin the opposite direction, thereby propelling the industrial carts104a,104bfrom right to left inFIG. 5B.

FIG. 5Cdepicts an underside view of the industrial carts104a,104b, with the slip gear524adisengaged from the track teeth532. As illustrated, the industrial cart104ainFIG. 5Cincurred a malfunction that caused the industrial cart104ato stop moving. Because the industrial cart104bis still moving, the industrial cart104bphysically contacts the industrial cart104a, thereby pushing the industrial cart104aalong the track102. In some embodiments, this pushing causes the slip gear524ato rotate around the motor gear528aand/or the track gear526a, causing the track gear526ato disengage with the track teeth532. By disengaging from the track teeth532, reduced friction between the track102and the industrial cart104results, making it easier for the industrial cart104bto push the industrial cart104a.

It should be understood that in the embodiment described above, forces resulting from the described structure of the slip gear524aand the industrial cart104bpushing the industrial cart104awill naturally cause the slip gear524ato rotate away from the track teeth532. However, some embodiments may be configured with a powered mechanism to cause this rotation. This powered mechanism may be initiated by the drive motor527a, another motor, a lever on the track102, and/or a tension between components of the slip gear524a, itself.

Returning back toFIG. 5C, if the issue that prevented independent motion of the industrial cart104is no longer present, the drive motor527amay again cause rotation of the motor gear528a. This rotation causes the track gear526ato rotate with the motor gear528a, until engaged with the track teeth532. Once the track gear526aengages with the track teeth532, the friction between the two causes rotation of the track gear526ain the opposite direction from the rotation of the motor gear528a. This rotation of the track gear526athereby causes motion of the industrial cart104aalong the track102.

It should be understood that some embodiments may be configured such that the motor gear528a, the track gear526a, and the stabilizing bar530a(labeled inFIG. 5B) each are each configured to freely rotate relative to the each other. However, some embodiments may be configured such that rotation may be limited, such as when the drive motor527aceases rotation and/or when the drive motor527aresumes rotation (but prior to reengaging with the track teeth532). Such a configuration may be beneficial to more quickly rotate the slip gear524ainto a desired position, based on the state of the industrial cart104a.

FIG. 6depicts a flowchart for providing a slip gear224for an assembly line grow pod100. As illustrated in block650, a drive motor226can provide rotational energy to a motor gear328, which is coupled to a track gear326. The rotational energy is passed to the track gear326, which engages with the track teeth532, causing an industrial cart104to traverse the track102. In block652, in response to the drive motor226stopping operation, a trailing cart collides with and pushes the industrial cart104. This pushing causes rotation of the slip gear224around a motor pass through on a stabilizing bar330on the slip gear224. This rotation disengages the track gear326from the track teeth532, allowing reduced friction between the industrial cart104and the track102.

It should be understood that while some embodiments described herein may disengage the track gear326from the track102naturally, this is one example. In some embodiments, the computing device130and/or the cart computing device230may detect that the drive motor226has stopped and may automatically rotate the slip gear224to disengage the track gear326from the track102. Similarly, some embodiments may utilize the computing device130and/or the cart computing device230to detect an issue with the drive motor226and/or other cart component and manually disable the industrial cart104. This disabling may prevent damage and/or other unwanted consequences from the issue.

FIG. 7depicts a computing environment for utilizing a slip gear224for an industrial cart104. As illustrated, the assembly line grow pod100or other track-based assembly for receiving an industrial cart104may include and/or be coupled with a master controller106, which may include a computing device130. The computing device130may include a memory component740, which stores cart tracking logic744aand cart health logic744b. The cart tracking logic744amay monitor a position of a cart on a track102. The monitoring may include motor speed, cart speed, cart location, as well as data associated with other carts in the assembly line. The cart health logic844bmay be configured to determine the health of the motor, engagement of the cart with the track102, and/or other data associated with whether the cart is capable of moving itself without external intervention.

Additionally, the assembly line grow pod100or other track-based assembly may be coupled to a network750. The network750may include the internet or other wide area network, a local network, such as a local area network, a near field network, such as Bluetooth or a near field communication (NFC) network. The network750is also coupled to a user computing device752and/or a remote computing device754. The user computing device752may include a personal computer, laptop, mobile device, tablet, server, etc. and may be utilized as an interface with a user. As an example, a user may send a recipe to the computing device130for implementation by the assembly line grow pod100. Another example may include the assembly line grow pod100sending notifications to a user of the user computing device752.

Similarly, the remote computing device754may include a server, personal computer, tablet, mobile device, etc. and may be utilized for machine to machine communications. As an example, if the assembly line grow pod100determines a type of seed being used (and/or other information, such as ambient conditions), the computing device130may communicate with the remote computing device754to retrieve a previously stored recipe for those conditions. As such, some embodiments may utilize an application program interface (API) to facilitate this or other computer-to-computer communications.

It should be understood that while embodiments described herein of an industrial cart104and slip gear224may operate without the computing environment ofFIG. 7, some embodiments may utilize commands from a computing device (such as the computing device130, the user computing device752, and/or the remote computing device754). As an example, if it is determined that an industrial cart104is operating, but not optimally, a command may be sent to the industrial cart104to shut down the drive motor226. Once the drive motor226is shut down, the industrial cart104may be pushed by a trailing cart, thereby rotating the slip gear224to disengage with the track teeth532. Similarly, some embodiments may incur an issue with the slip gear224, itself (without an issue with the drive motor226). In such a situation, a command may be sent to rotate the slip gear224out of the way by a powered rotation of the slip gear224and/or shutting down the drive motor226.

FIG. 8depicts a computing device130for utilizing a slip gear224in an industrial cart104. As illustrated, the computing device130includes a processor830, input/output hardware832, the network interface hardware834, a data storage component836(which stores systems data838a, plant data838b, and/or other data), and the memory component740. The memory component740may be configured as volatile and/or nonvolatile memory and as such, may include random access memory (including SRAM, DRAM, and/or other types of RAM), flash memory, secure digital (SD) memory, registers, compact discs (CD), digital versatile discs (DVD), and/or other types of non-transitory computer-readable mediums. Depending on the particular embodiment, these non-transitory computer-readable mediums may reside within the computing device130and/or external to the computing device130.

The memory component740may store operating logic842, the cart tracking logic744a, and the cart health logic744b. The cart tracking logic744aand the cart health logic744bmay each include a plurality of different pieces of logic, each of which may be embodied as a computer program, firmware, and/or hardware, as an example. A local interface846is also included inFIG. 8and may be implemented as a bus or other communication interface to facilitate communication among the components of the computing device130.

The processor830may include any processing component operable to receive and execute instructions (such as from a data storage component836and/or the memory component740). The input/output hardware832may include and/or be configured to interface with microphones, speakers, a display, and/or other hardware.

The network interface hardware834may include and/or be configured for communicating with any wired or wireless networking hardware, including an antenna, a modem, LAN port, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) card, WiMax card, ZigBee card, Bluetooth chip, USB card, mobile communications hardware, and/or other hardware for communicating with other networks and/or devices. From this connection, communication may be facilitated between the computing device130and other computing devices, such as the user computing device752and/or remote computing device754.

The operating logic842may include an operating system and/or other software for managing components of the computing device130. As also discussed above, cart tracking logic744aand the cart health logic744bmay reside in the memory component740. As discussed above, some embodiments may utilize the cart tracking logic744ato determine a position and/or movement of an industrial cart104along the track102. This may include determining whether the industrial cart104is adequately traversing the track102and utilize this information to determine whether to disengage the slip gear224from the track teeth532. Similarly, the cart health logic744bmay analyze systems and sensors on the industrial cart104and determine if the health of the industrial cart104would warrant a full or partial shutdown and, thus disengage the slip gear224.

It should be understood that while the components inFIG. 8are illustrated as residing within the computing device130, this is merely an example. In some embodiments, one or more of the components may reside external to the computing device130, such as on one or more industrial cart104(e.g., on the cart computing device230). It should also be understood that, while the computing device130is illustrated as a single device, this is also merely an example. In some embodiments, the cart tracking logic744aand the cart health logic744bmay reside on different computing devices. As an example, one or more of the functionalities and/or components described herein may be provided by the user computing device752, the remote computing device754, and/or the cart computing device230.

Additionally, while the computing device130is illustrated with the cart tracking logic744aand the cart health logic744bas separate logical components, this is also an example. In some embodiments, a single piece of logic (and/or or several linked modules) may cause the computing device130to provide the described functionality.

As illustrated above, various embodiments for providing a slip gear for an industrial cart are disclosed. Some embodiments provide a plurality of respective slip gears for a plurality of industrial carts. Accordingly, this allows a trailing cart to push the failed cart, allowing the failed cart to function even with a failed motor. This lengthens the useful life of the cart and allows time to repair or replace the malfunctioning components without interrupting other operations.

Accordingly, embodiments provided herein include a system and/or method for providing a slip gear for an industrial cart that includes a motor gear that is coupled to a motor and a stabilizing bar; a track gear that is coupled to the stabilizing bar and removably coupled to a track, wherein the stabilizing bar includes a motor pass through that, when a pushing force at the rear is received at a rear portion of the cart, causes the slip gear to rotate around the motor pass through, thereby disengaging the track bear from the track.

While particular embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, although various aspects have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. Accordingly, it is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the embodiments shown and described herein.

It should now be understood that embodiments disclosed herein include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable mediums for providing a slip gear for an industrial cart. It should also be understood that these embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.