Importance

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Abstract

An automatically guided vehicle that runs guided by guide signals transmitted from guiding material laid on the floor. The wheels at the four corners of the chassis of the vehicle are casters that can be switched over between free and fixed modes. A steering drive unit which can move by itself in longitudinal direction is mounted on the lower surface of the chassis at approximately the center thereof. Sensors that detect guide signals are provided at the front and rear parts of the steering drive unit. The steering drive unit changes its operating position automatically as the vehicle switches over between forward and backward running modes. The casters change modes in such a manner that, as the automatically guided vehicle switches over between forward and backward running modes, the casters at the front function as free wheels while the casters at the rear function as fixed or pivot-restrained wheels.

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First Claim