Method and apparatus for sorting or retreiving items

• US 10,071,857 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2017
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Opex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Opex Corporation
• Inventors: DeWitt, Robert R., Chezik, Peter M., Valinsky, Joseph, Kartik, S N, Stahl, Ola
• Primary Examiner(s): Logan, Kyle O
• Application Number:
  US15/700,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20170369246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: 700214
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/04 mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0421 with control for stacker crane operations
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0492 with cars adapted to travel in storage aisles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/137 with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1373 for fulfilling orders in warehouses

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

Claims

1. A material handling system for delivering a plurality of items to or from a plurality of destination areas, wherein the system comprises:

a plurality of delivery vehicles for delivering the items to the destination areas;

track for guiding the delivery vehicles, wherein the track comprises a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion and a gate providing a continuous path from a horizontal to a vertical direction;

where each of the vehicles comprise;

a transfer mechanism operable to transfer an item between the vehicle and one of the destination areas;

a drive element operable to drive the transfer mechanism; and

a gate actuator operable between a first position in which the actuator does not actuate the gate and a second position in which the actuator is operable to actuate the gate, wherein actuating the drive element of the transfer mechanism actuates the gate actuator from the first position to the second position.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the destination areas comprise a first series of columns and a second series of columns wherein a gap is formed between the first series of columns and the second series of columns and the track is disposed in the gap so that the vehicles can move vertically within the gap.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the track is positioned so that the vehicles can move horizontally within the gap.

4. The delivery vehicle of claim 1 wherein the transfer mechanism is operable to transfer an item forwardly toward a first destination area or in an opposite direction toward a second destination area.

5. A delivery vehicle operable with a material handling system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system having a gate actuable between a first position and a second position, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises:

a motor for driving the vehicle to one of the destination areas;

a drive system cooperable with the guide system to guide the vehicle to one of the destination areas,

a transfer mechanism operable to transfer an item between the vehicle and one of the destination areas;

a drive element operable to drive the transfer mechanism; and

a gate actuator operable between a first position in which the actuator does not actuate the gate and a second position in which the actuator is operable to actuate the gate, wherein actuating the drive element of the transfer mechanism actuates the gate actuator from the first position to the second position.

6. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 comprising a pair of synchronously driven axles, wherein the gears are fixed to the axles so that the gears are synchronously driven to drive the vehicle along the guide system.

7. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 wherein the transfer mechanism is operable to transfer an item forwardly toward a first destination area or in an opposite direction toward a second destination area.

8. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 comprising a rechargeable power source for powering the motor and an electrical contact for contacting a charging rail along the guide system to recharge the rechargeable power source as the vehicle travels along the guide system to deliver an item.

9. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 wherein the delivery vehicle is configured to move in a first horizontal direction and a vertical direction substantially orthogonal to the first horizontal direction.

10. The delivery vehicle of claim 9 wherein the transfer mechanism is configured to transfer the item in a third direction that is transverse the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

11. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a retainer operable to positively engage the item.

12. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 wherein the drive system is operable to engage a first track on a first side of the vehicle and a second track on a second side of the vehicle.

13. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 wherein the vehicle comprises a controller configured to wirelessly receive signals regarding the direction of travel for the vehicle.

14. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 wherein the drive system is cooperable with the guide system to guide the vehicle to one of the destination areas, wherein the drive system is configured to maintain the orientation of the vehicle relative to the horizon as the vehicle changes from a horizontal direction of travel to a vertical direction of travel.

15. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 wherein the drive system comprises a pair of synchronously drive axles, wherein gears are fixed to the axles so that the gears are synchronously driven to drive the vehicle along the guide system.

16. The delivery vehicle of claim 5 wherein the drive system is operable to engage a first track on a first side of the vehicle and a second track on a second side of the vehicle.