Lift and tilt platform
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system, comprising:
- an inventory holder comprising a plurality of compartments configured to hold a plurality of items;
a mobile drive unit configured for movement within a facility, the mobile drive unit comprising a docking head assembly attached to a frame of the mobile drive unit, the docking head assembly comprising;
a docking platform;
a tilting mechanism disposed below the docking platform and comprising a first actuator configured to cause tilting of the docking platform with respect to a horizontal axis of the mobile drive unit; and
a lifting mechanism disposed below the tilting mechanism, the lifting mechanism comprising;
a lower frame connected to the mobile drive unit;
an upper frame pivotably connected to the tilting mechanism; and
a second actuator configured to cause vertical lifting of the docking platform with respect the horizontal axis of the mobile drive unit; and
a management device in communication with the mobile drive unit and configured to;
cause the lifting mechanism to lift the inventory holder into a first orientation by raising the docking platform into engagement with the inventory holder and further raising the inventory holder until the inventory holder is lifted;
access ramp information identifying properties of an inclined ramp extending between a first floor of the facility and a second floor of the facility;
determine a tilt angle for tilting the docking platform based at least in part on the ramp information; and
after the lifting mechanism has lifted the inventory holder into the first orientation, cause the tilting mechanism to tilt the docking platform in accordance with the tilt angle to cause the inventory holder to tilt into a second orientation so that the mobile drive unit is positioned to transport the inventory holder along the inclined ramp.
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Abstract
A docking head assembly and techniques for use are provided. The docking head assembly may include a lifting mechanism and a tilting mechanism. A tilt angle may be determined based on data that is associated with a path extending between a first floor and a second floor of a facility. The lifting mechanism may lift an inventory holder. The tilting mechanism may tilt the inventory holder in accordance with the tilt angle. The mobile drive unit may transport the inventory holder along the path in the lifted, tilted orientation.
11 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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an inventory holder comprising a plurality of compartments configured to hold a plurality of items; a mobile drive unit configured for movement within a facility, the mobile drive unit comprising a docking head assembly attached to a frame of the mobile drive unit, the docking head assembly comprising; a docking platform; a tilting mechanism disposed below the docking platform and comprising a first actuator configured to cause tilting of the docking platform with respect to a horizontal axis of the mobile drive unit; and a lifting mechanism disposed below the tilting mechanism, the lifting mechanism comprising; a lower frame connected to the mobile drive unit; an upper frame pivotably connected to the tilting mechanism; and a second actuator configured to cause vertical lifting of the docking platform with respect the horizontal axis of the mobile drive unit; and a management device in communication with the mobile drive unit and configured to; cause the lifting mechanism to lift the inventory holder into a first orientation by raising the docking platform into engagement with the inventory holder and further raising the inventory holder until the inventory holder is lifted; access ramp information identifying properties of an inclined ramp extending between a first floor of the facility and a second floor of the facility; determine a tilt angle for tilting the docking platform based at least in part on the ramp information; and after the lifting mechanism has lifted the inventory holder into the first orientation, cause the tilting mechanism to tilt the docking platform in accordance with the tilt angle to cause the inventory holder to tilt into a second orientation so that the mobile drive unit is positioned to transport the inventory holder along the inclined ramp. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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determining a tilt angle for a tilting mechanism of a mobile drive unit based at least in part on path data, the path data associated with a path extending between a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being higher than the first surface; causing a lifting mechanism of the mobile drive unit to lift a holder structure with respect to a horizontal axis of the mobile drive unit, the lifting mechanism comprising a lower frame connected to the mobile drive unit and an upper frame pivotably connected to the tilting mechanism; causing the tilting mechanism to tilt the holder structure in accordance with the tilt angle and with respect to the horizontal axis; and causing the mobile drive unit to transport the holder structure on the path, with the holder structure tilted in accordance with the tilt angle. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A mobile drive unit, comprising:
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a frame; a drive unit attached to the frame and configured to move the mobile drive unit; and a docking head assembly attached to the frame, the docking head assembly comprising; a docking platform configured to engage with a holder structure; a tilting mechanism disposed below the docking platform and comprising a first actuator coupled to the docking platform and configured to cause tilting of the docking platform with respect to a horizontal axis of the mobile drive unit; and a lifting mechanism disposed below the tilting mechanism, the lifting mechanism comprising; a lower frame connected to the mobile drive unit; an upper frame pivotably connected to the tilting mechanism; and a second actuator configured to cause vertical lifting of the docking platform with respect the horizontal axis of the mobile drive unit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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determining a tilt angle for a tilting mechanism of a mobile drive unit based at least in part on path data, the path data associated with a path extending between a first surface and a second surface, the second surface being higher than the first surface; causing a lifting mechanism of the mobile drive unit to lift a holder structure with respect to a horizontal axis of the mobile drive unit; causing the tilting mechanism to tilt the holder structure in accordance with the tilt angle and with respect to the horizontal axis, wherein the tilting mechanism is configured to tilt the holder structure at an angular velocity that corresponds to a velocity of the mobile drive unit; and causing the mobile drive unit to transport the holder structure on the path, with the holder structure tilted in accordance with the tilt angle.
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Specification