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Lift and tilt platform

  • US 10,289,117 B1
  • Filed: 02/21/2017
  • Issued: 05/14/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2017
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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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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