Material handling system using autonomous mobile drive units and movable inventory trays
First Claim
1. A system for inventory management in a warehouse, comprising:
- one or more mobile drive units (MDUs), each MDU having a communication link coupled to a processor, a docking mechanism, and a power unit coupled to a drive mechanism configured to move the MDU about the warehouse responsive to control signals of the processor, the MDU receiving command signals via the communication link; and
a plurality of movable inventory pods (MIPs), each MIP containing inventory items and being configured for attachment to the docking mechanism of the MDU, the MDU docking with a MIP to transport the MIP across the warehouse responsive to the command signals.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inventory system includes a plurality of mobile drive units with a processor control and with a positioning system that enables the mobile drive units to navigate a factory floor. The mobile drive units interface with a material handling system to receive order requests and deliver inventory items to pack stations located on the factory floor. The inventory items are stored in trays stacked into movable inventory pods, which may be transported by the mobile drive units throughout the factory floor. The mobile drive units dock and undock with the movable inventory pods using a docking mechanism. The movable inventory pods are stored in a virtual storage grid when they are not being transported by the mobile drive units. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
-
Citations
67 Claims
-
1. A system for inventory management in a warehouse, comprising:
-
one or more mobile drive units (MDUs), each MDU having a communication link coupled to a processor, a docking mechanism, and a power unit coupled to a drive mechanism configured to move the MDU about the warehouse responsive to control signals of the processor, the MDU receiving command signals via the communication link; and
a plurality of movable inventory pods (MIPs), each MIP containing inventory items and being configured for attachment to the docking mechanism of the MDU, the MDU docking with a MIP to transport the MIP across the warehouse responsive to the command signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A system for inventory management in a warehouse, comprising:
-
one or more mobile drive units (MDUs), each MDU having a communication link coupled to a processor, a docking mechanism, and a power unit coupled to a drive mechanism configured to move the MDU about the warehouse responsive to control signals of the processor, the MDU receiving command signals via the communication link;
a plurality of movable inventory pods (MIPs), each MIP containing inventory items and being configured for attachment to the docking mechanism of the MDU, the MDU docking with a MIP to transport the MIP across the warehouse responsive to the command signals;
a material handling system (MHS); and
one or more pack stations, each pack station being configured to transmit the command signals to the MDUs responsive to an order request issued by the MHS. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
-
-
39. A system for inventory management comprising:
-
a plurality of mobile drive units (MDUs) with docking mechanisms;
a plurality of movable inventory pods (MIPs) with docking mechanisms for attachment to the MDU'"'"'s docking mechanisms;
one or more pack stations;
a material handling system (MHS); and
a wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
-
-
62. A system for inventory management in a warehouse, comprising:
-
one or more mobile drive units (MDUs), each MDU having a communication link coupled to a processor, a docking mechanism, and a power unit coupled to a drive mechanism configured to move the MDU about the warehouse responsive to control signals of the processor, each MDU receiving command signals via the communication link;
a plurality of movable inventory pods (MIPs), each MIP for holding inventory items and being configured for attachment to the docking mechanism of the MDU responsive to the command signals;
a computer to transmit an order request for an item of inventory to a particular MDU. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
-
Specification