Automatic transport loading system and method
First Claim
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1. A method for loading a transport with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
- engaging a load with said AGV;
guiding said AGV with a first guidance system to a first position;
guiding said AGV with a second guidance system from said first position to an intended load position on said transport;
depositing said load onto said transport at said intended load position; and
guiding said AGV with said second guidance system from said intended load position to a second position.
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Abstract
A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A first guidance system is used to travel near the transport and a second guidance system is used to travel on the transport.
158 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for loading a transport with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
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engaging a load with said AGV;
guiding said AGV with a first guidance system to a first position;
guiding said AGV with a second guidance system from said first position to an intended load position on said transport;
depositing said load onto said transport at said intended load position; and
guiding said AGV with said second guidance system from said intended load position to a second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for loading a transport with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
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engaging a load with said AGV;
guiding said AGV with a first guidance system to a first position, wherein said first guidance system comprises an inertial guidance system and said first position is proximate to said transport;
guiding said AGV with a second guidance system from said first position to an intended load position on said transport, wherein said second guidance system comprises at least one distance measuring device, said at least one distance measuring device determines a first distance to a side of said transport, whereby said first distance assists with the step of guiding said AGV with said second guidance system from said first position to said intended load position;
depositing said load onto said transport at said intended load position;
guiding said AGV with said second guidance system from said intended load position to a second position; and
guiding said AGV with said first guidance system from said second position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An automatic transport loading system comprising:
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an automatic guided vehicle (AGV), said AGV comprising a drive mechanism and a steering mechanism; and
a first guidance system and a second guidance system, said first and second guidance systems being operatively coupled with said drive and said steering mechanisms of said AGV, wherein said first guidance system guides said AGV to a first location, said second guidance system guides said AGV from said first position to an intended load position and from said intended load position to a second position, and said first guidance system guides said AGV from said second position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for loading a transport with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
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engaging a load with said AGV;
guiding said AGV with a guidance system from a first position to an intended load position on said transport, whereby said guidance system locates said intended load position based on a location of said transport in relation to said first position;
depositing said load onto said transport at said intended load position; and
guiding said AGV with said guidance system from said intended load position to a second position. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for unloading a transport with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
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guiding said AGV with a guidance system from a first position to an approximate load position on said transport, whereby said guidance system locates said approximate load position based on a location of said transport in relation to said first position;
determining a load position;
engaging a load with said AGV at said load position; and
guiding said AGV with said guidance system from said approximate load position to a second position. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for unloading a transport with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
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guiding said AGV with a first guidance system to a first position;
guiding said AGV with a second guidance system from said first position to an expected load position on said transport;
determining a load position;
engaging a load with said AGV at said load position; and
guiding said AGV with said second guidance system from said intended load position to a second position. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification