Autonomous load/unload robot
First Claim
1. An autonomous robot for loading and unloading cargo of a cargo container, wherein the robot is comprised of:
- a first vertical member;
a second vertical member spaced in substantially parallel relation to the first vertical member;
a cross-member secured to the first and second vertical members in a substantially perpendicular orientation thereto;
means for imparting vertical movement to the cross-member along the length of the first and second vertical members;
a first arm and a second arm secured to the cross-member and extending in a forward direction with respect to the robot;
means for imparting horizontal movement to the first and second arms along the length of the cross-member;
means for imparting motive force to the robot; and
a processing unit configured to control directional movement, loading, and unloading routines of the robot.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An autonomous robot for loading and unloading cargo of a cargo container includes a first vertical member; a second vertical member spaced in substantially parallel relation to the first vertical member; and a cross-member secured to the first and second vertical members in a substantially perpendicular orientation thereto. The robot further includes a first arm and a second arm secured to the cross-member and extending in a forward direction with respect to the robot. The robot also includes means for imparting vertical movement to the cross-member along the length of the first and second vertical members and means for imparting horizontal movement to the first and second arms along the length of the cross-member. Means for imparting motive force to the robot is/are provided. A processing unit is configured to control directional movement, loading, and unloading routines of the robot. A method for loading/unloading the container is also disclosed.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An autonomous robot for loading and unloading cargo of a cargo container, wherein the robot is comprised of:
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a first vertical member;
a second vertical member spaced in substantially parallel relation to the first vertical member;
a cross-member secured to the first and second vertical members in a substantially perpendicular orientation thereto;
means for imparting vertical movement to the cross-member along the length of the first and second vertical members;
a first arm and a second arm secured to the cross-member and extending in a forward direction with respect to the robot;
means for imparting horizontal movement to the first and second arms along the length of the cross-member;
means for imparting motive force to the robot; and
a processing unit configured to control directional movement, loading, and unloading routines of the robot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of loading a cargo container with cargo, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an autonomous robot configured for movement into and out of the cargo container, wherein the robot includes a first arm and a second arm, environment sensing hardware, and a conveyor;
positioning the robot within the cargo container;
placing the cargo on the conveyor and conveying the cargo toward the first and second arms via the conveyor;
moving the first and second arms to a first position such that the first and second arms are adjacent to the cargo on opposing sides thereof;
applying a suitable holding pressure on the cargo by the first and second arms;
detecting one or more edges of existing cargo within the container to determine an offload space sized to accommodate the cargo;
selecting an offload coordinate within the offload space;
moving the first and second arms to a second position, wherein the second position corresponds to the offload coordinate, whereby the cargo is moved from the conveyor into the offload space; and
reducing the holding pressure applied to the cargo by the first and second arms, whereby the cargo is released into the offload space. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of unloading a cargo container with cargo, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an autonomous robot configured for movement into and out of the cargo container, wherein the robot includes a first arm and a second arm, environment sensing hardware, and a conveyor;
determining the location of the cargo by detecting one or more edges thereof utilizing the environment sensing hardware;
moving the first and second arms to a first position such that the first and second arms are adjacent to the cargo on opposing sides thereof;
applying a suitable holding pressure on the cargo by the first and second arms;
moving the first and second arms to a second position, wherein the second position is defined as an area situated near the conveyor; and
reducing the holding pressure applied to the cargo by the first and second arms, whereby the cargo is conveyed away from the first and second arms via the conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An autonomous robot for loading and unloading cargo of a cargo container, wherein the robot is comprised of:
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means for grasping the cargo and transferring the cargo from a pick-up point to a drop-off point;
means for detecting cargo within the cargo container;
means for detecting at least one of a wall and a ceiling of the container;
means for imparting motive force to the robot; and
a processing unit configured to control directional movement, loading, and unloading routines of the robot. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification