Inventory system with mobile drive unit and inventory holder
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for transporting inventory, comprising:
- an inventory holder, the inventory holder comprising;
a frame operable to store inventory items;
a docking plate operable to receive a docking head from underneath; and
a braking mechanism operable to disable movement of the inventory holder when the inventory holder is not docked; and
a mobile drive unit, comprising;
a docking head operable to;
couple to the docking plate when the mobile drive unit is positioned beneath the inventory holder and the docking head is raised to the docking plate;
disengage the braking mechanism when the mobile drive unit is docked with the inventory holder; and
decouple from the docking plate when the docking head is lowered; and
a drive module operable to propel the mobile drive unit; and
wherein the mobile drive unit is operable to move the inventory holder when the docking head is coupled to the inventory holder.
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Abstract
A system for transporting inventory includes an inventory holder and a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder includes a frame capable of storing inventory items and a docking plate capable of receiving a docking head from underneath. The mobile drive unit, includes a docking head capable of coupling to the docking plate and a drive module capable of propelling the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is further capable to move the inventory holder when the docking head is coupled to the inventory holder.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for transporting inventory, comprising:
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an inventory holder, the inventory holder comprising; a frame operable to store inventory items; a docking plate operable to receive a docking head from underneath; and a braking mechanism operable to disable movement of the inventory holder when the inventory holder is not docked; and a mobile drive unit, comprising; a docking head operable to; couple to the docking plate when the mobile drive unit is positioned beneath the inventory holder and the docking head is raised to the docking plate; disengage the braking mechanism when the mobile drive unit is docked with the inventory holder; and decouple from the docking plate when the docking head is lowered; and a drive module operable to propel the mobile drive unit; and wherein the mobile drive unit is operable to move the inventory holder when the docking head is coupled to the inventory holder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A mobile drive unit for transporting inventory, comprising:
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a drive module, the drive module operable to position the mobile drive unit underneath an inventory holder; and a docking head operable to; couple to the inventory holder when the mobile drive unit is positioned beneath the inventory holder and the docking head is raised; disengage a braking mechanism of the inventory holder when the mobile drive unit is docked with the inventory holder; and decouple from the inventory holder when the docking head is lowered; and wherein the drive module is operable to move the mobile drive unit and, when the inventory holder is coupled to the mobile drive unit, move the inventory holder. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A mobile drive unit for moving an inventory holder, comprising:
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a docking head, comprising; a self-aligning docking cone operable to; couple to a docking plate of an inventory holder; and align the docking head with the docking plate during coupling; and a plurality of control spines, the control spines operable to rotate the inventory holder when the docking head is coupled to the inventory holder and the docking head is rotated; and two motorized wheels, wherein the motorized wheels are operable to rotate in a common direction to propel the mobile drive unit and to rotate in opposite directions to rotate the mobile drive unit; and a brake interface operable to disengage a braking mechanism of the inventory holder.
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19. An inventory holder for storing inventory, comprising:
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a docking plate comprising; a plurality of control clefts, the control clefts operable to receive a docking head of a mobile drive unit, wherein the inventory holder is operable to be rotated by a force applied by the portion of the docking head positioned in the control clefts, and a brake activator, wherein the brake activator is operable to disengage a braking mechanism of the inventory holder when the docking head is coupled to the docking plate; a frame comprising; a plurality of adjustable dividers, the adjustable dividers forming a plurality of storage bins operable to hold inventory items, the adjustable dividers further operable to be adjusted to alter sizes of the storage bins; four legs extending from a bottom of the frame; and four faces, each face offering access to one or more inventory bins and each face including an opening between two of the legs, each opening further operable to allow a mobile drive unit to move under the frame and adjacent to the docking plate; four wheels, each wheel attached to a bottom of one of the legs and operable to facilitate movement of the inventory holder; and the braking mechanism operable, when activated, to prevent the wheels from rolling.
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20. A system for transporting inventory, comprising:
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an inventory holder, the inventory holder comprising; a frame operable to store inventory items; and a docking plate operable to receive a docking head from underneath; a braking mechanism operable to disable movement of the inventory holder when the inventory holder is not docked; and a mobile drive unit, comprising; a docking head operable to couple to the docking plate and disengage the braking mechanism when the docking head is coupled to the inventory holder; and a drive module operable to propel the mobile drive unit; and wherein the mobile drive unit is operable to move the inventory holder when the docking head is coupled to the inventory holder.
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Specification