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) using an AGV system having a central controller and an AGV controller on each AGV, said method comprising:
- directing the AGV to engage a load and travel along a system travel path to a position A, wherein position A is located near a loading bay door;
sensing a location of at least one sidewall of the transport and at least one of a roof or floor of the transport;
determining a transport path for the AGV to follow into the transport;
determining tilting load adjustments for the AGV to follow near a threshold of the transport;
adding the transport path and tilting load adjustments to said system travel path;
guiding the AGV along the transport path to a determined load position on the transport; and
depositing the load onto the transport.
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Abstract
A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A guidance system follows a travel path to a position near the transport and then a sensor profiles a transport so that a transport path is determined for an AGV to follow into the transport to place a load and for exiting the transport upon placement of the load.
170 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for loading a transport with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) using an AGV system having a central controller and an AGV controller on each AGV, said method comprising:
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directing the AGV to engage a load and travel along a system travel path to a position A, wherein position A is located near a loading bay door; sensing a location of at least one sidewall of the transport and at least one of a roof or floor of the transport; determining a transport path for the AGV to follow into the transport; determining tilting load adjustments for the AGV to follow near a threshold of the transport; adding the transport path and tilting load adjustments to said system travel path; guiding the AGV along the transport path to a determined load position on the transport; and depositing the load onto the transport. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for loading a transport having a threshold, a floor and a roof, with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) having a pair of forks for lifting a load, said method comprising:
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engaging the load with the AGV; guiding the AGV with a guidance system to a position A and wherein said position A is located outside of the transport; determining a transport path for depositing the load at an intended load position on the transport; determining a location of one of the transport floor or the transport roof; guiding the AGV along said determined transport path with said guidance system to said intended load position; determining if the load or forks on the AGV will contact the transport floor as the AGV is guided along said transport path to said intended load position; tilting the load in response to determining that one of the load or forks on the AGV will contact the transport floor as the AGV is guided to said intended load position; and depositing the load onto the transport at said intended load position. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for loading a transport with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) having a pair of forks for lifting a load, said method comprising:
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engaging a load with the AGV; guiding the AGV with a guidance system to a position A and wherein said position A is located outside of the transport; determining, at approximately said position A, a transport path for depositing the load at an intended load position on the transport by sensing at least more than one location of a sidewall of the transport and an associated end wall of said sidewall; sensing a height of a floor of the transport and a height of a floor supporting the AGV; determining a difference between said height of said transport floor and said floor supporting the AGV; determining, based on said difference, if the load or the forks on the AGV will contact either of said floor of the transport or said floor supporting the AGV as the AGV is guided on said transport path; adjusting the forks; guiding the AGV along said determined transport path with said guidance system to said intended load position; and depositing the load onto the transport at said intended load position. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification