Automatic transport loading system and method
First Claim
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1. A method for loading a transport, having a sidewall and an adjacent end wall, with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
- engaging a load with the AGV;
guiding the AGV with a guidance system to a position A and wherein the position A is located outside of the transport;
creating, at approximately said position A, a data profile of the transport, by sensing at least more than one location of the sidewall of the transport and the adjacent end wall of the transport;
determining a transport path for depositing the load at an intended load position on the transport using the data profile from said step of creating a data profile;
guiding the AGV along the determined transport path and into the transport with the guidance system to the intended load position; and
depositing the load onto the transport at the intended load position.
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Abstract
A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A first 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.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for loading a transport, having a sidewall and an adjacent end wall, with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
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engaging a load with the AGV; guiding the AGV with a guidance system to a position A and wherein the position A is located outside of the transport; creating, at approximately said position A, a data profile of the transport, by sensing at least more than one location of the sidewall of the transport and the adjacent end wall of the transport; determining a transport path for depositing the load at an intended load position on the transport using the data profile from said step of creating a data profile; guiding the AGV along the determined transport path and into the transport with the guidance system to the intended load position; and depositing the load onto the transport at the intended load position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for loading a transport, having at least one sidewall and an end wall, adjacent to the sidewall with an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) comprising:
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engaging a load with the AGV; guiding the AGV with an inertial guidance system to a position A; creating, at approximately said position A, a data profile of the transport by sensing at least more than one location of the sidewall of the transport and the adjacent end wall of the transport; determining a transport path from position A to an intended load position on the transport using the data profile from said step of creating a data profile; aligning the AGV with the determined transport path; guiding the AGV along the determined transport path using the inertial guidance system from position A into the transport and to the intended load position; depositing the load; and guiding the AGV along the determined transport path using the inertial guidance system from the intended load position to position A. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification