Inventory holder load detection and/or stabilization
First Claim
1. A mobile drive unit comprising:
- a drive module comprising a propulsion system configured to move the mobile drive unit between locations of a workspace;
a docking head configured to dock with an inventory holder for movement of the inventory holder by the mobile drive unit;
a sensor configured to obtain information about a load distribution of the inventory holder relative to the mobile drive unit, the load distribution dependent on a distribution of any inventory items stored in the inventory holder; and
a module configured to at least one of receive or generate instructions that are based at least in part on the information obtained by the sensor and that instruct operation of the drive module to cause the mobile drive unit to perform motion so as to cause a shift of position of at least one inventory item relative to the inventory holder to change the load distribution of the inventory holder relative to the mobile drive unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inventory system includes an inventory holder that may be moved by a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder may hold inventory items. The mobile drive unit may move in a manner for facilitating a shift of position of at least one inventory item relative to the inventory holder. Such movement may be accomplished, for example, by accelerating, decelerating, turning while driving, spinning, dropping the inventory holder, or by causing at least one of the mobile drive unit or the inventory holder to at least one of interact with or engage an obstacle such as a bump over which the mobile drive unit drives, a bar positioned above a floor on which the mobile drive unit drives, a wall, another mobile drive unit, or another inventory holder.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mobile drive unit comprising:
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a drive module comprising a propulsion system configured to move the mobile drive unit between locations of a workspace; a docking head configured to dock with an inventory holder for movement of the inventory holder by the mobile drive unit; a sensor configured to obtain information about a load distribution of the inventory holder relative to the mobile drive unit, the load distribution dependent on a distribution of any inventory items stored in the inventory holder; and a module configured to at least one of receive or generate instructions that are based at least in part on the information obtained by the sensor and that instruct operation of the drive module to cause the mobile drive unit to perform motion so as to cause a shift of position of at least one inventory item relative to the inventory holder to change the load distribution of the inventory holder relative to the mobile drive unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A mobile drive unit comprising:
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a drive module comprising a propulsion system configured to move the mobile drive unit; a docking head configured to dock with an inventory holder for movement of the inventory holder by the mobile drive unit; and a module configured to at least one of receive or generate instructions that instruct motion of the mobile drive unit for facilitating a shift of position of at least one inventory item relative to the inventory holder, wherein the shift of position of the at least one inventory item relative to the inventory holder comprises the at least one inventory item moving from one position within the inventory holder to another position within or out of the inventory holder. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A mobile drive unit comprising:
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a drive module comprising a propulsion system configured to impart motion to move the mobile drive unit between locations of a workspace, the workspace comprising a station; a docking head configured to dock with an inventory holder for movement of the inventory holder by the mobile drive unit; a sensor configured to obtain information about a load distribution of the inventory holder relative to the mobile drive unit; and a module configured to at least one of receive or generate instructions that are based at least in part on the information obtained by the sensor and that instruct the mobile drive unit to impart motion to move the inventory holder to the station for performance of actions for facilitating a shift of position of at least one inventory item relative to the inventory holder. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification