Item retrieval using a robotic drive unit

• US 9,873,561 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2017
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Agarwal, Rishabh, Subramanian, Venkataramanan, Hussain, Mustafa Mustansir, Shareef, Ahmed, Vishwanatham, Vikas
• Primary Examiner(s): Logan, Kyle
• Application Number:
  US15/601,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20170313517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 246 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/137 with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments that may facilitate retrieval of items from a storage location. A robotic drive unit transports a receptacle to be proximate to a target storage unit that comprises an item. The robotic drive unit moves an item mover to transfer the item from the target storage unit to the receptacle. The robotic drive unit transports the item in the receptacle to a destination.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a receptacle;

a target rack comprising an item;

an item mover;

a robotic drive unit adapted to support the receptacle; and

at least one processor configured to;

instruct the robotic drive unit to transport the receptacle along a travel path to be proximate to the target rack;

instruct the robotic drive unit to align the receptacle with the item in the target rack;

initiate a transfer of the item to the receptacle by instructing the robotic drive unit to move the item mover; and

instruct the robotic drive unit to transport the item in the receptacle to a destination.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the item mover comprises an arm configured to pull the item into the receptacle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to at least transmit instructions to the robotic drive to transport along the travel path, the instructions including a location of the target rack and routing information between a current location of the robotic drive unit and the location of the target rack.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one door configured to restrict movement of the item when in a closed position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the item mover comprises at least one conveyor.

6. The system of claim 5, the at least one conveyor being at least one of:

a passive conveyor, a driven conveyor, a belt conveyor, or a roller conveyor.

7. A method, comprising:

receiving, via a robotic drive unit, instructions to transport a first receptacle to be proximate to a target storage unit;

transporting, via the robotic drive unit, the first receptacle to be proximate to the target storage unit;

transferring, via at least one item mover of the robotic drive unit, the item from the target storage unit to the first receptacle; and

transporting, via the robotic drive unit, the first receptacle with the item to a destination.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising aligning, via the robotic drive unit, the first receptacle with the target storage unit, the target storage unit containing an item.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving, via the robotic drive unit, instructions to move the at least one item mover of the robotic drive unit to transfer the item to the first receptacle.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing power to the at least one item mover from an on-board battery.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising raising, via an elevator, the first receptacle with respect to a floor.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one item mover is configured to push the item into the first receptacle.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein transferring the item from the target storage unit to the first receptacle further comprises pulling the item into the first receptacle using an arm.

14. A system, comprising:

a power source; and

at least one mobile device comprising a processor and electrically coupled to the power source, the at least one mobile device being configured to at least;

transport a receptacle to be proximate to a target storage unit, the target storage unit comprising a shelf for supporting an item;

align the receptacle with the shelf;

transfer the item from the shelf to the receptacle using an item mover; and

transport the item in the receptacle to a shipping preparation station.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the target storage unit comprises a plurality of shelves, and a respective plurality of items rest on each of the plurality of shelves.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one mobile device is further configured to at least:

transport the receptacle and a second receptacle to be proximate to a second target storage unit, the second target storage unit comprising a second shelf for supporting a second item;

align the second receptacle with the second shelf; and

transfer the second item from the target storage unit to the second receptacle using a second item mover, wherein transporting the item in the receptacle further comprises transporting the second item in the second receptacle.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the item mover is coupled to at least one of:

a motor or an actuator.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the item mover moves the item from the shelf of the target storage unit to the receptacle by pulling the item into the receptacle.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the item mover comprises an arm, wherein the arm is moved vertically via an elevator.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one mobile device is further configured to at least receive instructions to transport the item in the receptacle to the shipping preparation station.