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) 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;
determining a transport path for depositing the load at an intended load position on the transport;
guiding the AGV along the determined transport path 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.
85 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for loading a transport 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;
determining a transport path for depositing the load at an intended load position on the transport;
guiding the AGV along the determined transport path 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)
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20. A method for loading a transport 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;
determining a transport path from position A to an intended load position on the transport;
aligning the AGV with the determined transport path guiding the AGV along the determined transport path using the inertial guidance system from position A to the intended load position;
depositing the load; and
guiding the AGV along the transport path using the inertial guidance system from the intended load position to position A. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for loading a transport with automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) 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 the location of sidewalls of the transport located at a loading bay door near position A;
determining a transport path for the AGV to follow into the transport;
adding the transport path to the system travel paths in the central controller;
guiding the AGV along the transport path to a determined load position; and
depositing the load. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of unloading a transport with an automatic guided vehicle comprising:
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directing an AGV to a position A sensing the sidewalls of the transport and approximate location of a first load within the transport with a sensor and providing information received from the sensor regarding the location of the sidewalls to a controller;
determining a transport path with the controller;
directing the AGV along the determined transport path to the first load;
engaging the first load;
directing the AGV along the determined transport path to position A;
updating the AGV with a system travel path;
switching to the system travel path when the AGV reaches approximately position A; and
directing the AGV along the system travel path. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification