US 11,407,587 B1Granted

Automated container retrieval and delivery systems

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsRajeev Dwivedi, Ganesh Krishnamoorthy, Mohit Malik, Shahid Azad, Vivek S. Narayanan

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Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for automated container retrieval and delivery systems. In one embodiment, an example container handling system may include a platform, a first rotatable arm disposed on a lower side of the platform, where the first rotatable arm is offset from a front end of the platform, a motor configured to rotate the first rotatable arm from a first position to a second position, and a first wheel disposed at a distal end of the first rotatable arm. The container handling system may be configured to raise a container from an angled position to a horizontal position, and the container may be in the horizontal position when the first rotatable arm is in the second position.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A container handling system comprising:

an autonomous vehicle;
a platform coupled to the autonomous vehicle;
a first rotatable arm disposed on a lower side of the platform, wherein the first rotatable arm is offset from a front end of the platform;
a first wheel disposed at a distal end of the first rotatable arm;
a second rotatable arm disposed on the lower side of the platform adjacent to the first rotatable arm;
a second wheel disposed at a distal end of the second rotatable arm;
a motor configured to rotate the first rotatable arm from a first position to a second position, wherein a central axis of the first rotatable arm is perpendicular to a central axis of the platform when the first rotatable arm is in the first position;
a first telescoping arm disposed on an upper side of the platform;
a first rotatable member disposed at a first end of the first telescoping arm, the first rotatable member configured to rotate about a central axis of the first telescoping arm from a vertical position to a horizontal position, wherein the first rotatable member is configured to grip a container when the first rotatable member is in the horizontal position;
a second rotatable member disposed at a second end of the first telescoping arm, wherein the second rotatable member is configured to grip the container when the second rotatable member is in the horizontal position;
a second telescoping arm disposed on the upper side of the platform;
a third rotatable member disposed at a first end of the second telescoping arm, the third rotatable member configured to rotate about a central axis of the second telescoping arm from the vertical position to the horizontal position, wherein the third rotatable member is configured to grip the container when the third rotatable member is in the horizontal position;
a fourth rotatable member disposed at a second end of the second telescoping arm, wherein the fourth rotatable member is configured to grip the container when the fourth rotatable member is in the horizontal position;
and
a controller configured to control operation of the container handling system;
wherein the container handling system is configured to raise the container from an angled position to a horizontal position, and wherein the container is in the horizontal position when the first rotatable arm and the second rotatable arm are in the second position.

13 more elements

A container handling system comprising:

a platform;
a first telescoping arm disposed on an upper side of the platform;
a first rotatable member disposed at a first end of the first telescoping arm and configured to rotate from a vertical position to a horizontal position, wherein the first rotatable member is configured to grip a container when the first rotatable member is in the horizontal position;
a second rotatable member disposed at a second end of the first telescoping arm and configured to rotate from a vertical position to a horizontal position, wherein the second rotatable member is configured to grip the container when the second rotatable member is in the horizontal position;
a first rotatable arm disposed on a lower side of the platform, wherein the first rotatable arm is offset from a front end of the platform;
a motor configured to rotate the first rotatable arm from a first position to a second position, wherein a central axis of the first rotatable arm is perpendicular to a central axis of the platform when the first rotatable arm is in the first position;
and
a first wheel disposed at a distal end of the first rotatable arm;
wherein the container handling system is configured to raise the container from an angled position to a horizontal position, and wherein the container is in the horizontal position when the first rotatable arm is in the second position.

6 more elements

A container handling vehicle comprising:

a platform;
a first telescoping arm disposed on an upper side of the platform;
a first rotatable member disposed at a first end of the first telescoping arm and configured to rotate from a vertical position to a horizontal position, wherein the first rotatable member is configured to grip a container when the first rotatable member is in the horizontal position;
a second rotatable member disposed at a second end of the first telescoping arm and configured to rotate from a vertical position to a horizontal position, wherein the second rotatable member is configured to grip the container when the second rotatable member is in the horizontal position;
a first rotatable arm disposed on a lower side of the platform, the first rotatable arm comprising a first wheel;
a second rotatable arm disposed adjacent to the first rotatable arm, the second rotatable arm comprising a second wheel;
a motor configured to rotate the first rotatable arm and the second rotatable arm from a first position to a second position, wherein a central axis of the first rotatable arm is perpendicular to a central axis of the platform when the first rotatable arm is in the first position;
and
a controller configured to control operation of the first rotatable arm and the second rotatable arm;
wherein the container handling vehicle is configured to raise the container from an angled position to a horizontal position, and wherein the container is in the horizontal position when the first rotatable arm and the second rotatable arm are in the second position.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/673,195Filed 4 Nov 2019
Granted: 9 Aug 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B65G 1/0435
Using stacker cranes: with pulling or pushing means on either stacking crane or stacking area
B65G 1/065
With means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level: with self propelled cars
B65G 1/1378
For fulfilling orders in warehouses: the orders being assembled on fixed commissioning areas remote from the storage areas
B65G 47/902
Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials: provided with drive systems incorporating rotary and rectilinear movements