US 11,766,699 B1Granted

Interconnected sortation systems with multiple inputs and destinations

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsVivek S Narayanan, Ganesh Krishnamoorthy, Mohit Malik, Rajeev Dwivedi, Michael Alan Bray, Shahid Azad, Max Alfonso Bruccoleri

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Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for interconnected sortation systems with multiple inputs and destinations. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first sortation system, a second sortation system, a first induction station to induct items into the system, and a second induction station to induct items into the system. The system may include a track configured to connect the first sortation system to both the first induction station and the second induction station, and to connect the second sortation system to both the first induction station and the second induction station. The system may include a number of shuttles configured to move along the track.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a first sortation system comprising a first container matrix, the first sortation system configured to sort items into containers disposed in the first container matrix, wherein a first container and a second container are disposed in the first container matrix;
a second sortation system comprising a second container matrix, the second sortation system configured to sort items into containers disposed in the second container matrix, wherein a third container and a fourth container are disposed in the second container matrix;
a first induction station disposed upstream of the first sortation system and the second sortation system, wherein the first induction station is configured to induct items into the system;
a second induction station disposed upstream of the first sortation system and the second sortation system, wherein the second induction station is configured to induct items into the system;
a track coupled to the first sortation system, the second sortation system, the first induction station, and the second induction station;
a first shuttle configured to receive items from the first induction station and the second induction station, wherein the first shuttle is a non-captive shuttle configured to access both the first sortation system and the second sortation system using the track;
a second shuttle configured to receive items from the first induction station and the second induction station, wherein the second shuttle is a non-captive shuttle configured to access both the first sortation system and the second sortation system using the track;
and
a controller configured to:
determine that a first sortation load at the first sortation system is greater than a second sortation load at the second sortation system;
determine that a first item at the first induction station is to be routed to the second sortation system based at least in part on the second sortation load;
and
route the first item to the second sortation system using the first shuttle.

10 more elements

A system comprising:

a first sortation system;
a second sortation system;
a first induction station to induct items into the system;
a second induction station to induct items into the system;
a track configured to connect the first sortation system to both the first induction station and the second induction station, and to connect the second sortation system to both the first induction station and the second induction station;
a plurality of shuttles configured to move along the track;
and
a controller configured to route items from the first induction station and the second induction station to the first sortation system and the second sortation system using the plurality of shuttles, wherein the controller is configured to:
determine that a first sortation load at the first sortation system is greater than a second sortation load at the second sortation system;
and
determine that an item at the first induction section is to be routed to the second sortation system based at least in part on the second sortation load.

8 more elements

A system for routing shuttles, the system comprising:

a plurality of sortation systems configured to sort items;
a plurality of induction stations to induct items into the system;
a reconfigurable track configured to connect the plurality of sortation systems to the plurality of induction stations;
a plurality of shuttles configured to move along the reconfigurable track;
and
a controller configured to route items from the plurality of induction stations to the plurality of sortation systems using the plurality of shuttles, wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine that a first induction load at the first induction station is greater than a second induction load at the second induction station;
cause a first shuttle of the plurality of shuttles to be routed to the first induction station to retrieve a first item;
and
cause a second shuttle of the plurality of shuttles to be routed to the first induction station to retrieve a second item.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.