System and method for transporting inventory in storage facility

A method for transporting inventory in a facility, comprising:

• actuating, by a control device of a transport vehicle, an interlocking mechanism of the transport vehicle that is aligned beneath an inventory storage unit, wherein the interlocking mechanism is actuated based on a center of gravity of the inventory storage unit;
• lifting, by the control device, a top plate of the transport vehicle to a first height for positioning the top plate between a base shelf of the inventory storage unit and a plurality of support plates of the inventory storage unit, upon the actuation of the interlocking mechanism, wherein the top plate has a first orientation when lifted to the first height, and is free from engagement with the plurality of support plates;
• rotating, by the control device, the top plate that is at the first height by a predetermined angle in a first direction, wherein rotating the top plate changes the first orientation to a second orientation and the top plate engages with at least one support plate of the plurality of support plates;
• and
• lifting, by the control device, the rotated top plate to a second height to lift the inventory storage unit off a work floor of the facility, for transportation, wherein the inventory storage unit is lifted off the work floor based on a contact between a top surface of the top plate and a bottom surface of the base shelf, and wherein the at least one support plate prevents the lifted inventory storage unit from toppling during transportation.

A system for transporting inventory in a facility, the system comprising:

• an inventory storage unit comprising:
• a base shelf;
• and
• a plurality of support plates mounted below the base shelf;
• a transport vehicle for transporting the inventory storage unit, the transport vehicle comprising:
• a top plate having first and second orientations;
• and
• a control device configured to control movement of the top plate;
• and
• a server that is communicatively coupled to the transport vehicle and configured to:
• actuate an interlocking mechanism of the transport vehicle, aligned beneath the inventory storage unit, based on a center of gravity of the inventory storage unit, wherein based on the actuation of the interlocking mechanism, the control device is further configured to:
• lift the top plate to a first height for positioning the top plate between the base shelf and the plurality of support plates, upon the actuation of the interlocking mechanism, wherein the top plate has the first orientation when lifted to the first height, and is free from engagement with the plurality of support plates;
• rotate the top plate that is at the first height by a predetermined angle in a first direction, wherein rotating the top plate changes the first orientation to the second orientation and the top plate engages with at least one support plate of the plurality of support plates;
• and
• lift the rotated top plate to a second height to lift the inventory storage unit off a work floor of the facility, for transportation, wherein the inventory storage unit is lifted off the work floor based on a contact between a top surface of the top plate and a bottom surface of the base shelf, and wherein the at least one support plate prevents the lifted inventory storage unit from toppling during transportation.