Robotic powered cargo handling system
AssigneeUrbineer Inc
InventorsStuart MARSHALL, Arakel MELIDONIAN, John COWAN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment may provide a robotic powered cargo handling system. An embodiment may implement a pallet-lift mechanism to lift cargo or pallets. Powered rollers may be embedded into the forks of a pallet-lift mechanism and on top of the vehicle body. An exemplary embodiment may be fully autonomous. A user or software may direct the vehicle to a pallet or piece of cargo and set a destination for the cargo. Sensors, cameras, GPS, and computer vision may be implemented to navigate and avoid obstacles. An exemplary embodiment may include independent 4-wheel steering, 4 corner height adjustment, in-hub electric motors, and pneumatic or solid tires.
Claims30
An autonomous vehicle for transporting cargo, comprising:
- a vehicle body comprising a flat loading surface,
- a lift mechanism connected to the vehicle body, the lift mechanism configured to lift cargo from a side of the vehicle body onto the flat loading surface,
- a plurality of powered rollers on the vehicle body and the lift mechanism,
- at least four wheels,
- a control unit configured to control the powered rollers, lift mechanism, and wheels.
A method for loading cargo using a vehicle, comprising:
- navigating the vehicle to a cargo location using one or more sensors;
- rotating four wheels of the vehicle towards cargo in the cargo location in a position lateral to the cargo;
- lowering a vehicle body and extending a lift mechanism from the vehicle to engage the cargo;
- activating a plurality of powered rollers on the lift mechanism to place the cargo onto the vehicle body;
- retracting the lift mechanism;
- navigating the autonomous vehicle with the cargo to a target location;
- activating a plurality of powered rollers on the vehicle body to unload the cargo at the target location.
A method for loading cargo using a vehicle, comprising:
- navigating the vehicle to a cargo location using one or more sensors;
- rotating four wheels of the vehicle towards cargo in the cargo location in a position lateral or in-line to the cargo;
- engaging the cargo to load the cargo onto the vehicle;
- navigating the autonomous vehicle with the cargo to a target location;
- activating a plurality of powered rollers on the vehicle body to unload the cargo at the target location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.