Discontinuous grid system for use in systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10913612-B2
Application number	US-201816172255-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 26, 2018
Priority date	Oct 27, 2017
Publication date	Feb 9, 2021
Grant date	Feb 9, 2021

Abstract

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed, said automated carrier system comprising:
an automated carrier; and
a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which the automated carrier is directed to move, wherein the discontinuous plurality of track sections are provided as an array of raised track sections, each raised track section being generally square in shape,
said automated carrier including a base structure on which an object is supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

2. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each track section includes rounded corners.

3. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said automated carrier includes guide rollers for engaging the track sections.

4. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of said track sections includes identifiable indicia that may be detected by the automated carrier.

5. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the track sections include no power supply.

6. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of interconnected floor modules, wherein a portion of the array of raised track sections are mounted on each floor module.

7. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the at least two wheel assemblies move on the plurality of interconnected floor modules between adjacent raised track sections.

8. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the array of raised track sections limits movement of the automated carrier on the plurality of interconnected floor modules in two mutually orthogonal directions.

9. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the automated carrier is remotely controlled.

10. A method of moving objects to be processed, said method comprising:
receiving an object by an automated carrier at an input station of a discontinuous track system that comprises a plurality of raised track sections spaced apart on a floor;
controlling the plurality of wheel assemblies to move the automated carrier in a first direction that is mutually orthogonal to a second direction along the discontinuous track system from the input station to an output station; and
re-aligning the plurality of wheel assemblies during movement from one raised track section to an adjacent raised track section by engaging one or more rounded corners of the adjacent raised track section,
wherein said plurality of wheel assemblies are pivoted from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier from a first direction to a second direction that is generally orthogonal to the first direction.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the plurality of track sections are provided as an array of track sections.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein each track section is generally square in shape.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising engaging the one or more rounded corners of the adjacent raised track section with guide rollers on the automated carrier.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein each of said track sections includes identifiable indicia that may be detected by the automated carrier.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the track sections include no power supply.

16. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the automated carrier receives the object at the input station of a discontinuous track system as the carrier moves along one or more of the raised track sections underneath the input station.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the input station comprises at least one conveyor belt that is actuated to receive a bin from the automated carrier.

18. An automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed, said automated carrier system comprising:
an automated carrier having a plurality of wheel assemblies; and
an array of discontinuous track sections spaced apart on a floor on which the automated carrier is directed to move, each track section having a raised polygon shape for guiding movement of the wheel assemblies,
said automated carrier including a base structure on which an object is supported.

19. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein each track section is generally square in shape.

20. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 19 , wherein each track section includes rounded corners.

21. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 20 , wherein said automated carrier includes guide rollers for engaging the track sections.

22. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein each of said track sections includes identifiable indicia that may be detected by the automated carrier.

23. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the track sections include no power supply.

24. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the floor comprises a plurality of interconnected floor modules, wherein a portion of the array of discontinuous track sections are mounted on each floor module.

25. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the plurality of wheel assemblies move on the plurality of interconnected floor modules between adjacent raised track sections.

26. The automated carrier system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the array of discontinuous track sections limits movement of the automated carrier on the plurality of interconnected floor modules in two orthogonal directions.

Assignees

• Berkshire Grey Inc

Inventors

• Wagner Thomas
• Ahearn Kevin
• Amend Jr John Richard
• Cohen Benjamin
• DAWSON-HAGGERTY Michael
• Fort William Hartman
• GEYER Christopher
• King Jennifer Eileen
• Koletschka Thomas
• Koval Michael Cap
• MARONEY Kyle
• Mason Matthew T
• McMahan William Chu-Hyon
• Price Gene Temple
• Romano Joseph
• Smith Daniel
• SRINIVASA Siddhartha
• Velagapudi Prasanna
• Allen Thomas

Classifications

• B65G35/00

  Mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B65G1/0492

  with cars adapted to travel in storage aisles · CPC title

• B65G1/04 Primary

  mechanical · CPC title

• G05B2219/40252

  Robot on track, rail moves only back and forth · CPC title

• G05B2219/40078

  Sort objects, workpieces · CPC title