Systems and methods for providing for the processing of objects in vehicles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12434270-B2
Application number	US-202418592751-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 1, 2024
Priority date	Dec 6, 2016
Publication date	Oct 7, 2025
Grant date	Oct 7, 2025

Abstract

An object processing system within a trailer for a tractor trailer is disclosed. The object processing system includes an input area of the trailer at which objects to be processed may be presented, a perception system for providing perception data regarding objects to be processed, and a primary transport system for providing transport of each object in one of at least two primary transport directions within the trailer based on the perception data.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An object processing system within a trailer for a tractor trailer, said object processing system comprising:
an object intake area at which a plurality of objects are received in a non-ordered fashion within the trailer, said object intake area being provided at a rear of the trailer;
a singulation system for singulating the plurality of objects and providing a singulated stream of objects;
a perception system providing perception data regarding each object of the singulated stream of objects;
a first conveyance system for receiving each object of the singulated stream of objects dropped onto the first conveyance system, said first conveyance system for moving each object in a first horizontal direction;
a plurality of second conveyance systems for receiving each object of the singulated stream of objects from the first conveyance system dropped onto any of the plurality of second conveyance systems, each of the plurality of second conveyance systems for moving each object in any of a plurality of second horizontal directions,
a plurality of third conveyance systems for receiving any of the singulated stream of objects from any of the second conveyance systems dropped onto any of the plurality of third conveyance systems, each of the third conveyance systems for moving each object in any of a plurality of third horizontal directions; and
a plurality of output areas for receiving each object of the singulated stream of objects from any of the third conveyance systems dropped into any of the plurality of output areas, each object of the singulated stream of objects being directed to one of the plurality of output areas responsive to the perception data associated with each object,
wherein the plurality of output areas are accessible from outside the trailer in any of a plurality of sides of the trailer.

2. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the object processing system further includes an elevation system for elevating the plurality of objects to an elevated level, and wherein the singulation system singulates the plurality of objects by removing objects to provide the singulated stream of objects.

3. The object processing system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the elevation system includes a cleated conveyor for drawing the plurality of objects from the object intake area, which facilitates providing the singulated stream of objects.

4. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the singulation system includes using an articulated arm to select objects to be provided to the perception system.

5. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second conveyance systems each includes a plurality of reciprocating carriages.

6. The object processing system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of reciprocating carriages are tipped to discharge any contents therein.

7. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second horizontal directions are each orthogonal to the first horizontal direction.

8. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of third horizontal directions are each orthogonal to the first horizontal direction.

9. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the object processing system further includes an unsorted collection bin that is accessible from outside the trailer.

10. The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of output areas includes a bagging station.

11. An object processing system within a trailer for a tractor trailer, said object processing system comprising:
an object intake area at which a plurality of objects are received in a non-ordered fashion within the trailer;
an elevation system for elevating the plurality of objects to an elevated level;
a singulation system for singulating the plurality of objects at the elevated level and for providing a singulated stream of objects;
a first conveyance system for receiving each object of the singulated stream of objects dropped onto the first conveyance system, said first conveyance system for moving each object in a first horizontal direction;
a plurality of second conveyance systems for receiving each object of the singulated stream of objects from the first conveyance system dropped onto any of the plurality of second conveyance systems, each of the plurality of second conveyance systems for moving each object in any of a plurality of second horizontal directions,
a plurality of third conveyance systems for receiving any of the singulated stream of objects from any of the second conveyance systems dropped onto any of the plurality of third conveyance systems, each of the third conveyance systems for moving each object in any of a plurality of third horizontal directions; and
a plurality of output areas for receiving each object of the singulated stream of objects from any of the third conveyance systems dropped into any of the plurality of output areas, each object of the singulated stream of objects being directed to one of the plurality of output areas responsive to the perception data associated with each object,
wherein the plurality of output areas are accessible from outside the trailer in any of a plurality of sides of the trailer.

12. The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the singulation system singulates the plurality of objects by removing objects to provide the singulated stream of objects.

13. The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the singulation system includes using an articulated arm to select objects to be provided to the perception system.

14. The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the elevation system includes a cleated conveyor for drawing the plurality of objects from the object intake area, which facilitates providing the singulated stream of objects.

15. The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the plurality of second conveyance systems each includes a plurality of reciprocating carriages.

16. The object processing system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of reciprocating carriages are tipped to discharge any contents therein.

17. The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the plurality of second horizontal directions are each orthogonal to the first horizontal direction.

18. The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the plurality of third horizontal directions are each orthogonal to the first horizontal direction.

19. The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the object processing system further includes an unsorted collection bin that is accessible from outside the trailer.

20. The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of output areas includes a bagging station.

21. An object processing system within a trailer for a tractor trailer, said object processing system comprising:
an object intake area at which a plurality of objects are received in a non-ordered fashion within the trailer;
a singulation system for singulating the plurality of objects and providing a singulated stream of objects;
a first conveyance system for receiving each object of the singulated stream of objects dropped onto the first conveyance system, said first conveyance system for moving each object in a first horizontal direction;
a plurality of second conveyance systems for rec

Assignees

• Berkshire Grey Operating Company Inc

Inventors

• Wagner Thomas
• Ahearn Kevin
• Cohen Benjamin
• DAWSON-HAGGERTY Michael
• GEYER Christopher
• Koletschka Thomas
• MARONEY Kyle
• Mason Matthew T
• Price Gene Temple
• Romano Joseph
• Smith Daniel Carlton
• SRINIVASA Siddhartha
• Velagapudi Prasanna
• Allen Thomas

Classifications

• B60P3/007 Primary

  for delivery of small articles, e.g. milk, frozen articles · CPC title

• B65G1/1378

  the orders being assembled on fixed commissioning areas remote from the storage areas · CPC title

• B07C5/3412

  according to a code applied to the object which indicates a property of the object, e.g. quality class, contents or incorrect indication (sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means B07C5/10; sorting according to optical properties B07C5/342; for packages B65D79/02; for information carriers G06K7/00) · CPC title

• B07C3/02

  Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution · CPC title

• B25J9/0018

  Bases fixed on ceiling, i.e. upside down manipulators · CPC title