Delivery Vehicle and Method for Delivery of Consignments to Different Sites Along a Delivery Route

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017291766-A1
Application number	US-201715481617-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 7, 2017
Priority date	Apr 8, 2016
Publication date	Oct 12, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Delivery vehicle is described and depicted which serves for delivery, in particular autonomously, of consignments to different sites along a delivery route, with a loading space comprising a shelf system for shelves containing consignments. In order to save time and cost for delivery or hand-over of consignments along a delivery route, it is provided that the shelf system is configured to receive shelves in a plurality of storage positions for provision of the shelves and in at least one extraction position for extraction of consignments from the shelves, and that the shelf system has at least one adjustment device for adjusting, in particular moving, the shelves of the shelf system between several storage positions and the at least one extraction position.

First claim

1 . Delivery vehicle for delivery, in particular autonomously, of consignments to different sites along a delivery route, with a loading space comprising a shelf system for shelves holding consignments, characterized in that the shelf system is configured to receive shelves in a plurality of storage positions for provision of the shelves and in at least one extraction position for extraction of consignments from the shelves, and that the shelf system has at least one adjustment device for adjusting, in particular moving, the shelves of the shelf system between several storage positions and the at least one extraction position.

2 . Delivery vehicle according to claim 1 , characterized in that the storage positions of the shelf system are arranged in rows running parallel or perpendicular to each other, and/or that the number of shelves of the shelf system corresponds at most, preferably at least substantially, to the number of storage positions, and/or that the shelves of the shelf system are configured at least substantially the same.

3 . Delivery vehicle according to claim 1 , characterized in that the delivery device is configured to adjust, in particular to move, at least one of the shelves, preferably each shelf of the shelf system into each storage position and into the extraction position, and/or that the adjustment device has a guide device preferably comprising a rail system for guiding the shelves in the shelf system between several storage positions and the extraction position, and/or that the adjustment device has a transport device for transporting the shelves from one storage position to another storage position and from one storage position to the extraction position, in particular along the guide device.

4 . Delivery vehicle according to claim 3 , characterized in that the transport device is configured in particular with at least one arm for form-fit gripping of at least one shelf, and/or that the transport device has at least one drive, in particular a linear drive, for transporting at least one shelf, in particular by means of the at least one arm, in at least one direction.

5 . Delivery vehicle according to claim 1 , characterized in that a control device is provided for controlling the adjustment device, in particular the transport device, for adjusting, in particular moving, the shelves relative to each other and preferably for adjusting the shelf with the next consignment to be extracted from a storage position to the extraction position.

6 . Delivery vehicle according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shelves have segments for receiving consignments, in particular by form fit, and preferably that the shelves have carrier elements, in particular boxes, which are removable from the shelves, for receiving consignments.

7 . Delivery vehicle according to claim 1 , characterized in that an extraction device is provided, preferably comprising a robot arm, for extraction of a consignment, in particular of a carrier element from the shelf present in the extraction position, and preferably that the extraction device is provided for introduction of a consignment, in particular of a carrier element, into the shelf present in the extraction position.

8 . Delivery vehicle according to claim 1 , characterized in that a locking device is assigned to individual shelves, preferably to each shelf, for locking the respective shelf in the storage position and preferably in the extraction position.

9 . Delivery vehicle according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shelf system has at least one receiving device for receiving shelves, in particular with consignments, and/or an output device for output of shelves, preferably with consignments, of the shelf system.

10 . Method for delivery, in particular autonomously, of consignments to different sites along a delivery route with a delivery vehicle preferably according to claim 1 , with a loading space comprising a shelf system with shelves for receiving consignments in a plurality of storage positions and at least one extraction position,
in which the shelf with the next consignment to be delivered is adjusted, in particular moved, via an adjustment device from a storage position into the extraction position, and in which other shelves of the shelf system are adjusted such that the other shelves, for adjustment of the one shelf into the extraction position, clear at least one storage position and preferably the extraction position, in particular in stages.

11 . Method according to claim 10 , wherein in particular all shelves are adjusted, in particular moved, by means of the adjustment device in stages successively in different directions, preferably along and transversely to the delivery vehicle, in order to adjust, in particular to move, the respective shelf with the next consignment to be delivered into the extraction position.

12 . Method according to claim 10 ,
in which, in particular in stages, at least one storage position is cleared by the adjustment, in particular the movement, of shelves, and in which, in particular in stages, the shelf with the next consignment to be extracted, and/or another shelf is adjusted, in particular moved, into the at least one cleared storage position, and in which, preferably, the steps described above of clearing and occupying storage positions are carried out repeatedly, in particular until the shelf with the next consignment to be extracted is arranged in a storage position from which the shelf can be adjusted, in particular moved, directly into the extraction position.

13 . Method according to claim 10 ,
in which a control device determines, depending on at least the arrangement of the shelf with the next consignment to be extracted, a suitable sequence of adjustment of shelves for adjusting the shelf containing the next consignment to be extracted into the extraction position, and in which the adjustment of the shelves by the adjustment device takes place according to the sequence of adjustment of shelves determined by the control device.

14 . Method according to claim 10 ,
in which before driving the delivery route, shelves carrying consignments are received in the shelf system, and in which, preferably, shelves of the shelf system are output before driving the delivery route.

15 . Method according to claim 10 ,
in which an extraction device, preferably with a robot arm extracts a consignment, in particular a carrier element with a consignment, from the shelf arranged in the extraction position and delivers it towards the outside relative to the delivery vehicle, and in which, preferably, the extraction device receives a consignment, in particular a carrier element with a consignment, from the outside and transfers it to the shelf arranged in the extraction position.

Assignees

• Orth Felix
• Schmitt Fabian
• Sommer Martin
• Kessels Uwe
• Deutsche Post Ag

Inventors

• Orth Felix
• Schmitt Fabian
• Sommer Martin
• Kessels Uwe

Classifications

• G06Q10/0835

  Relationships between shipper or supplier and carriers · CPC title

• B65G1/0485 Primary

  Check-in, check-out devices · CPC title

• G06Q10/08355

  Routing methods · CPC title

• G06Q10/08

  Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management · CPC title

• G06Q10/0832

  Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods · CPC title