Modular cross-docking system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9457970-B1
Application number	US-201514792534-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jul 6, 2015
Priority date	Mar 30, 2015
Publication date	Oct 4, 2016
Grant date	Oct 4, 2016

Abstract

An example system includes a plurality of trailers arranged such that a given trailer of the plurality is connected to at least one other trailer of the plurality, where the plurality of trailers includes a plurality of respective conveyance systems to transport objects between connected trailers. The system further includes a control system configured to cause a conveyance system of a first trailer of the plurality to move at least one object to the first trailer from a first external trailer, cause respective conveyance systems of one or more trailers of the plurality to transport the at least one object from the first trailer of the plurality to a second trailer of the plurality that is connected to a second external trailer, and cause a conveyance system of the second trailer of the plurality to move the at least one object to the second external trailer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a plurality of trailers arranged such that a given trailer of the plurality is connected to at least one other trailer of the plurality, wherein the plurality of trailers comprises a plurality of respective conveyance systems to transport objects between connected trailers; and
a control system configured to:
cause a conveyance system of a first trailer of the plurality to move at least one object to the first trailer from a first external trailer that is connected to the first trailer;
cause respective conveyance systems of one or more trailers of the plurality to transport the at least one object from the first trailer of the plurality to a second trailer of the plurality that is connected to a second external trailer; and
cause a conveyance system of the second trailer of the plurality to move the at least one object to the second external trailer.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of trailers comprises a modular cross-docking system, wherein each trailer of the plurality is configured to perform at least one respective dedicated function to effectuate operation of the modular cross-docking system.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein each trailer of the plurality comprises at least one particular respective component to perform the at least one respective dedicated function, wherein the at least one particular respective component comprises at least one of a robotic truck loader, a sorting conveyor, a sorting robot, and a palletizing robot.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first trailer of the plurality comprises a first robotic manipulator that is configured to move the at least one object from the first external trailer to the first trailer of the plurality; and
the second trailer of the plurality comprises a second robotic manipulator that is configured to move the at least one object from the second trailer of the plurality to the second external trailer.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein a trailer of the plurality comprises an enclosed, rectangular container with at least one openable surface for connection to another trailer of the plurality.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more trailers of the plurality comprise a sorting trailer, wherein the sorting trailer comprises one or more conveyors configured to transport a given object to a particular one of at least two trailers of the plurality that are connected to the sorting trailer.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the sorting trailer comprises at least a first side door for connection to a first trailer of the plurality and a second side door for connection to a second trailer of the plurality.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more conveyors in the sorting trailer comprise at least:
a first conveyor positioned at a first height that is configured to direct one or more objects toward a first end of the sorting trailer; and
a second conveyor positioned at a second height that is configured to simultaneously direct one or more other objects toward a second end of the sorting trailer that is opposite the first end.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the sorting trailer further comprises a sorting robotic manipulator configured to move the given object to a particular conveyor of the one or more conveyors in order to direct the given object to the particular one of the at least two trailers of the plurality that are connected to the sorting trailer.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more trailers of the plurality comprise a palletizing trailer, wherein the palletizing trailer comprises a palletizing robotic manipulator configured to form a pallet comprising a plurality of objects including the at least one object to transport to the second external trailer.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is further configured to:
cause a conveyance system of a third trailer of the plurality to move at least one additional object to the third trailer from a third external trailer that is connected to the third trailer of the plurality;
cause respective conveyance systems of one or more trailers of the plurality to transport the at least one additional object from the third trailer of the plurality to the second trailer of the plurality; and
cause the conveyance system of the second trailer of the plurality to move the at least one additional object to the second external trailer.

12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control trailer that is unconnected to the plurality of trailers, wherein the control trailer comprises a control system and a network communication system, wherein the control system is configured to use the network communication system to communicate instructions to respective local control systems of the plurality of trailers to enable synchronized autonomous operation of at least one mechanically operable device in each of the plurality of trailers.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is further configured to provide instructions to move the plurality of trailers in order to position the plurality of trailers within a lot before the first external trailer is connected to the first trailer of the plurality.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein a trailer of the plurality comprises:
at least one front leg positioned at a front end of the trailer, wherein the at least one front leg has an adjustable height to a ground surface in order to align the front end of the trailer with a front-connected trailer; and
at least one back leg positioned at a back end of the trailer, wherein the at least one back leg has an adjustable height to a ground surface in order to align the back end of the trailer with a back-connected trailer.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein:
the at least one front leg comprises a front left leg positioned at a left side of the front end of the trailer and a front right leg positioned at a right side of the front end of the trailer;
the at least one back leg comprises a back left leg positioned at a left side of the back end of the trailer and a back right leg positioned at a right side of the back end of the trailer; and
each of the front left leg, the front right leg, the back left leg, and the back right leg has an independently adjustable respective height to the ground surface in order to align the trailer with the front-connected trailer and the back-connected trailer.

16. A method, comprising:
moving, by a conveyance system of a first trailer of a plurality of connected trailers, at least one object to the first trailer of the plurality from a first external trailer that is connected to the first trailer of the plurality;
transporting, by respective conveyance systems of one or more trailers of the plurality of connected trailers, the at least one object from the first trailer of the plurality to a second trailer of the plurality that is connected to a second external trailer; and
moving, by a conveyance system of the second trailer of the plurality, the at least one object from the second trailer of the plurality to the second external trailer.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
moving the at least one object to the first trailer of the plurality from the first external trailer with a first robotic manipulator fixed within the first trailer of the plurality; and
moving the at least one object from the second trailer of the plurality to the second external trailer with a second robotic manipulator fixed within the second trailer of the plurality.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the p

Assignees

• Google Inc

Inventors

• Zevenbergen John
• Nusser Stefan
• Straszheim Troy

Classifications

• B62D63/08

  Component parts or accessories · CPC title

• B65G47/905

  Control arrangements · CPC title

• B60P1/38

  forming the main load-transporting element or part thereof {(B60P1/365 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60P1/48

  using pivoted arms raisable above load-transporting element ({for refuse collecting vehicles B65F3/041}; load engaging elements B66C1/00 - B66C3/00) · CPC title

• B65G47/52

  Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices (loading or unloading by means not incorporated in, or not operatively associated with, conveyors B65G65/00; transfer of workpieces during metal rolling B21B41/00) · CPC title