Method for delivering goods using a delivery vehicle and a mobile distribution device

Abstract

Method for delivering goods by means of a delivery vehicle (14; 114) with cargo space (16) to a large number of different destinations, comprising the following steps: • Filling at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') with goods in a warehouse (30; 130); • Transporting at least one rack (10, 10'; 110, 110') to a delivery vehicle using at least one driverless warehouse transport vehicle; • Inserting at least one rack (10, 10'; 110, 110') into the loading space (16) of the delivery vehicle (14; 114) using at least one driverless loading transport vehicle; • Placing at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') in the cargo space (16) of the delivery vehicle (14; 114); • Trip to at least one destination; • Removal of at least one item from the cargo hold at the destination, and • Relocating at least one rack (10, 10'; 110, 110') in the cargo space (16) of the delivery vehicle (14; 114) using at least one driverless relocation transport vehicle.

Description

[0001] Method for delivering goods by means of a delivery vehicle and a mobile distribution device.

[0002] Given the rapid growth of e-commerce, or online retail, the need for personalized delivery is growing ever greater. More and more products are being delivered directly to customers via a variety of shipping methods. This means that more and more delivery vehicles are needed to get all the ordered products / goods to the customer.

[0003] Until now, products / goods were taken from a central warehouse and usually manually loaded onto a delivery vehicle. The delivery vehicle either traveled directly to the end customer or to another distribution station. Once the goods were delivered to a distribution station, they were unloaded there, sorted by delivery region, and loaded into various delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles then distributed the goods to the end customers within a predetermined geographical area.

[0004] This process is comparatively time-consuming because, as mentioned above, the loading of delivery vehicles is usually done manually. When loading delivery vehicles for delivery to the end customer, the driver usually decides how the products / goods are arranged in the delivery vehicle. Typically, the driver will load the goods and products so that they can be removed in sequence according to the destination route. Optimally loading a delivery vehicle therefore requires the driver's experience and skill.

[0005] Currently, delivery vehicles typically have a cab and a cargo area. The cargo area, located behind the cab, has shelves along the long sides for storing products / goods. A central aisle is left open for the driver to retrieve goods from the shelves. Since every shelf must be accessible to the driver, the aisle requires a relatively large amount of space to allow the driver to move around.

[0006] In many delivery vehicles currently in use, access to the cargo area is via the rear. This requires the driver to leave the vehicle when delivering goods and access the cargo area from the rear. This has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, the process is comparatively time-consuming, which increases delivery times. Since stopping in delivery zones often impedes following traffic, long delivery times per delivery have a negative impact on traffic flow. Furthermore, the regular opening of the rear vehicle doors to access the cargo area leads to high energy costs in air-conditioned delivery vehicles, as there is a regular large exchange of air between the cargo area and the ambient air.

[0007] DE 10 2006 025 876 ​​A1 discloses a transportable, electrically operated storage system for the delivery of goods and packages. The storage system is located in a container and is connected as a unit to a motor vehicle. The storage system has an electrically operated horizontal circulation system on which load-handling devices are arranged. The load-handling devices can be moved inside the container using the horizontal circulation system to deliver the desired goods to the driver in a targeted and automatic manner at a predetermined retrieval point. The retrieval point is preferably selected so that the driver can retrieve the goods from the rear or from the driver's cab of the motor vehicle.

[0008] A disadvantage of the storage system described in DE 10 2006 025 876 ​​A1 is that loading the container with goods and packages is comparatively complex. Furthermore, the space required in the cargo space cannot be optimally utilized. The electrically operated circulation system essentially performs an oval movement, which is followed by the circulating load-handling devices, such as shopping baskets or boxes. However, since the cargo space is usually rectangular, this creates an unusable dead space in the container that cannot be loaded with goods.

[0009] DE 10 2017 006 537 A1 relates to a shelving system for the cargo space of a motor vehicle. The shelving system is connected to a motor vehicle via a shelving system extension device. The shelving system has at least one shelf filled with goods. The shelving system extension device allows the shelf to be adjusted translationally from an access position to a transport position, in which the shelf is arranged completely within the cargo space of the motor vehicle.

[0010] DE 10 2016 106 456 A1 describes a delivery vehicle for delivering shipments to different locations along a delivery route. The delivery vehicle comprises a loading space in which a shelving system with several shelves is arranged. Furthermore, an adjustment device is provided for moving the shelves between several storage positions and at least one retrieval point.

[0011] DE 10 2016 010 689 A1 discloses a shelving system for a cargo space of a transport vehicle. The shelving system is stored in a cargo space of the transport vehicle. The shelving system comprises a flow rack consisting of several load carriers, with the load carriers arranged flat in two rows one above the other. The two rows are connected to each other by a circulation mechanism.

[0012] DE 10 2016 010 687 A1 is a shelving system for a vehicle's cargo area. The shelving system consists of several shelving modules located in the cargo area of ​​a transport vehicle. Each shelving module is mounted on a rail system that is firmly connected to the substructure of the transport vehicle. This rail system allows the shelving module to be fully extended and fully retracted from the rear of the transport vehicle along the longitudinal axis.

[0013] DE 197 49 900 A1 describes an automated guided vehicle. The automated guided vehicle transports bundles, such as coiled metal strips and heavy paper rolls.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for delivering goods by means of a delivery vehicle and a mobile distribution device which enables optimal loading of a delivery vehicle and rapid removal of the desired products at the delivery location.

[0015] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a method for delivering goods by means of a delivery vehicle according to claim 1.

[0016] In this case, the driverless warehouse transport vehicle, the driverless loading transport vehicle, and the driverless relocation transport vehicle can be two or three different vehicles, or the same vehicle. If the driverless warehouse transport vehicle, the driverless loading transport vehicle, and the driverless relocation transport vehicle are two or three different vehicles, these driverless transport vehicles can be of the same or different types.

[0017] With the aid of the method according to the invention, the loading of a delivery vehicle in a warehouse can be prepared by distributing the goods to be delivered onto at least one shelf. Since the products / goods are introduced into the delivery vehicle together with the at least one shelf by means of a driverless loading transport vehicle, the time-consuming manual loading of the loading space is eliminated. A delivery vehicle can therefore be loaded significantly faster using the method according to the invention than with conventional methods. Since a driverless transport vehicle, namely the driverless relocation transport vehicle, is located in the loading space of the delivery vehicle after the delivery vehicle has been fully loaded, the at least one shelf can also be moved after the delivery vehicle has been loaded, i.e. when the delivery vehicle is loaded. The driver of the delivery vehicle therefore also hasAfter leaving the warehouse, the operator has the option of moving at least one shelf using an automated guided vehicle. The operator can position the at least one shelf before or after the first destination in such a way that the desired goods can be easily removed from the at least one shelf.

[0018] The method according to the invention is also suitable for self-driving delivery vehicles, where a driver is no longer required. In this case, the driverless relocation vehicles are automatically controlled to position the shelves at a destination so that the goods can be removed from the delivery vehicle by the intended recipient.

[0019] The warehouse can be, for example, a central warehouse or a distribution station. The method according to the invention thus covers not only processes in which the filling of shelves and the loading of the delivery vehicle take place in a single warehouse, but also processes in which goods are arranged on a shelf in a central warehouse, for example, and then transported on the shelf to a distribution station. From there, the shelf is then loaded unchanged into a delivery vehicle.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of shelves are provided, each of which is filled with products in a warehouse, transported to the delivery vehicle, and inserted into the loading space. This makes it possible to optimally utilize the loading capacity of a delivery vehicle.

[0021] In a preferred development, a plurality of shelves are provided, each of which is filled with products in a warehouse and transported to the delivery vehicle by a driverless warehouse transport vehicle, introduced into the loading space by a driverless loading transport vehicle, and relocated by a driverless relocation transport vehicle. This embodiment represents a comparatively cost-effective variant, since only a single driverless warehouse transport vehicle, a single driverless loading transport vehicle, and a single driverless relocation transport vehicle are required to transport a plurality of shelves from a warehouse to a delivery vehicle. A particularly cost-effective variant exists when the single driverless warehouse transport vehicle, the single driverless loading transport vehicle, and the single driverless relocation transport vehicle are one and the same vehicle.

[0022] It is further advantageous to provide a plurality of shelves and a plurality of automated guided vehicles from the group consisting of automated guided warehouse transport vehicles, automated guided loading transport vehicles, and automated guided relocation transport vehicles, wherein the number of automated guided warehouse transport vehicles, automated guided loading transport vehicles, and automated guided relocation transport vehicles is equal to or less than the number of shelves used to load the delivery vehicle. This allows for increased loading speed.Particularly fast loading is achieved, for example, when the number of driverless warehouse transport vehicles and the number of driverless loading transport vehicles is each equal to the number of shelves that are brought into the delivery vehicle, whereby an additional acceleration of loading is achieved if the warehouse transport vehicle and the loading transport vehicle are each the same vehicle.

[0023] This design also has the advantage of increasing the speed of relocation within the delivery vehicle, as several driverless relocation vehicles are available within the delivery vehicle. Ideally, each rack has its own driverless relocation vehicle.

[0024] Preferably, the at least one driverless loading transport vehicle and the at least one driverless relocation transport vehicle are designed as a single driverless transport vehicle, wherein the at least one driverless loading transport vehicle remains in the delivery vehicle after the at least one shelf has been inserted into the loading space, so that the relocation of the at least one shelf in the delivery vehicle can be carried out by means of the driverless loading transport vehicle. This has the advantage that only one type of driverless transport vehicle needs to be provided for loading the delivery vehicle and relocating the at least one shelf in the delivery vehicle.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the described method, it is possible that several steps of relocating the at least one shelf in the loading space of the delivery vehicle are provided by means of the at least one driverless relocation transport vehicle, wherein one or more steps of relocation are carried out before reaching a first destination and / or after reaching the first destination.

[0026] For example, the driver can rearrange the shelves as needed during the delivery trip once the delivery vehicle has left the warehouse to easily remove the desired goods from the cargo area. Additionally or alternatively, the driverless relocation vehicles can be automatically controlled during the delivery trip to relocate the shelves, for example, due to route changes. Automatic relocation of shelves during the delivery trip is also a viable option for autonomous delivery vehicles.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that the at least one shelf is led out of the loading space by means of a driverless unloading transport vehicle in order to restock the at least one shelf in the warehouse for the next delivery trip.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a mobile distribution device according to the subject matter of claim 8.

[0029] With the help of the mobile distribution device, it is possible to optimally load a delivery vehicle with goods relatively quickly and efficiently, and to distribute the goods safely and quickly to various destinations. In particular, the mobile distribution device makes it possible to carry out the process described above.

[0030] In one embodiment, the mobile distribution device comprises a single driverless relocation transport vehicle in the cargo space of the delivery vehicle, which is capable of relocating at least one shelf located in the cargo space when the delivery vehicle is loaded. This embodiment is a cost-effective variant of the mobile distribution device, since a single driverless relocation transport vehicle is sufficient to relocate one or more shelves in the cargo space.

[0031] Typically, the rack and the driverless relocation vehicle are designed as two components that are loosely connected to each other. In a preferred embodiment, each rack is permanently connected to the at least one driverless relocation vehicle. This allows for maximum flexibility and speed when loading and unloading the delivery vehicle, as well as when moving the racks within the cargo space.

[0032] It is further advantageous that the delivery vehicle of the mobile distribution device has a loaded state in which at least one free parking space is provided. Providing a free parking space enables the racks to be maneuvered in the loading space.

[0033] Advantageously, a goods removal area is provided so that the driver or a designated recipient can remove the goods from the cargo space at the destination. The goods removal area is preferably accessible from the passenger side or from a cab of the delivery vehicle, allowing the driver to remove the goods to be delivered without endangering themselves, for example, from adjacent traffic.

[0034] To secure the shelves and thus the goods contained therein during transport, the securing device features positive connections in the floor. These positive connections can include raised or recessed sections in the floor of the loading area. The shelves can be placed into these recesses or elevations during transport. This prevents, for example, the shelves from shifting in the loading area of ​​the delivery vehicle during transport.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, the securing device may comprise shelf fastening means. The shelf fastening means may, for example, be hooks or eyelets on the shelves, which are releasably attached to the wall and / or ceiling of the delivery vehicle in the loading area using counter-fastening means.

[0036] It's also advantageous that a large number of products are stored in the shelving system, with each shelf assigned a number and / or each product assigned a code. This allows the driver to identify at any time which shelf and / or product is located in the cargo area.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, a control device for controlling the adjustment device is provided in the delivery vehicle or automated guided vehicle. Using the control device, a specific shelf can be positioned so that the goods to be delivered can be quickly and easily removed from the shelf by the driver. In particular, the desired shelf can be moved to a goods removal area using the control device.

[0038] It is further preferred that at least one further driverless transport vehicle from a group comprising driverless storage transport vehicle, driverless loading transport vehicle, driverless relocation transport vehicle or a driverless unloading vehicle is provided in order to use the mobile distribution device flexibly in different areas of application.

[0039] For economic reasons, it is advantageous for the automated warehouse transport vehicle, the automated loading transport vehicle, the automated relocation transport vehicle, and the automated unloading transport vehicle to be two, three, or four different vehicles, or even the same vehicle. In other words, it is advantageous if one automated transport vehicle can perform multiple functions.

[0040] Preferred embodiments are described in more detail in the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a part of a mobile distribution device, namely a shelf and a driverless transport vehicle, Fig. 2 a rack with an automated guided vehicle in transport mode, Fig. 3 a delivery vehicle with the shelving system of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a warehouse and the delivery vehicle according to a first embodiment in a plan view, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a loaded delivery vehicle in plan view, Fig. 6 the relocation of a shelf in a loaded delivery vehicle, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a warehouse and the delivery vehicle according to a second embodiment in a first perspective view, Fig. 8 that in Fig. 7 warehouse with delivery vehicle in a second perspective view, and Fig. 9 that in Fig. 7 warehouses with delivery vehicles shown in a top view.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a shelf 10, which is part of a shelving system of a mobile distribution device. Furthermore, Fig. 1, a driverless transport vehicle 12 can be seen at a distance from the rack 10, which can be used as a storage transport vehicle, as a loading transport vehicle, as a relocation transport vehicle, and as an unloading transport vehicle. The driverless transport vehicle 12 is designed in such a way that it can be moved under the rack 10 and can lift and transport the rack 10. Such a rack 10 in the transport state, in which the rack 10 can be transported from a first location to a second location, is shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0042] The navigation of the driverless transport vehicle 12 is carried out by means of orientation devices such as induction, labels or indoor GPS systems.

[0043] Fig. 3 shows that in Fig. 2 shows the rack 10 in transport position in a delivery vehicle 14. The delivery vehicle 14 has a loading space 16 and a driver's cab 18. Tailgates 20 are located at the rear of the vehicle 14. When the tailgates 20 are open, the loading space 16 can be loaded via a ramp 22. Furthermore, a side door 24 is provided on the passenger side, which provides access to the loading space 16. Inside the loading space 16, in addition to the aforementioned rack 10 with driverless transport vehicle 12, there are further racks 10' of a racking system.

[0044] The shelf 10 is an open shelf with four corner bars 26 and a plurality of height-adjustable shelves 28 mounted within the shelf 10. To adjust the height of the shelves 28 to the goods to be stored in the shelf 10, a plurality of inserts are provided along the corner bars 26. This allows the shelves 28 to be easily positioned at the desired height.

[0045] Additionally or alternatively, individual shelves 28 can be removed or pivoted by approximately 90°. If the shelves 28 are pivoted by approximately 90°, the pivoted shelves 28 act as side walls to prevent goods in the shelf 10 from falling out.

[0046] Although not shown, instead of the shelves, baskets, storage trays in the sense of trays or the like can be provided, which can be inserted into corresponding slots provided on the corner bars 26 of the shelf.

[0047] To prevent the goods from falling out of the shelf, transport securing devices such as straps or the like are provided along the outer walls of the shelf 10. The transport securing devices are either permanently attached to the shelf or are attached as needed.

[0048] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a warehouse 30 and the delivery vehicle 14 according to a first embodiment of a mobile distribution device. A plurality of shelves 10 are located in the warehouse 30. Furthermore, an automated guided vehicle 12 is provided, which, in its function as a driverless warehouse transport vehicle and as a loading transport vehicle, transports the shelves 10 intended for the delivery vehicle 14 from the warehouse 30 to the delivery vehicle 14 and guides them into the delivery vehicle 14. After the delivery vehicle 14 has been fully loaded, the automated guided vehicle 12 remains in the delivery vehicle 14 and serves there as a driverless relocation vehicle.

[0049] The shelves 10 are filled in the warehouse 30 in a known manner such that all goods located in the shelf 10 are loaded into the same delivery vehicle 14. The shelves 10 preferably have a square cross-section adapted to the loading space 16 of the delivery vehicle 14 such that the loading space 16 can be completely filled and the shelves 10 are arranged in a grid or matrix pattern within the loading space 16. The distance between the shelves 10 and the side walls of the delivery vehicle 14 is selected such that the shelves 10 can pass one another. Furthermore, care must be taken to ensure that no goods protrude laterally from a shelf 10 in order to prevent the goods from being damaged during movement in the delivery vehicle.

[0050] The delivery vehicle 14 has a predetermined number of storage spaces 32 for a shelf 10. The number of shelves 10 loaded into the cargo space 16 is a number less than the number of storage spaces 32 available. This enables the relocation or maneuvering of individual shelves 10 in the cargo space 16, analogous to a sliding puzzle, in order to bring a desired shelf 10 to a storage space 32.

[0051] Fig. Figure 5 shows such a sliding puzzle-like arrangement of 20 shelves on 21 storage spaces. Preferably, the storage space 34, which is located directly behind the passenger in the cargo area 16, is designed as a goods removal area 36 for the products / goods during delivery. Thus, a side door can be provided in the goods removal area 36 to remove the goods from the outside of the delivery vehicle 14 from the passenger side. Additionally or alternatively, a passage can be provided between the driver's cab 18 and the cargo area 16, so that the goods and products can be removed from the driver's cab 18 from the shelf located in the goods removal area 36. The driver can access two different shelves. Fig. In the delivery vehicle 14 shown in Figure 5, the driver can access the shelves with the numbers 2 and 5.

[0052] Alternatively, the goods removal area can be provided in the area of ​​the tailgates, for example, on the parking space where Fig. 5, the shelf numbered 19 is located. If this space is kept free as a goods retrieval area, the driver has access to three different shelves.

[0053] In Fig. Figure 6 illustrates an automatic moving process in a loaded delivery vehicle 14, in which the shelf numbered 4 is to be moved so that it is accessible from the goods removal area 36. In this process, the shelf numbered 4 is moved to the location where the shelf numbered 2 is currently located.

[0054] In the Fig. 7 to 9 is a schematic representation of a warehouse 130 and the delivery vehicle 114 according to a second embodiment of a mobile distribution device with several driverless transport vehicles 112, 112'. Fig. The driverless transport vehicles 112 shown between the shelves 110 in Figures 7 to 9 act as driverless warehouse transport vehicles that pick up the shelves 10 filled with goods and transport them to the delivery vehicle 114. The shelves 110' located on the delivery vehicle 114 are brought into the delivery vehicle by a driverless transport vehicle 112', which acts as a driverless loading transport vehicle. At least one driverless transport vehicle 112' remains in the delivery vehicle 114. There, it acts as a driverless relocation transport vehicle.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiments, a type of automated guided vehicle 12; 112, 112' is used that is suitable as a storage transport vehicle, a loading transport vehicle, and a relocation transport vehicle. Furthermore, this automated guided vehicle can also be used as a driverless unloading transport vehicle.

[0056] Alternatively, vehicles of different types can be used for the individual processes.

[0057] Although not shown, a control device may be provided in the delivery vehicle 14; 114 to move a desired shelf in the loading space 16 to the goods removal area 36. The control device may be installed directly in the delivery vehicle or provided in the driverless relocation transport vehicle.

[0058] It is advantageous that each shelf 10, 10'; 110, 110' is provided with a corresponding shelf number in order to identify and relocate the shelf 10, 10'; 110, 110' by means of the control device. Furthermore, it is provided that the goods / products located on the shelves 10, 10'; 110, 110' are also provided with a code, whereby this code is linked to the shelf number. Thus, with the help of the control device, each product / each item to be delivered can be automatically located in the loading space 16. Since the assignment to the corresponding shelves 10, 10'; 110, 110' is available, the control system can automatically move the shelf 10, 10'; 110, 110' with the corresponding desired goods to the storage location in the loading space 16 designed as the goods removal area 36.

[0059] The control device can, for example, be operated manually by the driver.

[0060] In this case, the driver can select the desired goods at the delivery location using the control device. If the goods are not located in the goods removal area 36, ​​the driverless relocation transport vehicle is activated to relocate the shelves 10, 10'; 110, 110' in the delivery vehicle 14; 114 so that the goods are available at the goods removal area 36.

[0061] The control device can additionally or alternatively be connected to a GPS system in order, for example, to arrange the shelves 10, 10'; 110, 110' in the delivery vehicle 14; 114 during loading in the order in which the goods are removed on the selected route.

[0062] Furthermore, the GPS system can contain information about the current traffic situation so that, for example, in the event of a spontaneous route change due to the current traffic situation, the shelves 10, 10'; 110, 110' already in the delivery vehicle can be automatically re-sorted.

[0063] If the sorting of shelves 10, 10'; 110, 110' is carried out automatically via GPS systems, the control device is preferably provided in the driverless relocation transport vehicle.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiments, a driverless transport vehicle 12; 112' is provided, which inserts each rack 10, 10', 110, 110' into the loading space 16 of the delivery vehicle 14; 114. After the loading process is completed, a driverless transport vehicle 12; 112' remains inside the loading space 16 to relocate the racks 10, 10'; 110, 110' within the loading space 16.

[0065] In an alternative embodiment, each rack is detachably linked to an automated guided vehicle. All automated guided vehicles remain in the cargo space of the delivery vehicle along with the rack. This allows the racks to be easily moved within the cargo space using the automated guided vehicles.

[0066] In a further embodiment not shown, the shelves can each be connected in one piece to a driverless transport vehicle.

[0067] Although not shown, the mobile distribution device comprises a securing device to prevent the shelves 10, 10'; 110, 110' located in the loading space 16 from undesirably shifting or tipping during the travel of the delivery vehicle 14; 114.

[0068] For this purpose, 16 recesses are provided in the floor of the loading space, with the type of recess and the spacing between the recesses being adapted to the racks 10, 10'; 110, 110' that are inserted into the loading space 16. The recesses ensure that the racks 10, 10'; 110, 110' can be lowered relative to the surface of the warehouse floor, preventing them from slipping during travel. For example, if racks 10, 10'; 110, 110' with four feet are used, the recesses are arranged in a grid pattern, with the spacing between the recesses adapted to the spacing of the rack feet. The cross-section of the recess is the same as or slightly larger than the cross-section of a rack foot.

[0069] Instead of recesses, elevations can be provided that interact with the corner bars of a shelf.

[0070] Additionally, shelf fastening devices are provided, for example, to prevent the shelves from tipping during transport. The shelf fastening devices can, for example, be designed as hooks attached to the shelves, which can be inserted into corresponding hook receptacles on the wall or ceiling of the cargo area.

[0071] In particular, eyelets may be provided on the ceiling of the loading space into which hooks provided on the shelf engage when the shelf is inserted into the recesses provided in the floor of the loading space.

[0072] In one embodiment (not shown), the shelves are equipped with rollers on their underside, so that the automated guided vehicle no longer has to lift the shelves to move them. In this case, it is sufficient for the automated guided vehicle to pull the shelf assigned to it.

[0073] The described embodiments are suitable, for example, for parcel delivery and home delivery services. These embodiments can also be used for transporting money or valuables. Service vehicles with spare parts or tool storage, or supply vehicles for pharmacies, can also benefit from these embodiments.

[0074] As an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, the cargo space of the delivery vehicle is designed as a removable container. The container can be dropped off at any location. The container then becomes a mobile packing station where the recipients of the goods can pick up or drop off their goods as long as the container remains at the selected location.

[0075] In all the illustrated embodiments, a delivery vehicle was used that requires a driver. Instead of a delivery vehicle with a driver, an autonomous delivery vehicle can also be used, with the intended recipient picking up their goods from the delivery vehicle themselves. In this case, it is advisable for the driverless relocation vehicle to be automatically controlled in the delivery vehicle in order to relocate the shelves within the delivery vehicle.

[0076] It is understood that features of individual embodiments can be combined with other embodiments.

Claims

[1] Method for delivering goods by means of a delivery vehicle (14; 114) with a loading space (16) to a plurality of different destinations, comprising the following steps: • Filling at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') with goods in a warehouse (30; 130); • Transporting the at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') by means of at least one driverless warehouse transport vehicle to a delivery vehicle; • Inserting the at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') into the loading space (16) of the delivery vehicle (14; 114) by means of at least one driverless loading transport vehicle; • Placing the at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') in the loading space (16) of the delivery vehicle (14; 114); • Travel to at least one destination; • Removal of at least one item from the cargo space at the destination, and • Moving the at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') in the loading space (16) of the delivery vehicle (14; 114) by means of at least one driverless relocation transport vehicle. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that a plurality of shelves (10, 10'; 110, 110') are provided, each of which is filled with products in a warehouse (30; 130), transported to the delivery vehicle (14; 114) and introduced into the loading space (16). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a plurality of shelves (10, 10') are provided, each of which is filled with products in a warehouse (30), transported to the delivery vehicle (14) by means of a driverless warehouse transport vehicle, introduced into the loading space by means of a driverless loading transport vehicle and relocated by means of a driverless relocation transport vehicle. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a plurality of shelves (110, 110') and a plurality of driverless transport vehicles (112, 112') from the group of driverless storage transport vehicles, driverless loading transport vehicles and driverless relocation transport vehicles are provided, wherein the number of driverless storage transport vehicles, driverless loading transport vehicles and driverless relocation transport vehicles is each equal to or less than the number of shelves (110, 110') with which the delivery vehicle (114) is loaded. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one driverless loading transport vehicle and the at least one driverless relocation transport vehicle are designed as a single driverless transport vehicle (12; 112, 112') and that the at least one driverless loading transport vehicle remains in the delivery vehicle (14; 114) after the introduction of the at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') into the loading space (16). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that several steps of relocating the at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') in the loading space (16) of the delivery vehicle (14, 114) are provided by means of a driverless relocation transport vehicle, wherein one or more steps of relocating are carried out before reaching a first destination and / or after reaching the first destination. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one shelf (10, 10'; 110, 110') is led out of the loading space (16) by means of at least one driverless unloading transport vehicle.

Images