Base station and procedure for operating a supply module and a base station

Abstract

A supply module according to the invention comprises at least one storage unit for receiving food, a dispensing unit for dispensing food stored in the at least one storage unit, and an operating unit for selecting the food to be dispensed. The supply module is designed as an autonomous vehicle and includes a drive unit, an electrical energy storage device, and a control unit. A base station according to the invention for a supply module according to the invention comprises a filling unit for filling the at least one storage unit with food and a removal unit for removing undispensed food from the at least one storage unit. According to a method for operating a supply module and a base station according to the invention, the at least one storage unit of the supply module is first filled with food by the filling unit of the base station.The dispensing module is navigated to a destination at a defined time. The dispensing module remains at the destination for a defined period. After this period, the dispensing module navigates back to the base station. Any undispensed food items are retrieved from the dispensing unit of the base station from at least one storage unit of the dispensing module.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a base station for a supply module comprising at least one storage unit for receiving food, a dispensing unit for dispensing food stored in the at least one storage unit, and a control unit for selecting the food to be dispensed. The invention also relates to a method for operating a supply module and a base station according to the invention.

[0002] Through use, dispensing modules for food items, such as ice cream, chocolate bars, or beverages, are known. Such dispensing modules are designed as stationary vending machines. These machines comprise a control unit for selecting the food items to be dispensed and a dispensing unit for distributing the food items contained within the machine.

[0003] US patent 2022 / 0 266 709 A1 describes a food distribution module designed as an autonomous vehicle.

[0004] A method for delivering food using an autonomous vehicle is known from US patent 2019 / 0329691A1.

[0005] A system for delivering food using multiple autonomous vehicles is known from US patent 2021 / 0256795A1.

[0006] A system for delivering food using autonomous vehicles is also known from US 2022 / 0 092 673 A1.

[0007] From US 2021 / 0 117 914 A1, a kiosk for dispensing food is known, which is designed to be mobile.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a base station for a power supply module. The invention is further based on the objective of providing a method for operating a power supply module and a base station according to the invention.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention by a base station with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. The problem is solved according to the invention by a method with the features specified in claim 4. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] A base station according to the invention for a supply module, comprising at least one storage unit for receiving food, a dispensing unit for dispensing food received in the at least one storage unit, and an operating unit for selecting food to be dispensed, wherein the supply module is designed as an autonomous vehicle and comprises a drive unit for driving the supply module, an electrical energy storage device for supplying the drive unit, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit, comprises a filling unit for filling the at least one storage unit with food and a removal unit for removing undispensed food from the at least one storage unit.

[0011] The filling unit is preferably designed and arranged such that the at least one storage unit can be filled with food from a filling side of a housing unit. The dispensing unit is preferably designed and arranged such that undispensed food can be removed from the at least one storage unit from the filling side of the housing unit.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the base station further comprises a charging unit for the inductive transfer of energy to a receiving unit of the supply module.

[0013] Thus, the receiving unit of the supply module is able to inductively absorb energy from the charging unit and charge the electrical energy storage while the supply module is located at the base station.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the base station further comprises a communication unit for wireless communication via a radio network.

[0015] The communication unit can be used in particular to transmit a request for a supply module for an upcoming service, for example to fill the at least one storage unit with food, to the base station.

[0016] A method for operating a supply module and a base station according to the invention is also proposed. First, the at least one storage unit of the supply module is filled with food by the filling unit of the base station. At a defined time, the supply module navigates to a destination. The supply module remains at the destination for a defined period of time. After the defined period has elapsed, the supply module navigates back to the base station. Any undispensed food is removed from the at least one storage unit of the supply module by the dispensing unit of the base station.

[0017] The control unit of the supply module navigates the supply module to the destination and back to the base station using the map and by controlling the drive unit. The defined time is, for example, the start of a lunch break. The destination is, for example, a location near several workstations in a technical facility. The defined time period is, for example, the duration of the lunch break. The method according to the invention enables the dispensing of food stored in the at least one storage unit to people at the destination during the defined time period.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, if a defined quantity of food is dispensed at the destination location via the dispensing unit during the defined time period, the supply module sends a corresponding message to the base station. Subsequently, the at least one storage unit of another supply module is filled with food by the filling unit of the base station. The additional supply module then navigates to the destination location.

[0019] The control unit of the additional supply module navigates the module to its destination using the map and by controlling the drive unit. If an unexpectedly large quantity of food is distributed to people at the destination via the dispensing unit during the defined time period, the additional supply module can transport the missing food to the destination to supply those present.

[0020] The invention is not limited to the combination of features stated in the claims. For a person skilled in the art, further meaningful combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent, in particular from the problem statement and / or the problem arising from a comparison with the prior art.

[0021] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the illustrations. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The illustrations only depict the subject matter of the invention schematically. They show: Fig. 1: A first perspective rendering of a supply module and Fig. 2: a second perspective view of a supply module.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows an initial perspective view of a supply module. The supply module serves to provide people in a given environment with food. The supply module is capable of moving within its environment. In this illustration, the supply module is located on level ground within the environment.

[0023] A transverse direction Y runs perpendicular to a vertical direction Z. A longitudinal direction X runs perpendicular to both the vertical direction Z and the transverse direction Y. The vertical direction Z is perpendicular to the ground on which the supply module is located. The longitudinal direction X corresponds at least approximately to the usual direction of travel of the supply module.

[0024] The environment is, for example, a technical facility, particularly an industrial application such as a production plant, an industrial hall, a paint shop, or a logistics center. The people are, in particular, employees of the technical facility.

[0025] The supply module is designed as an autonomous vehicle. It includes a drive unit for propelling itself. This drive unit comprises an electric traction motor, a gearbox, and multiple wheels. The traction motor drives the wheels via the gearbox. Alternatively, the drive unit could have multiple traction motors, each driving exactly one wheel. The drive unit enables the supply module to move freely on level ground within its environment.

[0026] The power supply module also includes a control unit for controlling the drive unit.

[0027] The power supply module includes a communication unit 20 for wireless communication via a radio network. The communication unit 20 is configured, for example, as a WLAN interface. The communication unit 20 thus enables wireless communication between multiple power supply modules, as well as between a power supply module and a central computer, and between a power supply module and a base station, all via a radio network.

[0028] The power supply module includes an electrical energy storage device for supplying the drive unit with electrical energy. The electrical energy storage device is designed as a rechargeable battery, for example, a lithium-ion battery or a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor. The electrical energy storage device also supplies the control unit and the communication unit 20 with electrical energy.

[0029] The power supply module includes a receiver unit for inductive energy absorption. The receiver unit faces downwards. Energy can be inductively transferred to the receiver unit from a charging unit. The energy inductively transferred from the charging unit to the receiver unit is used, for example, to charge the electrical energy storage device and to power the drive unit.

[0030] The receiving unit comprises a transformer head with a secondary coil. The charging unit is designed, for example, as a current-carrying primary conductor laid in the ground beneath the power supply module. Alternatively, the charging unit can also be designed as a current-carrying primary coil laid in the ground beneath the power supply module. The charging unit is positioned close to the ground surface. If the secondary coil of the receiving unit's transformer head is inductively coupled to the charging unit, energy can be transferred inductively.

[0031] The power supply module includes several distance sensors for detecting the distance to an object and the direction in which the object is located. These distance sensors are, for example, designed as laser scanners or ultrasonic sensors.

[0032] The power supply module includes a position sensor to determine its current position in the environment. The position sensor is, for example, a GPS sensor.

[0033] The power supply module has a map of its surroundings. The distance sensors and the position sensor are primarily used for navigation. The distance sensor detects stationary objects marked on the map, thus determining the power supply module's current position. The distance sensor also detects moving objects, such as other power supply modules.

[0034] The power supply module comprises a base element 10 and a housing unit 12. In normal operation of the power supply module, as shown here, the base element 10 faces the ground, and the housing unit 12 is located vertically Z away from the ground. The housing unit 12 is detachably connected to the base element 10.

[0035] The drive unit, the electrical energy storage unit, and the control unit are arranged on the base element 10. In particular, the wheels of the drive unit are arranged on the base element 10 and are rotatable relative to it. In normal operation of the supply module, as shown here, the wheels are on the ground. The base element 10 is self-contained and ready to move even without a housing unit 12.

[0036] The supply module comprises several storage units 30 for holding food. The food consists of hot foods, such as pizza, cold foods, such as ice cream, and chilled beverages. The supply module includes a device for keeping the food warm and for cooling it in the storage units 30.

[0037] The supply module includes, for example, Peltier elements, each with a hot side and a cold side. The Peltier elements are arranged such that one of the storage units 30 is cooled from the cold side, while simultaneously another storage unit 30 is heated from the hot side. The electrical energy storage unit supplies the Peltier elements with electrical energy.

[0038] The supply module includes, for example, a heat pump. The heat pump is arranged such that one or more of the storage units 30 are cooled by the heat pump, while simultaneously one or more other storage units 30 are heated by the heat pump. The electrical energy storage unit supplies the heat pump with electrical energy.

[0039] The housing unit 12 has a filling side 32. The storage units 30 can be filled with food from the filling side 32. Undispensed food can also be removed from the storage units 30 from the filling side 32.

[0040] Fig. Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of the supply module. The supply module includes a dispensing unit 40 for dispensing food items stored in the storage units 30. The supply module also includes a control unit 50 for selecting the food items to be dispensed.

[0041] The housing unit 12 of the supply module has a dispensing side 42. The dispensing side 42 is arranged opposite the filling side 32 in the transverse direction Y. Foodstuffs stored in the storage units 30 are dispensed at the dispensing side 42 by means of the dispensing unit 40.

[0042] The control unit 50 for selecting food items to be dispensed is attached to the dispensing side 42 of the supply module and is therefore accessible to people. Reference symbol list 10 floor elements 12 Housing unit 20 communication units 30 storage units 32 Filling side 40 output units 42 Output page 50 Control unit X Longitudinal direction Y transverse direction Z Vertical direction

Claims

Base station for a supply module, wherein the supply module comprises at least one storage unit (30) for receiving food, a dispensing unit (40) for dispensing food received in the at least one storage unit (30), and an operating unit (50) for selecting food to be dispensed, wherein the supply module is designed as an autonomous vehicle and comprises a drive unit for driving the supply module, an electrical energy storage device for supplying the drive unit, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit, characterized in that the base station comprises a filling unit for filling the at least one storage unit (30) with food and a removal unit for removing undispensed food from the at least one storage unit (30). Base station according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit for inductive transfer of energy to a receiving unit of the supply module. Base station according to claim one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising a communication unit (20) for wireless communication via a radio network. Method for operating a supply module and a base station according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one storage unit (30) of the supply module is filled with food by the filling unit of the base station; the supply module navigates to a destination at a defined time; the supply module remains at the destination for a defined period of time; after the defined period of time has elapsed, the supply module navigates to the base station; any undispensed food is removed from the at least one storage unit (30) of the supply module by the dispensing unit of the base station. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that when a defined quantity of food is dispensed at the destination during the defined time period by means of the dispensing unit (40), a corresponding message is sent from the supply module to the base station; the at least one storage unit (30) of a further supply module is filled with food by the filling unit of the base station; the further supply module navigates to the destination.

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