LOAD HANDLING SYSTEM HAVING CONTAINER WITH VERTICALLY MOVABLE SIDE WALLS - Patent application

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a load handling system (27) comprising a container (4) having a load carrier and a sidewall (36) extending around at least a portion of the periphery of the load carrier. The sidewall (36) moves relative to the load carrier between a first position in which the load carrier is held substantially at a lower edge (38) of the sidewall (36) and a second position in which the load carrier is located substantially at or above an upper edge (40) of the sidewall (36). The load handling system (27) further comprises lifting means connectable to the side walls (36) for transporting the container (4) in a substantially vertical orientation, and a base (28) having a support station (30) and a cavity (32) configured to receive the side walls (36) as they move from a first position to a second position when the lifting means continues to lower the container (4) after the load carrier is lowered onto the support station (30) so that the load carrier has access to a load (29) located on the base (28).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cargo handling system. More particularly, it relates to a cargo handling system in which containers for carrying cargo are passively operated for receipt or delivery of the cargo. Aspects of the present invention relate to the cargo handling system itself and its containers. [Background technology]

[0002] Some commercial and industrial activities require systems that allow repeated storage and retrieval of a large number of products. Examples of such systems include automated automobile parking systems that use a load handling system that comprises containers or the like suitable for transporting a variety of different vehicles between storage locations in the parking system and a collection point. The containers often have complex actuation systems (e.g. electromechanical systems) that comprise multiple moving elements that work together to allow their access at the collection point and also to provide a secure storage space. These actuation systems often interface with other systems at the collection point to perform their functions. The complexity of these systems means that they are expensive to purpose and to maintain. There would therefore be a great benefit if the complexity of these systems could be reduced. Thus, there is a recognized need for alternative load handling systems that comprise containers that can be operated without the need for complex actuation systems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention therefore provides in a first aspect a load handling system comprising a container having a load carrying platform and a sidewall extending around at least a portion of the periphery of the load carrying platform, the sidewall being configured to move relative to the load carrying platform between a first position in which the load carrying platform is held substantially at a lower end of the sidewall and a second position in which the load carrying platform is located substantially at or above an upper end of the sidewall. The load handling system further comprises lifting means connectable to the sidewall for transporting the container in a substantially vertical orientation and a base. The base comprises a support station and a cavity, the cavity being configured to receive the sidewall as it moves from the first position to the second position when the lifting means continues to lower the container after the load carrying platform has been lowered onto the support station such that the load carrying platform is accessible to load located on the base.

[0004] Optionally, the side walls extend around the entire perimeter of the load carrier.

[0005] Alternatively, the side walls extend along opposing sides of a first pair of the load carrier, in which case the load carrier may include two directional control ramps, each directional control ramp associated with a respective side of the second pair of opposing sides of the load carrier.

[0006] Optionally, the side walls include seats against which the load carrying carrier abuts to retain the load carrying carrier at the lower ends of the side walls.

[0007] Optionally, the side wall includes guide members for guiding relative movement between the side wall and the load-carrying platform.

[0008] Optionally, the load carrying platform further comprises a deformable flap positioned to extend across at least a portion of the opening of the cavity.

[0009] Optionally, the container further comprises corner brackets at upper ends of the side walls, the corner brackets arranged to rest on an upper surface of the load-carrying platform when the side walls are in the second position.

[0010] Optionally, the container further comprises a frame extending outwardly from an upper end of the side wall, the frame positioned to cover the opening of the cavity when the side wall is in the second position.

[0011] Optionally, the frame extends over the opening of the cavity to rest on the base when the sidewall is in the second position to prevent further downward movement of the sidewall relative to the load carrying platform.

[0012] Optionally, the frame includes a ramp that leads to the top surface of the load carrier.

[0013] Optionally, the frame includes a mounting surface configured to receive a lower edge of a side wall of another container so that the containers may be stacked.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a container for a load handling system according to the first aspect.

[0015] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a robotic parking system incorporating a load handling system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the load handling system of FIG. [Figure 3a] FIG. 3a is a schematic perspective view of a container of the load handling system of FIG. 1 partially received within a cavity in the base. [Figure 3b] FIG. 3b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 3a along line AA. [Figure 4a] FIG. 4a is a schematic perspective view of a container of the load handling system of FIG. 1 fully received within the cavity of the base. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 4a taken along line BB. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle parked on the load carrier of the container of FIG. 4a. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle held within a container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] In the figures, like features are designated by like reference numerals.

[0018] In the following description, some specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In some instances, well-known structures associated with load handling systems, such as processors, sensors, storage devices, network interfaces, work pieces, tension members, fasteners, electrical connectors, mixers, etc., are not described or shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the disclosed embodiments.

[0019] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout this specification and the appended claims, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as "comprises" and "comprising," are to be interpreted in their open and inclusive sense, such as "including, but not limited to."

[0020] Throughout this specification, references to "one," "an," or "another" applied to an "embodiment," "example," or "embodiment" mean that a particular referent feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment, example, or implementation is included in at least one embodiment, example, or implementation. Thus, the appearances of "in one embodiment" or similar phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, examples, or implementations.

[0021] It should be noted that as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a system including a "load handling apparatus" includes one load handling apparatus, or two or more load handling apparatus. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally used in its sense including "and / or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary application of one embodiment of a load handling system according to the present invention within the context of a robotic parking system generally indicated at 2. A number of containers 4, some of which hold load in the form of vehicles, are stacked on top of one another to form stacks 6 arranged within a frame structure 8. For simplicity, only a representative section of the overall frame structure 8, comprising three stacks 6, is shown in FIG. 1, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that in practice the frame structure 8 is significantly larger than this representative section and can accommodate many more stacks 6. The frame structure 8 comprises a series of upright members 10 supporting horizontal members 12, 14. A first set of substantially parallel horizontal members 12 are arranged substantially perpendicular to a second set of substantially parallel horizontal members 14 to form a horizontal grid structure 16 supported by the upright members 10.

[0023] The containers 4 are stacked between the uprights 10 such that the frame structure 8 prevents horizontal movement of the stack 6 and guides vertical movement of the containers 4 .

[0024] The top surface of the grid structure 16 includes rails or the like that support a plurality of robotic load handling devices 18, only two of which are shown in FIG. 1. A first set of substantially parallel rails guide movement of the load handling devices 18 in a first direction (x) across the top of the frame structure 8, and a second set of substantially parallel rails, disposed substantially perpendicular to the first set of rails, guide movement of the load handling devices 18 in a second direction (y), which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In this manner, the rails allow movement of the load handling devices 18 in two dimensions in a substantially horizontal plane, such that the load handling devices 18 may be moved to a position above any of the stacks 6.

[0025] Each load handling device 18 comprises a body 24 arranged to run on rails in a first direction and a second direction above the stack 6. A first set of wheels (not shown), consisting of a pair of wheels at the front of the body 24 and a pair of wheels at the rear of the body 24, are arranged to engage two adjacent ones of the first set of rails. Similarly, a second set of wheels (not shown), consisting of a pair of wheels on each side of the body 24, are arranged to engage two adjacent ones of the second set of rails. Each set of wheels can be respectively raised and lowered so that either the first set of wheels or the second set of wheels are engaged with the respective set of rails at any one time.

[0026] When the first set of wheels engages the first set of rails and the second set of wheels is lifted off the rails, the first set of wheels can be driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) to move the load handling apparatus 18 in a first direction. To move the load handling apparatus 18 in a second direction, the first set of wheels is lifted off the rails and the second set of wheels is lowered into engagement with the second set of rails. The drive mechanism can then be used to drive the second set of wheels to achieve movement in the second direction.

[0027] In this way, the load handling devices 18 may move around the grid structure 16 above the stacks 6 according to commands received from a storage and sorting control system (not shown) provided with means for identifying and monitoring which vehicles are in which containers 4 and where the vehicles are located in the stacks 6. Each load handling device 18 comprises a load handler for vertically moving the containers 4 so that they may be transferred between the stacks 6 and a collection point 26. In use, the control system determines the optimum position at which the container 4 may be placed in the stacks 6 based on the vehicles it contains. If a newly arrived vehicle will not be needed for an extended period of time, it may be advantageous for that container 4 to be placed below a container 4 holding a vehicle that will be needed sooner. Thus, the load handling devices 18 may move a container 4 already in the stacks 6 to create a storage position for placing the container 4 holding the newly arrived vehicle lower in the stacks 6. Once a suitable storage location has been created, the load handling equipment 18 is positioned on the grid structure 16 directly above the collection point 26 where it can use a load handler to lift the container 4 holding the newly arrived vehicle. The container 4 is lifted into the body 24 of the load handling equipment 18 and the load handling equipment 18 is moved to a position on the grid structure 16 directly above the storage location where the container 4 is then lowered into a position in the stack 6. If necessary, another container 4 is then moved back on top of the most recently positioned container 4.

[0028] When a vehicle needs to be removed from a stack 6, a load handling device 18 is positioned above the associated stack 6 and removes the top container 4. If the top container 4 holds the vehicle to be removed, the container 4 is moved by the load handling device 18 to a collection point 26 where it will ultimately be collected by the vehicle's owner. If this container 4 does not contain the desired vehicle, the load handling device 18 moves the container 4 to an alternative stack 6 and then returns to the first stack 6 to remove the next container 4. This process continues until the container 4 holding the desired vehicle has been removed, at which point it is then moved to the collection point 26. In this manner, high density vehicle parking is achieved while easy deposit and retrieval of vehicles is maintained.

[0029] 2 shows a more detailed schematic diagram of a load handling system, generally indicated at 27, comprising a base 28 and a container 4. Lifting means for transporting the container 4 in a substantially vertical direction, in this example application comprising a load handling device 18, also form part of the load handling system 27. The base 28 defines the collection point 26 of the robotic parking system 2 and comprises a support station 30 and, in this example of the load handling system 27, a cavity 32 extending around the periphery of the support station 30.

[0030] When a vehicle 29 is loaded into the container 4 for storage in the robotic parking system 2, the vehicle 29 is held on the base 28 while the container 4 is lowered by the load handling device 18 into the support station 30 to receive the vehicle 29. The container 4 includes a load carrier 34 (not shown in FIG. 2 ) and a sidewall 36 that extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the load carrier 34. In this embodiment of the container 4, the sidewall 36 extends around the entire periphery of the load carrier 34, although in alternative embodiments, the sidewall 36 may extend only along a pair of opposing sides of the load carrier 34, such as the longest sides. In such an embodiment, the load carrier 34 may include two directional control ramps associated with the other pair of opposing sides to prevent the vehicle 29 from inadvertently falling off the load carrier 34. The load carrier 34 and the sidewall 36 are slidably engaged such that the sidewall 36 is movable relative to the load carrier 34 between a first position in which the load carrier 34 is held substantially at a lower end 38 of the sidewall 36 and a second position in which the load carrier 34 is located substantially at or above an upper end 40 of the sidewall 36. The sidewall 36 may include guide members for guiding relative movement between the sidewall 36 and the load carrier 34. As shown in FIG. 2, the load carrier 34 is passively held at the lower end 38 of the sidewall 36 under gravity while the container 4 is suspended by the load handler of the load handling apparatus 18. The sidewall 36 includes a seating member (not shown) at its lower end 38 to support the load carrier 34 and prevent the load carrier 34 from moving beyond the lower end 38 of the sidewall 36 and falling off the bottom of the container 4.

[0031] 3a, the load handling apparatus 18 continues to lower the container 4 so that the load carrier 34 comes to a halt over the support station 30, preventing any continued downward movement of the load carrier 34. From there, the sliding engagement between the sidewall 36 and the load carrier 34 causes the sidewall 36 to enter the cavity 32 as the load handling apparatus 18 continues to lower the container 4 over the support station 30, moving the sidewall 36 from the first position, as shown in FIG.

[0032] 4a and 4b, the load handling device 18 continues to lower the container 4 until the side walls 36 move to the second position and complete their downward movement. This embodiment of the container 4 includes four corner brackets 42 located at the upper ends 40 of the side walls 36. The corner brackets 42 extend from each corner of the load carrier 34 and are configured to seat on the upper surface of the load carrier 34 during lowering of the container 4 to hold the side walls 36 in the second position and prevent further downward movement of the side walls 36 relative to the load carrier 34. The corner brackets 42 are configured such that when they engage the upper surface of the load carrier 34 to hold the side walls 36 in the second position, the upper surface of the load carrier 34 and the upper ends 40 of the side walls 36 are substantially flush, facilitating vehicle 29 access to the load carrier 34. This embodiment of the container 4 further includes a frame 44 around the periphery of the side walls 36. The frame 44 extends vertically outward from the upper end 40 of the sidewall 36 and is positioned to cover the opening of the cavity 32 when the sidewall 36 is in the second position. In this position, the underside of the frame 44 rests on the base 28 and, in combination with the corner brackets 42, prevents further downward movement of the sidewall 36 relative to the load carrier 34. In this embodiment of the container 4, the upper surface of the frame 44 includes a sloped section 46 that leads up to the upper surface of the load carrier 34, which, together with a stepped section around the inner periphery of the sidewall 36, improves access to the load carrier 34. The stepped section defines a mounting ledge or surface 48 configured to receive the sidewall of another container when it is placed above the current container 4 in the stack 6 and guide the other container 4 into a proper stackable position relative to the current container 4.

[0033] With the side walls 36 in the second position, the load carrier 34 is made accessible to the vehicle 29. As the vehicle 29 is moved onto the load carrier 34, as shown in FIG. 5, the load handling apparatus 18 lifts the container 4 for storage in the stack 6. This lifts the side walls 36 out of the cavity 32 and moves the side walls 36 from the second position while the load carrier 34 remains on the support station 30. As the load handling apparatus 18 continues to lift the container 4, it reaches the first position where the load carrier 34 is held substantially at the lower end 38 of the side walls 36 and engages the seating member. From here, as shown in FIG. 6, the side walls 36 and the load carrier 34 move in unison as the load handling apparatus 18 continues to lift the container 4 into its body 24 for storage in the robotic parking system 2.

[0034] The process is very similar when retrieving a vehicle 29 from the robotic parking system 2. Once the load handling equipment 18 has retrieved the container 4 holding the vehicle 29 from its storage location, it lowers the container 4 onto the collection point 26 until the load carrier 34 rests on the support station 30. From here, the load handling equipment 18 continues to lower the container 4, moving the side wall 36 from the first position until it reaches the second position and is substantially fully received within the cavity 32. The vehicle 29 is then removed from the load carrier 34, making the load carrier 34 accessible to another vehicle.

[0035] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention has been described in the context of a robotic parking system 2 by way of example only, and that other applications and various alternative approaches may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the container 4 has been described with various means for limiting the movement of the sidewall 36 to the second position, such as corner brackets 42 and frames 44. However, in other embodiments, the movement of the sidewall 36 may instead be limited by the respective lengths of the cavity 32 and the sidewall 36. In particular, the respective lengths may be configured such that when in the second position, the bottom end 38 of the sidewall 36 rests on the bottom surface of the cavity 32, preventing further downward movement.

[0036] Additionally, the cargo handling system 27 may further include a deformable flap positioned to extend across at least a portion of the opening of the cavity 32 to prevent debris or the like from entering the cavity 32 while allowing the side wall 36 to be lowered into the cavity 32.

Claims

1. 1. A load handling system comprising: A load carrier; a sidewall extending around at least a portion of a periphery of the load carrier, the sidewall configured to move relative to the load carrier between a first position in which the load carrier is retained substantially at a lower end of the sidewall and a second position in which the load carrier is located substantially at or above an upper end of the sidewall. A container comprising: The cargo handling system comprises: lifting means connectable to said side walls for transporting said container in a substantially vertical direction; A base, A support station; a cavity configured to receive said side walls as they move from said first position to said second position when said lifting means continues to lower said container after said load carrier is lowered onto said support station such that said load carrier is accessible to load located on said base; A base comprising: The load handling system further comprises:

2. The load handling system of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall extends around the entire perimeter of the load carrier.

3. The load handling system of claim 1 , wherein the side walls extend along opposing sides of a first pair of the load carriers.

4. 4. The load handling system of claim 3, wherein the load carrying platform includes two directional control ramps, each directional control ramp adjacent a respective one of a second pair of opposing sides of the load carrying platform.

5. A load handling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the side walls include seats against which the load carrier abuts to retain the load carrier at the lower ends of the side walls.

6. A load handling system according to any preceding claim, wherein the side wall is provided with guide members for guiding relative movement between the side wall and the load carrying platform.

7. A load handling system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a deformable flap arranged to extend across at least a portion of the opening of the cavity.

8. 8. A cargo handling system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the container further comprises a corner bracket at the upper end of the side wall, the corner bracket being arranged to rest on an upper surface of the cargo carrier when the side wall is in the second position.

9. 9. The cargo handling system of claim 7 or claim 8 which cites claim 7, wherein the container further comprises a frame extending outwardly from the upper end of the side wall, the frame being positioned to cover the opening of the cavity when the side wall is in the second position.

10. 10. The load handling system of claim 9, wherein the frame extends over the opening of the cavity to rest on the base when the side wall is in the second position to prevent further downward movement of the side wall relative to the load carrying platform.

11. 11. A load handling system as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the frame comprises a sloping surface leading to an upper surface of the load carrier.

12. A load handling system according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the frame comprises a mounting surface configured to receive a lower edge of a side wall of another container such that the containers may be stacked.

13. A container for a load handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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