Sensor-Guided Payload Transfer Shelf for Autonomous Vehicle Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial facilities, self-driving material-transport vehicles face challenges in efficiently picking up and dropping off payloads without human intervention, particularly due to scarce floor space and the need for human involvement in payload identification.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and system featuring a payload transfer surface with sensors and a communications transceiver that automatically detect payload presence or absence, communicating with a fleet-management system to instruct self-driving vehicles for autonomous pick-up and drop-off operations, utilizing a lift appliance and vertical support members for efficient space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional payload holding apparatus is added to industrial facilities, then payload pick-up and drop-off capability is improved, but floor space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus transitions from a floor-based payload holding solution to a vertically-oriented structure. By utilizing vertical space with multiple levels (ground level payload transfer surface and elevated storage shelves), the system provides comprehensive payload handling capability without consuming additional floor space, directly resolving the contradiction between operational ease and floor space usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus serves multiple functions within a single structure: payload transfer (ground level surface), payload storage (elevated shelves), and automated vehicle guidance (sensors and transceivers). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated spaces for each operation, improving payload handling capability while minimizing floor space requirements.
2Extent of automation
If automated sensor systems are implemented for payload detection, then human intervention is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the payload transfer surface automatically detects payload presence through integrated sensors and communicates with the self-driving vehicle via transceivers. This automated detection and communication eliminates the need for human operators to manually identify or signal payload status, achieving high automation while keeping the added complexity localized to specific functional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system and communication transceiver are integrated directly into the payload transfer surface structure, merging detection, communication, and structural functions into a unified system. This integration reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate distributed systems, while still achieving automated payload detection and vehicle coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems and methods for providing smart pick-up and drop-off are presented. The apparatus comprises at least one vertical support member and at least one storage shelf supported by the at least one vertical support member. A payload transfer surface, supported by the vertical support members, is located below the lowest storage shelf. The payload transfer surface has an access channel so that a self-driving material-transport vehicle equipped with a lift appliance can pick up or drop off a payload on the payload transfer surface. A sensor associated with the payload transfer surface senses the presence or absence of a payload on the payload transfer surface, and sends a signal to a fleet-management system in communication with the self-driving material-transport vehicle.