Article loading system and method for multilevel sorter
A multi-level induction station is disclosed. The multi-level induction station includes multiple sorting levels arranged in a vertical stacked configuration; a vertically traveling automated lift that carries articles vertically between the sorting levels along a frame positioned proximate to the multiple sorting levels; an information acquisition device positioned to read information from an article on the lift; multiple transport devices positioned on the sorting levels to receive the articles; and a control system that directs the multi-level induction station to determine a destination for an article and direct the lift to a platform where a transport device is at an article-receiving position at the sorting level to receive the article.
1 . A multi-level induction station, comprising:
a plurality of platforms arranged in a vertical stacked configuration fitted within a single floor of a building;
a transport device provided on each platform;
an automated lift travelling between the platforms, the lift having an article-carrying surface; and
a control system comprising a processor, the processor configured for:
determining a destination area for the article positioned on the article-carrying surface of the lift;
directing the lift to deposit the article onto a transport device operating on a first platform of the plurality of platforms that corresponds with the destination area by manipulating the article-carrying surface of the lift; and
directing the transport device to the destination area.
2 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , further comprising one or more of a: rail system, track system and conveyor system.
3 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , further comprising an information acquisition device for reading article data from the article positioned on the article-carrying surface of the lift.
4 . The multi-level induction station of claim 3 , wherein the article data from the information acquisition device is received at the processor.
5 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the multi-level induction station is one or more of: portable, on wheels, modular, and reconfigurable.
6 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein more than one article is placed on the article-carrying surface of the lift.
7 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured for directing the lift to an article induction height.
8 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the transport device is in wireless communication with the control system, wherein the transport device travels in all directions across the first platform based on instructions/signals received from the control system.
9 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the lift is configured for movement in three-dimensional space.
10 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured for directing the lift to an induction height, wherein the induction height is set to one of: a default height determined by the processor, and a user-specified height.
11 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the article is manually loaded onto the lift.
12 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the transport device is at an article-receiving position at the first platform prior to the lift depositing the article onto the transport device operating on the first platform.
13 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the multi-level induction station comprises multiple frames positioned proximate to one another.
14 . The multi-level induction station of claim 1 , wherein the article is delivered to the multi-level induction station by a one of: an automated mobile transport device, a conveyor, and a pick port from an automated storage system.
15 . A control system for a multi-level induction station, the control system having a processor configured for:
determining a destination area for an article positioned on an article-carrying surface of an automated lift, the lift travelling between a plurality of platforms arranged in a vertical stacked configuration fitted within a single floor of a building;
directing the lift to deposit the article onto a transport device operating on a first platform of the plurality of platforms by manipulating the article-carrying surface of the lift; and
directing the transport device to the destination area.
16 . The control system of claim 15 , wherein article data is received from an information acquisition device positioned on a frame of the multi-level induction station.
17 . A method comprising:
Determining, by a processor, a destination area for an article positioned on an article-carrying surface of an automated lift, the lift travelling between a plurality of platforms arranged in a vertical stacked configuration fitted within a single floor of a building;
Directing, by the processor, the lift to deposit the article onto a transport device operating on a first platform of the plurality of platforms by manipulating the article- carrying surface of the lift; and
Directing, by the processor, the transport device to the destination area.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising an information acquisition device for reading article data from the article positioned on the article-carrying surface of the lift, wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by the processor, of the article data from the information acquisition device.
19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising: directing, by the processor, the lift to an article induction height.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising: placing more than one article on the article-carrying surface of the lift.