IP Library Granted Patent US 11,634,186
Granted Patent B2
US 11,634,186 · App. 16/320,200 · Granted Apr 25, 2023

Tugger train trailer, transport system, and transport method

Inventors: Andreas Packeiser (Winsen, DE); Fritz Berghammer (Landshut, DE)
Assignee: LR Intralogistik GmbH
B62D53/005B60P1/44B66F9/063F41H7/005
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,634,186
App. No.
16/320,200
Granted
Apr 25, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tugger train trailer is disclosed, including a frame and drive-on surfaces for holding a trolley cart. Transport vehicle drive-on surfaces for an autonomous transport vehicle moving the trolley cart are also provided such that a unit of trolley cart and autonomous transport vehicle can drive on the drive-on surfaces.

Claims (26)

1. A tugger train trailer comprising:

a frame; and

drive-on surfaces to accommodate at least one trolley cart,

wherein additional transport vehicle drive-on surfaces are provided for an autonomous transport vehicle that moves the at least one trolley cart, so that a unit comprising the at least one trolley cart and the autonomous transport vehicle can drive on the transport vehicle drive-on surfaces; and

wherein electrical charging contacts are arranged so that the autonomous transport vehicle can charge a traction battery of the autonomous transport vehicle with mating contacts in a parked position of the tugger train trailer.

2. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the drive-on surfaces and the transport vehicle drive-on surfaces form a continuous base surface.

3. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the drive-on surfaces and the transport vehicle drive-on surfaces are configured to be lowered to floor level and raised.

4. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the drive-on surfaces and the transport vehicle drive-on surfaces are firmly connected with the frame and lifting devices are provided between the frame and wheels of the tugger train trailer.

5. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrical charging contacts are arranged so that contact is made only in a correct orientation of the autonomous transport vehicle.

6. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrical charging contacts are connected by a cable connection with a tractor vehicle to supply electric current to electrical charging contacts from a traction battery of the tractor vehicle.

7. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one trolley cart comprises a plurality of trolley carts.

8. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the autonomous transport vehicle has mating contacts to form electrical connections for the charging of the traction battery of the autonomous transport vehicle, the mating contacts adapted to interact with electrical charging contacts of the tugger train trailer.

9. A transport system, comprising:

at least one tugger train trailer, comprising:

a frame; and

drive-on surfaces to accommodate at least one trolley cart; and

an autonomous transport vehicle,

wherein additional transport vehicle drive-on surfaces are provided for the autonomous transport vehicle that moves the at least one trolley cart, so that a unit comprising the at least one trolley cart and the autonomous transport vehicle can drive on the transport vehicle drive-on surfaces,

wherein electrical contacts are arranged on the at least one tugger train trailer so that the autonomous transport vehicle can charge a traction battery of the autonomous transport vehicle with mating contacts of the autonomous transport vehicle in a parked position of the at least one tugger train trailer; and

wherein the autonomous transport vehicle has corresponding mating contacts to form electrical connections for the charging of the traction battery of the autonomous transport vehicle, the mating contacts adapted to interact with the electrical charging contacts of the at least one tugger train trailer.

10. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , wherein a wireless data connection is provided between the autonomous transport vehicle and the tugger train trailer.

11. The tugger train trailer system as recited in claim 10 , wherein via the data connection, traffic can be controlled with reference to the driving in of one of the autonomous transport vehicles onto the tugger train trailer and driving out of the tugger train trailer.

12. A transport method using the tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , comprising driving the tugger train and the autonomous vehicles, each with a trolley cart, to a distribution point and at which distribution point trolley carts destined for respective surrounding areas are driven by the autonomous transport vehicle off the tugger train trailer and taken to their respective destinations.

13. The transport method as recited in claim 12 , wherein trolley carts to be transported back that are already at the distribution point are driven onto the tugger train trailer.

14. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 5 , wherein the correct orientation comprises when the electrical charging contacts are oriented asymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the parked position in a drive-in direction of the autonomous vehicle.

15. The tugger train trailer as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrical charging contacts are connected by a cable connection with at least one additional tugger train trailers and a tractor vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2019
From: PACKEISER, ANDREAS; BERGHAMMER, FRITZ
To: LR INTRALOGISTIK GMBH
Reel/Frame 048121/0406 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2016 113 972.6 · Jul 28, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190225285A1 · Jul 25, 2019