IP Library Granted Patent US 11,254,515
Granted Patent B2
US 11,254,515 · App. 17/130,773 · Granted Feb 22, 2022

Cargo handling apparatus

Inventor: Yukinobu Ishioka (Utsunomiya, JP)
Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
B65G47/54B65G47/32B65G47/57B65G47/91B65G61/00B65G2203/0208B65G2207/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,254,515
App. No.
17/130,773
Granted
Feb 22, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cargo handling apparatus includes a first conveyor portion, a first detection portion, a second conveyor portion, a gripping portion, a second detection portion, and a controller. The first conveyor portion is configured to convey an article to be handled in a first direction. The first detection portion is configured to detect article information. The second conveyor portion is configured to convey the article in a second direction. The gripping portion is configured to arrange the article in an accumulating portion. The second detection portion is configured to detect stacking information. The controller is configured to control operation of the gripping portion based on the article information and the stacking information.

Claims (35)

1. A cargo handling apparatus, comprising:

a first conveyor portion configured to convey an article to be handled in a first direction;

a first detection portion configured to detect article information relating to the article conveyed through the first conveyor portion;

a second conveyor portion configured to receive the article conveyed through the first conveyor portion and convey the article in a second direction intersecting the first direction;

a gripping portion configured to grip the article on the second conveyor portion to move the article in a third direction intersecting the second direction and arrange the article in an accumulating portion;

a second detection portion configured to detect stacking information indicating an arrangement state of articles in the accumulating portion; and

a controller configured to control operation of the gripping portion based on the article information and the stacking information, wherein

the gripping portion includes:

a comb-tooth shaped member configured to scoop up the article on the second conveyor portion; and

a suction portion configured to suck the article,

the second conveyor portion includes a roller conveyor constituted by a plurality of rollers, and

the comb-tooth shaped member is arranged in such a manner as to be vertically movable between the plurality of rollers.

2. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the first conveyor portion includes a first transfer conveyor configured to transfer the article to the second conveyor portion, and

the first transfer conveyor includes a transfer conveyor—vertically moving mechanism configured to vertically move the first transfer conveyor in order to adjust a level of the first transfer conveyor to a level of the second conveyor portion.

3. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first conveyor portion includes a direction-changing conveyor configured to reverse a conveyance direction of the article from the first direction in such a manner that the article is receivable by the second conveyor portion.

4. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a buffer portion configured to receive the article conveyed through the first conveyor portion and to cause the article to temporarily stand by before the article is conveyed to the second conveyor portion.

5. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first conveyor portion includes an attitude changing portion configured to change an attitude of the article.

6. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the second conveyor portion includes a second conveyor configured to receive the article from the first conveyor portion, and

the second conveyor includes a transfer conveyor—vertically moving mechanism configured to vertically move the second conveyor in order to adjust a level of the second conveyor to a level that is taken at a time when the article is arranged in the accumulating portion.

7. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a positioning mechanism configured to adjust a position of the article in the second direction within the second conveyor portion.

8. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a movable flap mechanism configured to support the article on the second conveyor portion in a case where the article is gripped with the gripping portion within the second conveyor portion.

9. The camo handling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the accumulating portion is movable and includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the accumulating portion in a case where the accumulating portion is arranged.

10. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 9 , comprising:

a safety fence configured to surround the arranged accumulating portion; and

a safety door configured to open and close a part of the safety fence.

11. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein

the movable flap mechanism stands upright by means of a spring, and

the movable flap mechanism falls down with respect to the second conveyor when the movable flap mechanism is pressed by the article.

12. The cargo handling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the comb-tooth shaped member comprises a first comb-tooth shaped member and a second comb-tooth shaped member,

the plurality of rollers comprise a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller,

the first comb-tooth shaped member is arranged in such a manner as to be vertically movable between the first roller and the second roller, and

the second comb-tooth shaped member is arranged in such a manner as to be vertically movable between the second roller and the third roller.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Jul 29, 2025
From: TOSHIBA INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Reel/Frame 072239/0263 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2020
From: ISHIOKA, YUKINOBU
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; TOSHIBA INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054728/0120 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2018-137038 · Jul 20, 2018 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2019027910 · Jul 16, 2019
Related Publication 20210107748A1 · Apr 15, 2021