Systems and methods for providing mobile shuttle load handling systems with mobile carriers
An object processing system is disclosed that includes an automated mobile shuttle including a mobile chassis for moving the automated mobile shuttle in a first direction, a payload for supporting at least one object thereon, the payload including a plurality of tines, and a payload translation system, and an automated mobile carrier movable in a second direction that is generally orthogonal with respect to the first direction, the automated mobile carrier including a receiving surface for receiving the plurality of tines of the payload, wherein the payload translation system of the automated mobile shuttle is for translating the payload toward the receiving surface of the automated mobile carrier, and the payload translation system provides that the plurality of tines are adapted to engage recessed areas within the receiving surface of the automated mobile carrier.
1 . An object processing system comprising:
an automated mobile shuttle including a mobile chassis for moving the automated mobile shuttle in a first direction, a payload for supporting at least one object thereon, said payload including a plurality of tines, and a payload translation system; and
an automated mobile carrier movable in a second direction that is orthogonal with respect to the first direction, said automated mobile carrier including a receiving surface for receiving the plurality of tines of the payload;
wherein the payload translation system of the automated mobile shuttle translates the payload toward the receiving surface of the automated mobile carrier, and the payload translation system provides that the plurality of tines are adapted to engage recessed areas within the receiving surface of the automated mobile carrier, and
wherein one or more of the plurality of tines includes a lead roller for contacting one or more of the recessed areas of the receiving surface.
2 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the receiving surface includes support ribs between the recessed areas that engage the plurality of tines of the automated mobile shuttle.
3 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the automated mobile shuttle further includes a payload elevation system for raising and lowering the plurality of tines with respect to the mobile chassis of the automated mobile shuttle.
4 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the payload elevation system includes a cam driven elevation system for raising and lowering the plurality of tines of the payload.
5 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the payload elevation system includes a two-part cam driven elevation system for independently raising and lowering a first portion of the payload and a second portion of the payload.
6 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the automated mobile shuttle further includes a payload rotation system for rotating the payload with respect to the mobile chassis of the automated mobile shuttle.
7 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tines are coupled at one end to a cantilevered elevation system.
8 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the payload translation system includes a bi-directional roller system for extending the payload in each of two opposing directions beyond the automated mobile shuttle.
9 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first direction is horizontal and the second direction is vertical.
10 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the object processing system includes a plurality of storage shelves and the automated mobile shuttle reciprocally moves among the plurality of storage shelves.
11 . An object processing system comprising:
an automated mobile carrier movable in a vertical direction, said automated mobile carrier including a receiving surface for receiving at least one object; and
an automated mobile shuttle including a mobile chassis for moving the automated mobile shuttle in a horizontal direction, and a payload comprising a plurality of tines for supporting the at least one object thereon, wherein at least one tine includes a lead roller for contacting a recessed area of the receiving surface of the automated mobile carrier, and
wherein the automated mobile shuttle further includes a payload transfer system that uses the plurality of tines for transferring the at least one object between the receiving surface of the automated mobile carrier and the payload of the automated mobile shuttle and a payload rotation system for rotating the payload with respect to the mobile chassis of the automated mobile shuttle.
12 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the receiving surface includes support ribs and floor areas, and the floor areas engage tines of the payload of the automated mobile shuttle.
13 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the payload transfer system further includes a payload elevation system for raising and lowering the payload with respect to the mobile chassis of the automated mobile shuttle.
14 . The object processing system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the object processing system includes a plurality of storage shelves and the automated mobile shuttle reciprocally moves among the plurality of storage shelves.
15 . A method of processing objects comprising:
moving an automated mobile shuttle in a horizontal direction that includes at least one exchange area, wherein the automated mobile shuttle includes a payload for supporting at least one object thereon, the payload including a plurality of tines;
moving an automated mobile carrier in a vertical direction that includes the at least one exchange area, wherein the automated mobile carrier includes a receiving surface having a plurality of recessed areas for receiving the plurality of tines from the automated mobile shuttle; and
exchanging at least one object between the automated mobile shuttle and the automated mobile carrier at the at least one exchange area by rotating and translating the plurality of tines of the payload of the automated mobile shuttle towards the recessed areas of the receiving surface of the automated mobile carrier,
wherein one or more of the plurality of tines includes a lead roller for contacting one or more of the recessed areas of the receiving surface.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein exchanging the at least one object between the automated mobile shuttle and the automated mobile carrier by further elevationally adjusting the plurality of tines of the automated mobile shuttle.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the method further includes changing a position of the at least one object on the receiving surface of the automated mobile shuttle.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein changing the position of the object on the receiving surface involves moving the object toward or away from a center of the receiving surface.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the method further includes depositing the at least one object onto a storage shelf by one of the automated mobile shuttle and the automated mobile carrier.