Carton unloader with self-aligning interface
US10005627B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/27
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A self-aligning interface (6300) is attached to a robotic carton unloader (6100) and provides an interface between an extendable conveyor (6200) and the robotic carton unloader (6100). The self-aligning interface (6300) can include a positional measurement device (6320, 6320b, 6320c) mounted on the robotic carton unloader (6100) and operatively engaged with the extendable conveyor (6200) to provide positional information about the location of the extendable nose conveyor (6220) relative to the positional measurement device (6320, 6320b, 6320c). A control unit (6180) is attached to the robotic carton unloader (6100) for full robotic control of robotic carton unloader (6100) and the unloading process. The control unit (6180) is connected to the positional measurement device (6320, 6320b, 6320c) and the extendable conveyor (6200). The control unit (6180) uses positional information to calculate and control extension and retraction movements of the extendable conveyor (6200) in unison with the forward and reverse movements of the robotic carton unloader 6100 to ensure unloaded cartons (12) exiting the moving truck unloader are received on the extendable conveyor (6200).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.