Disclosed is an apparatus including a frame configured to support a conveyor system having a conveyor belt. The apparatus can include a carriage configured to support a conveyor tension roller, the carriage being fastened to the frame to allow the carriage to be transitioned to and from an engaging position and a disengaging position. The engaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will contact with the conveyor belt when installed, and the disengaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will not making contact with the conveyor belt when installed.

A transfer device for a transport container has a plurality of rotation/transport devices arranged in the form of a matrix. Each of the rotation/transport devices has a bearing for the transport container, wherein the bearing is formed at least as a three-point bearing and each of the rotation/transport devices has a dedicated drive for rotation purposes and a dedicated drive for transportation purposes.

Disclosed is an apparatus including a frame configured to support a conveyor system having a conveyor belt. The apparatus can include a carriage configured to support a conveyor tension roller, the carriage being fastened to the frame to allow the carriage to be transitioned to and from an engaging position and a disengaging position. The engaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will contact with the conveyor belt when installed, and the disengaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will not making contact with the conveyor belt when installed.

A movement of the upstream workpiece to the first transfer position by the first mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece to the second transfer position by the second mover are performed in synchronization. A feed of the upstream workpiece from the first transfer position to the second transfer position by the first feeder and a feed of the downstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the third transfer position by the second feeder are performed in synchronization. A movement of the upstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the inversion position by the second mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece from the third transfer position to the second imaging position by the third mover are performed in synchronization.

A robotic shuttle system for logistics and a control method thereof are disclosed. The novel robotic shuttle system for logistics is compact in structure, convenient for disassembly and maintenance, and integrated intelligently, and may precisely realize the functions such as moving, lifting, carrying, fault warning, etc. The novel robotic shuttle system for logistics includes a novel logistics shuttle robot and a WCS automatic storage system; the novel logistics shuttle robot includes a vehicle body, a straight motor, a straight wheel, a transverse motor, a transverse wheel, a position sensor, a lifting motor, an encoder, a PLC controller, a lifting position sensor, a telescopic fork, a finger, a telescopic fork position sensor, a telescopic fork motor, and an antenna; and the bottom of the vehicle body- is respectively provided with the straight wheel and the transverse wheel.

A store is described, including an ordering interface, a storage area, automated vehicles, and a central processing system. The ordering interface accepts selections of items for purchase from a shopper. The storage area, stocking items for sale, is separate from the area containing the ordering interface. The automated vehicles retrieve items from the storage area. The central processing system is configured to: check-in the shopper; assign an order fulfilment module to the shopper; receive selections of items from the ordering interface in real-time, as the shopper selects the items for purchase; send the selections to the order fulfilment module for retrieval in real-time; check-out the shopper when the shopper is finished selecting items; and arrange delivery of the completed order to the shopper. The order fulfilment module assigns automated vehicles to retrieve the items for purchase in real-time. A method for operating a store is also described.

A movement of the upstream workpiece to the first transfer position by the first mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece to the second transfer position by the second mover are performed in synchronization. A feed of the upstream workpiece from the first transfer position to the second transfer position by the first feeder and a feed of the downstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the third transfer position by the second feeder are performed in synchronization. A movement of the upstream workpiece from the second transfer position to the inversion position by the second mover and a movement of the downstream workpiece from the third transfer position to the second imaging position by the third mover are performed in synchronization.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. Along the path, the vehicles are scanned to determine if any item on the vehicles extends beyond a dimensional constraint. If it is determined that an item on a vehicle extends above the pre-determined threshold, the vehicle is controlled, such as by stopping or re-directing the vehicle. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

The invention relates to a method which comprises determining first geometry information of a first object stream of a plurality of objects, which are transported on a first conveyor. The method also comprises determining second geometry information of a second object stream of a plurality of objects which are transported on a second conveyor. The first conveyor is configured to transport objects at a first speed, and the second conveyor is configured to transport objects at a second speed. The first conveyor and the second conveyor are arranged in such a way that the objects which are transported by the first conveyor move onto the second conveyor. The method also comprises adjusting the first speed of the first conveyor and/or adjusting the second speed of the second conveyor on the basis of the determined first geometry information and/or the determined second geometry information.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. Along the path, the vehicles are scanned to determine if any item on the vehicles extends beyond a dimensional constraint. If it is determined that an item on a vehicle extends above the pre-determined threshold, the vehicle is controlled, such as by stopping or re-directing the vehicle. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.