Method for Loading and/or Unloading a Transport Device at a Receiving Container

Abstract

The invention relates to a method by means of which an unmanned transport device (3) docked on a receiving container (1) is loaded with a payload container (7) for a consignment (4), having a loading device (8) for loading the transport device (3) with the payload container (7), wherein the payload container (7) has a bearing means (9) at its first end (8a), the transport device (3) has a loading opening (6) on its underside (5) for receiving the payload container (7), and the loading opening (6), at its front end (19), has a mating contour (20) corresponding to the bearing means (9), and the method has the following steps: the payload container (7), arranged on the loading device (8), is pivoted in relation to the horizontal by the loading device (8) such that the first end (8a) is elevated in relation to a second, opposite end (14) of the payload container (7), the loading device (8) is raised until the payload container (7) ends up at least with its first end (8a) located within and/or beneath the loading opening (6), and the payload container (7) is pivoted by the loading device into the horizontal for introduction into the loading opening (6) such that, first of all, the bearing means (9) comes into engagement with the mating contour (20) and, subsequently, the second end (14) of the payload container (7) comes into engagement with a rear end (22) of the loading opening (6).

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A method for loading an unmanned transport device docked on a receiving container with a payload container for a consignment, the receiving container having a loading device for loading the unmanned transport device with the payload container, the payload container having a bearing at a first end of the payload container, the unmanned transport device having a loading opening for receiving the payload container on an underside of the unmanned transport device, the loading opening having a mating contour corresponding to the bearing at a front end of the loading opening, the method comprising: pivoting the payload container disposed on the loading device with the loading device relative to a horizontal configuration such that the first end of the of the payload container is elevated relative to a second, opposite end of the payload container; raising the loading device until the payload container at least the first end of the payload container is positioned within, beneath, or both within and beneath the loading opening; and pivoting the payload container into the horizontal configuration with the loading device in order to introduce the payload container into the loading opening such that the bearing firstly enters into engagement with the mating contour and the second end of the payload container subsequently enters into engagement with a rear end of the loading opening.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising one or both of: after introducing the payload container into the loading opening, locking the second end of the payload container to the transport device with the loading device by turning a locking device disposed at the second end of the payload container; and after introducing the payload container into the loading opening, lowering the loading device until the loading device is disposed within the receiving container.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the payload container, the loading opening or both the payload container and the loading opening is designed such that, when the payload container pivots relative to the horizontal configuration or into the horizontal configuration, at least the first end of the payload container bears positively against at least the front end of the loading opening.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the loading device has a spindle corresponding to the first end of the payload container or to the second end of the payload container, the transport device has a bushing that corresponds to the spindle at a respective one of the front end of the loading opening and the rear end of the loading opening, and raising the loading device comprises raising the loading device until the spindle engages in the bushing.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the payload container has a first plug at the first end of the payload container, the loading opening has a second plug corresponding to the first plug at the front end of the loading opening, and the first and second plugs are arranged such that the first plug connects to the second plug when the payload container pivots into the horizontal configuration.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the second plug is floatingly supported at the loading opening such that the second plug is supported rigidly in a plug-in direction and elastically orthogonal to the plug-in direction.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the first plug has a pin plate, the second plug has a pin receptacle, and the pin plate and the pin receptacle are configured such that a pin of the pin plate is guided by the pin receptacle when the payload container pivots into the horizontal configuration in a manner that firstly reduces a tolerance between the first and second plugs and subsequently positions and orients the first and second plugs relative to each other.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein: the loading device has one or both of a tilt cylinder and an actuator; the tilt cylinder is configured for pivoting the payload container; and the actuator is configured for unlocking the payload container from the transport device, locking the payload container to the transport device, or both.

28. The method of claim 20, further comprising one or more of: removing the payload container from a storage position and/or a loading module with the loading device, depositing the payload container in the storage position and/or the loading module with the loading device, or both; opening, closing, or both opening and closing a hatch on a landing platform of the receiving container in order to land the transport device on the receiving container; and fixing the landed unmanned transport device to the receiving container with a longitudinal guide, a transverse guide, or both.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the payload container has a nose bearing at the first end of the payload container, and the loading opening has a nose contour corresponding to the nose bearing at the front end of the loading opening.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein the payload container pivots by no less than five degrees and no more than fifty degrees.

31. The method of claim 20, wherein the payload container has a battery for powering the unmanned transport device, and the receiving container has a device for charging the battery.

32. A method for unloading an unmanned transport device docked on a receiving container with a payload container for a consignment, the receiving container having a loading device for unloading the payload container from the unmanned transport device, the payload container having a bearing at a first end of the payload container, the unmanned transport device having a loading opening in which the payload container is received on an underside of the unmanned transport device, the loading opening having a mating contour corresponding to the bearing and in which the bearing engages at a front end of the loading opening, the method comprising: raising the loading device until the loading device is positioned beneath the loading opening on the payload container; unlocking the payload container at a second, opposite end of the payload container; pivoting of the payload container relative to a horizontal configuration with the loading device such that the second end of the payload container is lowered relative to the first end of the payload container until the bearing disengages from the mating contour; lowering the payload container relative to the transport device with the loading device; and pivoting the payload container into the horizontal configuration with the loading device.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein: the loading device has one or both of a tilt cylinder and an actuator; the tilt cylinder is configured for pivoting the payload container; and the actuator is configured for unlocking the payload container from the transport device, locking the payload container to the transport device, or both.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising one or more of: removing the payload container from a storage position and/or a loading module with the loading device, depositing the payload container in the storage position and/or the loading module with the loading device, or both; opening, closing, or both opening and closing a hatch on a landing platform of the receiving container in order to land the transport device on the receiving container; and fixing the landed unmanned transport device to the receiving container with a longitudinal guide, a transverse guide, or both.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the payload container has a nose bearing at the first end of the payload container, and the loading opening has a nose contour corresponding to the nose bearing at the front end of the loading opening.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the payload container pivots by no less than five degrees and no more than fifty degrees.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the payload container has a battery for powering the unmanned transport device, and the receiving container has a device for charging the battery.

38. A receiving container configured to implement the method of claim 20, the receiving container configured as one of a mailbox, a parcel box and a Packstation for receiving the consignment.

39. A receiving container configured to implement the method of claim 32, the receiving container configured as one of a mailbox, a parcel box and a Packstation for receiving the consignment.

Description

FIGURES

[0038] The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings on the basis of a preferred embodiment, wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows an inside of a receiving container in a schematic view according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a payload container in a schematic view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a loading device with payload container and transport device in a schematic view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a further view to FIG. 3,

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a plug connection between payload container and transport device in a schematic view according to the preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a closable opening in the receiving container according to FIG. 1,

[0045] FIG. 7 shows the loading device according to FIG. 3 in a further view, and

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a top view of the receiving container according to FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0047] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an inside of a receiving container designed as a parcel station. On a landing platform 2 of the receiving container 1 is docked an unmanned transport device 3. The unmanned transport device 3 is constructed as an autopilot drone, in the present case referred to as a parcelcopter, and has a drive to transport a consignment 4 (shown in FIG. 2) from the receiving container 2 toward a consignee (not shown). On the underside 5 of the transport device is provided a loading opening 6, into which a payload container 7 for the consignment 4 can be introduced. For the introduction of the payload container 7 into the loading opening 6, or for the removal of the payload container 7 from the loading opening 6, in the receiving container 1 is provided a loading device 8, also referred to as a loading manipulator.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the payload container 7, which in top view has a rectangular shape. At a first transverse-side end 8a are provided two mutually spaced bearings 9, which extend in the longitudinal extent of the payload container 7 parallel to each other away from the payload container 7. Midway between the two bearings 9 there is arranged on the first side 8a of the payload container 7 a nose bearing 10, as well as two first plugs 11, which in the present case are constructed as a fourteen-pole bushing and as a twenty-pole bushing. In the direction of the top shell 12 of the payload container 7 is provided at a distance from the bearing 9, on the upper of the two first plugs 11, a pin plate 13, the pins of which extend perpendicular to the plug-in direction of the first plugs 11 away from the bearing 9.

[0050] For the loading of the transport device 3 with the payload container 7, the loading device 8 pivots the payload container 7 in relation to the horizontal into the position shown in FIG. 1, so that the first end 8a is elevated in relation to a second, opposite end 14. For the pivoting, the loading device 8 has a tilt cylinder 15. The loading device 8 located beneath the loading opening 6 subsequently moves, indicated by the arrow 16, in the direction of the transport device 9, until, as shown in FIG. 3, spindles 17 provided on the loading device 8 engage in corresponding bushings 18 of the transport device 3. On the loading device 8 are additionally provided, corresponding to the first end 8a and to the second end 14, respectively two mutually spaced spindles 17, which engage in corresponding bushings 18 on the underside 5 of the transport device 3.

[0051] Once the loading device 8 is in this way fixed to the transport device 3, the payload container 7, which, by being raised at its first end 8a, already reaches partly into the loading opening 6, is pivoted into the horizontal. As a result of the pivoting, the bearing 9 firstly enters into touching engagement with a mating contour 20 which at a front end of the loading opening 8 corresponds to the bearing 9. Corresponding to the nose bearing 10, at the front end 19 of the loading opening 6 is configured a nose contour 21, in which the nose bearing 10 engages in touching contact.

[0052] The bearings 9, 10, and the thereto corresponding contours 20, 21 are configured such that, over an angle of rotation of about twelve degrees (12?), a positive locking between payload container 7 and loading opening 6 is maintained, until, after complete pivoting of the payload container 7 into the horizontal, the second end 14 of the payload container is in touching engagement with a rear end 22 of the loading opening 6. In this way, the payload container 7 is accommodated fully and positively in the loading opening 6, as can be seen from FIG. 4. The payload container 7 is thus swiveled into the loading opening 6 not in a purely linear motion, but rather via a rotational axis configured at the first end 8a or the front end 9.

[0053] For the locking of the payload container 7 to the transport device 3, at the second end 14 a locking device 22 is provided. For the actuation of the locking device 22, the loading device has an actuator 23, which via a tool engages in the locking device 22 and, by a rotary motion, locks the second end 14 of the payload container 7, at the rear end 22 of the loading opening, to this latter.

[0054] Correspondingly to the first plug 11, at the front end 19 in the loading opening 6 a second plug 24 is arranged such that, by pivoting of the payload container 7 into the horizontal, the first plug 11 is introduced into the second plug 24. In order to compensate tolerances between the payload container 7 and the loading opening 6, the second plug 24 is floatingly supported at the loading opening 6 such that the second plug 24 is mounted rigidly in the plug-in direction and elastically orthogonally to the plug-in direction. Correspondingly to the pin plate 13, on the second plug 24 is arranged a pin receptacle 25, which, when the payload container 7 is pivoted into the horizontal, firstly traps the pin in order subsequently to guide the pin for the purpose of positionally accurate orientation of the plugs 11, 24 one to the other. In order that the first plug 11 can be introduced particularly easily into the second plug 24, the second plug 24 is angled by five degrees (5?) in relation to the horizontal.

[0055] The unloading of a payload container 7 from a transport device 3 docked on the receiving container 1 is realized analogously. Firstly, the loading device 7 is raised until this ends up beneath the loading opening 6 in touching contact against the payload container 7. Subsequently, by the actuator 23, the locking device 22a is unlocked. Subsequently, the payload container 7 is pivoted in relation to the horizontal such that the second end 14 is lowered in relation to the first end 8a, until the bearing 9 no longer engages in touching contact in the mating contour 20. The payload container 9 resting in this way on the loading device 8 is next lowered in relation to the transport device 3 into the receiving container 1 by the loading device 8, and is finally pivoted into the horizontal.

[0056] The loading device 8 conveys the payload container 7, with consignment 4 disposed therein, to a loading module 26 (shown in FIG. 6), which is disposed on an outer wall of the receiving container 1. In the outer wall is provided a closable opening 27, through which an operator can reach into the receiving container 1 and in this way remove the consignment 4 (not shown in FIG. 6) from the payload container 7. Likewise, it is possible to place a new consignment 4 into the payload container 7.

[0057] With the loading device 8 (shown in further view in Gig. 7), the payload container 7 can be deposited within the receiving container 1, moreover, in a plurality of storage positions in which empty payload containers 7, or payload containers 7 already laden with a consignment 4 can be temporarily stored. In this way, payload containers 7 can be successively loaded with consignments 4, or be transported by transport devices 3 away from the receiving container 1.

[0058] In order to enable a positionally accurate fixing of the transport device 3 docked on the receiving container 1, longitudinal and/or transverse guides 28 are provided, by which the transport device 3 can be oriented above the loading device 8 (as shown in top view in FIG. 8). Above the landing platform 2 is provided on the receiving container 1 a hatch 29, which is able to be opened or closed for the landing or flying away of the transport device 3 on or from the receiving container 1.

[0059] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

[0060] Receiving container 1 [0061] Landing platform 2 [0062] Unmanned transport device 3 [0063] Consignment 4 [0064] Underside 5 [0065] Loading opening 6 [0066] Payload container 7 [0067] Loading device 8 [0068] First end 8a [0069] Bearing 9 [0070] Nose bearing 10 [0071] First plug 11 [0072] Top shell 12 [0073] Pin plate 13 [0074] Second end 14 [0075] Tilt cylinder 15 [0076] Arrow 16 [0077] Spindle 17 [0078] Bushing 18 [0079] Front end 19 [0080] Mating contour 20 [0081] Nose contour 21 [0082] Rear end 22 [0083] Locking device 22a [0084] Actuator 23 [0085] Second plug 24 [0086] Pin receptacle 25 [0087] Loading module 26 [0088] Opening 27 [0089] Longitudinal and/or transverse guide 28 [0090] Hatch 29