Method for loading and unloading a space located on a vehicle

{
  "publication_number": "US2016243971A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Method for loading and unloading a space located on a vehicle",
  "abstract": "The present invention concerns a method for loading and/or unloading a loading space delimited by structural elements of at least one road or rail vehicle using a manipulator to move the loads from outside the loading space to a position onto the structural elements in the loading space and vice versa. The method includes: inputting or importing primary data relative to the loads into a logic controller, automatically calculating the optimum loading position for each load, determining the automated movements of the manipulator, automatically picking up a pallet in a storage position inside the loading space with the manipulator and positioning the pallet in a loading position located at the rear of the vehicle, placing a load on the pallet, and automatically moving the pallet supporting the load into the optimum loading position, and locking the pallet to the structural elements.",
  "claims": [
    "1. Method for loading a loading space delimited by structural elements of a vehicle or a container with loads using a manipulator the method comprising: a - inputting or importing primary data relative to each of the loads into a logic controller, b - automatically calculating with the logic controller an optimal loading position for each of the loads according to the primary data and complementary data relative to at least one of loading, unloading, transport, and load distribution requirements of the loads, c - automatically determining automated movements of the manipulator for each of the loads with the logic controller as a function of each optimal loading position calculated in step b), d - automatically picking-up a pallet with the manipulator and positioning said pallet in a loading position of the vehicle or container, e - placing one of the loads on the pallet, and f - automatically moving the pallet carrying one of the loads with the manipulator to the optimal loading position for the one of the loads using the automated movements determined in step c) and locking said pallet on the structural elements of the vehicle or container automatically and under the control of the logic controller. 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: g - using the primary data, the complementary data, and the optimal loading position for each of the loads, determining unloading movements for the manipulator for each of the loads, h - automatically unlocking the-pallet and moving the pallet carrying one of the loads using the manipulator and the unloading movements determined in step g) to an unloading position of the vehicle or container, i - removing the one of the loads from the pallet, and j - automatically moving the using the manipulator to a storage position. 3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises repeating steps d) to f) and repeating steps g) to i). 4. Method according to claim 1, wherein positioning the pallet in the loading position of step d) comprises positioning the pallet in a guided way over the structural elements. 5. Method according claim 1, wherein the vehicle or container comprises a train of vehicles or containers and wherein the train of vehicles or containers comprises at least a first vehicle or container comprising a first optimal loading position and a second vehicle or container comprising a second optimal loading position. 6. Method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises, after step j), retracting the manipulator to a defined transport position on the structural elements. 7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method utilizes a plurality of loaded pallets, and wherein the method further comprises moving some of the plurality of loaded pallets to better distribute the loads on the vehicle or container. 8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the logic controller comprises an onboard logic controller. 9. Method according to claim 8, wherein inputting or importing data into the logic controller is practiced by exchanging data with one of an operator and data storage databases, and wherein exchanging data with the operator is practiced via a wireless communication link connecting the logic controller to operator equipment. 10. Method according to claim 9, wherein exchanging in data comprises transmitting at least one of loading instructions, when placing one of the loads on the pallet comprises driving one of the loads on to the pallet, driving direction on to the-pallet, and an identification of the one of the loads to be placed on the pallet picked up by the manipulator. 11. Method according to claim 9, wherein the method further comprises regularly updating data recorded in the data storage databases. 12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the data storage databases comprise delocalized data storage databases with respect to the logic controller. 13. Method according to claim 9, wherein exchanging data with the operator further comprises inputting information linked to at least one of loading, unloading, and unexpected requirements. 14. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises, after step e), immobilizing the pallet carrying one of the loads at a given height, and strapping the one of the loads to the pallet at the given height. 15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises, after strapping the one of the loads to the pallet, supplying the logic controller with an instruction to continue to step f). 16. Method according to claim 14, wherein strapping the one of the loads to the pallet comprises transmitting instructions to the operator for strapping the one of the loads to the pallet. 17. Method according to claim 1, wherein the loads consist essentially of cars. 18. Loading device for implementing the method according to claim 1, the device comprising: a manipulator designed to work together with the vehicle or container: an on-board or remote intelligence means; a logic controller controlling the automatic movements of the manipulator according to calculations of the intelligence means, the calculations using at least one of the primary data and the complementary data, picking up and orientation devices enabling the manipulator to pick up and orient the pallets, guidance and orientation means for moving and orienting the manipulator along the structural elements of the vehicle or container, means of locking the pallet in the optimal loading position on the structural elements by means comprising automated actuating devices controlled by the logic controller, and means of communication between the logic controller and the operator supervising the automated loading operations. 19. Loading device according to claim 18, wherein the manipulator has two lateral articulated arms designed to pick up the pallet, each lateral arm mounted to swivel on a carriage moving along a guide rail arranged on the structural elements. 20. Loading device according to claim 18, wherein the structural elements and the pallet further comprise respective attaching devices cooperating together to lock the pallet in the optimal loading position on the structural elements. 21. Loading device according to claim 19, wherein each guide rail has a mobile or telescopic section enabling said guide rail to lengthen. 22. Loading device according to claim 19, wherein each guide rail is electrically conducting, is connected to a source of electric energy, and conducts electric energy to each respective carriage. 23. Loading device according to claim 19, wherein each of the two lateral arms are telescopic. 24. Loading device according to claim 18, wherein the manipulator is associated with the vehicle or container and carried on the vehicle or container. 25. Loading device according to claim 18, wherein the manipulator is associated with a loading base and remains on the loading base."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Technical Field\n\nThe present invention concerns the general technical field of freight transport, and in particular the transport of loads carried on pallets. These loads can be, for instance, cars having identical or different gauge sizes.\n\nThe invention concerns more particularly a method for loading/unloading a loading space and a loading/unloading device for implementing the said method. Such a device can be used for equipping a road-going vehicle such as a van, trailer, semi-trailer, articulated convoy or container designed to be loaded onto a semi-trailer or container-carrier or a wagon.\n\n2. State of the art\n\nThere is a known device described in document U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,712 for loading and unloading semitrailers. This device is mounted at the rear end of a loading space and has articulated arms for picking up laterally a vehicle bearing on wheel supports and moving the assembly towards a loading position. An operator using a control console controls the various operations and movements. A device of this type has the drawback of requiring to be controlled continuously by an operator. In addition, the operator does not always have all the information needed for optimal loading, unloading, transport or for distribution involving special requirements. It sometimes happens that the loads, in the present case, cars, are placed in loaded positions that are not optimal or may even be dangerous. A loading error can then only be corrected by moving at least some of the loads again. The result is in particular a substantial loss of time.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60P 1/483",
    "B25J 9/0087",
    "B60P 1/02",
    "B60P 1/48",
    "B60P 3/07",
    "B60P 3/08",
    "B60R 16/023",
    "B60Y 2200/11",
    "B60Y 2200/148",
    "B60Y 2200/221",
    "B62D 53/00",
    "G06F 16/23"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60P 1/48",
    "B60P 3/08",
    "B25J 9/00",
    "B60P 1/02",
    "B60P 3/07"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Lohr Electromecanique SAS"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Daniel SCHEER",
    "Laurent Verdier"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-10-17",
  "publication_date": "2016-08-25",
  "priority_date": "2013-10-17",
  "application_number": "US-201415029769-A",
  "family_id": "50069076",
  "cited_by_count": 12,
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  ]
}