DE102017212341A1 - Transport vehicle for transporting objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an autonomous and size-adjustable transport vehicle for transporting objects and a transport system of a plurality of such transport vehicles. The transport vehicle for transporting objects comprises a housing, a chassis and a drive. The housing is adapted to receive objects and the housing size of the housing is adjustable. The chassis carries the housing and the drive and the drive is set up for the autonomous operation of the transport vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to an autonomous and size-adjustable transport vehicle for transporting objects and a transport system of a plurality of such transport vehicles.

From the prior art, a number of transport vehicles for transporting objects are known. However, they can be significantly improved in terms of their applicability.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transport vehicle for transporting objects, which is more flexible.

This object is achieved by a transport vehicle and a transport system for transporting objects according to claims 1 and 9. Advantageous embodiments and further developments can be taken from the subclaims and the following description.

The transport vehicle for transporting objects comprises a housing, a chassis and a drive. The housing is adapted to receive objects; It is explicitly not suitable and intended for transporting people. The housing can thus fulfill the principle of the function of a trunk.

The housing size of the housing is adjustable.

The chassis carries the housing and the drive.

The drive is set up for the autonomous operation of the transport vehicle.

The present invention thus relates to an autonomous and variable-size transport vehicle for transporting objects. If the transport vehicle is not needed, its size can be reduced and, for example, takes up very little space in a parking space. If the transport vehicle is needed, its transport volume can possibly be extended to the required size. The fact that the transport vehicle is used only with the size just required, the air resistance and thus the energy consumption is reduced while driving advantageously. The autonomous drive dispenses with a driver. On the one hand it is not necessary to transport the weight and volume of a driver and on the other hand it does not have the time of a user.

The transport vehicle according to the present invention thus makes any transport more flexible, simpler, more environmentally friendly and gives the user more time for other things. It is possible, both large and small items and bulky goods - regardless of a transport opportunity for the user itself - to transport and send stress-free. Furthermore, the transport vehicle fits well into a cityscape.

The user may e.g. simply buy furniture with a bicycle, since the transport vehicle according to the invention takes over the transport almost by itself. Furthermore, the user no longer has to make it dependent on the weather or appointments, whether he uses his bike. If necessary, he simply and at any time the bike in the next transport vehicle according to the invention and sends it to a destination of his choice.

The transport vehicle according to the present invention can also be used for transports of parts in or between plants and thus replace trucks for smaller transports.

The housing may be cuboid with rounded corners and edges. The chassis may comprise four wheels at four corners of a bottom surface of the cuboid. The housing may also have a more triangular base and three wheels at the three corners. The rear wheels can be rigid and the front or front steerable. The wheels can be made of rubber. The wheels may have a diameter of e.g. 80 mm.

The drive can be an electric motor. The drive can be a rear-wheel drive. The autonomous drive allows autonomous driving of the transport vehicle without a human driver. There is no human intervention beyond setting the goal and starting the system.

In one embodiment, the housing comprises a telescopic intermediate element for adjusting the housing size. The housing may e.g. comprising two outer housing parts and the intermediate telescopic element therebetween. The intermediate element can then be countersunk in the outer housing parts (minimum width) or the two outer housing parts can be pushed apart around the intermediate element (maximum width). The transport vehicle can only be adjusted to the two extremes, the minimum width and the maximum width, or a stepless adjustment between the two extremes can be possible.

In one embodiment, the landing gear comprises a telescopically extendable wheel, which is arranged to raise a part of the housing relative to another part of the housing and a housing part to move in order to adjust the housing size. In other words, in order for the housing to be adjustable in width, a wheel may be attached to a telescopic arm on the underside of one of the housing parts. This wheel can be extended far enough out of the housing to adjust the housing size to raise the transport vehicle on one side. As a result, the housing width can be adjusted. The telescopically extendable wheel may be one of the wheels for normal standing and driving or an additional wheel. In the latter case, the telescopically extendable wheel can be retracted prior to normal locomotion.

In one embodiment, a width of the housing is adjustable between about 800 and 1600 mm. Thereby, e.g. the outer housing parts are 400 mm wide and the telescopic intermediate element 800 mm wide. The housing and thus also the telescoping intermediate element can e.g. 2000 mm long and 1800 mm high.

In one embodiment, the housing has at least one opening for loading and unloading. The housing may also have at least two openings for loading and unloading. The opening can be closed by movable blades. The slats can form a kind of folding mechanism or a roller shutter, which saves space in the interior of the housing. The fins may e.g. be made of a semi-transparent material such as hard plastic, which allows enough visibility on status indications of the transport vehicle and / or interior lighting, but denied a close view of the cargo.

In one embodiment, the transport vehicle further comprises a fold-out of the housing ramp or stairs for easier loading and unloading of the housing. The ramp or staircase can be unfolded manually or powered if required. It may also be provided with an anti-slip coating, e.g. made of rubber, be occupied. The slip-resistant coating can also protect the inside of the transported goods from sliding in and out.

The housing can be illuminated outside and / or inside. The lighting can facilitate loading and / or unloading in the dark. The housing can also be partially transparent and serve the lighting as a condition indicator. The lighting can e.g. light blue from inside when the transport vehicle is available and free and red when it is occupied.

In one embodiment, the transport vehicle further comprises a communication interface adapted to input a destination of the transport vehicle. The communication interface may be a control panel, which allows the user an accurate destination determination. In conjunction with a mobile tracking application, it is easy to see where the transport vehicle is and how long it takes to reach its destination.

In one embodiment, the transport vehicle further comprises an authorization unit configured to authorize the transport, loading and / or unloading. With a previously generated code, the housing may be e.g. automatically close after activation on the control panel. For each new application, a new access code can be generated. The authorization unit may also authorize other persons to access the charge.

The transport system for transporting articles according to the invention comprises at least two of the transport vehicles described above and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the transport vehicles.

The transport system can be set up so that a user can order anytime, anywhere one of the transport vehicles described above via smartphone to his location.

The features of the present invention described above may be combined as much as possible, although not explicitly described above.

Other features, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments and the figures. All described and / or illustrated features alone and in any combination form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their composition in the individual claims or their back references. In the figures, like reference numerals represent like or similar objects.

• 1 shows a side and a front view of an embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the invention.
• 2 shows a 3D view and a plan view of an embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the invention.
• 3 shows a side, a front and a top view of an embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the invention with exemplary dimensions.
• 4 shows a front view of an embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the invention.
• 5 shows several views of a telescopic wheel of an embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the invention.

The following is with reference to 1 to 5 a detailed description of embodiments of the present invention.

The 1 and 2 show a side and a front view, a 3D view and a top view of an embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the invention 10 for transporting objects. The transport vehicle 10 includes a housing 11 , a landing gear 12 and a drive not shown here.

The housing 11 can pick up items and perform the function of an autonomous trunk separate from a car. The housing 11 is intended only for picking up or arranging objects and not for transporting people.

The housing 11 here is cuboid with rounded corners and edges. The housing 11 has an opening 16 for loading and unloading, by moving slats 17 is lockable ( 2 ). The housing size of the housing 11 is adjustable; this becomes the 3 and 4 explained in detail.

The chassis 12 carries the case 11 and the drive. The chassis 12 here includes four wheels at four corners of a bottom surface of the housing 11 , The rear wheels are rigid here and the front two are steerable.

The drive (not shown) is for autonomously operating the transport vehicle 10 set up, that is, it allows autonomous driving of the transport vehicle 10 without a human driver. There is no human intervention beyond setting the goal and starting the system.

The transport vehicle 10 further includes a communication interface 18 for entering a destination of the transport vehicle 10 serves. The communication interface is here a control panel, which allows the user an accurate destination. The communication interface 18 may further comprise an integrated or separate authorization unit. The authorization unit is used to authorize the transport, loading and / or unloading. Thus, the housing can automatically close after activation on the control panel with a previously generated code. For each new application, a new access code can be generated. The authorization unit may also authorize other persons to access the charge.

The transport vehicle 10 For transporting objects can be booked for a precisely planned route. Alternatively or cumulatively, it can be provided in the transport vehicle 10 only to enter a destination information, whereupon the transport vehicle 10 determined a suitable way to achieve the goal independently. The transport vehicle 10 transported, like a trunk, exclusively objects. Advantageously, it is possible by means of the invention that a user can buy on foot, with a comparatively simple vehicle, such as a bicycle, or using public transport large and / or heavy objects, without even having to provide a suitable means of transport.

The place plays in a city a very important role, which is why it is in the storage of larger, conventional non-size adjustable transport vehicles 10 could cause trouble. The transport vehicle 10 However, according to the present invention may extend to a width of, for example, up to 80 cm and may, for example, have a length of only 200 cm, so that eg fits a bike. Thus fit several transport vehicles according to the invention 10 next to each other in a parking space and have a much smaller footprint than a car.

In that the transport vehicle 10 can extend to a width of eg 1600 cm, it offers a large storage space (useful eg for removals). Furthermore, you can use the time differently while the transport vehicle 10 drives to its destination.

The transport vehicle according to the invention 10 can advantageously be stored underground when not in use - similar to a parking garage. It can also be charged there.

3 shows a side, a front and a top view of an embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the invention 10 with exemplary dimensions. 3 further shows an adjustment of the housing size. The housing 11 for this purpose comprises two outer housing parts 13a . 13b and between these a telescopic intermediate element 14 , The intermediate element 14 can in the outer housing parts 13a . 13b be sunk (minimum width, see 1 and 2 ) or the two outer housing parts 13a . 13b can around the intermediate element 14 be pushed apart (maximum width, see 13 ). The outer housing parts 13a . 13b here are 400 mm and the telescopic intermediate element 14 800 mm wide. This is the width of the housing 11 adjustable between 800 and 1600 mm.

4 shows a front view of an embodiment of the transport vehicle according to the invention 10 with a telescopic wheel 15 , and 5 shows several detail views of the telescopic wheel 15 , The telescopic wheel 15 is a wheel on a telescopic arm. It is part of the chassis 12 and serves to adjust the housing size. It is for a bottom of one of the housing parts 13a attached and can be used to adjust the housing size the one part 13a of the housing 11 opposite the other part 13b of the housing 11 Lift. In other words, the case 11 adjustable in width by the telescopic wheel 15 far enough out of the case 11 is extended to the transport vehicle 10 to lift on one side.

In addition, it should be noted that "encompassing" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a multitude. It should also be appreciated that features or steps described with reference to any of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limiting.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

transport vehicle

11

casing

12

landing gear

13a, 13b

outer housing parts

14

intermediate element

15

telescopically extendable wheel

16

opening

17

slats

18

Communication Interface

Claims (9)

Transport vehicle (10) for transporting objects, comprising: a housing (11), - a chassis (12), and a drive, wherein the housing (11) is adapted to receive objects, the chassis (12) carrying the housing (11) and the drive, wherein the drive is arranged for autonomous operation of the transport vehicle (10), and wherein a housing size of the housing (11) is adjustable. Transport vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11) comprises a telescopic intermediate element (14) for adjusting the housing size. Transport vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis (12) comprises a telescopically extendable wheel (15) which is adapted to adjust the housing size a part of the housing (13a) relative to another part of the housing (13b) to raise. Transport vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a width of the housing (11) between 800 mm and 1600 mm is adjustable. Transport vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11) has at least one opening (16) for loading and unloading, which is closed by movable blades (17). Transport vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a ramp or staircase which can be folded out of the housing (11) for easier loading and unloading of the housing (11). Transport vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a communication interface (18) which is set up for inputting a destination of the transport vehicle (10). Transport vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an authorization unit, which is set up for the authorization of transport, loading and / or unloading. Transport system for transporting objects, comprising: - At least two transport vehicles (10) according to one of the preceding claims, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is arranged to control the operation of the transport vehicles (10).

Images