Opex Corporation

Alex Stevens

Joseph Valinsky

A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from at least one of the motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.

Automated vehicle for use in inventory management system

A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the first drive system is operable to drive the vehicle along a horizontal surface. In a second mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to drive the vehicle vertically. In a third mode of operation, the second drive system is operable to lift a module vertically to lift the module off the horizontal surface so that actuating the first drive system drives the vehicle and the module along the horizontal surface.

Systems and methods for managing inventory

An inventory management system includes pick stations, automated vehicles having an onboard power source, a first drive system configured to horizontally displace the vehicle, a second drive system configured to vertically displace the vehicle along a guide system, and a platform for supporting an item during displacement of the vehicle. A first plurality of storage locations store inventory items at a first zone of vehicle operation and a second plurality of storage areas store inventory items at a second zone of vehicle operation. A first pick station is closer to the first storage locations than to the second storage locations, Vehicles are configured to transfer a selected item from one of the second plurality of storage locations to the first pick station or to transfer the selected item from the second plurality of storage locations to the first plurality of storage locations.

Systems and methods for dynamically managing the location of inventory items in an inventory management facility

A vehicle configured to perform inventory management tasks comprises first and second drive systems respectively actuated by a controller. In a first mode of operation, the controller is configured to control rotation of drive elements of the second drive system to align drive elements of the first drive system with a guide system and to control rotation of the drive elements of the first drive system to displace the vehicle vertically, relative to an underlying support surface, to reach a storage location. In a second mode of operation, the controller is configured to control rotation of the drive elements of the second drive system to cause the vehicle to enter an accessory module and to displace the accessory module horizontally and to control rotation of the first plurality of drive elements of the first drive system to displace the accessory module vertically.

A vehicle for use in an inventory management system having a plurality of destination areas and a guide system includes a platform for receiving and transporting items to and from the destination areas, a plurality of motors, a first drive system, a second drive system, a transfer mechanism, and a clutch mechanism. Drive elements of the first drive system are rotated by a first subset of one or more motors to move the vehicle vertically. Drive elements of the second drive system are rotated by a second subset of two or more motors to move the vehicle horizontally. The transfer system is configured to transfer and retrieve items to and from the destination areas, and the clutch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the transfer mechanism from the second subset of motors, whereby the second drive system drives movement of the vehicle independently of the transfer mechanism.

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Moorestown, NJ, United States of America

Alex Stevens