Lift assembly for a delivery vehicle

A package lift assembly for a delivery vehicle includes a plurality of rods that define at least one shelf. The package lift assembly further includes upper and lower rails. An alteration assembly is operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the alteration assembly. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and include a central receiving member. At least a portion of the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the central receiving member. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the central receiving member and the vertical guides. The motor assembly and the alteration assembly cooperate to translate the platform along the vertical guides and translate the central receiving member between a retrieval position and a holding position.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a delivery vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure generally relates to a lift assembly for a delivery vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Delivery vehicles typically store items for delivery on shelves. The driver generally retrieves the items for delivery at various locations. The driver may retrieve the items by entering the rear of the delivery vehicle and manually removing the items from the shelves.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a delivery vehicle includes shelving units that are disposed within a cargo space of said delivery vehicle. The shelving units include shelves and vehicle supports. A delivery item is disposed on at least one of the shelves and a lift assembly is operably coupled to the shelving units and configured to receive the delivery item. The lift assembly includes upper rails and lower rails each being operably coupled to said delivery vehicle. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. An alteration assembly is operably coupled to each of the upper and lower rails and the vertical guides. The alteration assembly translates the vertical guides along the upper and lower rails. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and includes a central receiving member. The central receiving member is operable between a retrieval position and a holding position. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the platform and each of the vertical guides.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:the shelves include a plurality of rods, wherein the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the central receiving member in the retrieval position of the platform;the platform includes side rails operably coupled to the central receiving member, wherein the central receiving member is configured to translate along the side rails between the retrieval position and the holding position;a controller is communicatively coupled to the motor assembly, wherein the controller activates the motor assembly to translate the central receiving member between the retrieval position and the holding position;a drive feature is communicatively coupled to the controller;a pulley assembly is operably coupled to the drive feature, wherein the drive feature translates the lift assembly between a raised position and a lowered position; and/orthe controller translates the platform into the raised position when the central receiving member is in the retrieval position, wherein the delivery item is disposed on the central receiving member in the retrieval position.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a package lift system for a vehicle includes shelving units including shelves. Upper and lower rails are proximate to the shelving units. A lift assembly is selectively engaged with the shelving units. The lift assembly includes an alteration assembly that is operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the alteration assembly. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and includes a receiving member. The receiving member is operable between a retrieval position and a holding position. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the receiving member. A controller is communicatively coupled to the motor assembly and the alteration assembly and translates the receiving member between the retrieval position and the holding position. The controller includes a global positioning system. A memory storage is communicatively coupled to the controller and includes a delivery database that includes coordinates from the global positioning system and a delivery location of a delivery item.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:a drive feature is operably coupled to the controller and the lift assembly, wherein the drive feature includes the lift assembly relative to the shelving units;the receiving member includes sensors that detect a load on the receiving member, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to the sensors and activates the drive feature when the sensors detect the load on the receiving member;the shelves include a plurality of rods and the receiving member defines a plurality of grooves, wherein the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the plurality of grooves in the retrieval position of the receiving member;an imager is operably coupled to the lift assembly and is communicatively coupled to the controller;the imager detects a label of the delivery item and the controller compares the detected label with the delivery location stored in the memory storage;the global positioning system of the delivery database is communicatively coupled to a network to receive location information of said vehicle; and/orthe controller activates the motor assembly of the lift assembly to retrieve the delivery item when the controller determines that the delivery location corresponds to the location information of said vehicle.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a package lift assembly for a delivery vehicle includes a plurality of rods that define at least one shelf. The package lift assembly further includes upper and lower rails. An alteration assembly is operably coupled to the upper and lower rails. Vertical guides are operably coupled to the alteration assembly. A platform is operably coupled to the vertical guides and includes a central receiving member. At least a portion of the plurality of rods are selectively disposed within the central receiving member. A motor assembly is operably coupled to the central receiving member and the vertical guides. The motor assembly and the alteration assembly cooperate to translate the platform along the vertical guides and translate the central receiving member between a retrieval position and a holding position.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:the central receiving member defines grooves in which the plurality of rods are at least partially and selectively disposed;the platform further includes side rails that are operably coupled to the central receiving member, wherein the central receiving member translates along the side rails between the retrieval position and the holding position;a controller is operably coupled to the alteration assembly and the motor assembly, wherein the controller includes the delivery locations;the controller activates the alteration assembly to position the platform that is proximate to the shelf, wherein the controller activates the motor assembly to translate the central receiving member from the holding position to the retrieval position;the alteration assembly includes cables that are operably coupled to the platform, wherein the cables translate the platform between a raised position and a lowered position; and/orthe controller activates the alteration assembly to raise the platform when the central receiving member is in the retrieval position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Additional features and advantages of the presently disclosed device will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or recognized by practicing the device as described in the following description, together with the claims and appended drawings.

Referring toFIGS. 1-14, reference number10generally refers to a delivery vehicle that includes shelving units12disposed within a cargo space14of the delivery vehicle10. The shelving units12include shelves16and vertical supports18. A delivery item20is disposed on at least one of the shelves16, and a lift assembly22is operably coupled to the shelving units12. The lift assembly22includes upper rails24and lower rails26that are operably coupled to the delivery vehicle10. Vertical guides28are operably coupled to the upper and lower rails24,26, and an alteration assembly30is operably coupled to each of the upper and lower rails24,26and the vertical guides28. The alteration assembly30is configured to translate the vertical guides28along the upper and lower rails24,26. A platform32is operably coupled to the vertical guides28and includes a central receiving member34. The central receiving member34is operable between a retrieval position36and a holding position38. A motor assembly40is operably coupled to the platform32and each of the vertical guides28.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, the delivery vehicle10includes a vehicle body50that defines an interior52of the delivery vehicle10. The interior52of the delivery vehicle10is generally divided between a passenger compartment54and the cargo space14, such that the cargo space14is defined toward a rear portion56of the delivery vehicle10. The interior52of the delivery vehicle10is further defined by a ceiling58and a floor60, in addition to first and second sidewalls62,64of the cargo space14. The cargo space14may be accessible from the passenger compartment54via a door and/or an opening. The cargo space14may also be accessible via first and second doors66,68coupled to the rear portion56of the delivery vehicle10. The first and second doors66,68provide selective access to the cargo space14. The cargo space14is described in more detail below. The passenger compartment54may have at least a driver seat70and may also include a user interface72with which a driver may interact and receive delivery information, as described further below.

In various examples, the delivery vehicle10is a wheeled motor vehicle10, which may be a sedan, a sport utility vehicle, a truck, a van, a crossover, and/or other styles of vehicle. The delivery vehicle10may be a manually operated vehicle (e.g., with a human driver), a fully autonomous vehicle (e.g., no human driver), or a partially autonomous vehicle (e.g., may be operated with or without a human driver).

With further reference toFIGS. 1-4, the cargo space14may be divided into first and second sides74,76, and the shelving units12may be disposed along each of the first and second sides74,76. The shelving units12are generally configured as multilayer shelves operably coupled to the vertical supports18and extending between the ceiling58and the floor60of the delivery vehicle10. The vertical supports18may be disposed along the first and second sidewalls62,64of the cargo space14and/or may be disposed proximate to a central portion78of the cargo space14.

The shelves16may be open shelving, such that the shelves16extend along a length L1of the cargo space14and may be generally free from obstructions and/or barriers along a length L2of the shelves16. Additionally or alternatively, some or all of the shelves16may define separate storage compartments80in which the delivery item20may be disposed. By way of example, not limitation, the delivery item20may be a package or other parcel used to protect and conceal a user item during delivery. Each of the separate storage compartments80may have an identifier, which may be utilized to assist in the removal of the delivery item(s)20, as described further below. In either configuration, the lift assembly22identifies the delivery item20and removes, at least, the delivery item20from the shelf16via the central receiving member34, described in more detail below. The shelves16are formed from a plurality of rods82extending outwardly from a support bar84to define each shelf16. The support bar84is operably coupled to the vertical supports18to retain the shelves16within the cargo space14. Additionally or alternatively, the support bar84of each shelf16may be operably coupled to the first and second sidewalls62,64of the delivery vehicle10to couple each shelf16to the delivery vehicle10.

Referring still toFIGS. 1-4and as mentioned above, the upper rails24and the lower rails26are operably coupled to the delivery vehicle10proximate to the shelves16. The upper rails24are operably coupled to the ceiling58of the delivery vehicle10, and the lower rails26are operably coupled to the floor60of the delivery vehicle10. It is generally contemplated that the upper and lower rails24,26may each include two rails. Each of the upper and lower rails24,26are disposed proximate to the shelving units12on the first and second sides74,76of the cargo space14. The alteration assembly30of the lift assembly22is operably coupled to each of the upper and lower rails24,26and is configured to translate the lift assembly22along each of the upper and lower rails24,26.

The alteration assembly30includes a plurality of wheels90, a housing92, and a pulley assembly94. The plurality of wheels90are operably coupled to and at least partially disposed within the housing92. The housing92is operably coupled to the vertical guides28, and the pulley assembly94can be partially disposed within the housing92and operably coupled to the platform32. The alteration assembly30is operably coupled to at least two of the vertical guides28. It is generally contemplated that the pulley assembly94is operably coupled to at least one of the alteration assemblies30. As described herein, the alteration assembly30and the pulley assembly94are described as singular assemblies, but the lift assembly22may, and typically does, include a plurality of alteration and pulley assemblies30,94.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the pulley assembly94includes at least one pulley96and cables98. It is generally contemplated that the pulley96is disposed within the housing92and that the cables98extend along the vertical guides28. The cables98are operably coupled to the platform32to vertically translate the platform32relative to the shelving units12. It is also contemplated that the cables98may extend laterally from the housing92along each of the upper and lower rails24,26. The cables98of the pulley assembly94can be coupled to a drive feature100to articulate the lift assembly22along the upper and lower rails24,26. The alteration assembly30, including the pulley assembly94, is operably coupled to both the upper and lower rails24,26, such that the cables98of the pulley assembly94extend laterally along each of the upper and lower rails24,26.

With further reference toFIGS. 1-4, the drive feature100is operably coupled to the alteration assembly30to horizontally and vertically translate the lift assembly22. For example, the drive feature100is operably coupled to the plurality of wheels90of the alteration assembly30and horizontally translates the platform32via the vertical guides28. The plurality of wheels90may be alternatively configured as rollers, tracks, and/or other gliding features that may articulate along the upper and lower rails24,26to translate the lift assembly22within the cargo space14. The drive feature100can be disposed within the interior52of the delivery vehicle10and/or along the rails24,26and is configured to articulate the lift assembly22by driving the alteration assembly30. For example, the drive feature100can laterally pull the cables98of the pulley assembly94, which articulate the pulleys96to raise the platform32to define a raised position. The drive feature100may controllably release the cables98to lower the platform32to define a lowered position. The functionality of the drive feature100in combination with the alteration assembly30is described in more detail below.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4 and 12and as illustrated inFIG. 3, the cables98are operably coupled to the platform32proximate to the vertical guides28. The cables98extend upward from the platform32and around the pulleys96within the housing92and are ultimately coupled to the drive feature100. The alteration assembly30may include lateral cables102that extend along, at least, the lower rail26and are coupled to the wheels90of the alteration assembly30. The lateral cables102are also operably coupled to the drive feature100and are configured to horizontally translate the lift assembly22within the cargo space14. As will be described in more detail below, the drive feature100is communicatively coupled to a controller104(FIG. 12), which is configured to activate and deactivate the drive feature100.

Based on an input received by the controller104, the drive feature100may raise and/or lower the platform32via the cables98, as generally described above. For example, the controller104may receive the input indicating a delivery location106that corresponds to the delivery item20. The controller104may then activate the drive feature100to pull the cables98and raise the platform32. The pulley assembly94may cooperate with the lift assembly22to raise the platform32proximate to one of the shelves16in order to retrieve the delivery item20from the shelf16, as described further below.

Referring now toFIGS. 3-7 and 12, the lift assembly22may also be referred to as a package lift system and/or a package lift assembly. The lift assembly22generally includes the vertical guides28operably coupled to the platform32. The platform32includes the receiving member34, which is centrally disposed on an upper surface110of the platform32. First and second side rails112,114are disposed on the platform32proximate to the receiving member34, and the receiving member34is operably coupled to the first and second side rails112,114. Specifically, the receiving member34has peripheral side walls116that correspond with and are selectively disposed within each of the first and second side rails112,114. The peripheral side walls116translate within the first and second side rails112,114between the holding position38and the retrieval position36of the receiving member34. The receiving member34also has a first end118and a second end120, each configured to receive the rods82of the shelves16.

As will be described in further detail below, the receiving member34is articulated via the motor assembly40, such that either the first end118or the second end120of the receiving member34may extend past the platform32. The motor assembly40is operably coupled to both the platform32and a bottom surface122of the receiving member34. A top surface124of the receiving member34defines a plurality of grooves126that selectively receive the rods82of the shelves16. Support ridges128separate and define each of the grooves126and are configured to support and receive the delivery item20. The delivery item20may be disposed on the support ridges128and translated to the rods82of the shelf16and may also be retrieved from the shelf16via placement of the rods82within the grooves126, as described below.

With further reference toFIGS. 3-7and as mentioned above, the motor assembly40is illustrated as being coupled to the platform32. The motor assembly40includes a belt and pulley assembly130, a motor132, a rack134, a pinion136, and a gearbox138operably coupled to the belt and pulley assembly130. The rack134is operably coupled to the bottom surface122of the receiving member34, and the pinion136is operably coupled to the rack134proximate to at least one of the first and second ends118,120of the receiving member34. The pinion136engages the rack134to translate the central receiving member34between the holding position38and the retrieval position36. The motor assembly40and the alteration assembly30work in conjunction to retrieve the delivery item20from the shelving units12via the central receiving member34, as will be described in more detail below.

It is generally contemplated that the belt and pulley assembly130of the motor assembly40is operably coupled to the pinion136and the gearbox138to articulate the central receiving member34between the retrieval position36and the holding position38. For example, the motor132is coupled to the gearbox138and rotates the gearbox138during operation to translate a belt140as the pinions136articulate with the rack134to laterally translate the central receiving member34. It is generally contemplated that the belt140has a saw-tooth configuration to articulate with the pinions36. The motor132is configured to rotate the gearbox138in either lateral direction, such that the central receiving member34may extend toward the first side74and/or the second side76of the cargo space14. Stated differently, the central receiving member34can be translated toward the shelving unit12on either the first side74of the cargo space14and/or toward the second side76of the cargo space14.

Referring toFIGS. 5-10and as described further below, the lift assembly22may include an imager150configured to detect image data152in the form of a label154on the delivery item20. The imager150detects the label154and communicates the received image data152with the controller104. The label154typically contains delivery information, including, but not limited to, the delivery location106of the delivery item20. The imager150may detect the delivery location106as the delivery location106may appear on the label154. Additionally or alternatively, the label154may include a barcode or other coded image in which the delivery location106is embedded, which may be detected by the imager150. The controller104may utilize the detected label154to articulate the lift assembly22to retrieve the delivery item20when the delivery vehicle10has arrived at the corresponding delivery location106.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-12, the controller104is configured with a memory storage170in which a delivery database172may be stored. The delivery database172is configured with the delivery locations106for the delivery items20. Although mentioned above as a single delivery location106and a single delivery item20, it is also contemplated that the delivery vehicle10may include a plurality of delivery items20to be delivered to a plurality of delivery locations106. The delivery database172includes the plurality of delivery locations106, and the controller104is communicatively coupled to a global positioning system (GPS)174to determine the relative location of the delivery vehicle10. Additionally or alternatively, the GPS174may be configured as part of the controller104.

The controller104may communicate with the lift assembly22and the drive feature100to translate the imager150, proximate to the new delivery item20, in order to detect the label154and collect the image data152. Once collected, the controller104can update the delivery database172with the delivery location106. As indicated by the label154, it is generally contemplated that the controller104is communicatively coupled to a network176and may receive and exchange information via the network176. The controller104may be communicatively coupled to the GPS174via the network176to receive location information of the delivery vehicle10relative to the delivery database172. The controller104may store the information received from the GPS174within the memory storage170and/or the controller104may repeatedly receive updated information from the GPS174via the network176.

With further reference toFIGS. 1-14, it is generally contemplated that the delivery database172may be manually and/or automatically updated. For example, the driver may input delivery information associated with the delivery item20, and corresponding to the label154, which includes the delivery location106for the delivery item20. Additionally or alternatively, the imager150of the lift assembly22may detect the label154of a newly positioned delivery item20within the cargo space14, and the image data152received by the imager150may be communicated with the controller104to update the delivery database172within the memory storage170automatically, as generally mentioned above.

The shelves16may be configured with sensors178that may detect placement of the delivery item20on the shelf16. The sensors178may communicate with the controller104to indicate the positioning of a new delivery item20on the shelf16. The sensors178may also be disposed on the central receiving member34to detect the retrieval of the delivery item20, described below. The sensors178are configured to detect a load180of the delivery item20on either or both of the shelves16and the central receiving member34. The detected load180is communicated to the controller104via a load input182from the sensor178.

Referring still toFIGS. 1-14, a method300for operating the lift assembly22includes the following steps. The delivery item20is positioned on the lift assembly22(step302), and the sensors178on the lift assembly22communicate with the controller104(step304). The controller104receives the load input182from the sensors178(step306), indicating the placement of the delivery item20on the central receiving member34of the lift assembly22. The controller104activates the drive feature100in response to receiving the load input182from the sensors178(step308) indicating the placement of the delivery item20on the central receiving member34. The delivery item20is positioned on the shelf16and/or within the separate storage compartment80. The storage compartments80may be separated by the delivery locations106, such that delivery items20that have a similar delivery location106may be grouped together.

The imager150scans the delivery item20to detect the label154and communicates the gathered image data152to the controller104(step310). The image data152received by the controller104can be compared with the delivery database172stored in the memory storage170(step312). If the controller104identifies the delivery item20within the delivery database172, then the controller104may communicate with the GPS174to confirm the delivery location106of the delivery item20(decision step314). If the controller104does not identify the delivery item20in the delivery database172, then the controller104will add the delivery item20to the delivery database172(decision step316). The controller104utilizes the image data152received from the imager150and as set forth above on the label154to input the delivery location106into the delivery database172. Typically, the image data152received for the controller104includes the delivery location106of the delivery item20, as mentioned above. The controller104can add the delivery location106to the delivery database172for the respective delivery item20(decision step316) if the delivery location106is not listed in the delivery database172. The controller104communicates with the GPS174to receive coordinates of the delivery location106(step318). The coordinates are sent from the GPS174to the controller104via the network176.

Referring still toFIGS. 1-14, a method400of operating the lift assembly22includes the following steps in conjunction with the steps outlined in the method300. While the delivery vehicle10is en route to deliver the delivery items20, the controller104continuously receives location information of the delivery vehicle10from the GPS174via the network176(step402). The controller104compares the coordinates with the delivery database172(step404) and may alert the driver of the delivery vehicle10via the user interface72when a delivery location106is approaching (step406). As the delivery vehicle10approaches one of the delivery locations106, the controller104activates the drive feature100to articulate the lift assembly22toward the delivery item20(step408).

The controller104activates the motor assembly40of the lift assembly22to translate the central receiving member34toward the shelf16to retrieve the delivery item20(step410). Stated differently, the controller104activates the motor assembly40to translate the central receiving member34from the holding position38to the retrieval position36(step410). The controller104may then activate the drive feature100to raise the platform32(step412), such that the plurality of rods82are disposed within the grooves126of the central receiving member34. The activation of the drive feature100by the controller104to raise the platform32lifts the delivery item20off the plurality of rods82of the shelf16to position the delivery item20on the support ridges128of the central receiving member34(step414). The controller104may then activate the motor assembly40to retract the central receiving member34from the recent retrieval position36back to the holding position38(step416). The controller104once again activates the drive feature100to lower the lift assembly22and translate the lift assembly22, along with the delivery item20, toward the first and second doors66,68of the delivery vehicle10(step418).

The controller104may selectively and repeatedly activate steps302-418for other delivery items20with delivery locations106located nearby. The controller104may compare the delivery database172with the coordinates received from the GPS174via the network176to systematically retrieve the delivery items20via the lift assembly22for delivery locations106nearby. The controller104receives the load input182from the sensors178, which indicates when the delivery item20has been removed from the lift assembly22. Once the delivery item20is place and/or removed from the lift assembly22, then another delivery item20may be retrieved by the lift assembly22and positioned on the central receiving member34.

With further reference toFIGS. 1-14, the lift assembly22in combination with the controller104and the shelves16assists the delivery of delivery items20by automatically selecting the delivery item20to be delivered based on the upcoming delivery location106. The lift assembly22in particular advantageously removes the delivery item20from the shelf16, such that the driver or other delivery method may open the doors66,68to the cargo space14and remove the delivery item20from the lift assembly22. More specifically, the combination of the central receiving member34to receive the rods82of the shelf16and the pulley assembly94to lift the platform32advantageously and automatically removes the delivery item20from the shelf16. The translation of the central receiving member34between the holding position38to the retrieval position36via the motor assembly40allows the lift assembly22to independently select and remove the delivery item20. The controller104assists in this operation by controlling which delivery item20is to be selected by the lift assembly22based on the delivery location106of each delivery item20in the delivery database172.

Furthermore, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected” or “operably coupled” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Some examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited to, physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. Furthermore, it will be understood that a component preceding the term “of the” may be disposed at any practicable location (e.g., on, within, and/or externally disposed from the vehicle) such that the component may function in any manner described herein.