阅读说明：本技术 货物处理系统 (Cargo handling system ) 是由 詹姆斯·尼古拉斯·默里 本·莫法特 詹姆斯·诺伊格鲍尔 布鲁斯·捎塞 理查德·克雷文 威尔 于 2020-08-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种机动车辆货物处理系统。该系统包含装载地板、传感器和控制器,该装载地板包含被配置为旋转以便在货物处理系统的纵向和/或横向方向上在装载地板上运送货物物品的多个滚轮,其中滚轮的旋转是可控的以便控制货物物品在装载地板上的运送；该传感器用于识别由货物处理系统处理的货物物品；该控制器被配置为：识别由系统处理的一个或多个货物物品以及与所识别的货物物品相关联的递送位置和/或在递送顺序中的位置,并且控制多个滚轮的旋转以将其中一个或多个所识别的货物物品运送到一个或多个相应位置中,其中相应位置根据一个或多个货物物品的递送位置和/或在递送顺序中的位置来确定。(A motor vehicle cargo handling system is provided. The system comprises a loading floor comprising a plurality of rollers configured to rotate for transporting the cargo item over the loading floor in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the cargo handling system, wherein rotation of the rollers is controllable for controlling transport of the cargo item over the loading floor; the sensor for identifying the cargo item being handled by the cargo handling system; the controller is configured to: the one or more cargo items processed by the system and the delivery locations and/or locations in the delivery sequence associated with the identified cargo items are identified, and rotation of the plurality of wheels is controlled to transport one or more of the identified cargo items into one or more respective locations, wherein the respective locations are determined according to the delivery locations and/or locations in the delivery sequence of the one or more cargo items.)

1. A motor vehicle cargo handling system, the system comprising:

a load floor comprising a plurality of rollers configured to rotate for transporting cargo items on the load floor in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the cargo handling system, wherein rotation of the rollers is controllable for controlling transport of the cargo items on the load floor;

a sensor for identifying cargo items handled by the cargo handling system; and

a controller configured to:

identifying one or more cargo items processed by the system and delivery locations and/or locations in a delivery sequence associated with the identified cargo items; and is

Controlling the rotation of the plurality of rollers to transport one or more of the identified cargo items into one or more respective locations, wherein the respective locations are determined as a function of the delivery location and/or a location in the delivery sequence of the one or more cargo items.

2. A motor vehicle cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:

determining which of the cargo items processed by the cargo handling system is expected to be the next cargo item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system.

3. A motor vehicle cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine a location and/or a planned or predicted route of the motor vehicle, wherein the cargo item that is expected to be a next cargo item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system is determined based on the location and/or planned or predicted route.

4. A motor vehicle cargo handling system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to control the rotation of the plurality of rollers to transport the cargo item determined to be the next cargo item to be unloaded toward a cargo unloading area of the cargo handling system.

5. A motor vehicle cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:

determining a planned or predicted delivery order for two, more than two, or each of the cargo items processed by the cargo handling system; and is

Controlling the rotation of the plurality of rollers to transport the items such that the two, more than two, or each of the cargo items are arranged according to the planned or predicted delivery order.

6. A motor vehicle cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the motor vehicle on which the cargo handling system is mounted is in transit, wherein the controller is configured to control the rotation of the plurality of rollers to transport the cargo item while the motor vehicle is in transit.

7. A motor vehicle cargo handling system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a cargo rack for storing cargo items off the loading floor.

8. A motor vehicle cargo handling system according to claim 7, wherein the system further includes a cargo rack mechanism for moving cargo items between the loading floor and the cargo rack.

9. A motor vehicle cargo handling system according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to operate the cargo rack mechanism to move the identified cargo item between the cargo rack and the loading floor.

10. A motor vehicle cargo handling system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to:

determining one or more cargo items that are expected to be the next item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system; and is

Operating the cargo rack mechanism to move the one or more cargo items from the cargo rack to the loading floor in anticipation of subsequent unloading.

11. A cargo compartment for a motor vehicle, said cargo compartment comprising the cargo handling system of claim 1.

12. The cargo compartment of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to convey the cargo item identified as a next cargo item to be unloaded toward a door opening of the cargo compartment.

13. The cargo hold of claim 11, wherein the cargo handling system is configured to transport the cargo item identified as the next cargo item to be unloaded through an opening in a body panel of the cargo hold.

14. A method for a motor vehicle cargo handling system, the motor vehicle handling system comprising:

a loading floor, wherein the loading floor comprises a plurality of rollers configured to rotate for transporting cargo items on the loading floor in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the loading floor, wherein rotation of the rollers is controllable for controlling transport of the cargo items; and

a sensor for identifying cargo items handled by the cargo handling system, wherein the method comprises:

identifying one or more cargo items handled by the cargo handling system and a delivery location or order in a delivery sequence associated with the identified cargo items;

controlling the rotation of the plurality of rollers to transport one or more of the identified cargo items therein into respective locations, wherein the locations are determined according to the delivery location and/or order in the delivery sequence of one or more of the identified cargo items.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cargo handling system further comprises a cargo rack for storing cargo items off the loading floor and a cargo rack mechanism for moving cargo items between the loading floor and the cargo rack, wherein the method further comprises:

operating said cargo rack mechanism to move one or more of said identified cargo items between said cargo rack and said loading floor.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cargo handling system for a motor vehicle.

Background

It is often difficult for a user of a commercial vehicle to access all areas of the cargo compartment of a motor vehicle where cargo items may be stored, such as when standing outside the vehicle. In particular, when the cargo compartment is full of cargo items, it may be difficult or impossible to pass the cargo items to access a particular item that has been loaded at the distal end of the cargo compartment.

In such a case, the user may have to unload some or all of the other items within the cargo compartment, for example, through a door opening into the cargo compartment in order to unload a particular item placed at the distal end of the cargo compartment.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor vehicle cargo handling system, the system comprising:

a loading floor comprising a plurality of rollers configured to rotate for transporting cargo items over the loading floor in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the cargo handling system, wherein rotation of the rollers is controllable for controlling transport of the cargo items over the loading floor;

a sensor for identifying cargo items handled by the cargo handling system; and

a controller configured to:

identifying one or more (e.g., a plurality of) cargo items processed by the system and delivery locations and/or locations in a delivery sequence associated with the identified cargo items; and is

The rotation of the plurality of rollers is controlled to transport one or more of the identified cargo items to one or more corresponding locations (e.g., desired locations) on the loading floor, wherein the corresponding locations are determined based on the delivery location and/or the location in the delivery sequence of the one or more cargo items.

The cargo item may be automatically positioned at a desired location on the loading floor, e.g., without manual intervention from a user after loading the item onto the cargo handling system.

The cargo items may be positioned on (e.g., directly on) the rollers and may be transported on the loading floor by direct contact with the rotating rollers. Additionally or alternatively, the cargo handling system may comprise one or more belts or chains, each arranged around two or more rollers to form one or more conveyor belts extending across the loading floor. Cargo items on the loading floor may be positioned to contact the conveyor belt. The goods items can thus be transported on the loading floor by means of one or more conveyor belts, which are driven, for example, by rollers.

The controller may be configured to determine which of the cargo items processed by the cargo handling system is likely to be (e.g., is expected to be) the next cargo item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system. For example, the controller may be configured to determine a location and/or a planned or predicted route of, for example, a motor vehicle in which the cargo handling system is installed. The cargo item that is expected to be the next cargo item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system may be determined based on the location and/or the planned or predicted route.

The load floor may include an area defining a cargo unloading area from which cargo items may be unloaded from the cargo handling system. For example, the cargo unloading area may be an area of a loading floor from which cargo items may be unloaded from the cargo handling system, for example, through a door opening of a motor vehicle.

The controller may be configured to control rotation of the plurality of rollers to convey the cargo item determined to be the next cargo item to be unloaded toward (e.g., into) a cargo unloading area of the cargo handling system.

The controller may be configured to determine a planned or predicted delivery order for a plurality (e.g., two, more than two, or each) of the cargo items handled by the cargo handling system. The controller may be further configured to control rotation of the plurality of wheels to transport the item such that the plurality of cargo items are arranged according to a planned or predicted delivery order. For example, the cargo items may be arranged such that items at subsequent positions in the delivery sequence are farther from a cargo unloading area of the loading floor than earlier cargo items in the delivery sequence.

The controller may be configured to determine whether the motor vehicle on which the cargo handling system is mounted is in transit, for example between locations where cargo items are to be loaded and/or unloaded from the motor vehicle. For example, the controller may be configured to receive information indicative of the vehicle speed from a speedometer or navigation system of the motor vehicle. The controller may be configured to control rotation of the plurality of rollers to transport the cargo item while the motor vehicle is in transit.

The system may further comprise a cargo rack for storing cargo items off the loading floor (e.g., above and/or to the side of the loading floor). For example, the cargo rack may comprise one or more shelves, hooks, clips or clamps arranged above and/or to the side of the loading floor for storing cargo items.

The system may further comprise a cargo rack mechanism for moving cargo items between the loading floor and the cargo rack. For example, the cargo rack mechanism may comprise a movable portion of the cargo rack that moves to transfer cargo items stored on the cargo rack onto the loading floor. The controller may be configured to operate the cargo rack mechanism to move the identified cargo item between the cargo rack and the loading floor.

The controller may be configured to determine one or more cargo items that are expected to be the next item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system. The controller may be further configured to operate the cargo rack mechanism to move one or more cargo items from the cargo rack to the loading floor in anticipation of subsequent unloading.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor vehicle cargo handling system, comprising: a loading floor comprising a plurality of rollers configured to rotate for transporting cargo items over the loading floor in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the cargo handling system, wherein rotation of the rollers is controllable for controlling transport of the cargo items over the loading floor; and a cargo rack for storing cargo items off of (e.g., above and/or to the sides of) the loading floor.

The system may further comprise a rack mechanism for moving cargo items between the loading floor and the racks.

A cargo compartment for a motor vehicle may comprise the cargo handling system described above.

The cargo compartment may be integrally formed with or mounted on the body, frame, chassis or structure of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, the cargo compartment may be separate from the motor vehicle. For example, the cargo compartment may be loaded onto a loading floor of the vehicle, or may form a trailer that is towed behind the motor vehicle.

The cargo compartment may contain one or more body panels or frame panels that define a cargo space in which cargo items to be transported by the motor vehicle may be stored. The cargo hold may contain door openings for loading and unloading cargo items into and from the cargo space. The cargo unloading area of the load floor may be the area of the load floor from which cargo items may be unloaded from the cargo handling system through the door opening.

The controller may be configured to convey a cargo item identified as the next cargo item to be unloaded toward a door opening of the cargo compartment.

The cargo handling system (e.g., a load floor and controller of the cargo handling system) may be configured to transport cargo items identified as the next cargo item to be unloaded through an opening (e.g., a door opening) in a body panel of the cargo compartment. The cargo item may be transported through the opening upon determining that the cargo item is ready to be unloaded. For example, when it is determined that the motor vehicle has reached the delivery location of the cargo item.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for a motor vehicle cargo handling system, the motor vehicle handling system comprising:

a loading floor, wherein the loading floor comprises a plurality of rollers configured to rotate for transporting the cargo item over the loading floor in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the loading floor, wherein the rotation of the rollers is controllable for controlling the transport of the cargo item; and

a sensor for identifying an item of cargo being handled by a cargo handling system, wherein the method comprises:

identifying one or more cargo items handled by the cargo handling system and a delivery location or order in a delivery sequence associated with the identified cargo items;

controlling rotation of the plurality of rollers to transport one or more of the identified cargo items therein into respective locations, wherein the locations are determined according to a delivery location and/or an order in a delivery sequence of the one or more identified cargo items.

The cargo handling system may comprise a cargo rack for storing cargo items off a loading floor. The cargo handling system may further comprise a cargo rack mechanism for moving cargo items between the loading floor and the cargo rack. The method may further comprise operating a cargo rack mechanism to move one or more of the identified cargo items between the cargo rack and the loading floor, for example from the cargo rack to the loading floor.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of labor and repeated text in the specification, certain features are described only in relation to one or more aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention where technically feasible. In particular, features described in relation to the first-mentioned aspect may be combined with features of other aspects.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle cargo handling system according to the inventive arrangements;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle cargo handling system according to another arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle cargo handling system according to another arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle incorporating a cargo handling system in accordance with the inventive arrangements;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a cargo handling system arranged in accordance with the present invention; and

fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle incorporating a cargo handling system according to another arrangement of the invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, a motor vehicle cargo handling system 2 in accordance with the inventive arrangements includes a loading floor 10. As shown in fig. 1, during transport of a motor vehicle in which the cargo handling system 2 is installed, cargo items 4 may be placed on the loading floor for storage.

The motor vehicle cargo handling system 2 further comprises a sensor 20, the sensor 20 being configured to identify cargo items handled by the cargo handling system 2. For example, the sensor 20 may comprise a light sensor or image capture sensor configured to read a barcode, QR code (two-dimensional code), or other visual code on the cargo item. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 20 may comprise a near field communication device configured to read a near field communication tag disposed on the cargo item 4. Again additionally or alternatively, the sensor 20 may comprise any other sensor capable of identifying a cargo item based on one or more other identifying characteristics of the cargo item.

The sensor 20 may be arranged to scan cargo items on the loading floor 10, for example cargo items that have been previously loaded into the cargo handling system. In some arrangements, the sensor 20 may be configured to scan more than one or each cargo item 4 on the loading floor 10 substantially simultaneously. In some arrangements, the sensors 20 may be configured to determine respective locations of cargo items within the cargo compartment, for example, as identified by the sensors 20.

In other arrangements, the sensor 20 may be used to identify (e.g., scan) items being loaded onto or unloaded from the loading floor. For example, a user of the motor vehicle cargo handling system 2 may scan cargo items as they are loaded onto the loading floor and, optionally, as they are unloaded from the loading floor 10.

The motor vehicle cargo handling system 2 further comprises a controller 100, the controller 100 being configured to control operation of the cargo handling system 2 (e.g., the load floor 10 and the sensors 20), as described below.

As shown in fig. 1, the loading floor 10 may be substantially rectangular in plan. The loading floor may be shaped such that the shape of the loading floor substantially corresponds to the shape of the floor of the cargo compartment of the motor vehicle in which the loading floor 10 is installed. The loading floor 10 may for example define a transverse direction X and a longitudinal direction Y of the cargo handling system in the transverse and longitudinal direction of the loading floor 10, respectively.

At least a portion of the loading floor 10 may define a cargo unloading area 11 from which cargo items may be unloaded from the cargo handling system 11. For example, the cargo unloading area may be an area of a loading floor from which cargo items may be unloaded from the cargo handling system 2, for example, through a door opening of a motor vehicle in which the cargo handling system is installed.

The loading floor 10 comprises a plurality of rollers 12 rotatably mounted on the loading floor 10. As shown in fig. 1, cargo items 4 loaded onto the loading floor 10 may be placed onto the rollers 12 (e.g., in direct contact with the rollers 12). The roller 12 may include a gripping surface that forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the roller, such as a gripping surface that a cargo item contacts when placed on the roller 12.

When the roller 12 in contact with the cargo item remains stationary, the cargo item may be prevented from slipping on the loading floor by friction between the cargo item and the gripping surface of the roller 12. The rollers 12 may be selectively rotatable to transport the cargo item 4 over the loading floor, for example, in a lateral and/or longitudinal direction X, Y of the loading floor.

As shown, the rollers 12 may be arranged in a plurality of rows 13 of rollers, each row containing a plurality of rollers spaced from each other in the transverse direction X of the loading floor. The rollers of a particular row of rollers may be configured to rotate about a common axis extending, for example, in a direction parallel to the transverse direction X. Additionally or alternatively, the rollers 12 may be arranged in a plurality of rows 15 extending in the longitudinal direction Y of the loading floor. The rollers 12 arranged in each column 15 may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction Y of the loading floor.

The loading floor 10 may contain one or more motors 14 configured to drive the rotation of the rollers 12. As shown in fig. 1, the floor-loading motor 14 may be configured to drive rotation of the rollers 12 disposed in one of the rows 13 of rollers. For example, one motor may drive the rotation of all of the rollers in a particular row. The loading floor 10 may contain a motor 14 associated with each row 13 of rollers, for example one motor for each row. A coupling 16 (e.g., a drive shaft) may be arranged to operatively couple the rollers to the motor 14.

In an alternative arrangement, the motor may be configured to drive rotation of the wheels 12 of the wheels disposed in one of the columns 15, e.g., rotation of all of the wheels in a particular column. The loading floor 10 may contain a motor associated with each column of rollers.

In further alternative arrangements, each motor 14 may be associated with one (e.g., single) roller or group of rollers 12, not forming a particular row or column of rollers.

When one or more motors 14 loading the floor are configured to drive a plurality of rollers 12, the coupling 16 between the motor 14 and one or more rollers 12 may be selectively disengaged from one or more of the rollers 12 so that one or more of the rollers 12 associated with the motor 14 may remain stationary while the other rollers 12 rotate.

In the arrangement shown in fig. 1, the cargo items are positioned on the rollers 12 in direct contact with the rollers so that the cargo items are transported on the loading floor 10 due to their direct contact with the gripping surfaces of the rollers. However, in other arrangements, the cargo handling system 2 may comprise one or more belts or chains, each arranged around two or more of the rollers to form one or more conveyor belts extending across the loading floor 10, for example in the lateral and/or longitudinal direction X, Y of the loading floor. Cargo items loaded onto the loading floor may be positioned in contact with the conveyor belt. The goods items can thus be transported on the loading floor by means of one or more conveyor belts, for example driven by rollers. In addition to or as an alternative to contact with the rollers, the cargo item may be in contact with the conveyor belt.

The controller 100 may be configured to control the operation of one or more motors 14 and/or one or more couplings 16 between the motors 14 and the rollers 12 in order to control the rotation of each roller 12 of the loading floor 10.

As described above, rotation of the rollers 12 can transport cargo items 4 placed on the rollers over the loading floor. Whereby the controller 100 may be operable to control movement of the cargo item 4 across the loading floor 10.

The roller 12 may further include a plurality of sub-rollers 12 a. The sub roller 12a may be pivotably mounted on the roller 12. The sub-rollers 12a may be mounted on the rollers such that the sub-rollers 12a are rotatable about respective axes extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the roller on which they are mounted. The cargo item placed on the roller 12 may contact the sub-roller 12 a. In some arrangements, the gripping surface of the roller 12 may be formed on the sub-roller 12 a. In the arrangement shown in fig. 1, the sub-roller 12a is arranged around the periphery of the roller 12.

The motor 14 and/or the coupling 16 between the motor 14 and the roller 12 may be controllable to drive the rotation of the sub-roller 12a, for example, in conjunction with the rotation of the drive roller 12 and/or separately from the rotation of the drive roller 12. In some arrangements, the loading floor 10 may include additional motors, for example, disposed on the rollers 12, for driving rotation of the sub-rollers 12 a.

The controller 100 may be configured to control the operation of the additional motor. The controller 100 may thus be configured to control the transport of cargo items 4 on the loading floor 10 in both directions of the loading floor 10 (e.g., in two substantially perpendicular directions) by driving the rotation of the rollers 12 and the sub-rollers 12a, respectively.

In the arrangement shown in fig. 1, the rollers 12 are arranged in substantially the same orientation such that the axes of the rollers 12 are substantially parallel to each other. However, referring to fig. 2, in other arrangements, the orientation of the rollers 12 may be different from one another.

In the arrangement shown in fig. 2, the rollers 12 are arranged in a herringbone or herringbone pattern. In particular, the rollers 12 in the first row 15a of rollers are arranged with their axes in a first orientation, and the rollers 12 in the second row 15b of rollers are arranged with their axes in a second orientation (at an angle with respect to the first orientation). In some arrangements, the second orientation may be substantially perpendicular to the first orientation. As shown, the rollers of the row 15 may be arranged with their axes alternately in a first orientation and in a second orientation, for example, across the width of the loading floor in the transverse direction X.

In the arrangement shown in fig. 2, the controller 100 may be configured to rotate the rollers 12 arranged with their axes in a first orientation so as to transport the cargo item 4 in a direction perpendicular to the first orientation, and may be configured to rotate the rollers 12 arranged with their axes in a second orientation so as to transport the cargo item 4 in a direction perpendicular to the second orientation.

In such an arrangement, the sub-rollers 12a may rotate freely, such that by virtue of the free rotation of the sub-rollers 12a, the cargo item may move on the rollers 12 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the sub-rollers 12 a.

Although the rollers are arranged in a herringbone or herringbone pattern in the arrangement shown in fig. 2, it should be understood that the rollers 12 may be arranged in other alternative patterns such that a first plurality of rollers 12 are arranged with their axes of rotation in a first orientation and a second plurality of rollers are arranged with their axes of rotation in a second orientation, whereby movement of cargo items on the loading floor may be controlled in both directions by selectively driving rotation of the differently oriented rollers 12. For example, the rollers 12 may be arranged to form a square or diamond pattern of rollers, for example, in a plan view of the floor 10.

Furthermore, although in the arrangement shown in fig. 2 each roller is arranged at an angle relative to the transverse and longitudinal direction X, Y of the loading floor, in other arrangements one or more of the rollers 12 may be arranged with their axes parallel to the transverse direction X of the loading floor and/or one or more of the rollers 12 may be arranged with their axes parallel to the longitudinal direction Y of the loading floor.

Referring to fig. 3, in another arrangement of the present invention, the rollers 12 may be generally spherical and may be movably mounted on the loading floor 10 such that the rollers 12 are selectively rotatable about multiple axes (e.g., axes in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the loading floor). In some arrangements, the roller 12 may be an omni-directional roller, e.g., rotatable about any desired axis. One or more motors 14 may be controlled by the controller 100 to drive rotation of the rollers 12 about one or more respective axes to transport cargo items in a desired direction on the loading floor 10.

Referring to fig. 4, the cargo handling system 2 may be installed in a cargo compartment 410 of a motor vehicle 400 for handling cargo items 404 loaded into the cargo compartment 410 for transport by the motor vehicle 400. The loading floor 10 of the cargo handling system may form the floor of the cargo compartment 410.

In the arrangement shown in fig. 4, the cargo space 410 is integrated into the body of the motor vehicle 400. Specifically, the motor vehicle 400 includes one or more body frame panels 420, such as side panels and a top panel, that define an interior of the motor vehicle. Portions of the body frame panel 420 at least partially define the cargo compartment 410. The cargo compartment 410 may further include a door opening 412 for loading cargo items into or unloading cargo items from the cargo space.

When the cargo compartment 410 is integrated into the body of a motor vehicle, the door opening 412 may be a rear door opening or a side door opening of the motor vehicle, such as a rear door opening or a side door opening into the interior of the motor vehicle. The cargo unloading area 11 can be disposed adjacent (e.g., in close proximity) to the door opening 412.

In other arrangements, the cargo compartment 410 may be a structure separate from the motor vehicle and may be mounted on a chassis or frame structure of the motor vehicle, such as on a load floor of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, the cargo space 410 may be loaded onto or integrated into a trailer that is towed behind a motor vehicle.

Referring to fig. 5, the controller 100 may be configured to control operation of the motor vehicle cargo handling system 2 according to a cargo handling method 500.

Cargo handling method 500 includes a first step 502 where one or more cargo items handled by the cargo handling system are identified, for example, using sensor 20, in first step 502.

The controller 100 may be configured to determine a delivery location and/or a location in a delivery sequence associated with the identified cargo item. The delivery location and/or delivery order may be stored in a memory accessible to controller 100, and controller 100 may determine the delivery location and/or location in the delivery order of the identified cargo item by reference to information stored in the memory.

The controller 100 may be further configured to determine the location of the identified cargo item, for example, on the loading floor 10, within the cargo compartment of the vehicle in which the cargo handling system 2 is installed. As described above, the sensor 20 may be capable of determining the location of the identified cargo item, and the controller 100 may use the sensor 20 to determine the location. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 100 may be configured to track the location of the identified cargo item on the loading floor 10, for example, based on the rotation of the rollers 12. For example, the sensor 20 may be used to scan a particular cargo item as it is loaded onto the loading floor, and the controller 100 may track subsequent rotations of the rollers 12 in order to determine the location of the scanned cargo item within the cargo space.

In other arrangements, the cargo handling system 2 may contain one or more additional sensors configured to determine or track the location of cargo items within the cargo compartment, such as pressure sensors, proximity/distance sensors, and/or image capture sensors (e.g., cameras or 3D cameras).

The method 500 includes a second step 504 in which rotation of the plurality of rollers 12, and optionally the sub-rollers 12a, is controlled to convey one or more of the identified cargo items therein into one or more desired locations 504. The respective desired locations of the cargo items may be determined based on the delivery location and/or the location in the delivery sequence of one or more cargo items.

For example, when a cargo item is loaded onto the loading floor 10 and the controller 100 determines that the cargo item is the last cargo item to be delivered according to the cargo delivery sequence, the controller 100 may control the rotation of the plurality of rollers 12 to transport the cargo item to a location toward the back of the cargo compartment, such as away from a door opening into the cargo compartment, so that the cargo item does not impede other cargo items from being loaded or unloaded from the cargo compartment.

The controller 100 may be configured to control the rotation of the rollers 12 to arrange the cargo items on the loading floor 10 in an order corresponding to the delivery sequence. For example, cargo items earlier in the delivery sequence may be positioned closer to the cargo unloading area 11 or to the door opening into the cargo compartment, and cargo items at subsequent locations in the delivery sequence may be positioned farther from the cargo unloading area 11 or door opening.

The controller 100 may be configured to determine which of the items processed by the cargo handling system 2 may be the next cargo item to be unloaded from the cargo hold, e.g., which cargo item is expected to be next unloaded from the cargo hold.

The controller 100 may reference a delivery schedule stored in a memory accessible to the controller in order to determine the next item of cargo to be delivered. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may be configured to determine one or more delivery locations associated with one or more identified cargo items, and may determine which cargo item may be the next cargo item to be delivered based on the delivery locations.

The sensor 20 may be configured to determine the delivery location of the identified cargo item, for example, by reading the delivery location from a visual code on the cargo item or from a near field communication tag on the cargo item. Alternatively, the delivery location may be stored in a memory accessible to the controller, and the controller may determine the delivery location of the identified cargo item by reading the delivery location from the memory.

The controller 100 may determine the location and/or planned or predicted route of the motor vehicle in which the cargo handling system is installed. For example, the controller 100 may receive position and/or navigation information from a navigation system (e.g., a satellite navigation system) disposed on the vehicle, and may determine the position and/or route of the vehicle based on the navigation information.

A cargo item that is expected to be the next cargo item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system may be determined based on the location of the motor vehicle and/or the planned or predicted route and the delivery location associated with the cargo item. For example, based thereon, the cargo item is associated with a delivery location that is closest to the vehicle location and/or will be the next delivery location to arrive along the vehicle route.

The controller 100 may be configured to control the rotation of the rollers to convey the next cargo item to be delivered toward or into the cargo unloading area 11 (e.g., toward a door opening of the cargo compartment). In some arrangements, the controller 100 may control rotation of the rollers to transport the identified cargo item, e.g., the next cargo item to be delivered, through the door opening.

During operation of a motor vehicle incorporating the cargo handling system 2, it may be desirable to load one or more cargo items into the cargo compartment in addition to unloading one or more items from the cargo compartment. In other words, the delivery schedule of the motor vehicle may include one or more collections in addition to delivery.

When the vehicle reaches a collection location where additional cargo items are loaded into the cargo compartment, such as onto the loading floor 10, it may be desirable to have available space on the loading floor at a suitable location for loading the cargo items onto the loading floor. For example, it may be desirable to have available space in the cargo unloading area 11 for loading additional cargo items.

The controller 100 may be configured to determine whether the next station in the delivery sequence of the vehicle is for collection or delivery. The controller 100 may be configured to control the rotation of the rollers 12 to transport cargo items to create space in the cargo unloading area 11 if the next station is for cargo collection.

It may be desirable that the rollers 12 remain stationary during loading and unloading of cargo items to and from the loading floor 100. Thus, the controller 100 may be configured to control the rollers 12, and optionally the sub-rollers 12a, to remain stationary when the motor vehicle in which the cargo management system is installed is not in transit (e.g., is stationary at a delivery or collection location).

However, when the vehicle reaches a delivery or collection location, it may be desirable for the cargo item 4 to be in a desired location. The controller 100 may be configured to determine whether a motor vehicle in which the cargo handling system is installed is in transit. For example, the controller may receive information indicative of a speed of the motor vehicle. The controller 100 may be configured to control rotation of the rollers 12 to transport the cargo item to a desired location while the motor vehicle is in transit.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller 100 may be configured to determine whether the motor vehicle is in transit based on whether a door into the cargo space is open or closed. For example, if a door entering the cargo compartment is closed, it may be determined that the motor vehicle is in transit.

Referring to fig. 6, the cargo handling system 2 may further comprise a cargo rack 600 for supporting cargo items within the cargo compartment away from the loading floor 10. The cargo rack 600 may comprise cargo shelves 610 arranged above the loading floor 10 and/or to one side of the loading floor 10, on which cargo items may be placed 610. Additionally or alternatively, the cargo rack 600 may include one or more hooks or clamps 620 disposed above the loading floor 10 and/or to the sides of the loading floor, to which hooks or clamps 620 cargo items may be secured.

The cargo handling system 2 may further comprise a rack mechanism 650 for moving cargo items between the loading floor 10 and the racks 600. For example, when the cargo rack 600 includes cargo shelves 610, the cargo shelf mechanism may include an actuator configured to engage and push against the cargo items to move the cargo items off of the shelves and onto the loading floor 10.

Alternatively, the cargo rack mechanism 650 may comprise one or more rollers mounted on the cargo rack for transporting cargo items off the rack and onto the loading floor in the same manner that the rollers 12 may transport cargo items on the loading floor.

Again alternatively, the cargo rack mechanism 650 can be configured to change the orientation of at least a portion of the cargo rack 610 such that cargo items slide on the cargo rack and move onto the loading floor through the orientation of the rack or a portion thereof.

When cargo rack 600 includes a hook or clamp, cargo rack mechanism 650 may be configured to selectively disengage the clamp or change the orientation of the hook to cause a cargo item to be released onto the loading floor.

The controller 100 may be configured to control operation of the cargo rack system to move cargo items between the cargo rack 600 and the loading floor 10. For example, the controller 100 may be configured to control operation of the rack mechanism 650 to move a cargo item from the rack 600 to the loading floor 10 when it is determined that the cargo item may be the next cargo item to be unloaded from the cargo compartment.

Returning to fig. 5, the method 500 may include a third step 506 in which the rack mechanism 650 is operated to move one or more cargo items between the loading floor 10 and the rack 600 in the third step 506. For example, the cargo rack mechanism may be operable to move the next cargo item to be delivered from the cargo rack 600 onto the loading floor 10.

In use of cargo handling system 2 comprising cargo rack 600, cargo items may be initially loaded onto cargo rack 600. The cargo item may then be moved from the rack 600 onto the loading floor when the motor vehicle 300 is within a threshold distance of the associated delivery location within the cargo item, or when the cargo item is expected to be delivered within a threshold time limit.

In other arrangements, cargo items may be moved from the cargo rack 600 onto the loading floor 10 in order to create space on the cargo rack for loading additional cargo items onto the cargo rack, for example when it is determined that the motor vehicle is traveling or arrives at a cargo collection location.

The following appended, numbered, statements of invention are also included in the specification and form a part of the present invention:

statement 1. a motor vehicle cargo handling system, the system comprising:

a loading floor comprising a plurality of rollers configured to rotate for transporting cargo items over the loading floor in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the cargo handling system, wherein rotation of the rollers is controllable for controlling transport of the cargo items over the loading floor;

a sensor for identifying cargo items handled by the cargo handling system; and

a controller configured to:

identifying one or more cargo items processed by the system and delivery locations and/or locations in a delivery sequence associated with the identified cargo items; and is

Controlling rotation of the plurality of wheels to transport one or more of the identified cargo items therein into one or more respective locations, wherein the respective locations are determined according to a delivery location and/or a position in a delivery sequence of the one or more cargo items.

Statement 2. the motor vehicle cargo handling system of statement 1, wherein the controller is configured to:

a determination is made as to which of the cargo items handled by the cargo handling system is expected to be the next cargo item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system.

Statement 3. the motor vehicle cargo handling system of statement 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to determine a location and/or a planned or predicted route of the motor vehicle, wherein the cargo item that is expected to be the next cargo item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system is determined based on the location and/or the planned or predicted route.

Statement 4. the motor vehicle cargo handling system of statement 2 or 3, wherein the controller is configured to control rotation of the plurality of rollers to transport the cargo item determined to be the next cargo item to be unloaded toward a cargo unloading area of the cargo handling system.

Statement 5. the motor vehicle cargo handling system according to any of the preceding statements, wherein the controller is configured to:

determining a planned or predicted delivery order for two, more than two, or each cargo item handled by the cargo handling system; and is

The rotation of the plurality of rollers is controlled to transport the items such that two, more than two, or each cargo item is arranged according to a planned or predicted delivery order.

Statement 6. the motor vehicle cargo handling system of any of the preceding statements, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether a motor vehicle to which the cargo handling system is mounted is in transit, wherein the controller is configured to control rotation of the plurality of wheels to transport the cargo item while the motor vehicle is in transit.

Statement 7. the motor vehicle cargo handling system according to any of the preceding statements, wherein the system further comprises a cargo rack for storing cargo items off the loading floor.

Statement 8. the motor vehicle cargo handling system of statement 7, wherein the system further comprises a cargo rack mechanism for moving cargo items between the loading floor and the cargo rack.

Statement 9. the motor vehicle cargo handling system of statement 8, wherein the controller is configured to operate the cargo rack mechanism to move the identified cargo item between the cargo rack and the loading floor.

Statement 10. the motor vehicle cargo handling system of statement 9, wherein the controller is configured to:

determining one or more cargo items that are expected to be the next item to be unloaded from the cargo handling system; and is

The cargo rack mechanism is operated to move one or more cargo items from the cargo rack to the loading floor in anticipation of subsequent unloading.

Statement 11. a cargo compartment for a motor vehicle, the cargo compartment comprising a cargo handling system according to any of the preceding statements.

Statement 12. the cargo hold of statement 11, wherein the controller is configured to convey the cargo item identified as the next cargo item to be unloaded toward the door opening of the cargo hold.

Statement 13. the cargo hold of claim 11 or 12, wherein the cargo handling system is configured to transport cargo items identified as a next cargo item to be unloaded through an opening in a body panel of the cargo hold.

Statement 14. a method for a motor vehicle cargo handling system, the motor vehicle handling system comprising:

a loading floor, wherein the loading floor comprises a plurality of rollers configured to rotate for transporting the cargo item over the loading floor in a longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the loading floor, wherein the rotation of the rollers is controllable for controlling the transport of the cargo item; and

a sensor for identifying an item of cargo being handled by a cargo handling system, wherein the method comprises:

identifying one or more cargo items handled by the cargo handling system and a delivery location or order in a delivery sequence associated with the identified cargo items;

controlling rotation of the plurality of rollers to transport one or more of the identified cargo items therein into respective locations, wherein the locations are determined according to a delivery location and/or an order in a delivery sequence of the one or more identified cargo items.

Statement 15. the method of statement 14, wherein the cargo handling system further comprises a cargo rack for storing cargo items off the loading floor and a cargo rack mechanism for moving cargo items between the loading floor and the cargo rack, wherein the method further comprises:

the cargo rack mechanism is operated to move one or more of the identified cargo items between the cargo rack and the loading floor.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that although the present invention has been described by way of example with reference to one or more exemplary examples, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and alternative examples may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.