Methods and apparatus for controlling movement of receptacles

摘要

Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of portable receptacles within a materials handling facility are described. The materials handling facility utilizes at least one linear induction motor (LIM) to move the portable receptacles having conductive elements from a first location to a second location within the facility. The LIMs may be configured such that most, if not all, of the movement of the receptacles is controlled by the application of energy from the LIMs to the conductive elements of the receptacles. This energy may cause the receptacles to move from one LIM to another LIM, where each LIM in sequence can apply force to the receptacle to pass it to the next LIM in the sequence. In some implementations, the portable receptacles are configured such that at least a base portion of the receptacle includes a conductive element to interact with the LIMs, while maintaining an overall light-weight configuration.

主权项

1. A materials handling system, comprising:
a track comprising a receiving surface to move a receptacle along the track from a first position to a second position; a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles comprising a conductive element arranged proximate to the receiving surface of the track, the conductive element comprising at least a conductive material impregnated into a portion of each receptacle; a plurality of linear induction motors (“LIMs”) disposed along the track, each LIM of the plurality of LIMs situated on the track in close proximity to the conductive element of a receptacle passing thereby; and a control module that controls force produced by a LIM on the conductive element of the receptacle passing thereby, wherein the control module is operable to control the force produced by each LIM independently to propel receptacles independently of each other along the track.