Robotic system and method for collecting and dispensing regular and irregular shaped objects

摘要

Wheels, endless treads, or articulating legs powered by a first drive mechanism support a chassis for movement along a support surface over which are spread one or more regular or irregular shaped objects. A transversely extending, forwardly opening receptacle is mounted to the chassis for receiving and holding the objects. The receptacle is movable by a second drive mechanism about a substantially horizontal axis between a lowered collecting position and a raised dumping position for dispensing collected objects into a collection bin. Working together a pair of sweeper gates mounted at opposite ends of the receptacle can be rotated by a third drive mechanism about respective vertical axes between fully open and fully closed positions. The sweeper gates entrap and pull objects into the receptacle when they are within a predetermined proximity of the receptacle. A remote control allows an operator to control the first, second and third drive mechanisms.