Patent ID: 11912501
Assignee: AUTOSTORE TECHNOLOGY AS
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  Y | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. An automated storage and retrieval system comprising:
a track system comprising a first set of tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction,
wherein the first set of tracks and the second set of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each grid cell comprising an opening defined by the first set of tracks and the second set of tracks such that the track system comprises a plurality of openings;
a plurality of storage containers arranged in columns beneath the track system such that the storage containers are located vertically below the openings;
a plurality of container handling vehicles for lifting and moving the storage containers, the container handling vehicles being configured to move on the track system and access the storage containers via the openings,
wherein each container handling vehicle of the container handling vehicles comprises:
a lower part in contact with the track system, wherein the lower part has a width and a length that form a vehicle footprint, and wherein the vehicle footprint of the lower part has dimensions such that a contact area of the container handling vehicle does not extend into an adjacent grid cell, and
an upper part, disposed vertically above the lower part, including a protruding section and a recessed section, the protruding section being configured to extend beyond the lower part into the adjacent grid cell, and the recessed section being of a complimentary shape to the protruding section such that the recessed section is configured to receive other protruding sections of other vehicles of the container handling vehicles, and
wherein the lower part further includes a storage space configured to accommodate a storage container of the storage containers.