Patent ID: 11873014
Assignee: AUTOSTORE TECHNOLOGY AS
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  G | IPC B  G

Claim 0:
1. An automated storage and retrieval system comprising:
a storage grid for storing a plurality of storage containers; and
a delivery system for transporting said plurality of storage containers between a delivery port of the storage grid and an access point of the delivery system, the access point being adapted for handling items held in the storage containers by a robotic operator or human operator;
wherein the delivery system comprises: a delivery rail system comprising at least a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a first direction (X) and at least a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane (P1) and extending in a second direction (Y) which is orthogonal to the first direction (X), the first and second sets of parallel rails together defining a delivery grid of delivery grid cells; the access point; and a remotely operated delivery vehicle comprising a motorized vehicle body and a container carrier provided above the motorized vehicle body for carrying a storage container of the plurality of storage containers;
wherein the remotely operated delivery vehicle is moveable on the delivery grid of the delivery rail system;
wherein the delivery grid provides one or more delivery grid cells for the remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point as well as a plurality of delivery grid cells adjacent the one or more delivery grid cells of the access point, such that there is more than one path to and from the access point for the remotely operated delivery vehicle via the plurality of delivery grid cells;
wherein the remotely operated delivery vehicle is arranged to transport the storage container from the delivery port of the storage grid across the delivery grid to the access point and return the storage container to the delivery port for storage within the storage grid;
wherein the access point is provided in a container accessing station, said station being arranged for separating the robotic operator or human operator from the delivery rail system and the remotely operated delivery vehicle; and
wherein the container accessing station comprises a cabinet comprising a plurality of walls and a top cover supported thereon, wherein the items held in the storage container carried by the remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point is reachable through an opening in the top cover.