Patent ID: 11919711
Assignee: AUTOSTORE TECHNOLOGY AS
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. An automated storage and retrieval system comprising:
a track system comprising a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, said first and second sets of tracks forming a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each grid cell comprising a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of neighboring tracks of the second set of tracks;
a plurality of storage columns each column being arranged to store a respective stack of storage containers wherein the storage columns, wherein each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening;
a plurality of container handling vehicles for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in the stacks, each container handling vehicle being configured to move on the track system above the storage columns;
at least one port column, said port column forming a downwards vertical projection of a grid opening through which the container handling vehicles can drop off and pick up storage containers,
wherein the automated storage and retrieval system comprises at least one relay module for relaying storage containers between a port column and an access station, the relay module being arranged below a port column, and wherein the relay module comprises:
a port station arranged at a lower end of a port column for receiving storage containers dropped off from and to be picked up through the port column,
a first conveyor and a second conveyor, arranged at a side of the port station,
the first conveyor being adapted to transport storage containers to an access station,
the second conveyor being adapted for transporting storage containers from the access station, and
a lateral displacement device that is coupled to the port station and is arranged for transporting storage containers between the port station and the first conveyor, and between the second conveyor and the port station.