Patent ID: 8974168
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. An automated storage/retrieval system, comprising: a first pair of multi-tier racks, each having shelves that are arranged in parallel to face each other; a first pair of waiting stations, each being disposed adjacent to one end of each of the first pair of multi-tier racks, the first pair of waiting stations having the same tier number of waiting conveyors as the number of the shelves; a first transferring shuttle that is provided for at least one tier of the shelves and waiting conveyors so as to be able to travel horizontally between the first pair of multi-tier racks and between the first pair of waiting stations, the first transferring shuttle for delivering a load (P) to and receiving a load (P) from the shelves and the waiting conveyors; a second pair of multi-tier racks, each having shelves that are arranged in parallel to face each other, the second pair of multi-tier racks being generally aligned in series with the first pair of multi-tier racks so that the first pair of waiting stations are disposed between the second pair of multi-tier racks and the first pair of multi-tier racks; a second pair of waiting stations, each being disposed adjacent to one end of each of the second pair of multi-tier racks so as to face each of the first pair of waiting stations, the second pair of waiting stations having the same tier number of waiting conveyor as the number of the shelves of the second pair of multi-tier racks; a second transferring shuttle that is provided for at least one tier of the shelves of the second pair of multi-tier racks and the waiting conveyors of the second pair of waiting stations so as to be able to horizontally travel between the second pair of multi-tier racks and between the second pair of waiting stations, the second transferring shuttle for delivering a load (P) to and receiving a load (P) from the shelves of the second pair of multi-tier racks and the waiting conveyors of the second pair of waiting stations; an elevator disposed between the first pair of waiting stations and the second pair of waiting stations, the elevator comprising first and second elevating platforms, each adapted to deliver a load (P) to a waiting conveyor at one of the first and second pairs of waiting stations and receive a load (P) from a waiting conveyor at the other of the first and second pairs of waiting stations; a first conveyor for delivering a load (P) to and receives a load (P) from the first elevating platform; and a second conveyor for delivering a load (P) to and receives a load (P) from the second elevating platform.