Patent ID: 12240694

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the subject-matter depicted in the drawings. Furthermore, even if some of the features are described in relation to the system only, it is apparent that they are valid for the station and related methods as well, and vice versa. Hence, any features described in relation to the station only, and/or related methods, are also valid for the system.

With reference toFIG.1the storage grid104of each storage structure1constitutes a framework100of in total 143 grid columns, where the width and length of the framework corresponds to the width and length of 13 and 11 grid columns, respectively. The top layer of the framework100is a rail system108on which a plurality of container handling vehicles200are operated.

The framework100of the storage system1is constructed in accordance with the prior art framework100described above, i.e. a plurality of upright members102and a plurality of horizontal members103which are supported by the upright members102, wherein the horizontal members103include a container handling vehicle rail system108of parallel rails110,111in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, arranged across the top of storage columns105. The horizontal area of a single grid cell122, i.e. along the X and Y directions, may be defined by the distance between adjacent rails110and111, respectively. InFIG.1, such a grid cell122is marked on the rail system108by thick lines. The rail system108may also be a double track system (not shown), thus allowing a container handling vehicle200having a footprint generally corresponding to the lateral area defined by a grid column112to travel along a row of grid columns even if another container handling vehicle200is positioned above a grid column neighboring that row. In the double track rail system, the grid cell122being sized between the mid-pints of the double tracks.

The container handling vehicle rail system108allows the container handling vehicles200to move horizontally between different grid locations, where each grid location is associated with a grid cell122.

InFIG.1the storage grid104is shown with a height of eight cells. It is understood, however, that the storage grid104can in principle be of any size. In particular it is understood that storage grid104can be considerably wider and/or longer than disclosed inFIG.1. For example, the grid104may have a horizontal extent of more than 700×700 grid cells122. Also, the grid104can be considerably deeper than disclosed inFIG.1. For example, the storage grid104may be more than twelve grid cells deep.

FIG.2shows a section of a storage grid104comprising a picking and/or supply station comprising an access barrier33in the form of a drawer-like device. The drawer-like device33, in a loading configuration, is completely contained in a housing30. The housing30is able to prevent access to the opening35of the access barrier33.

The access barrier33is adapted to receive a storage container106comprising at least one storage compartment51for temporarily storing a product/item to be picked from or supplied to the storage grid104.

The access barrier33comprises an opening35, and a plurality of covers31, wherein each cover31is arranged to be selectively deployed to close off a respective portion of the opening35, and thereby restrict access therethrough.

Each of the plurality of covers31is pivotably connected to the access barrier33adjacent the opening35, and each cover31is moveable between an initial position in which the cover31is not deployed thereby leaving the respective portion of the opening35accessible, and a deployed position in which the cover31closes off the respective portion of the opening35.

The station is arranged to transition between;a loading configuration in which access to the opening35of the access barrier33is prevented by the housing30, andan access configuration in which the opening35of the access barrier33is presented to thereby enable access to contents of the storage container106through the opening35.

The station is configured to deploy the covers31to close off predetermined portions of the opening35prior to transition into the access configuration to thereby restrict or permit access to contents of the storage container106through predetermined portions of the opening35.

The storage container may comprise a plurality of compartments and the number of covers may correspond to the number of compartments in the storage container106.FIGS.2and3shows six covers selectively deployed to close off a respective portion of the opening35and thereby restrict access to the respective compartment(s) of the storage container106. Two of the covers31inFIGS.2and3are not deployed, thereby leaving their respective compartment(s) open.

It is further shown inFIG.2, that the storage grid104comprises a wall surface, comprising wall structure elements39. The wall structure elements39may cover a front part of the storage grid from bottom to top (i.e. from the floor to top of the storage grid structure). The purpose of the wall structure elements39may be to prevent personal injuries, to reduce noise, to prevent dust etc. If the wall structure elements are faced towards the outside of a building, the purpose of the wall structure elements39may also be to protect the grid structure from theft, vandalism etc., to protect the storage grid structure from weather conditions (rain, snow, wind etc.) etc. The housing30and the access barrier33may be integrated into the storage grid104or it may be connected to the storage grid104(as shown inFIGS.2and3).

The system of the present invention is configured to transport a storage container106, stored in the storage grid104, to the access barrier33and/or to transport the storage container106from the access barrier33to the storage grid104.

In operation, when retrieving a product/item from the storage container106, a user may identify himself by using a user interface52, for example by means of an access code (the user interface comprising a touch screen, a keyboard, a bar code reader, a QR code reader etc.) or by means of e.g. a credit card (the user interface comprising a card reader), or a smart phone (the user interface comprising an NFC (near field communication) unit) etc.

When identified, a storage control and communication system (not shown) instructs a container handling vehicle200to retrieve the storage container106containing the pre-ordered product/item and transports the container106to the drawer-like device33. Said storage control and communication system operates the respective cover31such that only the compartment containing the pre-ordered item will be open when the storage container106is delivered to the opening of the access barrier33. Thereafter, the drawer-like device33is brought from the loading configuration, in which access to the compartment is prevented by the housing30, to the access configuration in which the compartment is presented to thereby enable access to contents of the storage container106.

The user may also make a selection and/or purchase an item at the user interface52, such that the automated storage and retrieval system comprising the station might be operated like big vending machine.

The user may open the drawer-like device33by using a handle (not shown) provided on the drawer-like device33or the drawer-like device33may be automatically operated by an electric or hydraulic push/pull-mechanism (not shown) for the movement of the drawer33.

When the drawer-like device33is closed after opening, a signal may be sent to the above-mentioned storage control and communication system, the signal indicating that the product/item has been picked up. The system may then send a vehicle200for retrieving the storage container106from the station and storing it into the storage grid104again.

FIGS.4and5shows another embodiment of the station where the housing30is arranged as a top cover36connected to the access barrier33, adjacent to the opening35of the access barrier35.

The access barrier33comprises a cabinet with an opening35, and a plurality of covers31, wherein each cover31is arranged to be selectively deployed to close off a respective portion of the opening35, and thereby restrict access therethrough.

Each of the plurality of covers31is pivotably connected to the access barrier33adjacent the opening35, and each cover31is moveable between an initial position in which the cover31is not deployed thereby leaving the respective portion of the opening35accessible, and a deployed position in which the cover31closes off the respective portion of the opening35.

The station is arranged to transition between;a loading configuration in which access to the opening35of the access barrier33is prevented by the housing30, andan access configuration in which the opening35of the access barrier33is presented to thereby enable access to contents of the storage container106through the opening35.

The station is configured to deploy the covers31to close off predetermined portions of the opening35prior to transition into the access configuration to thereby restrict or permit access to contents of the storage container106through predetermined portions of the opening35.

In the access configuration, the top cover36of the housing30may be lifted such that access to contents of the storage container106through predetermined portions of the opening35is permitted. The opening of the top cover36may be arranged to be opened manually by a handle or automatically by a motor. In figure,4and5the top cover36as transparent, in order to see the storage compartment51situated below the top cover36. It is obvious that different materials can be used having different properties, such as; transparent or not, for the top cover36.

The top cover36may comprise a locking device adapted to lock the top cover36such that the top cover36cannot be lifted and/or opened when the station10is in the loading configuration and unlock the top cover36such that the top cover36can be lifted and/or opened when the station10is in the access configuration.

I embodiments, the housing30may also be arranged as a cabinet for housing the access barrier33. The access barrier33may be arranged as a smaller cabinet or a frame structure.

FIG.6shows the access barrier33as a frame structure without side walls. The storage container106is lifted to opening35of the access barrier33. The figure also shows two covers31in an initial position in which the covers31are not deployed thereby leaving the respective portion of the opening35accessible. Each of the covers31is operated by a respective independent motor32.

As shown inFIG.7the station comprises a loading mechanism40. The loading mechanism40is arranged to receive the storage container106from a delivery column of a storage grid104and move it to the opening35of the access barrier33so that contents of the storage container106may be accessed through the opening35.

The loading mechanism40comprises a lifting device42and a moving device41, wherein the lifting device42is moveably arranged on the moving device41. The lifting device may comprise wheels44adapted for operating on rails45provided as part of the moving device41.

The lifting device42further comprises a support device43arranged for receiving and supporting a storage container106. Once a storage container106is received onto the support device42, the lifting device42moves/slides on the moving device41into the access barrier33and the housing30, and the storage container further is lifted to the opening35of the access barrier33.

The moving and lifting operation of the storage container106is illustrated inFIGS.10-13. A storage container106is received from a delivery column119,120of an automated storage and retrieval grid104onto the support device43of the lifting device42.

InFIG.10, the lifting device is lowering the storage container106to a lower position in which it is ready to be moved into the access barrier33. The access barrier33is in the loading configuration, in which access to the opening35of the access barrier33is prevented by the housing30. The plurality of covers31are in their initial not-deployed position.

InFIG.12, the lifting device42moves on a rail system provided as part of the moving device41and moves the storage container106into the access barrier33. The housing30encloses the access barrier33. In this position, the covers31are individually operated by the motors32to selectively deploy to close off a respective portion of the opening35and thereby restrict access therethrough.

InFIG.13, the lifting device42is lifting the storage container106from the lower position to the opening of the access barrier33.

FIGS.14and15shows the operation of the plurality of covers31. Each of the plurality of covers31is pivotably connected to the access barrier33adjacent the opening35, and each cover31is moveable between an initial position (inFIG.12) in which the cover31is not deployed thereby leaving the respective portion of the opening35accessible, and a deployed position (inFIG.13) in which the cover31closes off the respective portion of the opening35.

InFIG.14, in the initial position, the covers31extends at least partially in a vertical direction such that it allows the storage container106to pass (when it is lifted from a lower to an upper position) without contact while the storage container106is being lifted to the opening35of the access barrier33, thereby leaving the respective portion of the opening35accessible such that contents of the storage container106may be accessed through the portion.

InFIG.15, four covers31are operated such that they are in the deployed position. Thus, the four covers31are operable such that they each extend into a lifting path of the storage container106when being moved to the opening35of the access barrier33by the lifting device42, so that the storage container106urges the covers31into their deployed positions.

The system may further comprise a plurality of storage containers106, wherein each storage container comprises a plurality of compartments51with an open end, wherein each of the open ends is closable by the covers31of the access barrier33.

As shown inFIG.16, each of the plurality of the storage containers106may comprise at least one detachable compartment-separating wall49. Said detachable walls49are arranged such that they can be removed or folded into the bottom of the compartment51such that the size of the compartment51of the storage container106may be adjusted.

Other sectioning of the compartments51of the storage container106are of course possible within the scope of the invention.

Preferably, the open end of each of the storage compartments51may be closeable by one or more covers31of the access barrier33.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

100Framework structure

102Upright members of framework structure

103Horizontal members of framework structure

104Storage grid/three-dimensional grid

105Storage column

106Storage container

107Stack

108Rail system

110First set of parallel rails in first direction (X)

111Second set of parallel rails in second direction (Y)

115Grid opening

119Delivery column

120Delivery column

122Grid cell

140Delivery system

200First container handling vehicle

X First direction

Y Second direction

P Horizontal plane of rail system

10Station

30Housing

31Cover of access barrier

32Motor for operating the cover

33Access Barrier

35Opening of the access barrier

36Top cover of the housing

39Wall structure element

40Loading mechanism

41Moving device

42Lifting device

43Support device

44Wheels of the lifting device

45Rails/tracks of the moving device

46Wheels of the drawer-like device

49Compartment separating wall

51Compartment in storage container

52User interface