Automated storage and retrieval system comprising a storage container lift assembly

    公开(公告)号:US12145801B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-11-19

    申请号:US17051036

    申请日:2019-05-29

    Inventor: Trond Austrheim

    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a track system including 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, which first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each grid cell including 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; and a plurality of container handling vehicles for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in the stacks. The storage columns are located beneath the track system. Each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening. Each container handling vehicle is configured to move on the track system above the storage columns. The system further includes at least one transfer vehicle, arranged to transport at least one storage container in a horizontal plane which is located above the container handling vehicles, and at least one storage container lift assembly comprising at least one movable lifting member. Each movable lifting member is arranged to receive at least one storage container from the transfer vehicle, and the at least one movable lifting member is arranged for vertical movement to and from the plane where the transfer vehicle of the system operates.

    STACKABLE LIGHTING MODULE
    12.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20240373806A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-11-14

    申请号:US18345584

    申请日:2023-06-30

    Abstract: A stackable lighting module has a load-bearing frame including a first support member and a second support member held in a spaced apart and parallel configuration by a cross-member, to which cross-member is attached a light source module. The light source module has electrical connectors along upper and lower edges, such that when stacked, the vertically adjacent light source modules will snap into electrical connection.

    MODULAR VERTICAL FARMING SYSTEM
    13.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20240373793A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-11-14

    申请号:US18345240

    申请日:2023-06-30

    Abstract: An automated vertical farming system, includes a framework structure forming a grid storage arrangement. One or more module handling vehicles are arranged to travel and transport modules along a rail system. A control system is configured to control the travel and operation of the one or more module handling vehicles. Stackable growth modules and stackable lighting modules are arranged to support growing plants, the growth modules having a footprint corresponding to that of a column of the framework structure, such that the growth modules may be arranged in stacks in the columns. The growth modules allow plants to grow horizontally, and also provide a non-drip watering system for watering the plants and water tank modules for watering the columns of growth modules.

    CONTAINER-HANDLING VEHICLE
    14.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:US20240308821A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-09-19

    申请号:US18677502

    申请日:2024-05-29

    Inventor: Trond Austrheim

    CPC classification number: B66F7/02 B65G1/0464 B65G35/06

    Abstract: A container-handling vehicle includes a lifting shaft having first and second end sections, a motor for rotating the lifting shaft, a lifting frame for releasably connecting to a storage container, and a first pair of lifting bands and a second pair of lifting bands connecting the lifting shaft to the lifting frame. Each lifting band has a first end connected to the lifting shaft and a second end connected to the lifting frame. Each pair of lifting bands has a first lifting band connected at the first end section of the lifting shaft and a second lifting band connected at the second end section of the lifting shaft. The first pair of lifting bands extends in a substantially horizontal direction from the lifting shaft towards a band guiding assembly arranged to change the direction of the first pair of lifting bands to extend in a vertical direction. The second pair of lifting bands extends in a vertical direction from the lifting shaft at the side of the lifting shaft facing away from the band guiding assembly.

    AUTOMATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
    15.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:US20240300356A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-09-12

    申请号:US18666455

    申请日:2024-05-16

    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a track system, a plurality of storage columns, a container handling vehicle, a replaceable power supply, and a charging station. The track system includes 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 adjacent tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of adjacent tracks of the second set of tracks. The plurality of storage columns are located beneath the track system. Each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening and arranged to store a stack of storage containers. The container handling vehicle is for lifting at least one storage container stacked in the stacks. The container handling vehicle is configured to move laterally on the track system above the storage columns to access the storage containers via the grid openings, wherein the container handling vehicle comprises a lower part comprising at least one storage compartment for storing a storage container, an upper part arranged vertically above the lower part, a wheel assembly for guiding the container handling vehicle along the track system and a power supply compartment for accommodating a replaceable power supply. The replaceable power supply is for accommodation in the power supply compartment, having a power supply charging connection. The charging station is for charging of the replaceable power supply, the charging station comprising a charging station charging connection configured to create an electrical connection with the power supply charging connection and a power supply support for releasably supporting the power supply during charging. The container handling vehicle includes an auxiliary battery to allow movement of the container handling vehicle when void of the replaceable power supply.

    A LIFTING DEVICE ASSEMBLY FOR HANDLING A DELIVERY CONTAINER STORED WITHIN A STORAGE CONTAINER

    公开(公告)号:US20240217739A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-07-04

    申请号:US18553803

    申请日:2022-04-07

    CPC classification number: B65G1/0464

    Abstract: A lifting device assembly for handling a delivery container stored within a storage container includes a delivery container coupler and a lifting device. The delivery container coupler includes a coupler frame having a coupler frame lower face and a coupler frame upper face, and a delivery container coupling mechanism fixed to the coupler frame and protruding from the coupler frame lower face for enabling releasable coupling to corresponding coupling structures within an inner volume of a delivery container. The lifting device includes a lifting frame having a lifting frame lower face and a lifting frame upper face, and a plurality of grippers connected to the lifting frame for releasable connection to the coupler. The lifting frame is configured such that the lifting frame lower face can be arranged adjacent to the coupler frame upper face in a coupled position.

    Support vehicle for performing support operations in an automated storage and retrieval system

    公开(公告)号:US12012280B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-06-18

    申请号:US17046804

    申请日:2019-04-12

    Inventor: Trond Austrheim

    CPC classification number: B65G1/0464 B65G1/0428 B65G1/0492 B65G1/065

    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support vehicle (20) for performing support operations in an automated storage and retrieval system (1). It comprises a vehicle body (21). It comprises a drive system (40) comprising wheels (42, 44) provided in a lower part of the vehicle body (21), where the drive system (40) being configured to drive the support vehicle (20) along a track system (108) of the automated storage and retrieval system (1). It comprises a connection system (30) provided on a first side (20a) of the support vehicle (20). The connection system (30) comprises a connector member (31) protruding through a aperture (22) of the vehicle body (21). The connection system (30) comprises an actuator (34) for moving the connector member (31) in the aperture (22) in relation to the vehicle body (21). The present invention also relates to an automated storage and retrieval system (1).

    CONTAINER HANDLING VEHICLE WITH FIRST AND SECOND SECTIONS AND LIFTING DEVICE MOTOR IN SECOND SECTION

    公开(公告)号:US20240132283A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-04-25

    申请号:US18399330

    申请日:2023-12-28

    Inventor: Trond Austrheim

    CPC classification number: B65G1/0464 B65G1/065 B65G1/137 B65G2201/0235

    Abstract: A container handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a first set of wheels for moving the vehicle along an X direction on a rail system of the grid; and a second set of wheels for moving the vehicle along a Y direction on the rail system of the grid. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The container handling vehicle includes a vehicle body having a vehicle body footprint defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a first footprint and the second section has a second footprint. The first and second footprints are defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the first and second sections, respectively. The container handling vehicle includes a lifting device for lifting storage containers from the storage system; and a lifting device motor arranged to drive the lifting device when lifting storage containers from the storage system. The first section and the second section are arranged side-by-side such that a total area of the first and second footprints equals a total area of the vehicle body footprint, and a centre point of the first footprint is arranged off centre relative a centre point of the vehicle body footprint. The first section defines a storage container receiving space which is configured to accommodate a storage container. The first section accommodates the lifting device for lifting a storage container from the storage system. The lifting device motor is accommodated in the second section.

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