Storage material handling system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A storage fill and retrieval system for a storage space, the system comprising:
- a multiplicity of fixed storage locations distributed in the storage space in a predetermined ordered configuration and defining at least one human pick zone arranged for human picker access to the fixed storage locations arrayed in the at least one human pick zone so as to pick, or place, items from the fixed storage locations arrayed in the at least one human pick zone;
at least one robot picker configured for holding and transporting a tote within the storage space and having an end effector arranged for autonomous transfer of the tote between the at least one robot picker and a tote holding station and between the at least one robot picker and at least one collection tote location disposed within at least at one human pick zone; and
a storage management system communicably connected to the at least one robot picker and configured to associate each robot picker of the at least one robot picker with a related human pick zone from the at least one human pick zone, each of the related human pick zones having at least one stored item in the fixed storage locations, of the related human pick zone, corresponding to a store or customer pick order of the storage management system;
wherein the at least one robot picker is configured to transport the tote to the at least one collection tote location within each related human pick zone, and wherein each collection tote location of the at least one collection tote location is arranged for human picker access and the related human pick zones collectively form a robot path, decoupled from a respective human picker path of each human picker within a respective related human pick zone, in the storage space connecting the collection tote locations of the at least one collection tote location that correspond to the store or customer pick order.
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Abstract
An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot includes a payload bed having at least one reference datum surface and at least one payload justification device, the at least one payload justification device being configured to position a payload on the payload bed in substantial contact with the at least one reference datum surface to place the payload in a predetermined position on the payload bed.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A storage fill and retrieval system for a storage space, the system comprising:
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a multiplicity of fixed storage locations distributed in the storage space in a predetermined ordered configuration and defining at least one human pick zone arranged for human picker access to the fixed storage locations arrayed in the at least one human pick zone so as to pick, or place, items from the fixed storage locations arrayed in the at least one human pick zone; at least one robot picker configured for holding and transporting a tote within the storage space and having an end effector arranged for autonomous transfer of the tote between the at least one robot picker and a tote holding station and between the at least one robot picker and at least one collection tote location disposed within at least at one human pick zone; and a storage management system communicably connected to the at least one robot picker and configured to associate each robot picker of the at least one robot picker with a related human pick zone from the at least one human pick zone, each of the related human pick zones having at least one stored item in the fixed storage locations, of the related human pick zone, corresponding to a store or customer pick order of the storage management system; wherein the at least one robot picker is configured to transport the tote to the at least one collection tote location within each related human pick zone, and wherein each collection tote location of the at least one collection tote location is arranged for human picker access and the related human pick zones collectively form a robot path, decoupled from a respective human picker path of each human picker within a respective related human pick zone, in the storage space connecting the collection tote locations of the at least one collection tote location that correspond to the store or customer pick order. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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2. A method for operating a distribution center, the method comprising:
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providing a multiplicity of fixed storage locations distributed in a storage space in a predetermined ordered configuration and defining at least one human pick zone arranged for human picker access to the fixed storage locations arrayed in the at least one human pick zone so as to pick, or place, items from the fixed storage locations arrayed in the at least one human pick zone; holding and transporting a tote within the storage space, with at least one robot picker, the at least one robot picker having an end effector arranged for autonomous transfer of the tote between the at least one robot picker and a tote holding station and between the at least one robot picker and at least one collection tote location disposed within at least at one human pick zone; connecting, communicably, a storage management system to the at least one robot picker, and associating, with the storage management system, each robot picker of the at least one robot picker with a related human pick zone from the at least one human pick zone, each of the related human pick zones having at least one stored item in the fixed storage locations, of the related human pick zone, corresponding to a store or customer pick order of the storage management system; and transporting the tote, with the at least one robot picker, to the at least one collection tote location within each related human pick zone, wherein each collection tote location of the at least one collection tote location is arranged for human picker access and collectively forming a robot path, decoupled from a respective human picker path of each human picker within a respective related human pick zone in the storage space, connecting the collection tote locations of the at least one collection tote location that correspond to the store or customer pick order. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification