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, the multiplicity of fixed storage locations defining at least one human pick zone arranged for human picker access, the fixed storage locations are arrayed in the at least one human pick zone so as to pick or place items from the fixed storage locations in the at least one human pick zone;
at least one robot picker configured for holding and transporting a tote within the storage space, 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 one of the at one human pick zone; and
a storage management system including a controller, the storage management system is configured to communicate with the at least one robot picker and is configured to associate each robot picker of the at least one robot picker with a related 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 the controller is configured to associate each collection tote location of the at least one collection tote location and the related human pick zones to collectively form a robot path, the robot path is decoupled from a related human picker path of each human picker within a respective related human pick zone; and
the controller associates each collection tote location to a corresponding 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.
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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, the multiplicity of fixed storage locations defining at least one human pick zone arranged for human picker access, the fixed storage locations are arrayed in the at least one human pick zone so as to pick or place items from the fixed storage locations in the at least one human pick zone; at least one robot picker configured for holding and transporting a tote within the storage space, 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 one of the at one human pick zone; and a storage management system including a controller, the storage management system is configured to communicate with the at least one robot picker and is configured to associate each robot picker of the at least one robot picker with a related 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 the controller is configured to associate each collection tote location of the at least one collection tote location and the related human pick zones to collectively form a robot path, the robot path is decoupled from a related human picker path of each human picker within a respective related human pick zone; and the controller associates each collection tote location to a corresponding store or customer pick order. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. 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 defining at least one human pick zone, the at least one human pick zone is 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 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 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 one of the at one human pick zone; communicating, by 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, the storage management system comprising a controller; each of the related human pick zones having at least one stored item in the fixed storage locations corresponding to a store or customer pick order of the storage management system; transporting the tote with the at least one robot picker to the at least one collection tote location within each related human pick zone; and associating, with the controller, each collection tote location of the at least one collection tote location to collectively form a robot path, the robot path is decoupled from a human picker path of each human picker within a respective related human pick zone in the storage space, the robot path connects 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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Specification