Automated storage and retrieval system
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- providing, on an autonomous rover, a frame having a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end and forming a payload bay, the payload bay sized to support a pickface;
providing at least a first common registration surface, a second common registration surface, and a third common registration surface, each of the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface engaging the pickface supported on payload supports in the payload bay and being distinct and decoupled from the payload supports;
providing a drive section being connected to the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface;
variably positioning, with the drive section, the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface relative to each other and at least one storage shelf of an automated storage and retrieval system so as to justify the pickface in three degrees of freedom to effect placement of the pickface on the at least one storage shelf; and
picking, with an autonomous rover, one or more items from one or more storage locations of the at least one storage shelf to build the pickface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An autonomous rover including a frame having a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end and forming a payload bay, the payload bay being sized to support a pickface, a common active registration surface configured to engage the pickface, and a drive section connected to the common active registration surface, the drive section being configured to variably position the common active registration surface relative to at least one storage shelf of an automated storage and retrieval system to effect placement of the pickface on the storage shelf so that pickfaces are substantially continuously arranged along the at least one storage shelf with a predetermined storage spacing between the pickfaces.
181 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing, on an autonomous rover, a frame having a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end and forming a payload bay, the payload bay sized to support a pickface; providing at least a first common registration surface, a second common registration surface, and a third common registration surface, each of the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface engaging the pickface supported on payload supports in the payload bay and being distinct and decoupled from the payload supports; providing a drive section being connected to the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface; variably positioning, with the drive section, the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface relative to each other and at least one storage shelf of an automated storage and retrieval system so as to justify the pickface in three degrees of freedom to effect placement of the pickface on the at least one storage shelf; and picking, with an autonomous rover, one or more items from one or more storage locations of the at least one storage shelf to build the pickface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An autonomous rover comprising:
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a frame having a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end and forming a payload bay, the payload bay being sized to support a pickface; at least a first common registration surface, a second common registration surface, and a third common registration surface, each of the at least the first common registration surface, wherein each of the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface is; configured to engage the pickface supported on payload supports in the payload bay, and distinct and decoupled from the payload supports; and a drive section, wherein the drive section is; connected to the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface, wherein the autonomous rover is configured to pick one or more items from one or more storage locations of the at least one storage shelf to build the pickface, and the drive section is configured to variably position the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface relative to each other and at least one storage shelf of an automated storage and retrieval system to; effect picking of one item from the storage location with the autonomous rover holding another item, and justify the one or more of the one item picked and the other item held in three degrees of freedom, into a common multi-item unit commonly defining the pickface in the payload bay. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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providing, on an autonomous rover, a frame having a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end and forming a payload bay, the payload bay sized to support a pickface; providing at least a first common registration surface, a second common registration surface, and a third common registration surface, each of the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface engaging the pickface supported on payload supports in the payload bay, the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface being distinct and decoupled from the payload supports; providing a drive section being connected to the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface; picking, with the autonomous rover, one or more items from one or more storage locations of the at least one storage shelf to build the pickface; and variably positioning, with the drive section, the at least the first common registration surface, the second common registration surface, and the third common registration surface relative to each other and at least one storage shelf of an automated storage and retrieval system, to; effect picking of one item from the storage location with the autonomous rover holding another item, and justify the one or more of the one item picked and the other item held in three degrees of freedom, the justified items forming a common multi item unit defining the pickface in the payload bay. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification