Maintenance access zones for storage and retrieval systems
First Claim
1. A human access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the storage and retrieval space, the human access system comprising:
- at least one human access control unit associated with a portion of the storage and retrieval space;
at least one control device located in the storage and retrieval space and defining a boundary of the portion of the storage and retrieval space, the at least one control device being configured to stop the passage of the automated transport vehicles past the at least one control device; and
a controller connected to the human access control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one human access control unit for isolating the portion of the storage and retrieval space associated with the at least one human access control unit;
wherein the controller in response to the signal;
isolates the portion of the storage and retrieval space with the control device that stops automated transport vehicles from entering a human access zone, defined by the portion of the storage and retrieval space, and effects routing of operative automated transport vehicles away from the human access zone; and
stops autonomous transport vehicles within the portion of the storage and retrieval space while allowing continued operation of autonomous transport vehicles in other portions of the storage and retrieval space.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A maintenance access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the space. The system includes at least one maintenance access control unit associated with a portion of the space, at least one barrier in the space and defining a boundary of the portion of the space and configured to substantially prevent the passage of the vehicles past the at least one barrier, and a controller connected to the control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one control unit for isolating the portion of the space associated with the at least one control unit, where the controller in response to the signal closes the at least one barrier isolating the portion of the space and effects the removal from or shutting down of vehicles within the portion of the space.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A human access system for a storage and retrieval system having a storage and retrieval space and automated transport vehicles disposed in the storage and retrieval space, the human access system comprising:
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at least one human access control unit associated with a portion of the storage and retrieval space; at least one control device located in the storage and retrieval space and defining a boundary of the portion of the storage and retrieval space, the at least one control device being configured to stop the passage of the automated transport vehicles past the at least one control device; and a controller connected to the human access control unit, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the at least one human access control unit for isolating the portion of the storage and retrieval space associated with the at least one human access control unit; wherein the controller in response to the signal; isolates the portion of the storage and retrieval space with the control device that stops automated transport vehicles from entering a human access zone, defined by the portion of the storage and retrieval space, and effects routing of operative automated transport vehicles away from the human access zone; and stops autonomous transport vehicles within the portion of the storage and retrieval space while allowing continued operation of autonomous transport vehicles in other portions of the storage and retrieval space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating an automated warehouse system comprising:
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providing a storage and retrieval space with storage locations; providing at least one autonomous transport vehicle that travels within the storage and retrieval space; disposing human access zones, each having at least one human access control unit associated with a portion of the storage and retrieval space; providing a control device located in the storage and retrieval space and defining a boundary of the portion of the storage and retrieval space, the at least one control device being configured to stop the passage of the automated transport vehicles past the at least one control device; and signaling, with a controller communicably connected to the control device, a status change of the at least one human access control unit for isolating the portion of the storage and retrieval space associated with the human access control unit; wherein in response to the signal from the controller, the at least one autonomous transport vehicle within a corresponding human access zone stops while other autonomous transport vehicles outside of the corresponding human access zone continue operation in the storage and retrieval space outside the corresponding human access zone. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An automated warehouse system comprising:
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a storage and retrieval space with storage locations; at least one autonomous transport vehicle that travels within the storage and retrieval space; human access zones each having at least one human access control unit associated with a portion of the storage and retrieval space; a control device located in the storage and retrieval space and configured to define a boundary of the portion of the storage and retrieval space, the control device is further configured to stop the passage of the automated transport vehicles past the at least one control device; and a controller communicably connected to the control device, the controller being configured to signal a status change of the at least one human access control unit for isolating the portion of the storage and retrieval space associated with the human access control unit; wherein in response to the signal from the controller, the at least one autonomous transport vehicle within a corresponding human access zone stops while other autonomous transport vehicles outside the corresponding human access zone continue operation in the storage and retrieval space outside the corresponding human access zone. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification