AUTOMATED STOWAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An automated stowage and retrieval system comprising:
- a storage area comprising a plurality of stationary cell modules arranged in a matrix, wherein each cell module comprise at least one motor; and
a plurality of carriers comprising at least one magnet disposed on an underside of each of the carriers and at least one engagement mechanism for a payload interface disposed on a top side of each of the carriers, the at least one magnet being configured to firmly secure the at least one motor of a corresponding cell module with a down force;
wherein the at least one motor is configured to move the carrier within the storage area and is also configured to firmly secure the carrier when the plurality of carriers are at a rested position with a down force.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Storage and retrieval systems and methods are provided to automate the process of handling a mixed inventory of palletized and containerized items. In one embodiment, the stowage and retrieval system comprises a storage area comprising a plurality of stationary cell modules arranged in a matrix, wherein each cell module comprises at least one motor. The system also comprises a plurality of carriers comprising at least one magnet disposed on an underside of each of the carriers and at least one engagement mechanism disposed on a top side of each of the carriers. The at least one magnet of the carrier is configured to engage the at least one motor of a corresponding cell module, and the at least one motor is configured to move the carrier within the storage area.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An automated stowage and retrieval system comprising:
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a storage area comprising a plurality of stationary cell modules arranged in a matrix, wherein each cell module comprise at least one motor; and a plurality of carriers comprising at least one magnet disposed on an underside of each of the carriers and at least one engagement mechanism for a payload interface disposed on a top side of each of the carriers, the at least one magnet being configured to firmly secure the at least one motor of a corresponding cell module with a down force; wherein the at least one motor is configured to move the carrier within the storage area and is also configured to firmly secure the carrier when the plurality of carriers are at a rested position with a down force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23)
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20. (canceled)
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21. A method of moving carriers between cell modules of a storage area matrix comprising:
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providing a first cell module comprising at least one motor, a second cell module comprising at least one motor, and a carrier comprising at least one magnet which is magnetically coupled to the at least one motor of the first cell module; and transferring the carrier from the first module to the second cell module by delivering a thrust force from the at least one motor of the first cell module, wherein the thrust force decouples the at least one magnet from the first motor and delivers the carrier to the second cell module for subsequent magnetic coupling of the at least one magnet to the at least one motor of the second cell module. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification