Automated storage and retrieval system
First Claim
1. A method for building a pickface comprising:
- providing at least two case units in an automated storage and retrieval system having an array of storage spaces;
providing an autonomous rover configured to transfer case units between the rover and the array of storage spaces;
picking, with the rover, a first case unit from a predetermined storage space; and
picking, with the rover and with the rover holding the first case unit, at least a second case unit from a different predetermined storage space;
wherein the first case unit and the at least second case unit form the pickface and are transported as a unit, where the first case unit and the at least second case unit are complimentary to each other within a common pickface effected by common justification of the first case unit and the at least second case unit provided by a common justification surface to the first case unit and the at least second case unit of the common pickface on the autonomous rover forming the common pickface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
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.
189 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for building a pickface comprising:
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providing at least two case units in an automated storage and retrieval system having an array of storage spaces; providing an autonomous rover configured to transfer case units between the rover and the array of storage spaces; picking, with the rover, a first case unit from a predetermined storage space; and picking, with the rover and with the rover holding the first case unit, at least a second case unit from a different predetermined storage space; wherein the first case unit and the at least second case unit form the pickface and are transported as a unit, where the first case unit and the at least second case unit are complimentary to each other within a common pickface effected by common justification of the first case unit and the at least second case unit provided by a common justification surface to the first case unit and the at least second case unit of the common pickface on the autonomous rover forming the common pickface. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. 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; a common active registration surface configured to engage the pickface supported on payload supports in the payload bay, where the common active registration surface is distinct and decoupled from the payload supports; 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 at least one storage shelf so that pickfaces, the placement of each being so effected, are substantially continuously arranged along the at least one shelf with a predetermined storage spacing between the pickfaces. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. 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; a common active registration surface configured to engage the pickface upheld on payload supports in the payload bay, where the common active registration surface is distinct and decoupled from each of the pickface upholding payload supports; and a drive section connected to the common active registration surface, the drive section being configured to variably position the common active registration surface, free of each of the pickface upholding payload supports, relative to at least the frame. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An automated storage and retrieval system comprises:
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an array of storage locations; and at least one autonomous rover in communication with the array of storage locations, the at least one 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 upheld on payload supports in the payload bay, where the common active registration surface is distinct and decoupled from each of the pickface upholding payload supports; and a drive section connected to the common active registration surface, the drive section being configured to variably position the common active registration surface, free of each of the pickface upholding payload supports, relative to at least the frame. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification