Autostore Technology As

Børge Bekken

Trond Austrheim

Ivar Fjeldheim

Ingvar Hognaland

Jørgen Djuve Heggebø

HeggebØ Jørgen Djuve

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns, and a container handling vehicle. The container handling vehicle includes a transport mechanism for transport of the vehicle, and a lifting assembly for picking up storage containers from the storage columns. The lifting assembly includes: a lifting frame connectable to a storage container, a first lifting shaft and a second lifting shaft, the first and second lifting shafts being mainly parallel, and each of the first and second lifting shafts being supported in an upper portion of the vehicle, two lifting elements extending from each of the first and second lifting shafts to the lifting frame, and a motor drive assembly having at least one motor including a first motor, and a force transferring assembly rotatably connecting the first and second lifting shafts via a force transferring element.

Container handling vehicle with direct drive on lifting axle(s), associated methods and system

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure constructed of a plurality of upright members connected by horizontal members to define a storage grid of storage columns, within which storage columns may be stacked a plurality of storage containers. The framework structure has a rail system arranged at the upper level of the framework structure, with parallel rails in a first direction and parallel rails in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, upon which rails a plurality of wheeled container handling vehicles travel. The container handling vehicles are equipped with a gripping and lifting device for removing storage containers from the storage columns and replacing the storage containers in the storage columns. The upright members of the framework structure have corner sections directed towards an interior of a particular storage column. The corner sections include two vertically elongated, perpendicular corner guiding plates. The corner guiding plates of the upright members are proximate to a storage column forming a guide for corners of the storage containers stored in that storage column A bracing system includes a plurality of plate members mounted between adjacent upright members. The bracing plate members include a plate segment removably mounted between two retaining profiles. Each retaining profile has a shape adapted to engage an upright member. The retaining profiles of the plate members have a box shape adapted to be securely inserted between and essentially occupy the space between the corner guiding plates of two adjacent corner sections of an upright member. A plate segment of plate member is arranged to be connected to a flange of the inserted retaining profiles. The bracing plate members are arranged to provide structural support stability for the framework structure. The guiding plates have inwardly projecting ribs that engage corresponding grooves of the retaining profiles by snap fit.

Automated storage system with framework mounted modular plate system and bracing arrangement

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a rail system including a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each adjacent grid cell includes a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of neighboring tracks of the second set of tracks; and a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns located beneath the rail system. Each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening. A container handling vehicle includes a transport mechanism for transport of the vehicle on the rail system, a lifting assembly for picking up storage containers from the storage columns to a position above the lowest level of the transport mechanism. The lifting assembly includes a lifting frame connectable to a storage container, a first lifting shaft and a second lifting shaft. The first and second lifting shafts are mainly parallel, and each of the first and second lifting shafts are supported in an upper portion of the vehicle. Two lifting elements extend from each of the first and second lifting shafts to the lifting frame. A motor drive assembly includes at least a first motor, and a force transferring assembly rotatably connecting the first and second lifting shafts via a force transferring element.

A displacement mechanism for a remotely operated vehicle includes a motor configured to actuate a drive crank, a coupler link connected to the drive crank on a first side, and a lift rocker on a second side, a displacement link connected to the lift rocker, and a displacement plate connected to the displacement link and having a plurality of wheels provided thereon. The drive crank, the coupler link, the lift rocker, the displacement link, and the displacement plate are each respectively connected with pivot connections such that actuation of the motor actuates the displacement plate between a raised position and a lowered position. The lift rocker is configured with a pivot point arranged in a body of the lift rocker such that the lift rocker, the pivot connection between the displacement link and the lift rocker, and the pivot connection between the lift rocker and the coupler link each rotate around the pivot point when the motor is actuated.

Displacement mechanism for a remotely operated vehicle

An automated storage and retrieval system comprises a rail system comprising a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each comprising a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of neighboring tracks of the second set of tracks; and a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns located beneath the rail system. Each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening. A container handling vehicle comprises a transport mechanism for transport of the vehicle on the rail system, a lifting assembly for picking up storage containers from the storage columns to a position above the lowest level of the transport mechanism. The lifting assembly comprises a lifting frame connectable to a storage container, a first lifting shaft and a second lifting shaft, the first and second lifting shafts being mainly parallel, and each of the first and second lifting shafts being supported in an upper portion of the vehicle, two lifting elements extending from each of the first and second lifting shafts to the lifting frame, a motor drive assembly comprising at least a first motor, wherein the at least first motor encircles one of the lifting shafts, and a force transferring assembly rotatably connecting the first and second lifting shafts via a force transferring element.

A remotely operated vehicle for picking up storage bins from an underlying storage system includes a vehicle lifting device for lifting the storage bin from the underlying storage system, a first vehicle rolling assembly including a first rolling set and a second rolling set arranged at opposite sides of a vehicle frame, allowing movement of the vehicle along a first direction (X) on the underlying storage system during use, a second vehicle rolling assembly including a first rolling set and a second rolling set arranged at opposite sides of the vehicle frame, allowing movement of the vehicle along a second direction (Y) on the underlying storage system during use, the second direction (Y) being perpendicular to the first direction (X), and a rolling set displacement assembly arranged to move the first vehicle rolling assembly in a vertical direction (Z) between a first position and a second position. The first vehicle rolling assembly allows movement of the vehicle along the first direction (X). The second vehicle rolling assembly allows movement of the vehicle along the second direction (Y). Each of said rolling sets includes at least a first wheel and a second wheel rigidly interconnected by a wheel connecting element. The wheel connecting element of the first rolling set of the first vehicle rolling and the wheel connecting element of the first rolling set of the second vehicle rolling assembly are pivotally connected to the vehicle frame, such that each of said first rolling sets may tilt in a vertical plane.

Storage system vehicle

A storage system includes a charging station assembly for charging a plurality of power sources and a method thereof. The charging station assembly includes a charging station support fixing the charging station assembly to a base of the storage system, a plurality of charging stations, each charging station including a charger that charges the plurality of power sources and a power source transport device enabling relocation of the power source between an operational position on a remotely operated vehicle and a charging position in or at any one of the plurality of charging stations.

Charging station with multiple power sources

Foot for storage grid structure

A remotely-operated vehicle assembly for picking up storage bins from a storage system and a method for changing vehicle direction includes a body displaying a cavity, a lifting device connected to the body for lifting the bin into the cavity, a displacement arrangement including a displacement motor which provides power to displace one or both of first and second sets of vehicle wheels between a displaced state where the relevant vehicle wheels are displaced away from the underlying system during use, and a non-displaced state where the relevant vehicle wheels are in contact with the underlying system during use, and driving wheels coupled to the displacement arrangement. The driving wheels include the first and second sets of vehicle wheels connected to the body allowing movement of the vehicle along first and second directions, respectively, within the system. The first and second directions are perpendicular.

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Haugesund, Norway

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