Autostore Technology As

Ole Alexander Mæhle

Ragnar Stuhaug

Trond Austrheim

Jørgen Djuve Heggebø

Ingvar Fagerland

Øystein Gjerdevik

Synnøve Matre

Christian Håkon Pløen

HeggebØ Jørgen Djuve

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a three-dimensional storage grid for storing storage containers; first and second container handling vehicles operating on the storage grid; and a central communication system for controlling and communicating with the container handling vehicles for handling storage containers in the storage grid. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a barrier separating the three dimensional storage grid into a first section and a second section. The barrier has two states: a first state in which the container handling vehicles are allowed to move between the first section and the second section; and a second state, in which the container handling vehicles are physically prevented from moving between the first section and the second section by means of the barrier.

Automated storage and retrieval system comprising a barrier

A method of operating an automated storage and retrieval system includes: a rail system including a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells, a central control unit configured to receive, transmit and process data signals of a plurality of container handling vehicles for handling storage containers of the automated storage and retrieval system. Each container handling vehicle includes a vehicle body, a wheel assembly provided on the vehicle body, the wheel assembly being configured to move the vehicle along the rail system in both of the first direction and the second direction, a vehicle control unit configured to receive data signals from, transmit data signals to and process data signals of the central control unit, and a proximity sensor system configured to detect another container handling vehicle of said plurality of container handling vehicles and determine whether or not it is within a predetermined distance. The method includes detecting with the central control unit that access of a first container handling vehicle to a target cell, which is one of the plurality of grid cells, is blocked by a second container handling vehicle, transmitting a data signal from the central control unit to the vehicle control unit of the first container handling vehicle commanding the first container handling vehicle to move into the target cell when the second container handling vehicle is beyond said predetermined distance.

Method of operating an automated storage and retrieval system

Remotely operated storage vehicle

Growing community of inventors

Etne, Norway

Ole Alexander Mæhle