Container handling vehicle with extendable wheel base

Abstract

A container handling vehicle with a cantilever solution operates on an automated storage and retrieval system. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure forming a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing storage containers for storing items. The grid structure forms vertical storage columns each having a horizontal area defined by the size of an access opening of the vertical storage columns. A rail system is arranged on the framework structure, rails of the rail system extending in an X-direction and a Y-direction to define a grid and to define a perimeter of each access opening on top of each storage column. The rail system provides available routes for container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the storage columns. Each rail has a first track and a parallel second track allowing two container handling vehicles to pass each other using the same rail. Each vehicle communicates with a central computer system controlling the operation. At least one container handling vehicle has a container handling platform with a set of grippers for handling the storage containers. The wheels are on a cantilever side of the container handling vehicle, used for manoeuvring the container handling vehicle in the Y-direction, are positioned or are positionable with respect to the container handling vehicle to allow them to use an outer track of a rail in the Y-direction to manoeuvre the container handling vehicle when the wheels on an opposite side of the container handling vehicle are using an inner track of an adjacent rail in the Y-direction.