An automatic storage and retrieval system includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container carried by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading an item from the storage container while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle. The unloading station includes: an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to convey the item to a target destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

A traveling vehicle system includes: a plurality of traveling vehicles; and a controller that is capable of communicating with the plurality of traveling vehicles and that controls the plurality of traveling vehicles, a traveling region of the traveling vehicles having designated therein a plurality of blocking sections each of which undergoes, when occupied by one of the plurality of traveling vehicles, exclusive control to prohibit another traveling vehicle from moving thereinto. The controller determines, where in a series of operations to be executed by the traveling vehicle, the operation of the traveling vehicle from the start of traveling to stopping before executing a predetermined operation included in the series of operations is demarcated, whether or not to grant the traveling vehicle an occupation permission for the blocking sections to be occupied for the traveling vehicle to execute operations.

Disclosed are a matrix track system, a production line with associated loops and a production method using the production line. The matrix track system includes a plurality of track nodes which are arranged in a matrix and a plurality of fixed guide rails connecting the track nodes. The fixed guide rails include a plurality of longitudinal guide rails and a plurality of transverse guide rails. Each of the track nodes includes a turnout mechanism which includes a straight guide rail, an arc guide rail and a switch component for the switching of the straight guide rail and the arc guide rail.

Disclosed are a matrix track system, a production line with associated loops and a production method using the production line. The matrix track system includes a plurality of track nodes which are arranged in a matrix and a plurality of fixed guide rails connecting the track nodes. The fixed guide rails include a plurality of longitudinal guide rails and a plurality of transverse guide rails. Each of the track nodes includes a turnout mechanism which includes a straight guide rail, an arc guide rail and a switch component for the switching of the straight guide rail and the arc guide rail.

To provide a vehicle body structure for an autonomously traveling vehicle that is distinguished for maintainability.

A vehicle body structure (1) for an autonomously traveling vehicle that travels on wheels (3) provided on a chassis (2) includes side frames (4R), (4L) that extend in a chassis longitudinal direction on both sides of the chassis with respect to a chassis width direction, first drive units (20) in each of which a drive motor (5) that is for driving the wheel (3), a reduction gear (6), and a drive shaft (7) that drives the wheel (3) are integrally configured, and second drive units (30) which each rotatably hold a drive shaft (7) that drives the wheel (3). The vehicle body structure (1) is characterized in that the first drive units (20) and the second drive units (30) are each provided so as to be integrally mountable in and dismountable from the same side frames.

Provided is a guide device for a guide rail-type vehicle which travels while being guided along a travel track. The guide device is provided with: guide wheels which include main guide wheels and branched guide wheels, the main and branched guide wheels being in contact with and roll on guide rails arranged on both sides of the travel track; steering arms which steer the vehicle; and elastic support members which each includes one end affixed to each of the steering arms and which each includes the other end including guide wheels rotatably supported thereon, the elastic support members absorbing an impact load by deflecting about the one end thereof.

Provided is a guide device for a guide rail-type vehicle which travels while being guided along a travel track. The guide device is provided with: guide wheels which include main guide wheels and branched guide wheels, the main and branched guide wheels being in contact with and roll on guide rails arranged on both sides of the travel track; steering arms which steer the vehicle; and elastic support members which each includes one end affixed to each of the steering arms and which each includes the other end including guide wheels rotatably supported thereon, the elastic support members absorbing an impact load by deflecting about the one end thereof.

An automated storage and retrieval system comprising an automated storage and retrieval grid and a delivery system. The automated storage and retrieval grid includes a container handling vehicle rail system for guiding a plurality of container handling vehicles and a delivery column adapted for transport of a storage container arranged in a stack of storage containers beneath the container handling vehicle rail system between a container handling vehicle and a delivery port situated at a lower end of the delivery column. The container handling vehicle rail system includes 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 container handling vehicle grid cells. Each container handling vehicle grid cell includes a container handling vehicle grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails. The delivery system includes a remotely operated delivery vehicle including a container carrier adapted to support the storage container. The delivery vehicle is further adapted to transport the storage container between the delivery port and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator.

An automated storage and retrieval system comprising an automated storage and retrieval grid and a delivery system. The automated storage and retrieval grid includes a container handling vehicle rail system for guiding a plurality of container handling vehicles and a delivery column adapted for transport of a storage container arranged in a stack of storage containers beneath the container handling vehicle rail system between a container handling vehicle and a delivery port situated at a lower end of the delivery column. The container handling vehicle rail system includes 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 container handling vehicle grid cells. Each container handling vehicle grid cell includes a container handling vehicle grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring rails of the first set of rails and a pair of neighboring rails of the second set of rails. The delivery system includes a remotely operated delivery vehicle including a container carrier adapted to support the storage container. The delivery vehicle is further adapted to transport the storage container between the delivery port and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator.

An article transport apparatus includes a traveling portion configured to travel along a rail portion and a mounting portion configured to have a structure suspended under a traveling portion to mount articles thereon, in particular, the rail portion includes a plurality of first straight rails extending in a first direction while being arranged parallel to each other at first intervals, a plurality of second straight rails extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction while being arranged parallel to each other at second intervals, and a connecting rail configured to connect between the first straight rails and the second straight rails, which perpendicularly face each other, so that the traveling portion travels between the first straight rails and the second straight rails perpendicularly facing each other.