In one aspect, a track structure usable by a wheeled vehicle for hauling a payload up an inclined enclosed passageway comprises a hollow rigid center rail member configured to act as both a center rail for the wheeled vehicle and as a ventilation duct. Opposite lateral faces of the hollow center rail member have respective wheel contact surfaces grippable by an opposed pair of inwardly-biased drive wheels of the wheeled vehicle. Rail support structure depends from the hollow center rail member. An elevated pair of rails is attached to the rail support structure, the rails being on opposite sides of and substantially parallel to the hollow center rail member. Each rail is supported by the rail support structure so as to provide an upper, lower, and lateral surface suitable for rolling engagement by a weight-bearing wheel, undermount wheel, and guide wheel, respectively, of the wheeled vehicle.

In one aspect, a track structure usable by a wheeled vehicle for hauling a payload up an inclined enclosed passageway comprises a hollow rigid center rail member configured to act as both a center rail for the wheeled vehicle and as a ventilation duct. Opposite lateral faces of the hollow center rail member have respective wheel contact surfaces grippable by an opposed pair of inwardly-biased drive wheels of the wheeled vehicle. Rail support structure depends from the hollow center rail member. An elevated pair of rails is attached to the rail support structure, the rails being on opposite sides of and substantially parallel to the hollow center rail member. Each rail is supported by the rail support structure so as to provide an upper, lower, and lateral surface suitable for rolling engagement by a weight-bearing wheel, undermount wheel, and guide wheel, respectively, of the wheeled vehicle.

A first carriage is provided with a support rail that supports a main body, and is configured to travel together with a second carriage that includes the main body along the first path, in a supporting state that is a state of supporting the main body, using the support rail. In a state where the first carriage is located at a connection part of the first path, which is connected to the second path, the support rail is located on an extension line of the travel rail.

A first carriage is provided with a support rail that supports a main body, and is configured to travel together with a second carriage that includes the main body along the first path, in a supporting state that is a state of supporting the main body, using the support rail. In a state where the first carriage is located at a connection part of the first path, which is connected to the second path, the support rail is located on an extension line of the travel rail.

The invention concerns an automated storage and retrieval system, a storage facility and a method for operating such a system. The system comprises a first track system and a second track system, wherein a first horizontal plane P1 of the first track system and a second horizontal plane P2 of the second track system are arranged vertically displaced relative each other. The system comprises a vehicle lift device for transfer of at least one of the vehicles between the first track system and the second track system. The vehicle lift device comprises a support and transport platform arranged to carry the vehicle and a lift mechanism arranged to move the support and transport platform between: a first lift stop position LS1 establishing access between the support and transport platform and the first track system for enabling relocation of the vehicle between a support position on the support and transport platform and an operative position on the first track system, a second lift stop position LS2 establishing access between the support and transport platform and the second track system for enabling relocation of the vehicle between a support position on the support and transport platform and an operative position on the second track system.

The invention concerns an automated storage and retrieval system, a storage facility and a method for operating such a system. The system comprises a first track system and a second track system, wherein a first horizontal plane P1 of the first track system and a second horizontal plane P2 of the second track system are arranged vertically displaced relative each other. The system comprises a vehicle lift device for transfer of at least one of the vehicles between the first track system and the second track system. The vehicle lift device comprises a support and transport platform arranged to carry the vehicle and a lift mechanism arranged to move the support and transport platform between: a first lift stop position LS1 establishing access between the support and transport platform and the first track system for enabling relocation of the vehicle between a support position on the support and transport platform and an operative position on the first track system, a second lift stop position LS2 establishing access between the support and transport platform and the second track system for enabling relocation of the vehicle between a support position on the support and transport platform and an operative position on the second track system.

A container handling vehicle includes a lower part and an upper part. The lower part includes a width and a length that form a vehicle footprint of the container handling vehicle; and a storage space configured to accommodate a storage container. The lower part includes a first set of wheels oriented in a first vertical plane and a second set of wheels oriented in a second vertical plane orthogonal to the first vertical plane. The lower part includes a first set of vertical side walls that are co-planar to the first vertical plane, and a second set of vertical side walls that are co-planar to the second vertical plane. The first set of wheels, the second set of wheels, the first set of vertical side walls, and the second set of vertical side walls are arranged such that the lower part of the container handling vehicle has a cuboid shape. The upper part is disposed vertically above the lower part, and includes a protruding section and a recessed section. The protruding section is configured to extend beyond the lower part. The recessed section has a shape complimentary to the protruding section such that the recessed section is configured to receive other protruding sections of other container handling vehicles.

A container handling vehicle includes a lower part and an upper part. The lower part includes a width and a length that form a vehicle footprint of the container handling vehicle; and a storage space configured to accommodate a storage container. The lower part includes a first set of wheels oriented in a first vertical plane and a second set of wheels oriented in a second vertical plane orthogonal to the first vertical plane. The lower part includes a first set of vertical side walls that are co-planar to the first vertical plane, and a second set of vertical side walls that are co-planar to the second vertical plane. The first set of wheels, the second set of wheels, the first set of vertical side walls, and the second set of vertical side walls are arranged such that the lower part of the container handling vehicle has a cuboid shape. The upper part is disposed vertically above the lower part, and includes a protruding section and a recessed section. The protruding section is configured to extend beyond the lower part. The recessed section has a shape complimentary to the protruding section such that the recessed section is configured to receive other protruding sections of other container handling vehicles.

A container handling vehicle includes a lower part and an upper part. The lower part includes a width and a length that form a vehicle footprint of the container handling vehicle; and a storage space configured to accommodate a storage container. The lower part includes a first set of wheels oriented in a first direction and a second set of wheels oriented in a second direction. The upper part is disposed vertically above the lower part, and includes a protruding section and a recessed section. The protruding section is configured to extend beyond the lower part. The protruding section includes at least one of: a battery, a battery slot configured to house the battery, or a sensor configured to determine a position of the container handling vehicle.

A container handling vehicle includes a lower part and an upper part. The lower part includes a width and a length that form a vehicle footprint of the container handling vehicle; and a storage space configured to accommodate a storage container. The lower part includes a first set of wheels oriented in a first direction and a second set of wheels oriented in a second direction. The upper part is disposed vertically above the lower part, and includes a protruding section and a recessed section. The protruding section is configured to extend beyond the lower part. The protruding section includes at least one of: a battery, a battery slot configured to house the battery, or a sensor configured to determine a position of the container handling vehicle.