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.

An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a track system including a first set of tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The first set of tracks and the second set of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each grid cell includes an opening defined by the first set of tracks and the second set of tracks such that the track system includes a plurality of openings. A plurality of storage containers are arranged in columns beneath the track system such that the storage containers are located vertically below the openings. A plurality of container handling vehicles for lifting and moving the storage containers are configured to move on the track system and access the storage containers via the openings. Each container handling vehicle of the container handling vehicles includes a lower part in contact with the track system and an upper part. The lower part has a width and a length that form a vehicle footprint. The vehicle footprint of the lower part has dimensions smaller than the opening such that a contact area of the container handling vehicle does not extend into an adjacent grid cell. The upper part, which is disposed vertically above the lower part, includes a protruding section and a recessed section. The protruding section is configured to extend beyond the lower part into the adjacent grid cell. The recessed section is of a complimentary shape to the protruding section such that the recessed section is configured to receive other protruding sections of other vehicles of the container handling vehicles. The lower part further includes a storage space configured to accommodate a storage container of the storage containers.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a rail system with a first set of parallel rails extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails extending in second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The system includes a plurality of container handling vehicles on the rail system operable to handle storage containers. Each container handling vehicle includes a positioning node and a local controller adapted to control movements of the container handling vehicle. The system includes a positioning system comprising at least three reference positioning nodes spaced in fixed positions on and/or proximate the rail system. The positioning system is adapted to determine a position on the rail system for each of the container handling vehicles based on signal measurements between the positioning node of each container handling vehicle and the at least three reference positioning nodes. A control system is adapted to communicate with each local controller in each container handling vehicle and the positioning system. The control system is adapted to: instruct a first container handling vehicle to move to a target position, repeatedly receive position data from the positioning system of a position of the first container handling vehicle and repeatedly receive position data from the positioning system of a position of a second container handling vehicle, and instruct the second container handling vehicle to move with and follow the first container handling vehicle within a predetermined separation from the first container handling vehicle based on the received position data of the positions of the first and second container handling vehicles.

The disclosure relates to a device and a method for storing standardized storage goods in a high-bay warehouse and to the transfer thereof.

A method handles malfunctioning vehicles on a track system constituting part of a storage and retrieval system configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers. The track system forms a grid pattern of adjacent cells. The storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of remotely operated vehicles configured to move laterally on the track system, wherein each of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles comprises driving wheels, and a control system for monitoring and controlling wirelessly movements of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles. The control system performs at least the following steps by wireless data communication: detecting an anomaly in an operational condition of a vehicle on the track system, registering the vehicle with the anomalous operational condition as a malfunctioning vehicle, registering a halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle relative to the supporting track system, and setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone on the track system. The setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone on the track system includes a malfunctioning vehicle zone including the halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle, and an entrance zone for entry into the malfunctioning vehicle zone. The entrance zone extends between the malfunctioning vehicle zone and a location at a periphery of the track system. The control system further performs ordering the remotely operated vehicles in operation within the shutdown zone to either move out of the shutdown zone, a halt or a combination thereof, and indicating allowance of entry into the entrance zone for an external operator by at least one of: unlocking a gateway at the periphery, and producing an entry-allowed signal registrable by a human operator located at the periphery such that the human operator may enter the entrance zone through the gateway.

The disclosure is directed at a high-density warehousing system that includes a set of high-density racking structures, each of the high-density racking structures including a set of compartments for housing a set of bins. The system can also include an automated picker for retrieving a requested bin or returning a returned bin to a designated compartment within the set of high-density racking structures and a control system for communicating compartment location information, the compartment location information associated with the designated compartment. Based on the compartment location information, the automated picker retrieves or returns the bin to the designated compartment.

A remotely operated vehicle includes an arrangement to provide a pre-alert and tracking of a position of the vehicle following a travelling route relative to tracks laid out on rails in x-, y-directions on a rail system. The vehicle has first and seconds sets of wheels connected to drives for moving the vehicle in corresponding x-, y-directions on the rail system. The arrangement includes at least one sensor module provided with at least four sensors. A first sensor is directed vertically downwards to detect the rails in the x-direction on the sensor module. A second sensor is directed vertically downwards to detect the rails in the y-direction on the sensor module. A third sensor is positioned on the sensor module to detect a corner of an intersection between the rails in the x-direction and y-direction. A fourth sensor is configured to detect a remaining distance to the arrival of the vehicle at a set position, by detecting the rails in the x direction when travelling in the y direction, and detecting the rail in the y direction when travelling in the x direction. The fourth sensor is placed at a predefined position on the sensor module. A controller is provided on the vehicle to receive the output from at least one of the sensors and to pre-alert the remaining distance of the arrival of the vehicle at the position.

A storage system for storing product items includes a grid structure and a number of first storage bins configured to be stored in vertical stacks in the grid structure. Each first storage bin is configured to contain at least one product item. A vehicle is arranged to move horizontally at the top level of the grid structure, and further arranged to pick up, carry, and place the first storage bins at desired locations within the grid structure. The storage system further includes a robot device that includes a movable arm with a picking mechanism in one end thereof. The robot device is configured to move a storage item between a first location and a second location by means of its picking mechanism. The first location is the location of a first storage bin stored in the storage grid.

A stacking storage arrangement having multiple container receiving spaces that are arranged in multiple rows and columns, wherein a loading space in which at least one loading vehicle can be moved is arranged below the container receiving spaces. The operation of a stacking storage arrangement of this type is configured to be economical. For this purpose, a transverse transport device is provided with which the loading vehicle can be moved between positions that are respectively assigned to a row.