The present invention relates to a switch device for a transfer point (C) between a first and a second rotatable star wheel (20, 30), at which transfer point objects (B1-B8) can be transferred selectively from the first star wheel (20) to the second star wheel (30), characterized in that the switch device comprises: a base (12) at least in the region of the transfer point (C) for supporting the objects (B1-B8) transported by the star wheels; a first and a second wall portion (40, 50) which extend in the region of the transfer point (C), so as to substantially follow the outer periphery of the first and second star wheels (20, 30), respectively, and are movable in the vertical direction between a first position, in which they extend beyond the base (12), and a second position, in which they do not extend beyond the base (12); at least one drive mechanism for driving the movement of the wall portions (40, 50); and a control means for actuating the at least one drive mechanism. The first and the second wall portions (40, 50) are individually vertically movable by the at least one drive mechanism.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a base structure of a carrier on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels mounted to at least two motors to provide at least two wheel assemblies, the at least two wheel assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

A battery transmission system may comprise: a material incoming structure to receive batteries; a first transfer structure to transfer the batteries to a first pallet so as to convey the batteries on a first transmission line, wherein the first transmission line has an unloading position for which at least one second transmission line is provided correspondingly; and a second transfer structure to transfer batteries at the unloading position to a first starting position of the second transmission line so as to transmits, when the number of batteries at the first starting position reaches N, the N batteries to a first termination position of the second transmission line, wherein N≥1.

There is provided an automated storage and retrieval system including: a rack storing a plurality of bins for containing items; a picking station for picking the item from the bin; and a transportation robot for transporting the bin between the rack and the picking station. The picking station defines one or more picking positions at which the transportation robot transporting the bin is arranged to enable picking work of the item from the bin, and one or more retracted positions at which the transportation robot temporarily retracts the bin from the picking position.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

A bin exchange system is disclosed that includes a plurality of automated carriers, each of which is adapted to be remotely movable on an array of track sections, at least one input station by which bins may be introduced to the array of track sections, at least one processing station in communication with the array of track sections wherein objects may be moved between bins, and at least one output station by which bins may be removed from the array of track sections.

There is provided an automated storage and retrieval system including: a rack storing a plurality of bins for containing items; and a transportation robot for transporting the bin in the rack. The rack includes a plurality of floors each of which stores the plurality of bins, and allows the transportation robot to run along a surface thereof, and, when the one or more bins obstructive for transportation of the target bin are arranged on the one floor, the one or more transportation robots move the one or more obstructive bins to enable another transportation robot to transport the target bin.

The present disclosure relates to an automated storage and retrieval system. The system comprises a multi-floor storage structure defined with a storage space in each floor of the multi-floor storage structure. The system includes a plurality of storage bins arranged in the storage space and is configured to store inventory. Further, there is at least one autonomous vehicle configured to move under and transport the at least one storage bin of the plurality of storage bins and is configured to transport the plurality of storage bins within each floor and across multiple floors of the multi-floor storage structure.

A rack includes a plurality of floors each of which stores a plurality of bins for containing items, and allows a transportation robot to run along a surface thereof; and a plurality of support columns supporting the floors. Each of the floors includes a plurality of floor modules making up part of each of the floors, and each of the floor modules is detachably supported by the support column. This method for assembling a rack includes steps of: assembling each of the floors from a lower floor to an upper floor by attaching the floor module to the support column; and detaching the at least one floor module from the support column on each of the floors to secure a route for an operator to go down to the floor of the lower floor from the upper floor in the assembling step.

There is provided an automated storage and retrieval system including: a rack storing a plurality of bins for containing items; a transportation robot transporting the bin in the rack; and a transportation elevator which moves in the rack and can transport the transportation robot. The rack includes a plurality of floors each of which stores each of the plurality of bins, and allows the transportation robot to run along a surface thereof, and the rack includes a plurality of support column modules forming a passage of the transportation elevator. Each of the support column modules extends between at least mutually neighboring floors, and one support column module is configured to be able to be coupled to the another support column module.