AUTOMATED GRID STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM WITH PASSIVE FIRE PREVENTION ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

An autonomous grid storage system (1) arranged in a warehouse space (12). The autonomous grid storage system is divided within the warehouse space, for example on a single floor of said space, into a plurality of sub grids (10a/10b) separated by fire walls (18). One or more bridges (14) pass through openings in the fire wall to allow bin handling vehicles (210/301) to traverse between the sub grids. The openings (20) are provided with closable fire door (22).

Claims

1. An automated grid storage and retrieval system comprising: a framework structure comprising a track system comprising a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane (P) and extending in a first direction (X), and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane (P) and extending in a second direction (Y) which is orthogonal to the first direction (X), which first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane (P) comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each grid cell comprising a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of neighboring tracks of the second set of tracks; a plurality of storage columns each column being arranged to store a respective stack of storage bins wherein the storage columns are located beneath the track system, wherein each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening; a plurality of bin handling vehicles that operate on the track system for collecting and returning storage containers or bins to and from storage columns, and a control system for monitoring and controlling the automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the automated grid storage and retrieval system is arranged to be installed within a warehouse space into a plurality of sub grids, wherein adjacent sub grids are separated from each other by a fire wall, fire barrier or fire partition extending between adjacent sub-grids, and wherein adjacent sub grids are co-joined by one or more bridges in the form of sections of track that pass through one or more openings in the fire wall, fire barrier or fire partition to allow bin handling vehicles to pass from the grid-based track system of one sub-grid to the grid-based track system of another sub grid, each opening in the fire wall, barrier or partition being provided with a fire door which is arranged to close off the opening in the fire walls in the event of a fire.

2. The automated grid storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein an aisle is arranged between the sub grid and the fire wall, barrier or partition.

3. The automated grid storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein the closable fire door is a slidable door, suspended from a door rail and held in an open position by a releasable latch or magnet, said door rail arranged at an angle whereby the fire door will slide from an open position to a closed position under the influence of gravity upon release of the latch or magnet.

4. The automated grid storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a plurality of dedicated container transport vehicles arranged at a lower level, said transport vehicles arranged to receive containers from the grid structure and transport the containers though one or more openings in the fire wall to an access station, each opening (36) being provided with a closable fire door.

5. The automated grid storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein the fire door or doors are slidable doors, suspended from a door rail and held in an open position by a releasable latch or magnet, said door rail arranged at an angle whereby the fire door or doors will slide from an open position to a closed position under the influence of gravity upon release of the latch or magnet.

6. The automated grid storage and retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein the bridge or bridges are arranged with multiple tracks, such that a plurality of bin handling can pass simultaneously through the openings in the fire wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The following drawings are appended to facilitate the understanding of the invention. The drawings show embodiments of the invention, which will now be described by way of example only, where:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art automated grid storage and retrieval system;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art bin handling vehicle having a centrally arranged cavity for containing storage bins therein;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art bin handling vehicle having a cantilever for containing storage bins underneath;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a top view of a prior art single rail grid;

[0046] FIG. 5 is a top view of a prior art double rail grid;

[0047] FIG. 6 is a top view of a rail system of the automated grid storage and retrieval system according to FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a grid storage system divided into two sub grids.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a grid storage system divided into two sub grids, separated by a fire wall.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a grid storage system as depicted in FIG. 8, showing fire doors in open positions.

[0051] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a grid storage system as depicted in FIG. 8, showing fire doors in closed positions.

[0052] FIG. 11 is a close up view of fire doors in open positions.

[0053] FIG. 12 is a close up view of fire doors in closed positions.

[0054] FIG. 13 is a close up view of a vehicle bridge, a vehicle and a single fire door in an open position.

[0055] FIG. 14 is a close up view of a vehicle bridge, a vehicle and a single fire door in an semi closed position.

[0056] FIG. 15 is a close up view of a vehicle bridge and a single fire door in a closed position.

[0057] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a grid storage system divided into two sub grids, separated by fire walls, in which dedicated transport vehicles operate on a ground level through closable fire doors in an open position.

[0058] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the grid storage system from FIG. 16, with fire doors in closed positions.

[0059] FIGS. 18 and 19 are close up views of the grid storage system from FIGS. 16 and 17 respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] FIGS. 1-6 collectively illustrate an autonomous grid storage system as known in the prior art, such as, for example, the Autostore® system of the present applicant. As shown in FIG. 1, a salient feature is such a system is the dense, efficient utilization of as much of a usable space in a warehouse area as possible.

[0061] According to the present invention, fire safety is improved by dividing the storage grid into a plurality of sub grids. FIG. 7 shows two sub grids 10A and 10B arranged in a warehouse space 12. While FIG. 7 illustrates two sub grids, it should be understood that the storage system can be divided into any number of sub grids, depending on the size of warehouse space 12, fire safety regulations mandating grid size, or other considerations. As further illustrated in FIG. 7, bin handling vehicles 201/301 operated at the upper level of the storage grid structure 104, and travel between sub grids 10A and 10B over one or more bridges 14.

[0062] In one embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 8, the sub grids 10A and 10B are separated by a fire wall, barrier or partition 18 (hereafter collectively referred to as a firewall). The firewall is arranged such that an aisle 16 is intermediate the grid structure and the firewall. The aisle may function as a fire break, as well as providing access to firefighting personnel and equipment. The grid structure may extend essentially adjacent to the firewall however. One or more bridge or bridges 14 pass through one or more openings 20 in fire wall 18. Fire wall 18 has dimensions and is manufactured of a suitable fire preventive material according to known techniques in the art of fire prevention and according to applicable national and international standards, such as ICC IBC 2018 for example.

[0063] As seen in FIG. 9, openings 20 may be selectively closed by a closable fire door, such as for example sliding fire doors 22. In one embodiment, fire doors 22 are sliding doors, arranged to slide along rails 24 though other arrangements are possible within the scope of the invention. FIG. 9 shows the fire doors 22 in an open position, while FIG. 10 shows fire doors 22 in a closed position. As seen in an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, rails 24 are arranged at an angle 26, such that the weight of the doors themselves cause the doors to slide under the influence of gravity from the open to the closed position. In this embodiment, the fire doors may be held in the open position (as seen in FIG. 11) during normal operation of the storage system by a latch or magnet (not shown). In the event a fire is detected, the latch or magnet may be released, allowing the doors to slide to the closed position (as seen in FIG. 12) due to their own weight. The fire doors may comprise sealing means for effectively sealing against the tracks of bridges 14 where necessary to meet applicable fire rating standards for fire doors.

[0064] FIG. 13. Illustrates an embodiment where bridge 14 is double width, comprises tracks for two vehicles 201/301 to pass through opening 20 simultaneously. The bridge may be a single track, or any integer (for example, three, four or five vehicle tracks) that is deemed expeditious. FIG. 14 shows partially closed, thus blocking one of two vehicle tracks on bridge 14. FIG. 15 shows fire door 22 fully closed.

[0065] FIGS. 16-19 illustrate an embodiment of the invention a plurality of dedicated container delivery vehicles 28 operate on a lower level 30 of the grid storage system.

[0066] Delivery vehicles 28 transport containers that have been lowered from the top of the sub grids (for example by integrated lifting means in vehicles 201/301, or by a separate bin lift). Transport vehicles 28 may, for example, transport containers to an access station 32, where containers are accessed by an operator 34 for removal or replacement of items from containers.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 16-19, this embodiment also comprises a fire wall 18 arranged between adjacent sub grids. Fire wall 18 comprises one or more openings 36 through which the transport vehicles 28 may pass. Closable fire doors, for example slidable doors 38, are arranged to selectively close openings 36 in the event of a fire. As with the case with the previously described embodiments, the doors may be slidably arranged on slanted rails, whereby the weight of the doors will cause the doors to slide closed under the influence of gravity. As with the previously described embodiment, the doors 38 may be held open by a releasable latch or magnet during normal operation, such latch or magnet being released in the event of fire. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 16-19 may alternately also comprise bridges between sub grids as in the previously described embodiments.

[0068] It is to be understood that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are merely exemplary, and one skilled in the art may arrange the sub grids, fire walls, bridges etc in other configurations within the scope of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0069] 1 Storage and retrieval system (prior art) [0070] 100 Framework structure [0071] 102 Upright members/vertical members of framework structure [0072] 103 Horizontal members of framework structure [0073] 104 Storage grid structure [0074] 105 Storage column [0075] 106 Storage bin [0076] 106′ Particular position of storage bin [0077] 107 Stack [0078] 108 Rail system/track system [0079] 110 Parallel rails in first direction (X) [0080] 110a First rail of neighboring rails 110 [0081] 110b Second rail of neighboring rails 110 [0082] 111 Parallel rails in second direction (Y) [0083] 111a First rail of neighboring rails 111 [0084] 111b Second rail of neighboring rails 111 [0085] 112 Grid column [0086] 115 Grid opening [0087] 119 First port column/first port [0088] 120 Second port column/second port [0089] 122 Grid cell/storage cell [0090] 201 Prior art single cell bin handling vehicle [0091] 201a Vehicle body of the bin handling vehicle 201 [0092] 201b Drive means/wheel arrangement, first direction (X) [0093] 201c Drive means/wheel arrangement, second direction (Y) [0094] 301 Prior art cantilever bin handling vehicle [0095] 301a Vehicle body of the bin handling vehicle 301 [0096] 301b Drive means in first direction (X) [0097] 301c Drive means in second direction (Y) [0098] 303 Gripping/engaging device [0099] 10A/10B Sub grids [0100] 12 Warehouse space [0101] 14 Bridge [0102] 16 Aisle [0103] 18 Fire wall [0104] Opening in Firewall [0105] 22 Fire door [0106] 24 Door Rail [0107] 26 Angle (of door rail) [0108] 28 Dedicated delivery vehicle [0109] Lower level [0110] 32 Access station [0111] 34 Operator [0112] 36 Opening in fire wall (lower level) [0113] 38 Fire door