Abstract
A grid-based rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system includes a crossing. The crossing includes a first rail extending in a first direction and a second rail extending in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second rails each include at least one track for guiding wheels of a container handling vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the rail. The first and second rails engage one another to form the crossing where the at least one track of the first rail crosses a path of the at least one track of the second rail. The crossing is configured to be supported by an upright member from below. At least one of the first and second rails is provided as a pair of rail sections arranged in an end-to-end manner in the longitudinal direction of said rail. The ends of the rail sections meet in a central portion of the crossing. The rail sections are configured to permit a range of movement of one end relative to the other in the longitudinal direction of the said rail so as to provide a thermal expansion joint for the said rail that is arranged within a volume of the crossing defined by the engagement of the first and second rails.
Claims
1. A crossing for a grid-based rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system, wherein the crossing comprises: a first rail extending in a first direction, and a second rail extending in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first and second rails each comprise at least one track for guiding wheels of a container handling vehicle in a longitudinal direction of said rail, the first and second rails engaging one another to form the crossing where the at least one track of the first rail crosses a path of the at least one track of the second rail, the crossing being configured to be supported by an upright member from below, and wherein at least one of the first and second rails is provided as a pair of rail sections arranged in an end-to-end manner in the longitudinal direction of said rail, the ends of the rail sections meeting in a central portion of the crossing, and the rail sections being configured to permit a range of movement of one end relative to the other in the longitudinal direction of the said rail so as to provide a thermal expansion joint for the said rail that is arranged within a volume of the crossing defined by the engagement of the first and second rails.
2. The crossing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the rail sections of the said rail comprises a cutout on a lower portion thereof, wherein the cutout extends in a longitudinal direction of the rail section for receiving an upper edge of the upright member such that the rail section can move in a longitudinal direction relative the upper edge of the upright member.
3. The crossing according to claim 1, wherein the thermal expansion joint is arranged to form a continuous surface for the wheels of the container handling vehicle.
4. The crossing according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first rail or the second rail comprises two tracks.
5. The crossing according to claim 1, wherein the crossing comprises: an X top profile extending in the first direction; an X bottom profile extending in the first direction, wherein the X top profile is configured to be connected to the X bottom profile; and a Y profile extending in the second direction.
6. The crossing according to claim 5, wherein the thermal expansion joint comprises a splice piece having two first portions of a first thickness and one second portion with a second thickness, and wherein the second thickness is larger than the first thickness.
7. The crossing according to claim 6, wherein one of the first portions is arranged on one side of the second portion and the other first portion is arranged on the other side of the second portion, and wherein the X top profile comprises a groove for accommodating one of the first portions of the splice piece.
8. The crossing according to claim 7, wherein the X top profile comprises two lip portions and an opening in between the two lip portions, wherein the opening is formed in an extension of the groove and is configured to receive one of the first portions and a part of the second portion of the splice piece, and wherein, when the first portion of the splice piece is positioned in the groove, an upper surface of the second portion is flush with a rolling surface of the track of a rail of the first rail.
9. The crossing according to claim 5, wherein the X bottom profile comprises an upper end face and a lower end face, and wherein a receiving space formed between two opposing upper end faces of the X bottom profile is larger than a volume occupied by a perpendicular Y profile extending in the second direction such that at least one of the X bottom profiles can move in the first direction relative to a side surface of the perpendicular Y profile.
10. The crossing according to claim 5, wherein when the thermal expansion joint has expanded, there is formed a gap between the two opposing X bottom profiles of the crossing.
11. The crossing according to claim 5, wherein the X bottom profile comprises a hollow portion and wherein the crossing comprises a reinforcement bar having a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is connectable within the hollow portion and the second end of the reinforcement bar extends out of the hollow portion and is configured to extend into a hollow portion of an opposing X bottom profile.
12. The crossing according to claim 5, wherein the thermal expansion joint comprises a connection piece for mating with an identical connection piece oriented in an opposite direction.
13. The crossing according to claim 12, wherein the connection piece has an F-shape and is formed by a first element oriented perpendicular to the second rail, and by a second element and a third element connected to the first element and oriented parallel to the second rail.
14. The crossing according to claim 12, wherein a thickness of the connection piece is chosen such that, when connected, a top surface of the connection piece is flush with a rolling surface of the track of a rail of the second rail.
15. The crossing according to claim 12, wherein the Y profile comprises an upper end face, an intermediate end face, and a lower end face, and wherein an upper receiving space is formed between two opposing Y profiles and wherein the connection piece is configured to be received in the upper receiving space.
16. The crossing according to claim 15, wherein an upper end of the lower end face comprises a recess with a larger extent in the second direction than a width in the second direction of a protruding rim of the X bottom profile, such that when the protruding rim is positioned within the recess, the Y profile can move relative the protruding rim.
17. The crossing according to claim 15, wherein a lower receiving space formed between two opposing lower end faces of the Y profile is larger than a volume occupied by a perpendicular X bottom profile extending in the first direction such that at least one of the Y bottom profiles can move in the second direction relative to a side surface of the perpendicular X bottom profile.
18. The crossing according to claim 12, wherein the Y profile comprises a hollow portion and wherein the crossing comprises a reinforcement bar having a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is connectable within the hollow portion and the second end of the reinforcement bar extends out of the hollow portion and is configured to extend into a hollow portion of an opposing Y profile.
19. The crossing according to claim 5, wherein the thermal expansion joint allows for longitudinal expansion and contraction of both the first rail in the first direction and the second rail in the second direction.
20. The crossing according to claim 19, wherein the thermal expansion joint comprises a splice piece having a first portion of a first thickness and a second portion of the same first thickness, and an intermediate portion with a second thickness arranged between the first and second portions.
21. The crossing according to claim 20, wherein the X top profile comprises a groove for receiving the first portion of the splice piece such that the first portion can be accommodated in the groove.
22. The crossing according to claim 21, wherein the second portion is smaller than the groove of the X top profile such that the second portion can be accommodated in the groove.
23. The crossing according to claim 21, wherein the first portion comprises connection portions complementary shaped as connection holes of the X top profile such that the splice piece can be secured to the X top profile.
24. The crossing according to claim 21, wherein the second thickness of the intermediate portion is selected such that an upper surface of the intermediate portion is flush with a rolling surface of the track of a rail of the first rail of the X top profiles when the first portion of the splice piece is positioned in the groove of the X top profile.
25. The crossing according to claim 21, wherein the second portion of the splice piece is formed as a lip.
26. The crossing according to claim 21, wherein the intermediate portion of the splice piece is formed as a cross with two protruding members which extend perpendicular relative a longitudinal direction of the splice piece.
27. The crossing according to claim 26, wherein the two protruding members have a thickness equal to the first thickness while the remaining part of the intermediate portion is of the second thickness.
28. The crossing according to claim 26, wherein the thermal expansion joint features two cradle pieces, wherein the cradle pieces feature connection holes for connection to complementary holes of an underlying Y profile.
29. The crossing according to claim 28, wherein the cradle pieces feature a first portion having the second thickness and a second portion having the second thickness, and an intermediate portion of the first thickness.
30. The crossing according to claim 29, wherein the intermediate portion is shaped such that the protruding member of the splice piece is allowed to slide therein upon expansion and retraction of the first rail or the second rail.
31. The crossing according to claim 1, wherein the range of movement of one end of a rail section relative to the other in the longitudinal direction of the first or second rail correspond to less than a width of a track so that the wheels of the container handling vehicle on either of the two tracks can pass over the crossing.
32. A storage system comprising a framework structure, the framework structure comprising: upright members and a two-dimensional rail system arranged across the top of the upright members, wherein the rail system comprises: a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of container handling vehicles in a first direction across the top of the frame structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the container handling vehicles in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, the first and second sets of parallel rails dividing the rail system into a plurality of access openings in the rail system for lifting and lowering of a storage container between a position above the rail system and a position below the rail system, and wherein the storage system comprises at least one crossing arranged along each rail of the first or second set of parallel rails forming a continuous track from one end of the rail system to an opposite end of the rail system, wherein the crossing comprises: a first rail extending in a first direction, and a second rail extending in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first and second rails each comprise at least one track for guiding wheels of a container handling vehicle in a longitudinal direction of said rail, the first and second rails engaging one another to form the crossing where the at least one track of the first rail crosses a path of the at least one track of the second rail, the crossing being configured to be supported by an upright member from below, and wherein at least one of the first and second rails is provided as a pair of rail sections arranged in an end-to-end manner in the longitudinal direction of said rail, the ends of the rail sections meeting in a central portion of the crossing, and the rail sections being configured to permit a range of movement of one end relative to the other in the longitudinal direction of the said rail so as to provide a thermal expansion joint for the said rail that is arranged within a volume of the crossing defined by the engagement of the first and second rails.
33. The storage system according to claim 32, wherein the crossing is arranged to lie within a vertical projection of a hollow center section of an upright member when supported by the upright members.
34. A method of providing a crossing in a grid-based rail system of an automated storage and retrieval system, the crossing allowing for thermal expansion and contraction of rails extending through the crossing; the method comprises: positioning a pair of rail sections of a first rail extending in a first direction and a second rail extending in a second direction on an underlying supporting upright member, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and wherein the first and second rails each comprise at least one track for guiding wheels of a container handling vehicle in a longitudinal direction of said rail; wherein the first and second rails engage to form the crossing; where at least one track of the first rail crosses a path of the at least one track of the second rail, the rail sections being arranged in an end-to-end manner in a longitudinal direction of a rail and the ends of the rail sections meeting in a central portion of the crossing to permit a range of movement of one end relative to the other in the longitudinal direction of the first or second rail, thereby providing a thermal expansion joint for the first or second rail that is arranged within the crossing within a volume defined by the engagement of the first and second rails.
35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the method comprises connecting crossings to rails of a first set of parallel rails extending in the first direction or rails of a second set of parallel rails extending in the second direction such as to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the first or second set of parallel rails.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0089] 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:
[0090] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a framework structure of a prior art automated storage and retrieval system;
[0091] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle having an internally arranged cavity for carrying storage containers therein;
[0092] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle having a cantilever for carrying storage containers underneath;
[0093] FIG. 4 is a perspective view, seen from below, of a prior art container handling vehicle having an internally arranged cavity for carrying storage containers therein;
[0094] FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of part of a prior art rail system with a crossing between a first set of parallel rails comprising X top profiles and X bottom profiles, wherein the first set of parallel rails extends in a first direction X, and a second set of parallel rails comprising Y profiles and extending in a second direction Y, wherein the second set of parallel rails extends in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the rail system is supported on top of an upright member at the crossing;
[0095] FIG. 5B is a top view of the cross section of a prior art upright member;
[0096] FIG. 6A shows a prior art rail of a first set of parallel rails comprising X top profiles and X bottom profiles extending in a first direction X;
[0097] FIG. 6B shows details of a connection between two prior art X top profiles;
[0098] FIG. 6C shows details of a connection between two prior art X bottom profiles;
[0099] FIG. 7A shows details of one prior art X top profile;
[0100] FIG. 7B shows details of a rail section of a first rail extending in the first direction X comprising a X top profile according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0101] FIG. 7C shows details of a splice piece to be used together with the X top profile of
[0102] FIG. 7B according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0103] FIG. 7D is a side view of FIG. 7C;
[0104] FIG. 8A shows details of one prior art X bottom profile;
[0105] FIG. 8B shows details of a X bottom profile according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0106] FIG. 8C illustrates differences between the prior art X bottom profile and the X bottom profile according to the first embodiment of the invention, where the dotted lines indicate differences of the X bottom profile according to the first embodiment of the invention and the solid lines indicate the prior art X bottom profile;
[0107] FIG. 9A shows details of the first rail comprising the X top profiles and the X bottom profiles according to the first embodiment of the invention, where the thermal expansion joint has contracted in the X direction;
[0108] FIG. 9B shows details of the X top profiles in FIG. 9A where the X bottom profiles, the Y profile and the upright member have been removed for illustrative purposes;
[0109] FIG. 9C shows details of the X bottom profiles in FIG. 9A where the X top profiles, the Y profile and the upright member have been removed for illustrative purposes;
[0110] FIG. 10A shows details of the first rail comprising the X top profiles and the X bottom profiles according to the first embodiment of the invention, where the thermal expansion joint has expanded in the first direction X of the first rail;
[0111] FIG. 10B shows details of the X top profiles in FIG. 10A where the X bottom profile, the Y profile and the upright member have been removed for illustrative purposes;
[0112] FIG. 10C shows details of the X bottom profiles in FIG. 10A where the X top profiles, Y profile and the upright member have been removed for illustrative purposes;
[0113] FIG. 11A is a side perspective view of the prior art rail system in FIG. 5A where the rail system has been rotated 90 degrees;
[0114] FIG. 11B shows details of a connection between two prior art Y profiles;
[0115] FIG. 12A is a similar view as FIG. 7A showing details of one prior art X top profile;
[0116] FIG. 12B shows details of a X top profile according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0117] FIG. 13A shows details of one prior art Y profile;
[0118] FIG. 13B shows details of a Y profile according to the second embodiment of the invention;
[0119] FIG. 13C shows details of a connection piece to be connected to the Y profile according to the second embodiment of the invention;
[0120] FIG. 13D is a top view of the connection piece in FIG. 13C;
[0121] FIG. 13E illustrates the physical differences of the prior art Y profile and the Y profile according to the second embodiment of the invention, where the dotted lines indicate the Y profile according to the second embodiment of the invention and the solid lines indicate the prior art Y profile;
[0122] FIG. 14A shows details of a crossing of the second rail comprising a Y profile according to the second embodiment of the invention and one prior art Y profile, where the thermal expansion joint has contracted in the second direction of the second rail;
[0123] FIG. 14B shows details of the Y profile in FIG. 14A where the upright member has been removed for illustrative purposes;
[0124] FIG. 15A details of a crossing of the second rail comprising a Y profile according to the second embodiment of the invention and one prior art Y profile, where the thermal expansion joint has expanded in the second direction of the second rail;
[0125] FIG. 15B shows details of the Y profiles in FIG. 15A where the upright member has been removed for illustrative purposes;
[0126] FIG. 15C is a side view of FIG. 15A;
[0127] FIG. 15D is a side view of FIG. 14A;
[0128] FIG. 16A is a side perspective view of a X top profile according to a third embodiment of the invention;
[0129] FIG. 16B shows a third embodiment of the invention, and is an exploded view of the components forming part of the thermal expansion joint, where the thermal expansion joint permits longitudinal extension in both a first direction X and a second direction Y;
[0130] FIG. 16C is a side view of a connection piece of the thermal expansion joint in FIG. 16B;
[0131] FIG. 16D is a side view of a cradle piece of the thermal expansion joint in FIG. 16B;
[0132] FIG. 17A is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention, where the components in FIGS. 16A-16D have been connected to respective X top profiles and
[0133] Y profiles, and where the thermal expansion joint has contracted in both the first direction X and the second direction Y;
[0134] FIG. 17B is a similar top view as FIG. 17A where the splice piece has been removed to better illustrate the relative positions of the underlying X bottom profiles and Y profiles when the thermal expansion joint has contracted in both the first direction X and the second direction Y;
[0135] FIG. 17C is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention, where the thermal expansion joint has expanded both in the first direction X and in the second direction Y;
[0136] FIG. 17D is a similar top view as FIG. 17C where the splice piece has been removed to better illustrate the relative positions of the underlying X bottom profiles and Y profiles when the thermal expansion joint has expanded in both the first direction X and the second direction Y;
[0137] FIG. 18A is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention, where the components in FIGS. 16A-16D have been connected to respective X top profiles and
[0138] Y profiles, and where the thermal expansion joint has expanded in the first direction X and contracted in the second direction Y;
[0139] FIG. 18B is a similar top view as FIG. 18A where the splice piece has been removed to better illustrate the relative positions of the underlying X bottom profiles and Y profiles when the thermal expansion joint has expanded in the first direction X and contracted in the second direction Y;
[0140] FIG. 18C is a side view of FIG. 18A seen along the Y profile to illustrate the expansion of the thermal expansion joint in the first direction X;
[0141] FIG. 18D is a side view of FIG. 18A seen along the X bottom profile to illustrate the contraction of the thermal expansion joint in the second direction Y;
[0142] FIG. 19A is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention, where the components in FIGS. 16A-16D have been connected to respective X top profiles and Y profiles, and where the thermal expansion joint has contracted in the first direction X and expanded in the second direction Y;
[0143] FIG. 19B is a similar top view as FIG. 19A where a splice piece has been removed to better illustrate the relative positions of the underlying X bottom profiles and Y profiles when the thermal expansion joint has contracted in the first direction X and expanded in the second direction Y;
[0144] FIG. 19C is a side view of FIG. 19A seen along the prior art Y profile to illustrate the contraction of the thermal expansion joint in the first direction X; and
[0145] FIG. 19D a side view of FIG. 19A seen along the X bottom profile according to the first embodiment of the invention to illustrate the expansion of the thermal expansion joint in the second direction Y.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0146] In the following, embodiments of the invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the subject-matter depicted in the drawings.
[0147] A framework structure 100 of the automated storage and retrieval system 1 may be constructed in a similar manner to the prior art framework structure 100 described above in connection with FIG. 1. That is, the framework structure 100 may comprise a number of upright members 102, and comprise a first, upper rail system 108 extending in the X direction and Y direction.
[0148] The framework structure 100 may further comprise storage compartments in the form of storage columns 105 provided between the members 102 wherein storage containers 106 may be stackable in stacks 107 within the storage columns 105.
[0149] The framework structure 100 can be of any size. In particular, it is understood that the framework structure can be considerably wider and/or longer and/or deeper than disclosed in FIG. 1. For example, the framework structure 100 may have a horizontal extent of more than 700700 columns and a storage depth of more than twelve containers.
[0150] FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of part of a prior art rail system 108 with crossing 30 between a first set of parallel rails 110 comprising X top profiles 40 and X bottom profiles 41, wherein the first set of parallel rails 110 extends in a first direction X, and a second set of parallel rails 111 comprising Y profiles 42, wherein the second set of parallel rails 111 extends in a second direction Y which is perpendicular to the first direction X. The rail system 108 is supported on top of an upright member 102 at the crossing 30. The X bottom profiles 41 each comprise cutouts 73 for receiving an upper edge 103 (just visible in FIG. 5A, but see also FIG. 5B) of the upright member 102 thereby connecting the X bottom profile 41 to the upright member 102. When positioning two X bottom profiles 41 in an end-to-end manner next to each other, a receiving space 80 is formed for accommodating a Y profile 42 which extends in a perpendicular direction therein. The Y profile 42 is provided with a similar receiving space 81 on an underside thereof (not illustrated in FIG. 5A, see details in e.g. FIGS. 11A and 11B) for accommodating the X bottom profiles 41. The X top profile 40 is positioned on top of the X bottom profile 41. The connections between the upper edges 103 of the upright member 102 and the cutouts 73 of the X bottom profiles 41, as well as the receiving space 80 of the X bottom profile 41 accommodating the Y profile 42, and lastly the receiving space 81 of the Y profile for accommodating the X bottom profiles 41 secures the upright member 102, the X bottom profiles 41, the Y profile 42 and the X top profiles 40 to each other. The crossing 30 formed by the first set of parallel rails 110 and the second set of parallel rails 111 thus do not provide any flexibility in terms of longitudinal expansion and contraction in any of the first direction X or the second direction Y.
[0151] At the crossing 30, the lip portions 74 of the X top profiles 40, are in contact with each other. The lip portions 74 have a flat upper surface such that vehicles (not shown in FIG. 5A, but see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) driving in both the first direction X and the second direction Y can pass over the crossing 30 unhindered.
[0152] The crossings according to the three described embodiments are preferably connectable to rails of the prior art first and second set of parallel rails 110, 111 and can be integrated within such rail systems, e.g., mixed with the prior art crossings.
[0153] There may be one or more of the new crossings along one length of rail, dependent on the expected temperature variations and thus expansion and contraction of the rails. Here, length of the rail is referring to the extent of the rail as a whole across the framework structure rather the sections of rail that might make a full rail. The rail may include breaks at unit intervals, expansion joints like those described in WO 2020/074257, or other forms of expansion joint like that described herein, along a given length. Therefore, one length of rail, i.e. one rail extending from one end of the rail system 108 to the other end of the rail system 108 typically comprises a plurality of standard prior art crossings and one or more of the crossings according to, for example, one of the three described embodiments.
[0154] FIG. 5B is a top view of the cross section of a prior art upright member 102. The upright member 102 comprises an inwardly facing surface (i.e. the corner 117) in the area of the upright member where the lifting frames are guided. The upright member 102 comprises vertical guide surfaces 116 (or vertical guide plates) for guiding a storage container being moved inside a storage column 105. In a storage column, each of the four upright members 102 provides an inside corner 117 for guiding a corresponding corner of a storage container 106. Typically, each upright member 102 features eight vertical guide surfaces 116 and may thus provide an inside corner 117 of four separate storage columns 112 of the storage grid 104. The upright member 102 comprises a hollow center section 113 (represented by dashed area 113 in FIG. 5B) delimited by the upper edges 103 on four sides of the hollow center section 113.
[0155] FIG. 6A shows a prior art first set of parallel rails 110 comprising X top profiles 40 and X bottom profiles 41 extending in a first direction X. As seen in the figure, the two X top profiles 40 are arranged in contact with each other (end-to-end contact). Similarly, the two X bottom profiles 41 are also in contact with each other (also end-to-end contact), and a receiving space 80 is formed between the X bottom profiles 41.
[0156] FIG. 6B shows details of a connection between two prior art X top profiles 40. The top profile 40 displays two parallel tracks, i.e. so-called double tracks, such that one vehicle having one set of wheels in one of the tracks can pass adjacent another vehicle having one set of wheels in the other track.
[0157] FIG. 6C shows details of a connection between two prior art X bottom profiles 41.
First EmbodimentThermal Expansion Joint for Longitudinal Contraction and Expansion in First Direction X, FIGS. 7-11
[0158] In the first embodiment of the invention, the first rail 130 is provided as a pair of rail sections 130, 130 arranged in an end-to-end manner in the longitudinal direction of said first rail 130. Rail section 130 comprises an X top profile 40 according to the first embodiment of the invention and a prior art X bottom profile 41. Rail section 130 on the opposite side of the crossing 30 comprises an X top profile 40 according to the first embodiment of the invention and an X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention.
[0159] FIG. 7A shows details of one prior art X top profile 40. The X top profile 40 features a lip 74 which has a size equal to half of the width of a crossing 30 such that when connected to another lip 74 of another prior art X top profile 40, the two lips 74 form the crossing 30.
[0160] FIG. 7B shows details of rail section 130 of a first rail 130 extending in the first direction X. It is shown a X top profile 40 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The X top profile 40 features a first set of parallel tracks 125 in the first direction X. Further, connection holes 47 are provided in the first set of parallel tracks 125 for connecting the X top profile 40 to an underlying X bottom profile (underlying X bottom profile not shown in FIG. 7B, see e.g. FIG. 8B) by suitable fastening means, such as screws or bolts, which is known to the skilled person. The X top profile 40 further comprises an opening 48 in between two lip portions 74 for receiving a splice piece 43 (see FIGS. 7C and 7D). The opening 48 has a width W2 which is equal to or somewhat larger than a width W1 of the splice piece 43.
[0161] FIGS. 7C and 7D show details of a splice piece 43 to be used together with the X top profile 40 of FIG. 7B according to the first embodiment of the invention. The splice piece 43 features two first portions 44 of a first thickness H1 on opposite sides of a second portion 45 with a greater second thickness H2. The first thickness H1 of the first portions 44 is somewhat smaller than a groove 46 in the X top profile 40 such that the first portions 44 can be accommodated in the grooves 46 of opposing X top profiles 40, respectively. The second thickness H2 of the second portion 45 is selected such that an upper surface of the second portion 45 is flush with a rolling surface of the first set of parallel tracks 125 of the X top profiles 40 when the first portion 44 of the splice piece 43 is positioned in the groove 46 of the X top profile 40. The opening 48 has a length L2. A length L1 of the second portion 45 may be equal to or somewhat smaller than a total length (L2+L2) of two openings 48, such that two X top profiles 40 can come into contact with each other in the lip portions 74 when the splice piece 43 is positioned therebetween. The splice piece 43, including the first portion 44 and the second portion 45, has the same width W1 along its whole length L3.
[0162] When comparing the prior art X top profile 40 in FIG. 7A with the X top profile 40 according to the first embodiment of the invention, the differences being the function of the groove 46 (i.e. to receive the first portion 44 of the splice piece 43), the opening 48 and the number and positions of the connection holes 47, 47 can be seen.
[0163] FIG. 8A shows details of one prior art X bottom profile 41. As described above, the prior art X bottom profile comprises cutouts 73 for receiving the upper edge 103 of the upright member 102 (not shown in FIG. 8A, see FIG. 5B). The prior art X bottom profile 41 features an upper end face 75 and a lower end face 76. The lower end face 76 is for contacting an opposing lower end face of another prior art X bottom profile 41 whereas the upper end face 75 is arranged for contacting a side surface of a perpendicular prior art Y profile (not shown in FIG. 8A, see e.g. FIG. 11B) to be arranged in the receiving space 80 formed between two opposing upper end faces 75 of the prior art X bottom profile 41.
[0164] FIG. 8B shows details of a X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 8B, the X bottom profile 41 features cutouts 73 with an increased width compared to the cutouts 73 of the prior art X bottom profile 41 in FIG. 8A. The increased width of the cutouts 73 enables the possibility that the X bottom profile 41 (and the fixedly connected X top profile 40 (see FIG. 7B) can slide relative the upper edge 103 of the upright member 102 and avoids bending of the upright member 102 during expansion and contraction of the rails in the first direction X.
[0165] In order for the thermal expansion joint 35 to be able to expand and contract in response to contraction and expansion of the rails in the first direction X, the upper end face 75 and the lower end face 76 are cut/shorter relative to the upper and lower end faces 75, 76 in FIG. 8A. This results in the receiving space 80 formed between two opposing upper end faces 75 of the X bottom profile 41 being wider than the receiving space 80 formed between two opposing upper end faces 75 of the prior art X bottom profile 41 in FIG. 8A. When the thermal expansion joint 35 has expanded (e.g., there has been shrinkage in the X direction rails), a perpendicular Y profile arranged in the receiving space 80 will thus not be in contact with at least one of the upper end faces 75 because of the increased distance between the opposing upper end faces 75.
[0166] Similarly, in order for the thermal expansion joint 35 to be able to expand and contract, the lower end face 76 is cut shorter relative to the lower end face 76 in FIG. 8A. Thus, once a perpendicular Y profile is arranged in the receiving space 80, the lower end faces 76 of two opposing X bottom profiles 41 according to the first embodiment are not in contact when the thermal expansion joint 35 has expanded (e.g., when the rails in the X direction have contracted). Furthermore, in order to account for any possible reduced strength in the X bottom profile 41 resulting from the shortening of the X bottom profile 41 by the lower end face 76, a first end of a reinforcement bar 51 can be secured in a hollow portion 49 of one of the X bottom profiles 41 and a second end of the reinforcement bar 51 may extend out from the hollow portion 49 and into a hollow portion 49 (not shown) of an opposing X bottom profile 41, 41. In order for the movement to be possible in the thermal expansion joint, the second end of the reinforcement bar 51 is not secured to the hollow portion of the opposing X bottom profile 41, 41 but rather arranged to slide inside the hollow portion of the opposing X bottom profile 41, 41.
[0167] FIG. 8C illustrates the differences between the prior art X bottom profile 41 and the X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment, where the dotted lines indicate differences of the X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention and the solid lines indicate the prior art X bottom profile 41. The relative positions of the dotted lines and the fully lines are only for illustrative purposes.
[0168] FIG. 9A shows details of the first rail 130 comprising the X top profiles 40 and the X bottom profiles 41, 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention, where the thermal expansion joint 35 has contracted in the X direction, for example, as a result of expansion in the first rails 130 in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 9A, the X bottom profile 41 of the rail section 130 on the right-hand side has a cutout 73 which is wider than the cutout 73 of the prior art X bottom profile 41 on the left hand side. The X top profiles 40 are in contact with each other and the prior art X bottom profile 41 and the X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention are in contact with each other. The first portions 44 of the splice piece 43 are accommodated in the grooves 46 of the opposing X top profiles 40 (details of first portions 44 and grooves 46 not shown in FIG. 9A, see e.g. FIGS. 7B and 7C).
[0169] FIG. 9B shows details of the X top profile in FIG. 9A where the X bottom profiles, the Y profile and the upright member have been removed for illustrative purposes.
[0170] FIG. 9C shows details of the X bottom profile in FIG. 9A where the X top profile, the Y profile and the upright member have been removed for illustrative purposes. To the left in FIG. 9C a prior art X bottom profile 41 is shown. This prior art X bottom profile 41 has cutouts 73 of relatively smaller with than the cutouts of the X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention.
[0171] FIG. 10A shows details of the first rails 130 comprising the X top profiles 40 and the X bottom profiles 41, 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention, where the thermal expansion joint 35 has expanded in the first direction X of the first rails (in the first direction X) for example as a result of contraction of the rails in the first direction X.
[0172] FIG. 10B shows details of the X top profiles 40 in FIG. 10A where the X bottom profiles, the Y profile and the upright member have been removed for illustrative purposes.
[0173] FIG. 10C shows details of the X bottom profiles 41, 41 in FIG. 10A where the X top profiles, Y profile and the upright member have been removed for illustrative purposes. As seen in FIG. 10C, there is a gap G between the X bottom profiles 41, 41 illustrating that the thermal expansion joint 35 has expanded (e.g. as compared to FIG. 9C where the X bottom profiles 41, 41 are in contact with each other), e.g., as a result of the rails in the X direction contracting.
[0174] When comparing the relative positions of the X top profiles 40 and the X bottom profiles 41 in FIGS. 9A-9C with the X top profiles 40 and the X bottom profiles 41 in FIGS. 10A-10C, it can be seen that the X top profiles 40 and the X bottom profiles 41 have moved further away from each other. All of the required expansion for enabling movement in the rails is taken up by the thermal expansion joint 35 within the crossing 30.
[0175] FIG. 11A is a side perspective view of the prior art rail system in FIG. 5A where the rail system has been rotated 90 degrees. FIG. 11A better illustrates the prior art Y profiles of the rail system.
[0176] FIG. 11B shows details of a connection between two prior art Y profiles 42 of FIG. 11A where the prior art X top profile 40, the prior art X bottom profile 41 and the upright member 102 have been removed for illustrative purposes. Similar to the prior art X bottom profiles 41 (see e.g. FIG. 8A), the prior art Y profiles comprise cutouts 73 for receiving the upper edge 103 of the upright member 102. The prior art Y profile 42 features an upper end face 77, an intermediate end face 78 and a lower end face 79.
[0177] The upper end face 77 is for contacting a side surface of a perpendicular prior art X top profile 40 (not shown in FIG. 11B, see e.g. FIGS. 6B or 7A) which is to be arranged in the upper receiving space 81 formed between two opposing upper end faces 77 of the prior art Y profiles 42.
[0178] The intermediate end face 78 is for contacting an opposing intermediate end face 78 of another prior art Y profile 42.
[0179] The lower end face 79 is for contacting a side surface of a perpendicular prior art X bottom profile 41 (not shown in FIG. 11B, see e.g. FIGS. 6C or 8A) which is to be arranged in the lower receiving space 82 formed between two opposing lower end faces 79 of the prior art Y profiles 42. At an upper end of the lower end face 79 it is arranged a recess 83 for locking prior art X bottom profile 41.
Second EmbodimentThermal Expansion Joint for Longitudinal Contraction and Expansion in Second Direction Y, FIGS. 12 to 15
[0180] In the second embodiment of the invention, the second rail 131 is provided as a pair of rail sections 131, 131 arranged in an end-to-end manner in the longitudinal direction of said second rail 131. Rail section 131 comprises a Y profile according to the second embodiment of the invention. Rail section 131 on the opposite side of the crossing 30 comprises a prior art Y profile.
[0181] FIG. 12A is a similar view as FIG. 7A showing details of one prior art X top profile 40.
[0182] FIG. 12B shows details of a X top profile 40 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The difference between the prior art X top profile 40 in FIG. 12A and the X top profile 40 according to the second embodiment of the invention being that the lip portion 74 in the prior art X top profile 40 does not form part of the X top profile 40 according to the second embodiment of the invention. The X top profile 40 in FIG. 12B also has a pair of parallel tracks 125 as well as connection holes 47 provided in the first rails 130 for connecting the X top profile 40 to an underlying X bottom profile (underlying X bottom profile 41 not shown in FIG. 12B, see e.g. FIG. 13B) by suitable fastening means such as screws or bolts which is known to the skilled person.
[0183] FIG. 13A shows details of one prior art Y profile 42. Details of the prior art Y profile 42 in FIG. 13A are the same as described in relation to FIG. 11B except that in FIG. 13A only one prior art Y profile 42 is shown whereas in FIG. 11B two prior art Y profiles 42 are shown. The details of the prior art Y profile 42 will not be repeated herein.
[0184] FIG. 13B shows details of a Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention.
[0185] FIGS. 13C and 13D show details of a connection piece 52 to be positioned in the upper receiving space 81 of the Y profile and further to be connected to the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention. When seen from above, the connection piece 52 has a F-shape for mating with an identical connection piece 52 (not shown in FIGS. 13B-13D, but see e.g. FIG. 14A, 14B) oriented in an opposite direction. The connection piece 52 is formed by a first element 54 oriented perpendicular to the second rails 131, as well as a second element 55 and a third element 56 connected to the first element and oriented parallel to the second rails 131. Although the disclosed connection piece 52 is disclosed as being made up of three elements 54, 55, 56 it is clear that the connection piece can be manufactured from one piece of raw material. The connection piece 52 features fastening holes 53 for connecting the connection piece 52 to complementary shaped holes 57 in the Y profile 42 using suitable fastening means such as screws or bolts which is known to the skilled person. The thickness H3 of the connection piece 52 is chosen such that, when connected, a top surface of the connection piece 52 is flush with a rolling surface of tracks 125 of the second rails 131.
[0186] When comparing the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention in FIGS. 13B, 13C and 13D with the prior art Y profile 42 in FIG. 13A, the main differences are that the distance between the intermediate end face 78 and the upper end face 77 is shorter in the Y profile 42 in FIG. 13B. This can be achieved by cutting the intermediate end face 78. The lower end face 79 has also been cut in order for the Y profile 42 to be able to move relative to a side portion of a X bottom profile (not shown) positioned in the lower receiving space 82 of the Y profile 42. The recess 83 for locking to a protruding rim 84 of a perpendicular X bottom profile (not shown) at an upper end of the lower end face 79 in FIG. 13B is wider than the recess 83 at the upper end of the lower end face 79 in FIG. 13A. This renders possible that the Y profile 42 can move relative to the perpendicular X bottom profile (i.e. the Y profile 42 is not locked to the X bottom profile as is the case in the prior art solution). The cutouts 73 of the second embodiment in FIG. 13B have an increased width compared to the cutouts 73 of the prior art Y profile 42 in FIG. 13A. The increased width of the cutouts 73 enables the possibility that the Y profile 42 can slide relative the upper edge 103 of the upright member 102 and avoids bending of the upright member 102 during expansion and contraction of the thermal expansion joint 35.
[0187] A reinforcement bar 51 may be used if required (similar to the X bottom profiles 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention (as described in relation to FIG. 8B). I.e., in order to account for any possible reduced strength in the Y profile 42 resulting from the cut of the lower end face 79, a first end of a reinforcement bar 51 can be secured in a hollow portion 49 of one of the Y profiles 42 and a second end of the reinforcement bar 51 may extend out from the hollow portion 49 and into a hollow portion 49 (not shown) of an opposing Y profile 42, 42. In order for the expansion and contraction to be possible, the second end of the reinforcement bar 51 is not secured to the hollow portion of the opposing Y profile 42, 42 but rather arranged to slide inside the hollow portion of the opposing Y profile 42, 42.
[0188] FIG. 13E illustrates the physical differences of the prior art Y profile and the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention, where the dotted lines indicate the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention and the solid lines indicate the prior art Y profile 42.
[0189] FIG. 14A shows details of a crossing 30 of the second rails 131 comprising a Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention and one prior art Y profile 42, where the thermal expansion joint 35 has contracted in the second direction Y of the second rails 131 e.g. as a result of expansion of the rails in the second direction Y. The crossing 30 is formed between two rail sections 131, 131 in the second direction Y, respectively.
[0190] FIG. 14B shows details of the Y profiles 42, 42 in FIG. 14A, where the upright member 102 in FIG. 14A has also been removed for illustrative purposes.
[0191] Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, it is seen that the first and second elements 55, 56 of the first and second connection pieces 52 fully overlap with each other which indicates that the thermal expansion joint 35 is fully contracted.
[0192] FIG. 15A details of a crossing 30 of the second rails 131 comprising a Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention and one prior art Y profile 42, where the thermal expansion joint 35 has expanded in the second direction Y of the second rails 131, e.g. as a result of contraction of the rails in the second direction Y.
[0193] FIG. 15B shows details of the Y profiles 42, 42 in FIG. 15A where the upright member 102 has also been removed for illustrative purposes. The reinforcement bar 51 is visible in between the Y profiles 42.
[0194] Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, it can be seen that the first and second elements 55, 56 of the first and second connection pieces 52, do not fully overlap with each other. When comparing the relative positions of the Y profiles 42 in FIGS. 15A and 15B with the Y profiles 42, 42 in FIGS. 14A and 14B, it can be clearly seen that the Y profiles 42, 42 have moved further away from each other (i.e. the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention have contracted away from the fixed prior art Y profile 42 represented by expansion of the thermal expansion joint 35). All of the required expansion in the crossing 30 for enabling the contraction of the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention is taken up by the thermal expansion joint 35 within the crossing 30.
[0195] FIG. 15C is a side view of FIG. 15A.
[0196] FIG. 15D is a side view of FIG. 14A. When comparing FIGS. 15C and 15D, one can clearly see that in FIG. 15C a gap G is formed between the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention and the prior art Y profile 42. This gap G is not visible in FIG. 15D. In addition, as a result of that the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention has moved to the right (i.e. expanded to the right towards the prior art Y profile 42) the protruding rim 84 of the X bottom profile 41 has moved to the left in FIG. 15D compared to FIG. 15C.
Third EmbodimentThermal Expansion Joint for Longitudinal Contraction and Expansion in Both First Direction X and Second Direction Y, FIGS. 16-19
[0197] In the third embodiment of the invention, the first rail 130 is provided as a pair of rail sections 130, 130 arranged in an end-to-end manner in the longitudinal direction of said first rail 130. Rail section 130 of the first rail 130 comprises an X top profile 40 according to the third embodiment of the invention and an X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention. Rail section 130 of the first rail 130 on the opposite side of the crossing 30 comprises an X top profile 40 according to the second embodiment of the invention and a prior art X bottom profile 41.
[0198] Furthermore, in the third embodiment of the invention, the second rail 131 is provided as a pair of rail sections 131, 131 arranged in an end-to-end manner in the longitudinal direction of said second rail 131. Rail section 131 of the second rail 131 comprises a Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention. Rail section 131 of the second rail 131 on the opposite side of the crossing 30 comprises a prior art Y profile 42.
[0199] FIG. 16A is a side perspective view of a X top profile 40 according to a third embodiment of the invention. As is seen in FIG. 16A, a corner 70 at the end of the X top profile 40 closest to the crossing 30 (crossing 30 not shown in FIG. 16A, see e.g. FIG. 17A) has been cut or removed in order to make space for a perpendicular Y profile (not shown in FIG. 16A) when the thermal expansion joint 35 (see FIG. 16B) has contracted.
[0200] FIG. 16B shows a third embodiment of the invention, and is an exploded view of the components forming part of the thermal expansion joint 35, where the thermal expansion joint 35 permits longitudinal extension in both a first direction X and a second direction Y.
[0201] FIG. 16C is a side view of a splice piece 43 of the thermal expansion joint 35 in FIG. 16B.
[0202] FIG. 16D is a side view of a cradle piece 60 of the thermal expansion joint 35 in FIG. 16B.
[0203] Referring to FIGS. 16A-16D, the thermal expansion joint 35 features a splice piece 43. The splice piece 43 features a first portion 65 of a first thickness H1 and a second portion 66 of the same first thickness H1, the first and second portions 65, 66 being arranged on opposite sides of an intermediate portion 67 with a greater second thickness H2. The first thickness H1 of the first portion 65 is somewhat smaller than a groove 46 in the X top profile 40 such that the first portion 65 can be accommodated in the groove 46. Similarly, the second portion 66 is also somewhat smaller than the groove 46 in the X top profile 40 (not shown in FIGS. 16A-16D) such that the second portion 66 can be accommodated in the groove 46. The first portion 65 comprises connection portions 68 complementary shaped as the connection holes 47 of the X top profile 40 such that the splice piece 43 can be secured to the X top profile 40. The second thickness H2 of the intermediate portion 67 is selected such that an upper surface of the intermediate portion 67 is flush with a rolling surface of the tracks 125 of the first rails 130 of the X top profiles 40 when the first portion 65 of the splice piece 43 is positioned in the groove 46 of the X top profile 40. The second portion 66 of the splice piece 43 is formed as a lip which can extend into a groove 46 of the X top profile 40 (not shown in FIGS. 16A-16D) as discussed above. The intermediate portion 67 of the splice piece 43 is formed as a cross with two protruding members 69 extends perpendicular (in the second direction Y in FIGS. 16A-16D) relative a longitudinal direction of the splice piece 43. The two protruding members 69 have a thickness equal to the first thickness H1 while the remaining part of the intermediate portion 67 is of the second thickness H2.
[0204] Further referring to FIGS. 16A-16D, the thermal expansion joint 35 features two cradle pieces 60. The cradle pieces 60 feature connection holes 64 for connection to complementary holes 57 of an underlying Y profile 42, 42 (Y profile not shown in FIGS. 16A-16D, see e.g. FIG. 17A). The cradle piece 60 features a first portion 61 having the second thickness H2 and a second portion 62 having the second thickness H2, and an intermediate portion 63 of the first thickness H1. The intermediate portion 63 is shaped such that the protruding member 69 of the splice piece 43 is allowed to slide therein. I.e., a length of the intermediate portion 63 is somewhat larger than the extent of the protruding member 69 in the longitudinal direction (i.e. in the first direction X) of the splice piece 43
[0205] In the following description of the third embodiment of the invention, some of the X and Y profiles are similar or almost identical to the ones described in relation to prior art, the first embodiment of the invention and the second embodiment of the invention, including: [0206] the prior art X bottom profile 41, [0207] the X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention, [0208] the X top profile 40 according to the second embodiment of the invention, [0209] the prior art Y profile 42, and [0210] the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention. These profiles will not be described in further detail with reference to the third embodiment as they have already been thoroughly described in relation to the embodiment(s) where they are used.
[0211] FIG. 17A is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention, where the components in FIGS. 16A-16D have been connected to respective X top profiles 40, 40 and Y profiles 42, 42, and where the thermal expansion joint 35 has contracted in both the first direction X and the second direction Y. e.g. as a result of expansion of the rails in the first direction X and in the second direction Y.
[0212] The first rails 130 comprises rail sections 130, 130 in the first direction X extends from below to above the crossing 30, whereas the second rail 131 comprises rail sections 131, 131 in the second direction Y extending from left to right-hand side of the crossing 30.
[0213] The rail section 130 below the crossing 30 is supported on a X bottom profile 41 similar to the X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention and X top profile 40 according to a third embodiment of the invention where a corner 70 at the end of the X top profile 40 closest to the crossing 30 has been cut or removed in order to make space for a perpendicular Y profile 42. The splice piece 43 is connected to the X top profile 40 (and connected to the X bottom profile 41) of the rail section 130. The X bottom profile 41, the X top profile 40 and the splice piece 43 of rail section 130 are configured to move relative the opposing rail section 130 on the opposite side of the crossing 30 (similar to the function in the first embodiment of the invention).
[0214] The rail section 130 above the crossing 30 is supported on a prior art X bottom profile 41 and a X top profile 40 similar to the X top profile 40 according to the second embodiment of the invention where the lip portion has been cut off such that the X top profile 40 does not extend into the crossing 30. The prior art X bottom profile 41 and X top profile 40 are stationary, but the X top profile 40 allows the second portion 66 of the splice piece to move within the groove 46 (not shown).
[0215] The rail section 131 on the left-hand side of the crossing 30 is supported on a Y profile 42 similar to the Y profile 42 according to the second embodiment of the invention. One of the cradle pieces 60 is connected to the Y profile 42. The Y profile 42 is configured to move relative the opposing second set of rails 111 on the opposite side of the crossing 30 (similar to the function in the second embodiment of the invention).
[0216] The rail section 131 on the right-hand side of the crossing 30 is supported on a prior art Y profile 42. One of the cradle pieces 60 is connected to the Y profile 42. The prior art Y profile 42 is stationary and does not move.
[0217] Summarized, the rail section 130 below the crossing 30 and the rail section 131 on the left-hand side of the crossing 30 are allowed to move, whereas the rail section 130 above the crossing 30 and the rail section 131 on the right-hand side of the crossing 30 are stationary.
[0218] FIG. 17B is a similar top view as FIG. 17A where the splice piece 43 has been removed to better illustrate the relative positions of the underlying X bottom profiles 41, 41 and Y profiles 42, 42 when the thermal expansion joint 35 are contracted in both the first direction X and the second direction Y, e.g. as a result of expansion of the rails in the first direction X and in the second direction Y.
[0219] FIG. 17C is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention, where the thermal expansion joint 35 has expanded both in the first direction X and in the second direction Y, e.g. as a result of contraction of the rails in the first direction X and in the second direction Y.
[0220] FIG. 17D is a similar top view as FIG. 17C where the splice piece 43 has been removed to better illustrate the relative positions of the underlying X bottom profiles 41, 41 and Y profiles 42, 42 when the thermal expansion joint 35 has expanded in both the first direction X and the second direction Y.
[0221] When comparing the relative position of the thermal expansion joint 35 in FIGS. 17A-17B vs. the thermal expansion joint 35 in FIGS. 17C-17D, it can be seen that the Y profile 42 forming part of the rail section 131 on the left-hand side has moved to the left out of the cut in the corner 70 of the X top profile 40 of the rail section 130 below the crossing 30. In addition, the X top profile 40 of the rail section 130 and the splice piece 43 have moved downwards relative the stationary Y profile 42 of the rail section 131 on the right-hand side of the crossing 30. When comparing FIG. 17B with FIG. 17D, it is seen that it has been formed a gap G between the X bottom profile 41 of the rail section 130 and the X bottom profile 41 of the rail section 130 in FIG. 17D. Similarly, it is formed a gap G between the Y profile 42 of the rail section 131 and the Y profile 42 of the rail section 131.
[0222] FIG. 18A is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention, where the components in FIGS. 16A-16D have been connected to respective X top profiles 40, 40 and Y profiles 42, 42, and where the thermal expansion joint 35 has expanded in the first direction X and retracted in the second direction Y, e.g. as a result of contraction of the rails in the first direction and expansion of the rails in the second direction Y.
[0223] FIG. 18B is a similar top view as FIG. 18A where the splice piece 43 has been removed to better illustrate the relative positions of the underlying X bottom profiles 41, 41 and Y profiles 42, 42 when the thermal expansion joint 35 has expanded in the first direction X and contracted in the second direction Y.
[0224] FIG. 18C is a side view of FIG. 18A seen along the Y profile 42 to illustrate the expansion of the thermal expansion joint 35 in the first direction X.
[0225] FIG. 18D is a side view of FIG. 18A seen along the X bottom profile to illustrate the contraction of the thermal expansion joint 35 in the second direction Y.
[0226] FIG. 19A is a top view of the third embodiment of the invention, where the components in FIGS. 16A-16D have been connected to respective X top profiles 40, 40 and Y profiles 42, 42, and where the thermal expansion joint 35 has contracted in the first direction X and expanded in the second direction Y, e.g. as a result of expansion of the rails in the first direction and contraction of the rails in the second direction Y.
[0227] FIG. 19B is a similar top view as FIG. 19A where the splice piece 43 has been removed to better illustrate the relative positions of the underlying X bottom profiles 41, 41 and Y profiles 42, 42 when the thermal expansion joint 35 has contracted in the first direction X and expanded in the second direction Y.
[0228] FIG. 19C is a side view of FIG. 19A seen along the prior art Y profile 42 to illustrate the contraction of the thermal expansion joint 35 in the first direction X.
[0229] FIG. 19D a side view of FIG. 19A seen along the X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention to illustrate the expansion of the thermal expansion joint 35 in the second direction Y.
[0230] When comparing FIG. 18C where the thermal expansion joint has expanded in the first direction X and FIG. 19C where the thermal expansion joint has contracted in the first direction X, one can see that a gap G is formed between the prior art X bottom profile 41 forming part of the rail section 130 and the X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention in FIG. 18C. This gap is not present in FIG. 19C.
[0231] Similarly, when comparing FIG. 18D where the thermal expansion joint has contracted in the second direction Y and FIG. 19D where the thermal expansion joint has expanded in the second direction Y, one can see that a gap G is formed between the Y profile 42 forming part of the rail section 131 according to the second embodiment of the invention and the perpendicular X bottom profile 41 according to the first embodiment of the invention. This gap G is not present in FIG. 18D.
[0232] In the preceding description, various aspects of the storage system, the crossing, the thermal expansion joint and method according to the invention have been described with reference to the illustrative embodiment. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and configurations were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the system and its workings. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the system, which are apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the disclosed subject matter pertains, are deemed to lie within the scope of the present invention.
TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 Prior art automated storage and retrieval system 11 First area 12 Second area 24 Lifting device 25 Lifting bands 26 Gripping engaging device 27 Lifting frame 28 Gripping recess for gripping engaging device 30 Crossing 35 Thermal expansion joint (first embodiment) 35 Thermal expansion joint (second embodiment) 35 Thermal expansion joint (third embodiment) 40 X top profile (prior art) 40 X top profile (first embodiment) 40 X top profile (second embodiment) 40 X top profile (third embodiment) 41 X bottom profile (prior art) 41 X bottom profile (first embodiment) 42 Y profile (prior art and first embodiment) 42 Y profile (second embodiment) 43 Splice piece (First embodiment) 43 Splice piece (Third embodiment) 44 First portion 45 Second portion 46 Groove 47 Connection hole (prior art) 47 Connection hole (first embodiment) 47 Connection hole (second embodiment) 47 Connection hole (third embodiment) 48 Opening 49 Hollow portion (X bottom profile) 49 Hollow portion (Y profile) 51 Reinforcement bar (first embodiment) 51 Reinforcement bar (second embodiment) 52 Connection piece 53 Fastening hole 54 First element 55 Second element 56 Third element 57 Complementary hole 60 Cradle piece 61 First portion of cradle piece 62 Second portion of cradle piece 63 Intermediate portion of cradle piece 64 Connection holes (cradle piece) 65 First portion (of splice piece 43) 66 Second portion (of splice piece 43) 67 Intermediate portion (of splice piece 43) 68 Connection portion 69 Protruding member 70 Corner 73 Cutout (prior art) 73 Cutout (first embodiment) 73 Cutout (second embodiment) 73 Cutout (third embodiment) 74 Lip portion (prior art) 74 Lip portion (first embodiment) 75 Upper end face (prior art X) 75 Upper end face (first embodiment X profile) 76 Lower end face (prior art X) 76 Lower end face (first embodiment X profile) 77 Upper end face (prior art Y) 77 Upper end face (first embodiment Y profile) 77 Upper end face (second embodiment Y profile) 78 Intermediate end face (prior art Y profile) 78 Intermediate end face (first embodiment Y profile) 78 Intermediate end face (second embodiment Y profile) 79 Lower end face (prior art Y) 79 Lower end face (second embodiment Y profile) 80 Receiving space X profile (prior art) 80 Receiving space X profile (first embodiment) 81 Upper receiving space Y profile (prior art) 81 Upper receiving space Y profile (second embodiment) 82 Lower receiving space Y profile (prior art) 82 Lower receiving space Y profile (first embodiment) 82 Lower receiving space Y profile (second embodiment) 83 Recess (prior art) 83 Recess (second and third embodiment) 84 Protruding rim 102 Upright member 103 Upper edge 104 Storage volume 105 Storage column 106 Storage container 106 Particular position of storage container 107 Stack 108 Rail system 110 First set of parallel rails (in first direction (X)) 111 Second set of parallel rails (in second direction (Y)) 112 Access opening 113 Hollow center section 116 Guide surface 117 Inside corner 119 First port column 120 Second port column 125 Track 130 First rail in first direction (X) 130, 130 Rail section in first direction (Y) 131 Second rail in second direction (X) 131, 131 Rail section in second direction (Y) 201 Prior art container handling vehicle 201a Vehicle body of the container handling vehicle 201 201b Drive means/wheel arrangement/first set of wheels in first direction (X) 201c Drive means/wheel arrangement/second set of wheels in second direction (Y) 301 Prior art cantilever container handling vehicle 301a Vehicle body of the container handling vehicle 301 301b Drive means/first set of wheels in first direction (X) 301c Drive means/second set of wheels in second direction (Y) 401 Prior art container handling vehicle 401a Vehicle body of the container handling vehicle 401 401b Drive means/first set of wheels in first direction (X) 401c Drive means/second set of wheels in second direction (Y) H1 Thickness of first portion/first section H2 Thickness of second portion/second section H3 Thickness of connection piece L1 Length of second portion L2 Length of opening L3 Length of splice piece W1 Width of splice piece W2 Width of opening X First direction Y Second direction Z Third direction
