Abstract: An autonomous grid storage system arranged in a warehouse space. 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 separated by fire walls. One or more bridges pass through openings in the fire wall to allow bin handling vehicles to traverse between the sub grids. The openings are provided with closable fire door.

Abstract: The invention concerns an automated storage and retrieval system, a storage facility and a method for operating such a system. The system comprises a first track system and a second track system, wherein a first horizontal plane P1 of the first track system and a second horizontal plane P2 of the second track system are arranged vertically displaced relative each other. The system comprises a vehicle lift device for transfer of at least one of the vehicles between the first track system and the second track system.

Abstract: A levelling assembly is for a framework structure of a storage grid of a storage and retrieval system for storing goods holders. The framework structure is positioned on a floor surface. The levelling assembly includes a threaded elongate member, a threaded nut for engaging with the threaded elongate member, and a floor rail for supporting upright members of the storage and retrieval system. The floor rail is provided with a first aperture for mounting the threaded elongate member in a location on the floor rail where the member can extend through and be coupled to the floor rail. The floor rail is provided with a channel for receiving the threaded nut and extending from the aperture in a longitudinal direction of the floor rail.

Abstract: A service vehicle moves on a rail system including a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction. The first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane including a plurality of adjacent grid cells. The service vehicle includes a container handling vehicle part for storing a container handling vehicle operating on the rail system, and wheels for allowing movement of the service vehicle along the rail system during operation. The service vehicle further includes a displacement mechanism, and a hoist arrangement connected to the displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism and the hoist arrangement are configured for moving the container handling vehicle between an operational position on the rail system and a loaded position within the container handling vehicle part.

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.

Abstract: An automated grid based storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure. The framework structure includes upright members and a grid of horizontal rails provided at upper ends of the upright members. The framework structure defines at least one storage volume below the horizontal rails. The at least one storage volume includes a plurality of storage, a plurality of walls, a first plenum, a first plurality of transversally directing air ducts, a first and second plurality of horizontally directing air ducts, and a cooling system. The plurality of storage columns are arranged adjacent one another. The plurality of walls surround an outer extent of the plurality of storage columns. The first plenum extend horizontally beneath the storage columns. The first plurality of transversally directing air ducts are connected to at least one fan adapted to draw air from outside the at least one storage volume.

Abstract: A method transports a product item stored within a first storage container within an automated storage and retrieval system to an access station. The method includes moving the first storage container from a storage column to a transfer station; transferring the product item from the first storage container to a second storage container at the transfer station; and returning the first storage container from the transfer station to the automated storage and retrieval system. The method further includes moving the second storage container from the transfer station to an access station at which a person may access the product item; and returning the second storage container from the access station to the transfer station.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a track system including a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, forming a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each grid cell includes a grid opening. A plurality of stacks of storage containers are arranged in storage columns located beneath the track system. Each storage column is located vertically below the grid opening. A plurality of container handling vehicles for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in the stacks are configured to move laterally on the track system above the storage columns to access the storage containers via the grid openings.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes storage containers, an illuminable storage grid, a support displacement system, and a container handling device. The illuminable storage grid includes horizontally displaceable container supports each arranged with a vertical offset to an adjacent container support and configured to support a plurality of the storage containers. At least one of the container supports is an illuminable container support that is configured to illuminate an area below. The illuminable container support has at least one aperture configured to allow passage of at least one of the storage containers therethrough. The support displacement system displaces at least one of the container supports horizontally. The container handling device is configured to move between a first location above or on the illuminable storage grid and a second location outside the horizontal periphery of the illuminable storage grid.

Abstract: A storage system includes a first area, a second area, a vehicle, and a vehicle gate arrangement. The first area includes a framework structure including upright members and a two-dimensional first rail system arranged across a top of framework structure. The first rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of 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 vehicles in a second direction across the top of the framework structure that is perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second sets of parallel rails divide the first rail system into a plurality of access openings in the first rail system for allowing lifting and lowering of a storage container between a position above the first rail system and a position below the first rail system. The vehicle operable on the first rail system.

Abstract: A method and system relate to the logistics of product delivery in the situation where a customer picks up preordered goods directly from a warehouse facility, which includes an automated storage and retrieval system, arriving at the facility in an automobile. The system includes one or more cameras equipped with optical character recognition capability. A first camera reading makes a first, initial recognition of the license plate number of a customer's vehicle upon arrival at the property of the warehouse facility. The initial reading triggers the initiation of a sequence of steps in the consolidation and transport of the delivery package to a customer pickup bay, which may include an automated pickup door. A second camera reading makes a second recognition of the license plate when the customer arrives at a particular parking space adjacent to a specific pickup bay and communicates this information to the control system of the automated storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A storage module is for supporting goods holders in an automated storage and retrieval system. The storage module includes a vertically extending structure, and a support segment pivotably supported by the vertically extending structure with a vertical axis of rotation. The support segment includes a supporting part for supporting a goods holder.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of goods holders for holding crops, and a storage section configured for storing goods holders in a plurality of columns. A service vehicle for irrigation and/or inspection of crops stored within the automated storage and retrieval system is movable above the storage section and includes irrigation equipment for irrigating crops held by a goods holder, and/or inspection equipment for inspecting crops held by a goods holder.

Abstract: A container accessing station for accessing a storage container of an automated storage and retrieval grid. The container accessing station comprising: an access opening through which a human and/or robot may access contents of the storage container; a base opening; and a lifting device arranged to retrieve the storage container from a first level beneath the base opening and lift it up through the base opening to a second level so that the storage container may be accessed through the access opening. The invention is also directed to a container accessing system and a method thereof.

Abstract: A robotic container handler includes a displacement mechanism, a first manipulator, and a second manipulator. The displacement mechanism has a vertical centre plane. The first manipulator includes a first inner end coupled to the displacement mechanism at a first side of the vertical center plane, and a first outer end fixed to a first coupler allowing releasable connection to a container. The second manipulator includes a second inner end coupled to the displacement mechanism at a second side of the vertical center plane opposite of the first side, and a second outer end fixed to a second coupler allowing releasable connection to the container. The displacement mechanism is configured to move the first and second couplers parallel to the vertical center plane.

Abstract: A lifting frame assembly, which is for a container lift device of an automated storage system, includes a lifting frame holder, a lifting frame, and at least a first set of guide members. The lifting frame holder is configured to be suspended from the container lift device by lifting bands. The lifting frame holder has a rectangular horizontal outer periphery. The lifting frame includes grippers for connection to a storage container from above. The at least a first set of guide members are for guiding against upright members of a framework structure of the automated storage system. The first set of guide members is operable between: a retracted position where the guide members are retracted within the outer periphery of the lifting frame holder, and an extended position where the guide members extend outside the outer periphery of the lifting frame holder.

Abstract: An air flow control device controls air flow in an automated, grid-based storage and retrieval system for storing goods holders. The air flow control device includes a body provided with a plurality of perforations through which air can be directed. The air flow control device is configured to be arranged at an orifice of a transversally directing air duct positioned to distribute the air transversally into a first air release volume such that with the air flow control device in position the air duct can produce a first transversal air curtain downstream of the air flow control device in the first air release volume. Temperature of the air of the first transversal air curtain is stratified.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle for an automated storage and retrieval system is configured to follow a set route on a track being laid out in the automated storage and retrieval system and having one or more track features. The vehicle includes a first set of wheels capable of moving the vehicle in a first direction; a second set of wheels capable of moving the vehicle in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of sensors attached to the vehicle and configured to detect track features and to measure a distance to a track feature while the vehicle is moving in the first direction or the second direction.