US 12,351,404 B2
Automated storage and retrieval system with a vehicle pen
Jørgen Djuve Heggebø, Olen (NO)
Assigned to AutoStore Technology AS, Nedre Vats (NO)
Appl. No. 17/753,808
Filed by Autostore Technology AS, Nedre Vats (NO)
PCT Filed Sep. 21, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/076301
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 15, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/058434, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 1, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 20191158 (NO), filed on Sep. 25, 2019; and application No. 20200762 (NO), filed on Jun. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0340364 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. B65G 47/88 (2006.01); A62C 3/00 (2006.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01); B65G 1/06 (2006.01); B65G 1/137 (2006.01); A62C 2/22 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/8884 (2013.01) [A62C 3/002 (2013.01); B65G 1/04 (2013.01); B65G 1/0464 (2013.01); B65G 1/0471 (2013.01); B65G 1/0485 (2013.01); B65G 1/06 (2013.01); B65G 1/065 (2013.01); B65G 1/1375 (2013.01); A62C 2/22 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated storage and retrieval system comprising a storage grid configured to store a plurality of storage containers in vertical stacks, a plurality of remotely operated vehicles, and a rail system comprising rails and tracks onto which the plurality of remotely operated vehicles operate,
wherein the automated storage and retrieval system comprises a first area and a second area, wherein the first area is linked to the second area for passage of one or more vehicles of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles by a vehicle pen comprising an entry barrier and an exit barrier to regulate the passage of the one or more vehicles between the first area and the second area, and
wherein the entry and exit barriers are moveable between an open position in which passage of the one or more vehicles is allowed, and a closed position in which passage of the one or more vehicles is restricted, and wherein the entry and exit barriers are regulated such that the entry barrier can be opened only when the exit barrier is closed, and vice versa.
 
15. A computer-implemented method of moving at least one of a plurality of remotely operated vehicles between a first area and a second area of an automated storage and retrieval system, the automated storage and retrieval system comprising a storage grid configured to store a plurality of storage containers in vertical stacks, the plurality of remotely operated vehicles, and a rail system comprising rails and tracks onto which the plurality of remotely operated vehicles operate, wherein the automated storage and retrieval system comprises the first area and the second area, wherein the first area is linked to the second area for passage of one or more vehicles of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles by a vehicle pen comprising an entry barrier and an exit barrier to regulate the passage of the one or more vehicles between the first area and the second area, wherein the entry and the exit barriers are moveable between an open position in which passage of the one or more of the vehicles is allowed, and a closed position in which passage of the one or more vehicles is restricted, wherein the entry and exit barriers are regulated such that the entry barrier can be opened only when the exit barrier is closed, and vice versa, and wherein the computer-implemented method comprises:
moving the at least one of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles on the first area towards the entry barrier of the vehicle pen,
opening the entry barrier after being confirmed that the exit barrier is closed,
moving the at least one of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles through the entry barrier of the vehicle pen,
closing the entry barrier while the vehicle is in the vehicle pen,
confirming that the entry barrier is in the closed position,
unlocking or opening the exit barrier, wherein the exit barrier may be opened manually or automatically,
moving vehicle through the exit barrier and into the second area, and
closing the exit barrier.