US 12,065,309 B2
Robotic service device and handling method
Mark Fryer, Hatfield (GB); Andy Ingram-Tedd, Hatfield (GB); Siddique Shaikh, Hatfield (GB); and Sverker Lindbo, Hatfield (GB)
Assigned to OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED, Herts (GB)
Filed by OCADO INNOVATION LIMITED, Hatfield Herts (GB)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/073,788.
Application 17/073,788 is a continuation of application No. 15/127,308, granted, now 10,836,577, previously published as PCT/EP2015/055695, filed on Mar. 18, 2015.
Claims priority of application No. 1404870 (GB), filed on Mar. 18, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2021/0101743 A1, Apr. 8, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65G 1/02 (2006.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01); B65G 45/10 (2006.01); B66C 5/04 (2006.01); B66F 9/075 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01); B66C 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/02 (2013.01) [B65G 1/0464 (2013.01); B65G 1/0478 (2013.01); B65G 1/0492 (2013.01); B65G 45/10 (2013.01); B66C 5/04 (2013.01); B66F 9/07504 (2013.01); B25J 11/0085 (2013.01); B65G 1/04 (2013.01); B66C 11/00 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A robotic service device for operation on a robotic picking system, the robotic picking system having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid, the robotic service device comprising:
a body mounted on two sets of wheels, a first set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of a first set of the perpendicular sets of rails, a second set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of a second set of the perpendicular sets of rails, the first set of wheels being independently moveable and driveable with respect to the second set of wheels such that only one set of wheels is engaged with the grid at any one time thereby enabling movement of the service device along the rails to any point on the grid by driving only the set of wheels engaged with the rails; and
a cleaning mechanism including means for removing contaminants present on the grid system,
wherein the robotic service device is independently operable on the grid.