Modular structure for an automated storage and retrieval system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10952533-B2
Application number	US-201916269933-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 7, 2019
Priority date	Feb 8, 2018
Publication date	Mar 23, 2021
Grant date	Mar 23, 2021

Abstract

The present technology relates to an automated system structure which may be quickly and efficiently assembled using a number of storage modules. Storage modules may be comprised of a pair of shelf modules, each comprising a number of defined storage locations for storing totes, cartons, trays or other containers. The shelf modules may themselves be modular units comprising a number of horizontal storage levels affixed to a pair of vertical support assemblies at each end of the shelf modules. The pair of shelf modules may be accurately spaced from each other by mounting the shelf modules to tie beams at the bottom and tie plates at the top.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A structure for an order fulfillment facility, the structure comprising:
a plurality of storage modules, the plurality of storage modules each comprising a pair of spaced apart shelf modules, each of the spaced apart shelf modules comprising a plurality of levels of storage shelves for storing inventory containers, the plurality of storage modules configured to be assembled vertically and horizontally with respect to each other; and
wherein the plurality of storage modules comprise:
a first group of storage modules configured with horizontal rails that traverse two or more storage modules in the group when assembled together horizontally to enable horizontal travel of mobile robots along the horizontal rails;
a second group of storage modules configured with a level changing tower module that traverses two or more storage modules in the second group when assembled together vertically to enable vertical travel of mobile robots along the level changing tower module;

a pair of spaced apart rail and channel modules in the level changing tower module, each of the spaced apart rail and channel modules comprising a channel configured to enable vertical travel of the mobile robots; and
a pair of tie beams configured to be affixed to a floor and comprising registration features, the level changing tower module supported on the pair of tie beams, the tie beams enabling repeatable assembly of the spaced apart rail and channel modules of the second group of storage modules with respect to each other.

2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the pair of tie beams comprise a first pair of tie beams, the structure further comprising a second pair of tie beams comprising registration features, a storage module of the first group of storage modules supported on the second pair of tie beams, the second pair of tie beams enabling repeatable assembly of the spaced apart shelf modules of the storage module with respect to each other.

3. The structure of claim 1 , further comprising a first pair of tie plates comprising registration features, a storage module of the first group of storage modules supported on the first pair of tie plates, the first pair of tie plates enabling repeatable assembly of the spaced apart shelf modules of the first group of storage modules with respect to each other.

4. The structure of claim 1 , further comprising a second pair of tie plates comprising registration features, the level changing tower module supported on the second pair of tie plates, the second pair of tie plates enabling repeatable assembly of the spaced apart rail and channel modules of the second group of storage modules with respect to each other.

Assignees

• Alert Innovation Inc

Inventors

• Lert Jr John G
• Elliott Martin R
• Fosnight William J
• Dancewicz Christopher J
• Chesna Michael
• Bayul Tsepa

Classifications

• B65G1/02 Primary

  Storage devices (furniture A47B; shop fittings A47F) · CPC title

• A47B87/008

  Rectangular cabinets or racks in a side-by-side arrangement · CPC title

• A47B47/0083

  with four vertical uprights (for units mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/045) · CPC title

• A47B47/0091 Primary

  Modular arrangements of similar assemblies of elements (for elements or assemblies mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/047, sectional furniture A47B87/00, stackable furniture A47B87/02) · CPC title

• B65G1/0492

  with cars adapted to travel in storage aisles · CPC title