Apparatus and method for charging a robotic load handling device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12454411-B2
Application number	US-202418650649-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 30, 2024
Priority date	May 9, 2018
Publication date	Oct 28, 2025
Grant date	Oct 28, 2025

Abstract

The present disclosure aims to provide a charge unit for a robotic load handling device which reduces the wear/damage experienced by charge contacts of the charge unit and provides a solution whereby easier servicing of the charge unit can be accomplished. A charge unit for a robotic load handling device is operative on top of a grid framework. The charge unit includes a power transfer device is arranged to inductively transfer power to the robotic load handling device, and a supporting structure fixedly attached to a grid framework to position the housing over the grid framework.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A system comprising:
a housing, including a charge unit for a robotic load handling device operative on top of a grid framework, said charge unit including:
a power transfer means arranged to transfer power to the robotic load handling device, said power transfer comprising an inductive power transfer means; and
a supporting structure fixedly attached to a grid framework, the supporting structure arranged to position the housing over the grid framework.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises:
a communication unit arranged to communicate with a communication unit of the robotic load handling device.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a plurality of housings, wherein the plurality of housings are supported on a single supporting structure.

4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is configured for use in a storage facility, the storage facility including the grid framework and a service area adjacent to the grid framework, wherein the housing is arranged to be moveable on the supporting structure from a first position over the grid framework to a second position over the service area.

5 . The system according to claim 4 , wherein the supporting structure partly extends over the service area.

6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the supporting structure further comprises:
a clamp arranged to fixedly attach the supporting structure to the grid framework.

7 . The system according to claim 6 , wherein the clamp is arranged such that the supporting structure is moveable with the grid framework.

8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises:
a positioning means arranged to allow the charge unit to move horizontally within the housing.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the power transfer means further comprises:
a first spring such that the power transfer means is moveable vertically relative to the plurality of profiled sections.

10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the positioning means further comprises:
a second spring arranged such that the charge unit self-centres in the housing by moving horizontally relative to the housing to a preferred position following an exit of the robotic load handling device from the charge unit.

11 . The system according to claim 10 , wherein the supporting structure further comprises:
a third spring arranged to move the housing vertically relative to the supporting structure following the exit of the robotic load handling device from the charge unit.

12 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the housing further comprises:
a communication unit arranged to communicate with a communication unit of the robotic load handling device.

13 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the system is configured for use in a storage facility, the storage facility including the grid framework and a service area adjacent to the grid framework, wherein the housing is arranged to be moveable on the supporting structure from a first position over the grid framework to a second position over the service area.

14 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the supporting structure further comprises:
a clamp arranged to fixedly attach the supporting structure to the grid framework.

15 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the supporting structure further comprises:
a third spring arranged to move the housing vertically relative to the supporting structure following the exit of the robotic load handling device from the charge unit.

16 . A storage system comprising:
a first set of parallel rails or tracks extending in an X-direction, and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending in a Y-direction transverse to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern comprising a plurality of grid spaces; a plurality of stacks of containers located beneath the rails, and arranged such that each stack is located within a footprint of a single grid space; at least one transporting device, the at least one transporting device being arranged to selectively move laterally in the X and Y directions, above the stacks on the rails; and a system including a housing having a charge unit for the at least one transporting device, said charge unit including:
a power transfer means arranged to transfer power to the at least one transporting device, said power transfer comprising an inductive power transfer means; and
a supporting structure fixedly attached to the grid pattern, the supporting structure arranged to position the housing over the grid pattern.

17 . The storage system according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one transporting device has a footprint that occupies only a single grid space in the storage system, such that a transporting device occupying one grid space does not obstruct a transporting device occupying or traversing the adjacent grid spaces in the X and Y directions.

18 . A method of charging a robotic load handling device using a charge unit, the robotic load handling device operative on top of a grid framework, the charge unit including a power transfer means arranged to transfer power to the robotic load handling device, said power transfer means including an inductive power transfer means, the method comprising the step of:
inductively coupling the robotic load handling device to the charge unit.

Assignees

• Ocado Innovation Ltd

Inventors

• Davidson Alex
• Sim Robin
• Benfold James
• Thurnell Benjamin

Classifications

• H02J13/38

  the equipment being power outlets · CPC title

• H02J7/44

  between battery management systems and power sources · CPC title

• B60L53/35

  Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles · CPC title

• Y02T10/70

  Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries · CPC title

• B65G2201/0235

  Containers · CPC title