Access station for an automated storage and retrieval system and method for using same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12583673-B2
Application number	US-202118037678-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2021
Priority date	Dec 23, 2020
Publication date	Mar 24, 2026
Grant date	Mar 24, 2026

Abstract

An access station, which is for presentation of a storage container from an automated storage and retrieval system to a picker, includes an access module, a drawer, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The access module includes a frame defining a drawer compartment provided within the frame. The drawer includes a drawer base and a drawer front. The drawer is movably connected to the frame. The first actuator is for moving the drawer relative to the frame between a presentation position in which the drawer is protruding from the drawer compartment and a retracted position in which the drawer is retracted within the drawer compartment. The drawer base includes a support on which the storage container can be supported in a front position or in a rear position. The second actuator is for moving the storage container from the front position to the rear position. The storage container is presented to the picker when the storage container is in the front position and when the drawer is in the presentation position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . An access station for presentation of a storage container from an automated storage and retrieval system to a picker, wherein the access station comprises:
an access module comprising a frame defining a drawer compartment provided within the frame; a drawer comprising a drawer base and a drawer front, wherein the drawer is movably connected to the frame; and a first actuator for moving the drawer relative to the frame between a presentation position in which the drawer is protruding from the drawer compartment and a retracted position in which the drawer is retracted within the drawer compartment; wherein the drawer base comprises a support on which the storage container can be supported in a front position or in a rear position; wherein the access station comprises a second actuator for moving the storage container from the front position to the rear position; wherein the storage container is presented to the picker when the storage container is in the front position and when the drawer is in the presentation position; and wherein the support comprises a weight sensor for measuring a weight of the storage container when supporting the storage container in the front position.

2 . The access station according to claim 1 , wherein the access station comprises a front opening, wherein a portion of the drawer is configured to protrude from a front side of the front opening when the drawer is in the presentation position.

3 . The access station according to claim 2 , wherein the frame comprises a guard defining an upper border of the front opening.

4 . The access station according to claim 3 , wherein the access station comprises a safety mechanism for preventing an object from being squeezed between the drawer front and the guard during movement of the drawer from the presentation position to the retracted position.

5 . The access station according to claim 4 , wherein the safety mechanism comprises:
a flap element provided adjacent to, and on the front side of, the guard; a sensor for sensing movement of the flap element relative to the guard.

6 . The access station according to claim 5 , wherein the flap element is movably connected to a flap holding structure secured to the frame.

7 . The access station according to claim 6 , wherein the flap holding structure is a supporting structure for a user interface system.

8 . The access station according to claim 2 , wherein the frame comprises a guard defining an upper border of the front opening, and wherein the drawer front and the guard are vertically aligned when the drawer is in the retracted position.

9 . The access station according to claim 1 , wherein the access station comprises a top opening through which a storage container is retrievable from the drawer and through which a storage container is receivable by the drawer.

10 . The access station according to claim 9 , wherein the front position is located below the top opening when the drawer is in the retracted position and wherein the rear position is located below the top opening when the drawer is in the presentation position.

11 . The access station according to claim 1 , wherein the access station is configured to:
receive a storage container in the front position when the drawer is in the retracted position; and allow a storage container to be retrieved from the rear position when the drawer is in the presentation position.

12 . The access station according to claim 1 , wherein the access station is configured to:
move a storage container from the front position to the rear position when the drawer is in the retracted position or while the drawer is moving from the presentation position to the retracted position.

13 . The access station according to claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises vertical side guiding plates for guiding the drawer front as the drawer extends out to the presentation position and as the drawer retracts to the retracted position.

14 . The access station according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises rollers for supporting the storage container in the rear position.

15 . The access station according to claim 1 , wherein the second actuator comprises an electric motor and an actuating element movable by means of the electric motor.

16 . The access station according to claim 1 , wherein the drawer comprises a container stop for preventing movement of the storage container from the front position towards the rear position when the drawer is in the presentation position.

17 . An automated storage and retrieval system comprising a framework structure, wherein the framework structure comprises:
upright members; horizontal members; a storage volume comprising storage columns provided between the members, wherein storage containers are stackable in stacks within the storage columns; and a rail system provided on top of the members; wherein the automated storage and retrieval system comprises container handling vehicles moving on the rail system; wherein the automated storage and retrieval system comprises an access station for presentation of a storage container from the automated storage and retrieval system to a picker, wherein the access station comprises: an access module comprising a frame defining a drawer compartment provided within the frame; a drawer comprising a drawer base and a drawer front, wherein the drawer is movably connected to the frame; and a first actuator for moving the drawer relative to the frame between a presentation position in which the drawer is protruding from the drawer compartment and a retracted position in which the drawer is retracted within the drawer compartment; wherein the drawer base comprises a support on which the storage container can be supported in a front position or in a rear position; wherein the access station comprises a second actuator for moving the storage container from the front position to the rear position; wherein the storage container is presented to the picker when the storage container is in the front position and when the drawer is in the presentation position; wherein the drawer compartment is provided within the framework structure and wherein the drawer is at least partially protruding from the framework structure in the presentation position; and wherein the support comprises a weight sensor for measuring a weight of the storage container when supporting the storage container in the front position.

18 . The automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 17 , wherein the frame comprises lintels for supporting upright members of the framework structure.

19 . The automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 17 , wherein the container handling vehicles are able to:
retrieve the storage container from the drawer via one storage column; and deliver a further storage container to the drawer via the one storage column.

Assignees

• Autostore Tech As

Inventors

• Austrheim Trond
• Fjeldheim Ivar
• Hatteland Magne
• Aarseth Simen

Classifications

• B65G2201/0235

  Containers · CPC title

• B65G61/00

  Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B65G1/10

  with relatively movable racks to facilitate insertion or removal of articles {(cabinets with means for moving compartments up and down A47B51/00; cabinet system, e.g. consisting of cabinets arranged in a row with means to open or close passages between adjacent cabinets A47B53/02)} · CPC title

• B65G1/065

  with self propelled cars · CPC title

• B65G1/0478

  for matrix-arrangements · CPC title