Safety system for an automated storage and picking system and method of operation thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020002091-A1
Application number	US-201816482555-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 1, 2018
Priority date	Feb 1, 2017
Publication date	Jan 2, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A safety system for an automated storage and picking system is described. The storage system includes load handling devices operating above a series of stacked containers located within a framework, the top of which includes tracks on which the load handling devices operate. The safety system includes a transmitter located in close proximity to the storage system and a receiver located on each of the load handling devices. The transmitter can continually transmit a signal that is detected by the receivers on the load handling devices. In the event of an emergency or a breach of the storage system, the transmission of the signal is cut. Once the receiver no longer receives the signal from the transmitter, power to each load handling device drive is cut to render the storage system safe.

First claim

1 . A safety system for an automated storage and picking system, the storage and picking system having a first set of parallel rails or tracks, and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending transverse to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces; a plurality of storage containers arranged in stacks, located beneath the rails, the safety system comprising:
at least one load handling device for being disposed to move on rolling means laterally above stacks on rails; a transmitter for transmitting a signal, the transmitter having activation means; and each load handling device having a receiver portion, the receiver portion being configured to receive the signal from the transmitter, the receiver portion having switch means for interrupting power to the rolling means of the load handling device, the activation means being configured so as to stop transmission of the signal from the transmitter 100 on activation by external means, said activation causing the switch means to cut power to the rolling means of each load handling device thereby stopping each load handling device.

2 . A safety system according to claim 1 , in combination with a storage system comprising:
controlling means for controlling operation of each load handling device on the storage system, said safety system comprising:
communication means for communicating with the controlling means, such that on activation of the activation means the controlling means will act so as to stop operation of each load handling device on the storage system.

3 . A safety system according to claim 1 , in which the external means comprises:
interlock means located on any openable access point on or adjacent the storage system.

4 . A safety system according to claim 3 , in which the interlock means is configured to automatically activate on opening of the access point.

5 . A safety system according to claim 2 , in which the external means comprises:
button or switch means located adjacent the storage system, said button or switch means being configured for operation by a user of the system in an event of an emergency.

6 . A safety system according to claim 2 , in which on activation of the activation means, the switch means is configured to cut power to each load handling device and each load handling device will stop on the storage system thereby allowing access on to the grid in a safe manner.

7 . A safety system according to claim 2 , in which the storage and picking system comprises:
an interface to an online retail system.

8 . A safety system according to claim 7 , comprising:
containers containing items to be stored, customer orders or empty bags awaiting filling.

9 . A safety system according to claim 2 , in which each load handling device is sized to occupy at least one grid space in the storage system.

10 . A safety system according to claim 1 , in which at least one load handling device comprises:
lifting means configured for lifting containers from stacks within a storage system.

11 . A method of safely stopping a plurality of load handling devices operating on a storage and picking system, the storage and picking system having a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending transverse to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces; a plurality of storage containers arranged in stacks, located beneath the rails and at least one load handling device disposed on the grid, arranged to move on rolling means laterally above the stacks on the rails, the method comprising:
transmitting a signal via a transmitter of the storage system; receiving at a load handling device receiver portion, the signal from the transmitter, the receiver portion having switch means for interrupting power to the rolling means of the load handling device via an activation means which stops transmission of the signal from the transmitter on activation by external means; and activating the activation means by the external means, said activation interrupting the signal, the interruption in the signal causing power to the rolling means of the load handling devices to be cut, thereby stopping the load handling device on the storage system.

12 . A safety system according to claim 5 , in which on activation of the activation means, the switch means is configured to cut power to each load handling device and each load handling device will stop on the storage system thereby allowing access on to the grid in a safe manner.

13 . A safety system according to claim 12 , in which the storage and picking system comprises:
an interface to an online retail system.

14 . A safety system according to claim 13 , in which each load handling device is sized to occupy at least one grid space in the storage system.

15 . A safety system according to claim 14 , in which at least one load handling device comprises:
lifting means configured for lifting containers from stacks within a storage system.

Assignees

• Ocado Innovation Ltd

Inventors

• Shields Jennifer Jane
• Steiner Timothy Deighton
• Butler Nicholas John
• Campbell Pete

Classifications

• B65G1/0464 Primary

  with access from above · CPC title

• B65G43/00 Primary

  Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting · CPC title

• B65G2207/40

  Safety features of loads, equipment or persons · CPC title

• B60L3/04

  Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions (protective devices and circuit arrangements in general H01H; H02H) · CPC title

• B65G1/137

  with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed · CPC title