Robotic picking systems and devices
AssigneeOcado Innovation Limited
InventorsLars Sverker Ture Lindbo, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Alexander James Badenoch Harvey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A robotic picking device for picking items from a containerised storage system is described. The items are stored in storage bins in stacks within a framework having a grid system disposed above the stacks of bins. Robotic picking devices are disposed on the grid, the devices acting to pick containers from the stacks of bins. The storage system is provided with at least one picking device for picking items from bins and depositing them directly in delivery containers DT.
Claims24
A picking device configured for use on a grid-based storage system, the storage system comprising:
- a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set of tracks or rails in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces;
- multiple containers located beneath the tracks or rails within a footprint of a single grid space, the picking device adapted to move laterally on rails or tracks above any one of the containers located below the picking device, wherein the picking device includes picking means configured to pick at least one inventory item from the at least one container located beneath the tracks or rails, means for moving each item from the at least one container to a different predetermined container, and at least one vehicle means, each vehicle means including a vehicle body and a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly comprising a first set of wheels for engaging with the first set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the device in a first direction and a second set of wheels for engaging with the second set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the device in a second direction such that the picking device may be positioned above a predetermined container to pick the item.
A storage system comprising:
- a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending substantially perpendicularly to the first set of tracks or rails in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces;
- multiple containers located beneath the tracks or rails within a footprint of a single grid space;
- a picking device having means to move laterally on the rails or tracks above any one of the containers located below the picking device, and for moving at least one item therefrom, wherein the picking device includes picking means configured to pick at least one inventory item from the at least one container located beneath the tracks or rails, means for moving each item from the at least one container to a different predetermined container, and at least one vehicle means, each vehicle means including a vehicle body and a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly comprising a first set of wheels for engaging with the first set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the device in a first direction and a second set of wheels for engaging with the second set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the device in a second direction such that the picking device may be positioned above a predetermined container to pick the item.
A picking device configured for picking at least one inventory item from at least one container in a storage system, where the storage system has a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces, with each of pural containers located beneath the tracks or rails within a footprint of a single grid space, the picking device comprising:
- means to move laterally on rails or tracks above containers;
- picking means configured to pick at least one inventory item from at least one container;
- means for moving each item from the at least one container to a different predetermined container;
- a vehicle body;
- a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly having a first set of wheels for engaging with a first set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the picking device in a first direction and a second set of wheels for engaging with a second set of rails or tracks to guide movement of the picking device in a second direction;
- load handling means for lifting and moving at least one container;
- a container-receiving space;
- and
- lifting means for lifting at least one container from beneath a grid into the container receiving space during operation in which the picking means, the load handling means and the lifting means are co-located within one vehicle body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.