Robotic service device and handling method
AssigneeOcado Innovation Limited
InventorsRobert Stadie, Andrew John Ingram-Tedd, Matthew Whelan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A robotic service device for a robotic picking system grid. The robotic service device can be configured for driving to any location on the grid in order to restart malfunctioning robotic load handling devices or to perform maintenance operations or cleaning in situ. Additionally, the service device may be used to rescue robotic load handling devices operational in the picking system. The robotic service device can include a releasable docking mechanism to enable it to dock and latch on to malfunctioning load handling devices. The service device can also be provided with a cleaning device and camera device to enable a condition of a grid and other robotic devices to be monitored.
Claims21
A storage and robotic picking system having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid and the system comprising:
- a plurality of robotic load handling devices operative on the rails;
- and
- a service device,
- the plurality of robotic load handling devices and the service device each comprising:
- a body mounted on two sets of wheels, the first set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the first set of rails, the second set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the second set of rails, the first set of wheels being independently moveable and driveable with respect to the second set of wheels such that only one set of wheels will engage with the rails at any one time thereby enabling movement of the plurality of robotic load handling devices and the service device along the rails to any point on the grid by driving only the set of wheels engaged with the rails, wherein the service device further comprises:
- deployable, releasable electrical connecting means, said deployable, releasable connecting means when deployed acting to connect the service device to one of the plurality of robotic load handling devices;
- and
- a power source connected to said deployable, releasable connecting means such that when said connecting means is connected to one of the plurality of robotic load handling devices the power source of the service devices supplies for power to one of the plurality of robotic load handling devices via the electrical connecting means.
A method for operating a storage system having a plurality of load handling devices and a service device, the plurality of load handling devices and the service device operative on a grid of a robot picking system, the grid having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming and having the plurality of robotic load handling devices and the service device thereon, each robotic load handling device and the service device having:
- a body mounted on two sets of wheels, the first set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the first set of rails, the second set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the second set of rails, the first set of wheels being independently moveable and driveable with respect to the second set of wheels such that only one set of wheels will engage with the grid at any one time thereby enabling movement of the service device along the rails to any point on the grid by driving only the set of wheels engaged with the rails;
- deployable, releasable electrical connecting means, said deployable, releasable connecting means when deployed acting to connect the service device to one of the plurality of robotic load handling devices;
- and a power source connected to said deployable, releasable connecting means such that when said connecting means is connected to one of the plurality of robotic load handling devices the power source of the service devices supplies power to one of the plurality of robotic load handling devices via the electrical connecting means, the method comprising:
- i) deploying deployable electrical connecting means from the service device;
- ii) connecting the service device to one of the plurality of load handling devices using the deployable electrical connecting means;
- iii) supplying power from the service device to one of the plurality of load handling devices via the deployable releasable electrical connecting means to restart or charge the load handling device;
- iv) disconnecting the service device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.