Attachment interface, automated storage system, and gripper
AssigneeAgora Networks Oy
InventorsYkä Huhtala, Kimmo Salonen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for an automated storage system. The container has a base which extends across an area that has a center point and an imaginary center axis that extends through the center point. The container also has a casing with a bottom end connected to the base and a top end opposing the bottom end and defining an opening for accessing the container. The casing extends from the base in a direction which has a component parallel to the center axis. A rim extends from the second end of the casing away from the center axis. A bottom-facing skirt extends from the rim, whereby a gripping space is formed between the casing, rim and skirt of the container.
Claims19
An attachment interface for attaching a container to a suspender of a shelfless support structure of an automated storage system, wherein:
- the container comprises:
- a base extending across an area that has a center point and an imaginary center axis extending through the center point;
- a casing with a bottom end connected to the base and a top end opposing the bottom end and defining an opening for accessing the container, which casing extends from the base in a direction having a component parallel to the center axis;
- a rim, which extends from the top end of the casing away from the center axis, and
- a bottom-facing skirt which extends from the rim,
- the shelfless support structure comprises a plurality of suspenders configured to be attached to and inside of an enclosure of the storage system in a mutually superposed configuration, wherein each suspender comprises:
- a body having a height in a first Cartesian dimension (X) defined between a top end and a bottom end and a width in a second Cartesian dimension (Y), and
- a lip configured to be introduced to a gripping space defined by the casing, rim and skirt of the container,
- wherein:
- the lip of the suspender extends from a top end of a body of the suspender above and towards one side thereof;
- each suspender comprises a plurality of notches provided to the lip for accommodating respective skirts of a plurality of containers, and
- each suspender comprises a shoulder for engaging casings of the plurality of containers, the shoulder extending from the bottom end of the body below and towards said one side thereof.
An automated storage system comprising:
- an enclosure;
- a user interface provided to the enclosure and comprising a selectively openable opening for the deposit and retrieval of items;
- a shelfless support structure contained in the enclosure for storing a plurality of containers;
- a plurality of containers housed on the support structure for storing the items, and
- a robot provided to the inside of the enclosure for moving the containers between the selectively openable opening and the support structure,
- wherein:
- the containers in said plurality of containers comprise:
- a base extending across an area that has a center point and an imaginary center axis extending through the center point;
- a casing with a bottom end connected to the base and a top end opposing the bottom end and defining an opening for accessing the container, which casing extends from the base in a direction having a component parallel to the center axis;
- a rim, which extends from the second end of the casing away from the center axis, and
- a bottom-facing skirt which extends from the rim, whereby a gripping space is formed between the casing, rim and skirt of the container;
- the shelfless support structure comprises a plurality of suspenders attached to and inside of an enclosure of the storage system in a mutually superposed configuration, wherein each suspender comprises:
- a body having a height in a first Cartesian dimension (X) defined between a top end and a bottom end and a width in a second Cartesian dimension (Y);
- a lip configured to be introduced to respective gripping spaces of the plurality of containers, the lip extending from the top end of the body above and towards one side thereof;
- a plurality of notches provided to the lip for accommodating respective skirts of the plurality of containers, and
- a shoulder for engaging casings of the plurality of containers, the shoulder extending from the bottom end of the body below and towards said one side thereof, and
- the robot comprises an articulated arm and a gripper at a distal end of the articulated arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.