Apparatus and method for charging a load handling device

A method for charging a rechargeable power source in a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in a storage system having a grid framework structure supporting a pathway arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers, the load handling device including:

• a vehicle body housing a driving mechanism operatively arranged for moving the load handling device on the grid framework structure, said driving mechanism being powered by a rechargeable power source electrically coupled to an electrical charge point for electrically coupling with a charge head of a charge station in use;
• and
• a lifting device having a lifting drive assembly and a grabber device configured, in use, to releasably grip a container and lift the container from the stack into a container-receiving space,
• wherein the lifting device includes the electrical charge point such that in use charging of the rechargeable power source occurs by the lifting device engaging with the charge head of the charge station, and
• wherein the grabber device is suspended from the vehicle body of the load handling device by a tether configured to be extended and retracted from the load handling device to move the grabber device vertically, the method comprising:
• i) moving the load handling device over a grid space occupying the charge station;
• ii) lowering the grabber device to engage with the charge station in the grid space such that an electrical contact is established between the charge point of the grabber device and the charge head of the charge station;
• and
• iii) transferring power from the charge station to the rechargeable power source.