Vehicle-portable grid assessment device

A method for assessing a top of a framework structure of a storage grid in an automated storage and retrieval system wherein the framework structure comprises a rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of a container handling vehicle in a first direction across the top of the framework structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the container handling vehicle in a second direction across the top of the framework structure that is perpendicular to the first direction, the first and second sets of parallel rails dividing the rail system into a plurality of grid cells, the framework structure comprising upright members to support the rail system and at least one container handling vehicle operating on the rail system, and wherein the method comprises:

• arranging the container handling vehicle in a predetermined position on the grid,
• lowering a device onto a predetermined grid cell so that rail contactors of a pair of pivoting arms, each pivoting around a central point of the arm on opposing sides of the device, resting in a track of a rail on opposite sides of the grid cell
• measuring, on at least one of the sides of the device, an angle of the pivoting arm in relation to a horizontal level using a tilt sensor, and
• lifting the device from the rail system and transporting the device to a next destination.

A map displaying the level of deviation of each grid cell in an automated storage and retrieval system using a vehicle-portable grid assessment device capable of being lowered onto a rail system device for assessing a top of a framework structure of a storage grid in the automated storage and retrieval system,

• wherein the framework structure comprises a rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of a container handling vehicle in a first direction across the top of the framework structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the container handling vehicle in a second direction across the top of the framework structure that is perpendicular to the first direction, the first and second sets of parallel rails dividing the rail system into a plurality of grid cells, the framework structure comprising upright members to support the rail-system and at least one container handling vehicle operating on the rail system,
• wherein the device comprises a body with a pivoting arm on at least one side, and each pivoting arm is positioned in the center on each side, each pivoting arm having a rail contactor at either end and being pivoted around a central point of the pivoting arm corresponding to a balance point of the device, and
• wherein there is a tilt sensor is attached to at least one of the pivoting arms for measuring an angle of the pivoting arm in relation to a horizontal level,
• wherein the map is generated by a method comprising:
• arranging the container handling vehicle in a predetermined position on the grid,
• lowering the device onto a predetermined grid cell so that rail contactors of a pair of pivoting arms, each pivoting around a central point of the arm on opposing sides of the device, resting in a track of a rail on opposite sides of the grid cell,
• measuring, on at least one of the sides of the device, the angle of the pivoting arm in relation to a horizontal level using a tilt sensor, and
• lifting the device from the rail system and transporting the device to a next destination.