Robotic service device and handling method
AssigneeOcado Innovation Limited
InventorsRobert STADIE, Andrew John INGRAM-TEDD
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.
Claims20
A service device for operation on a robotic picking system having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid and having robotic load handling devices thereon, the service device 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 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;
- releasable electrical connecting means configured to connect the service device to a robotic load handling device;
- and
- a power source for supplying power to a robotic load handling device via the electrical connecting means.
A method for operating a service device on a grid of a robot picking system, the service device having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid and having robotic load handling devices thereon, 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;
- releasable electrical connecting means configured to connect the service device to a robotic load handling device;
- and a power source for supplying power to a robotic load handling device via the electrical connecting means, the method comprising:
- i) connecting the service device to a load handling device;
- ii) supplying power to the load handling device to restart the load handling device;
- iii) disconnecting the service device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.