Vehicle gate arrangement with first and second shutters, system comprising the arrangement and method of operation

A vehicle gate arrangement for controlling passage of a vehicle between a first area (11) having a first rail system and a second area having a second rail system via a connecting rail system, wherein the vehicle gate arrangement comprises:

• a space for accommodating the vehicle;
• a first shutter for separating the space and the first area;
• a second shutter for separating the space and the second area;
• wherein both the first shutter and the second shutter are actuatable between:
• an open position which allows passage of the vehicle therethrough;
• and
• an obstructing position which restricts passage of the vehicle therethrough;
• and
• wherein the first shutter and the second shutter are coupled to each other for synchronous movement such that one shutter moves in one direction with respect to a first opening and the other shutter moves in an opposite direction with respect to a second opening, and wherein the first shutter and/or the second shutter is in the obstructing position at any time.

A method of moving a vehicle in need of service between a first area and a second area of a storage system comprising:

• a first area comprising a framework structure comprising upright members and a two-dimensional first rail system arranged across a top of framework structure, the first rail system comprises a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of vehicles in a first direction across the top of the frame structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the vehicles 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 first rail system into a plurality of access openings in the first rail system for allowing lifting and lowering of a storage container between a position above the first rail system and a position below the first rail system;
• a vehicle operable on the first rail system, wherein the vehicle comprises a first set of wheels for driving in the first direction and a second set of wheels for driving in the second direction;
• a second area comprising a second rail system;
• and
• a vehicle gate arrangement for controlling passage of the vehicle between the first area and the second area via a connecting rail system,
• wherein the vehicle gate arrangement comprises:
• a space for accommodating the vehicle;
• a first shutter for separating the space and the first area;
• and
• a second shutter for separating the space and the second area;
• wherein both the first shutter and the second shutter are each actuatable between:
• an open position which allows passage of the vehicle therethrough;
• and
• an obstructing position which restricts passage of the vehicle therethrough;
• and
• wherein the first shutter and the second shutter are coupled to each other for synchronous movement such that one shutter moves in one direction with respect to a first opening and the other shutter moves in an opposite direction with respect to a second opening, and wherein the first shutter and/or the second shutter is in the respective obstructing position at any time,
• wherein the method comprises:
• operating the control system to instruct the vehicle operating on the first area to drive to the first shutter of the vehicle gate arrangement;
• ensuring that the first shutter is in the open position such that the vehicle can enter the space of the vehicle gate arrangement;
• instructing the control system to open a lock which secures the second shutter in the obstructing position;
• operating the second shutter from the obstructing position to the open position and thus consequently operating the first shutter from the open position to the obstructing position;
• operating the control system to instruct the vehicle to drive from the space and into the second area;
• operating the second shutter from the open position to the obstructing position and thus consequently operating the first shutter from the obstructing position to the open position.