Container accessing station with lifting device
AssigneeAutostore Technology AS
InventorsTrond Austrheim, Ragnar Stuhaug
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Abstract
A container accessing station is disclosed for use in an automated storage and retrieval grid. The station includes an access opening to allow human or robotic access to the contents of a storage container, a base opening, and a lifting device. The lifting device is configured to retrieve the storage container from a first level below the base opening, lift it through the base opening, and position it at a second level for access via the access opening. The lifting device comprises a lifting frame for releasable connection to the storage container and a lift mechanism designed to move the lifting frame between the first and second levels.
Claims20
A container accessing station for accessing a storage container of an automated storage and retrieval grid, the container accessing station comprising:
- an access opening configured to allow access to the storage container;
- a base opening;
- and
- a lifting device arranged to retrieve the storage container from a first level beneath the base opening and lift it through the base opening to a second level;
- wherein the lifting device comprises a lifting frame for releasable connection to the storage container and a lift mechanism arranged to move the lifting frame from the first level to the second level.
A method for accessing a storage container of an automated storage and retrieval grid via an access opening, the method comprising:
- releasably connecting a lifting device to the storage container using a lifting frame;
- and
- moving the lifting frame from a first level beneath a base opening to a second level, wherein the storage container is lifted through the base opening to the second level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.