An automated storage and retrieval system with logically operable barriers for safe enter and exit into a transport vehicle, and an associated method

An automated storage and retrieval system comprising:

• a rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails extending in a first direction across a top of a frame structure formed by a plurality of upright members, and a second set of parallel rails in a horizontal plane arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first set of parallel rails, to guide movement of container handling vehicles in the first direction and the second direction, and wherein the rail system comprises an operating area;
• a plurality of container handling vehicles operating on the rails in the operating area;
• a transport vehicle movable on the rail system, the transport vehicle comprising an enclosure defining an enclosed first area for transporting a person within, the enclosure comprising a lockable barrier configured to provide access for a person into the first area;
• a control system comprising a transmitter and a receiver for communication with the container handling vehicles and the transport vehicle;
• wherein the transport vehicle comprises a receiver and is configured to receive routing instructions from the control system;
• a second area, partitioned from the operating area and comprising a lockable barrier configured to provide access for a person into the second area from the first area;
• wherein, when the transport vehicle is within the operating area, the lockable barrier for the enclosure and the lockable barrier for the second area are configured to:
• unlock when the transport vehicle is at a personnel transfer position;
• and
• lock when the transport vehicle is not at the personnel transfer position.

A method of unlocking a lockable barrier of a transport vehicle and a lockable barrier in a second area in an automated storage and retrieval system by using a control system, the transport vehicle comprising a vehicle drive for self-movement and a wheel lift mechanism for changing movement direction and an enclosure which defines an enclosed first area for transporting a person within, the enclosure comprising a lockable barrier configured to provide access for a person into the first area, wherein the second area is partitioned from an operating area and comprises a lockable barrier configured to provide access for a person into the second area from the first area, the automated storage and retrieval system comprising a grid-based rail system and the method comprises the steps of using the control system to:

• position the transport vehicle at a personnel transfer position;
• confirm that the transport vehicle is at the personnel transfer position, and reposition the transport vehicle if the transport vehicle is not at the personnel transfer position;
• set the vehicle drive to inhibited mode;
• set the wheel lift mechanism to inhibited mode;
• request to unlock the lockable barrier of the transport vehicle and change a state of the lockable barrier to unlocked;
• request to unlock the lockable barrier of the second area and change the state of lockable barrier to unlocked.

A method of locking a lockable barrier of a transport vehicle and a lockable barrier in a second area in an automated storage and retrieval system by using a control system, the transport vehicle comprising a vehicle drive for self-movement and a wheel lift mechanism for changing movement direction and an enclosure which defines an enclosed first area for transporting a person within, the enclosure comprising a lockable barrier configured to provide access for a person into the first area, wherein the second area is partitioned from an operating area and comprises a lockable barrier configured to provide access for a person into the second area from the first area, the automated storage and retrieval system comprising a grid-based rail system and the method comprises the steps of using the control system to:

• request to move the transport vehicle from a personnel transfer position next to the second area;
• confirm that the lockable barrier of the transport vehicle is locked, and if the lockable barrier is not locked, abort and wait for confirmation that the lockable barrier is locked;
• confirm that the lockable barrier of the second area is locked, and if the lockable barrier is not locked, abort and wait for confirmation that the lockable barrier is locked;
• set the wheel lift mechanism to operation mode;
• set the vehicle drive to operation mode;
• and
• move away from the personnel transfer position.