Automated storage and retrieval system with a dynamic storage section and a method of using same

An automated storage and retrieval system comprising:

• a rail system comprising a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the first set of parallel rails and the second set of parallel of rails form a grid in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent cells, wherein each of the cells comprises an access opening;
• and
• a storage section located beneath the rail system, wherein a first storage position in the storage section is accessible through a first access opening of the rail system and a second storage position in the storage section is accessible through a second access opening of the rail system, and wherein each of the first storage position and the second storage position is configured to receive a storage tower for storing goods holders;
• a storage tower, configured for movement in at least one of the first direction and the second direction, positioned at the first storage position;
• and
• a column void defined at the second storage position, the column void having a footprint corresponding to an area of at least one cell and corresponding to the absence of a storage tower at the second storage position;
• wherein the column void can be repositioned from the second storage position to the first storage position via movement of the storage tower from the first storage position to the second storage position, and
• wherein each of the first storage position and the second storage position comprise rails on which the storage tower can be positioned when located at the first storage position and the second storage position respectively, wherein the rails are configured to align the storage tower beneath the access openings of the rail system located above the first storage position and the second storage position respectively.

A method for storing and retrieving a goods holder using an automated storage and retrieval system, said automated storage and retrieval system comprising a rail system having a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the first set of parallel rails and the second set of parallel of rails form a grid in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent cells, wherein each of the cells comprises an access opening;

• a storage section located beneath the rail system, wherein a first storage position in the storage section is accessible through a first access opening of the rail system and a second storage position in the storage section is accessible through a second access opening of the rail system, and wherein each of the first storage position and the second storage position is configured to receive a storage tower for storing goods holders;
• a storage tower, configured for movement in at least one of the first direction and the second direction, positioned at the first storage position;
• a column void defined at the second storage position, the column void having a footprint corresponding to an area of at least one cell and corresponding to the absence of a storage tower at the second storage position;
• wherein the column void can be repositioned from the second storage position to the first storage position via movement of the storage tower from the first storage position to the second storage position, and wherein each of the first storage position and the second storage position comprises rails on which the storage tower can be positioned when located at the first storage position and the second storage position respectively, wherein the rails are configured to align the storage tower beneath the access openings of the rail system located above the first storage position and the second storage position respectively;
• wherein the method comprises:
• moving the storage tower in at least one of the first direction and the second direction to reposition the column void into vertical alignment with the first access opening;
• and
• delivering a goods holder via the first access opening.

A storage robot configured to provide buffer storage in an automated storage

• and retrieval system, the storage robot comprising:
• a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels which enable movement of the storage robot on a rail system of the storage and retrieval system in a first direction and a second direction respectively;
• one or more motors configured to provide torque to the first set of wheels and the second set of wheels;
• and
• a support element configured to support a stack of storage containers;
• wherein the storage robot enables a storage container to be presented to a container handling vehicle operating on the rail system, such that the container handling vehicle can access and remove the presented storage container.