The present invention relates to the field container handling vehicles for automated storage and retrieval systems and to automated storage and retrieval systems comprising such container handling vehicles.

Background

The Applicant's already known AutoStore system is a storage system comprising a three-dimensional storage grid structure wherein storage containers/containers are stacked on top of each other to a certain height. Such a prior art system is shown in fig. 1. The storage system is disclosed in detail in for instance N0317366 and WO 2014/090684 Al .

Fig. 1 discloses a framework structure of a typical prior art automated storage and retrieval system 1 and figures 2a and 2b disclose known container handling vehicles of such a system.

The framework structure comprises a plurality of upright members/profiles 2 and a plurality of horizontal members 3, which are supported by the upright members 2. The members 2, 3 may typically be made of metal, e.g. extruded aluminium profiles.

The framework structure defines a storage grid 4 comprising multiple grid opening/ columns 12 arranged in rows. A majority of the grid columns 12 are storage columns 5 in which storage containers 6, also known as containers or bins, are stacked one on top of another to form stacks 7. Each storage container 6 (or container for short) may typically hold a plurality of product items (not shown), and the product items within a storage container 6 may be identical, or may be of different product types depending on the application. The framework structure guards against horizontal movement of the stacks 7 of storage containers 6, and guides vertical movement of the containers 6, but does normally not otherwise support the storage containers 6 when stacked.

The upper horizontal members 3 comprise a rail system 8 arranged in a grid pattern across the top of the grid columns 12, on which rail system 8 a plurality of container handling vehicles 9 are operated to raise storage containers 6 from and lower storage containers 6 into the storage columns 5, and also to transport the storage containers 6 above the storage columns 5. The rail system 8 comprises a first set of parallel rails 10 arranged to guide movement of the container handling vehicles 9 in a first direction X across the top of the frame structure, and a second set of parallel rails 11 arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails 10 to guide movement of the container handling vehicles 9 in a second direction Y, which is perpendicular to the first direction X, see fig. 3. In this way, the rail system 8 defines an upper end of the storage columns 5, above which the container handling vehicles 9 can move laterally above the storage columns 5, i.e. in a plane, which is parallel to the horizontal X-Y plane.

Each container handling vehicle 9 comprises a vehicle body 13 and first and second sets of wheels 22, 23 which enable the lateral movement of the container handling vehicle 9, i.e. the movement in the X and Y directions. In fig. 2, two wheels in each set are visible. The first set of wheels 22 is arranged to engage with two adjacent rails of the first set 10 of rails, and the second set of wheels 23 arranged to engage with two adjacent rails of the second set 11 of rails. One of the set of wheels 22, 23 can be lifted and lowered, so that the first set of wheels 22 and/or the second set of wheels 23 can be engaged with their respective set of rails 10, 11 at any one time.

Each container handling vehicle 9 also comprises a lifting device 18 (not shown in fig. 1 and 2a, but visible in fig. 2b) for vertical transportation of storage containers 6, e.g. raising a storage container 6 from and lowering a storage container 6 into a storage column 5. The lifting device 18 comprises a lifting frame (not shown in fig. 2a, but similar to the one shown in fig. 2b labelled 17) which is adapted to engage a storage container 6, which lifting frame can be lowered from the vehicle body 13 so that the position of the lifting frame with respect to the vehicle body 13 can be adjusted in a third direction Z, which is orthogonal the first direction X and the second direction Y.

Conventionally, and for the purpose of this application, Z=l identifies the uppermost layer of the grid 4, i.e. the layer immediately below the rail system 8 (in the present application, the rail system 8 is termed the top level of the grid), Z=2 is the second layer below the rail system 8, Z=3 is the third layer etc. In the

embodiment disclosed in Fig. 1, Z=8 identifies the lowermost, bottom layer of the grid 4. Consequently, as an example and using the Cartesian coordinate system X,

Y, Z indicated in Fig. 1, the storage container identified as 6’ in Fig. 1 can be said to occupy grid location or cell X=l0, Y=2, Z=3. The container handling vehicles 9 can be said to travel in layer Z=0 and each grid column 12 can be identified by its X and Y coordinates.

Each container handling vehicle 9 comprises a storage compartment or space for receiving and stowing a storage container 6 when transporting the storage container 6 across the grid 4. The storage space may comprise a cavity 21 arranged centrally within the vehicle body 13, e.g. as is described in W02014/090684A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Alternatively, the container handling vehicles may have a cantilever construction, as is described in N0317366, the contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference. The single cell container handling vehicles 9 may have a footprint F, i.e. a horizontal periphery in the X and Y directions (see fig. 4), which is generally equal to the lateral or horizontal extent of a grid column 12, i.e. the

periphery/circumference of a grid column 12 in the X and Y directions, e.g. as described in WO2015/193278A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the container handling vehicles 9 may have a footprint which is larger than the lateral extent of a grid column 12, e.g. as disclosed in W02014/090684A1.

The rail system 8 may be a single-track system, as shown in fig. 3. Preferably, the rail system 8 is a double-track system, as shown in fig. 4, thus allowing a container handling vehicle 9 having a footprint F generally corresponding to a lateral extent of a grid column 12 to travel along a row of grid columns in either an X or Y direction even if another container handling vehicle 9 is positioned above a grid column 12 adjacent to that row.

In a storage grid, a majority of the grid columns 12 are storage columns 5, i.e. grid columns where storage containers are stored in stacks. However, a grid normally has at least one grid column 12 which is used not for storing storage containers, but which comprises a location where the container handling vehicles can drop off and/or pick up storage containers so that they can be transported to an access station where the storage containers 6 can be accessed from outside of the grid or transferred out of or into the grid, i.e. a container handling station. Within the art, such a location is normally referred to as a“port” and the grid column in which the port is located may be referred to as a port column.

The grid 4 in fig. 1 comprises two port columns 19 and 20. The first port column 19 may for example be a dedicated drop-off port column where the container handling vehicles 9 can drop off storage containers to be transported to an access or a transfer station (not shown), and the second port 20 column may be a dedicated pick-up port column where the container handling vehicles 9 can pick up storage containers that have been transported to the grid 4 from an access or a transfer station.

When a storage container 6 stored in the grid 4 disclosed in fig. 1 is to be accessed, one of the container handling vehicles 9 is instructed to retrieve the target storage container from its position in the grid 4 and transport it to the drop-off port 19. This operation involves moving the container handling vehicle 9 to a grid location above the storage column 5 in which the target storage container is positioned, retrieving the storage container 6 from the storage column 5 using the container handling vehicle’s lifting device (not shown, being internally arranged in a central cavity of the vehicle, but similar to the lifting device 18 of the second prior art vehicle of fig. 2b), and transporting the storage container to the drop-off port 19. A second prior art vehicle 9 is shown in fig. 2b to better illustrate the general design of the lifting device. Details of the second vehicle 9 are described in the Norwegian patent N0317366. The lifting devices 18 of both prior art vehicles 9 comprise a set of lifting bands connected close to the corners of a lifting frame 17 (may also be termed a gripping device) for releasable connection to a storage container. To raise or lower the lifting frame 17 (and optionally a connected storage container 6), the lifting bands are spooled on/off at least one rotating lifting shaft or drum (not shown) arranged in the container handling vehicle. Various designs of the at least one lifting shaft are described in for instance WO2015/193278 Al and

PCT/EP2017/050195. The lifting frame 17 features container connecting elements for releasably connecting to a storage container, and guiding pins. If the target storage container is located deep within a stack 7, i.e. with one or a plurality of other storage containers positioned above the target storage container, the operation also involves temporarily moving the above-positioned storage containers prior to lifting the target storage container from the storage column. This step, which is sometimes referred to as“digging” within the art, may be performed with the same container handling vehicle that is subsequently used for transporting the target storage container to the drop-off port 19, or with one or a plurality of other cooperating container handling vehicles. Alternatively, or in addition, the automated storage and retrieval system may have container handling vehicles specifically dedicated to the task of temporarily removing storage containers from a storage column. Once the target storage container has been removed from the storage column, the temporarily removed storage containers can be repositioned into the original storage column. However, the removed storage containers may alternatively be relocated to other storage columns.

When a storage container 6 is to be stored in the grid 4, one of the container handling vehicles 9 is instructed to pick up the storage container from the pick-up port 20 and transport it to a grid location above the storage column 5 where it is to be stored. After any storage containers positioned at or above the target position within the storage column stack have been removed, the container handling vehicle 9 positions the storage container at the desired position. The removed storage containers may then be lowered back into the storage column, or relocated to other storage columns.

For monitoring and controlling the automated storage and retrieval system, e.g. monitoring and controlling the location of respective storage containers within the grid 4, the content of each storage container 6 and the movement of the container handling vehicles 9 so that a desired storage container can be delivered to the desired location at the desired time without the container handling vehicles 9 colliding with each other, the automated storage and retrieval system comprises a control system, which typically is computerised and comprises a database for keeping track of the storage containers. The prior art solutions include both so-called cantilever robots and single cell robots. The cantilever robots may have available space for larger motors, however the robots may be more unstable than their single cell counterparts. Thus, larger motors with increased acceleration could result in the robots tilting excessively. Some embodiments of the single cell robots have wheel hub motors of an in- wheel- motor configuration. The in- wheel configuration allows the wheel hub motor to fit inside the wheel and vehicle body so as not to occupy space within the cavity for receiving storage containers. Thus, the prior art single cell robots do not have any available space for larger hub motors without impinging on the storage container space inside the robot.

Consequently, the prior art solutions may have potential drawbacks in relation to stability of the robots and or limited space for larger, more powerful wheel motors, in particular for single cell robots, where motors can be of the so called in -wheel- motor configuration in order to be as small as possible to fit in the wheel and vehicle body while not occupying the cavity for receiving storage containers.

In view of the above, it is desirable to provide a container handling vehicle, an automated storage and retrieval system comprising said container handling vehicle, that solve or at least mitigate one or more of the aforementioned problems related to the robots.

In particular, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a robot with improved acceleration and/or speed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a robot having a lifting device with improved acceleration, lifting capacity and/or speed.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is defined in the attached claims and in the following .

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a container handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system, comprising

a first set of wheels arranged at opposite portions of a vehicle body of the container handling vehicle, for moving the vehicle along a first direction on a rail system of the grid; and

a second set of wheels arranged at opposite portions of the vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a second direction on the rail system of the grid, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein the vehicle body comprises walls (the walls being substantially vertical) on all sides forming a footprint defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the vehicle body, and the container handling vehicle further comprises:

a first section and a second section arranged side-by-side such that a centre point of a footprint of the first section is arranged off centre relative a centre point of the footprint FV of the vehicle body, and wherein a size ratio of the footprint Fl of the first section relative a footprint F2 of the second section is at least 2: 1, and wherein the first section is configured to accommodate a storage container, the second section comprises an assembly of motors for driving at least one wheel of each of the sets of wheels.

The invention according to the first aspect may also be defined as a container handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system, comprising

a first set of wheels arranged at opposite portions of a vehicle body of the container handling vehicle, for moving the vehicle along a first direction on a rail system of the grid; and

a second set of wheels arranged at opposite portions of the vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a second direction on the rail system of the grid, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein

the vehicle body comprises walls (the walls being substantially vertical) on all sides forming a footprint defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the vehicle body, and the container handling vehicle further comprises:

a first section and a second section arranged side-by-side such that a centre point of a footprint of the first section is arranged off centre relative a centre point of the footprint FV of the vehicle body, and wherein a size ratio of the footprint Fl of the first section relative a footprint F2 of the second section is at least 2: 1, and wherein the first section is configured to accommodate a storage container, the second section comprises any of multiple hub motors for driving two wheels of each of the set of wheels, a motor for driving a lifting device and/or rechargeable batteries.

In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the first section comprises a cavity for accommodating a storage container, and a lifting device arranged at a top section/upper level of the cavity. In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the first set of wheels is displaceable in a vertical direction between a first position, wherein the first set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle along the first direction, and a second position, wherein the second set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle along the second direction.

In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the assembly of motors comprises at least one first motor for driving the first set of wheels and at least one second motor for driving the second set of wheels.

In an embodiment, the container handling vehicle comprises a lifting device for picking up storage containers from the three-dimensional grid and the assembly of motors comprises a lifting device motor connected to the lifting device.

In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the first section accommodates a first, second, third and fourth wheel of the first set of wheels and a first and second wheel of the second set of wheels, and the second section accommodates a third and fourth wheel of the second set of wheels.

In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the first section accommodates a first and third wheel of the first set of wheels and a first and second wheel of the second set of wheels, and the second section accommodates a second and a fourth wheel of the first set of wheels and a third and a fourth wheel of the second set of wheels.

In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the first section comprises four corners, and the rims of the first, second, third and fourth wheels of the first set of wheels and the first and second wheels of the second set of wheels are arranged at the corners of the first section.

In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the at least one first motor comprises a hub motor for each of the first and fourth wheel of the first set of wheels, and the at least one second motor comprises a hub motor for each of the third and fourth wheel in the second set of wheels. In other words, each of the first and fourth wheel of the first set of wheels, and each of the third and fourth wheel in the second set of wheels, is driven by a separate/dedicated hub motor.

In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the first and second sets of wheels are arranged at or within a lateral extent of the vehicle body.

In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the footprint of the first section corresponds to a grid cell of the rail system, and wherein, during use, when the container handling vehicle is in a position to lift or lower a storage container, the second section is horizontally displaced relative the grid cell and extends partly into a neighbouring grid cell.

In an embodiment of the container handling vehicle, the assembly of motors comprises multiple hub motors and each of the first and fourth wheel of the first set of wheels, and the third and fourth wheel of the second set of wheels, comprises a separate hub motor. Preferably, the hub motors of the first and fourth wheel of the first set of wheels, and the third and fourth wheel of the second set of wheels, extend into the second section.

In second aspect, the present invention provides an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a three-dimensional grid and at least one container handling vehicle, the grid comprises a rail system, on which the container handling vehicle may move, and a plurality of stacks of storage containers;

- the rail system comprises a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each grid cell comprising a grid opening defined by a pair of opposed tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of opposed tracks of the second set of tracks; the plurality of stacks of storage containers are arranged in storage columns located beneath the rail system, wherein each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening; the container handling vehicle features a vehicle body comprising substantially vertical walls on all sides forming a footprint defined by horizontal peripheries in the X and Y directions of the vehicle body, and a first section and a second section arranged side-by-side;

- the first section is configured to accommodate a storage container; and

- the second section comprises at least an assembly of motors for driving at least one wheel of each of the sets of wheels, wherein a footprint of the first section is substantially equal to a grid cell defined by a cross-sectional area, including width of the tracks, between a pair of opposed tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of opposed tracks of the second set of tracks, and the second section extends partially into a neighbouring grid opening when the first section is positioned over an adjacent grid opening. In an embodiment of the automated storage and retrieval system, an extent of the footprint of the container handling vehicle in the X direction, LX, and Y direction, LY, is:

- LX = 1.0 grid cell in the X direction, and

1 < LY < 1.5 grid cells in the Y direction,

wherein a grid cell is defined as the cross-sectional area, including width of the tracks, between the midpoint of two rails running in the X direction and the midpoint of two rails running in the Y direction.

In an embodiment of the automated storage and retrieval system, the second section extends less than 50 % into the neighboring grid opening.

In an embodiment of the automated storage and retrieval system, the container handling vehicle is a container handling vehicle according to any embodiment of the first aspect.

As indicated above, the container handling vehicle has a first and second section. The footprint of the first section can be equal to the size of an underlying grid cell, and the second section is a protruding section which extends horizontally beyond the footprint of the first section.

A grid cell opening may be defined as the open cross-sectional area between two opposed rails running in the X direction and two opposed rails running in the Y direction.

The footprint of the second section is less than half the size the footprint of the first section (size ratio less than 1:2 relative the first section). When the container handling vehicle is positioned above a grid cell in a position where it can lift or lower a storage container into or out of the first section, the second section extends into a neighboring grid cell. However, the footprint of the vehicle body is less than 1.5 cells (in the Y-direction) and maximum one grid cell wide in the other direction

(X-direction). In other words, the lateral extent of the container handling vehicle in the first direction corresponds to the lateral extent of the tracks in one cell, and maximum 1.5 grid cells in the direction perpendicular to the first direction. Consequently, in an example system for storing and retrieving storage containers, where two of the container handling vehicles described above are operated and are oriented in opposite directions, they occupy three grid cells when travelling in the first direction e.g. in the X-direction, whereas when travelling in the second direction e.g. in the Y-direction, they can travel along neighboring rows of grid cells occupying two grid cells. The first section of the container handling vehicle may comprise a cavity for accommodating a storage container and a lifting device arranged to transport a storage container vertically between a storage position in a stack and a transport position inside the cavity. The lifting device may comprise a gripping device being configured to releasably grip a storage container; and a lifting motor being configured to raise and lower the gripping device relative to the cavity.

The second section, makes it possible to utilize larger and stronger hub motors for driving at least some of the wheels than what is possible in the prior art single cell robots.

Hub motors arranged in the second section (or extending into the second section) are arranged with a limited distance between them. Due to the smaller distance between the motors, fewer, e.g. one BrushLess Direct Current (BLDC) card, may be required instead of four BLDC cards in the prior art single cell robots. In the prior art solutions, the distance between the motors driving the wheels in the container handling vehicle is of such an extent that typically four BLDC cards are required. The cost of BLDC cards is quite high. However, as the distance between the motors can be substantially reduced by arranging the motors in the second section, the overall cost for the container handling vehicle can be reduced because fewer BLDC cards (e.g. only one BLDC card) is required.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the container handling vehicle comprises an exchangeable battery. The exchangeable battery can be arranged in an upper portion of the vehicle, above the container storage compartment and lifting device. The exchange sequence of the exchangeable battery may include the following steps:

the vehicle or overall control system decides that the battery shall be replaced,

the vehicle is operated to move to a battery exchange station, the exchangeable battery is removed from a battery housing,

the vehicle is operated to move to a battery exchange station having a charged battery using e.g. a capacitor power supply arranged in a controller box in the vehicle,

the charged battery is installed into the battery housing,

the vehicle is ready for use.

In the following, numerous specific details are introduced by way of example only to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will recognize that these embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other components, systems, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown, or are not described in detail, to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed embodiments.

In the present disclosure relative terms such as upper, lower, lateral, vertical, X- direction, Y-direction, Z-direction, etc., shall be interpreted using the above mentioned prior art storage system (fig. 1) as a reference system. Therefore, the feature lateral in relation to the extent in the X-direction and Y -direction of the vehicle shall be understood to be the extent of the vehicle in the X-direction and Y- direction, e.g. the footprint of the vehicle in the X-direction and Y-direction.

Short description of the drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of a prior art storage and retrieval system;

Fig. 2 A and 2B depict two different prior art container handling vehicles and Fig. 2C shows the prior art container handling vehicle of Fig. 2B in a second configuration;

Figs. 3 and 4A are top schematic views of two types of rail systems for use in the storage system in fig. 1;

Fig. 4B and 4C are top views of a rail system similar to Fig. 4A illustrating the extent of a grid cell and the extent of a single cell vehicle operating on it;

Fig. 5A is an expanded perspective side view of parts of an exemplary lifting device which can be mounted in a container handling vehicle and an associated container which can be lifted by it;

Figs. 5B, 5C, 5D show the footprints of an exemplary container handling vehicle FV, the first section Fl and the second section F2, where the footprints in each case are shown by the shaded area, respectively;

Fig. 6A is an angled side view from above of a container handling vehicle;

Fig. 6B is a top view of the container handling vehicle of Fig. 6A and illustrates the extent in the X- and Y- directions of the container handling vehicle on a rail system; Fig. 7 is a top view of three such container handling vehicles passing each other and operating on a rail system;

Fig. 8 A is a perspective view from below of an interior of the container handling vehicle with the lifting device in an upper position inside a first section;

Fig. 8B is a perspective view from below of an interior of the container handling vehicle with some details omitted and the lifting device in a lower position having been lowered from a first section;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the container handling vehicle of Fig. 8A with two batteries visible in a second section;

Fig. 10A is a perspective side view of the container handling vehicle of Fig. 8A with certain details omitted including the covers which have been removed to reveal internal details, for example, an exchangeable battery arranged inside a battery receiving unit in an upper portion of the container handling vehicle;

Fig. 10B is another perspective view of the container handling vehicle of Fig. 10A, where an assembly of motors including a lifting device motor can be seen in the second section;

Fig. 10C is perspective view of an alternative container handling vehicle of Fig. 10B, where a lifting device motor and angled transmission (angled gear) can be seen in the second section;

Figs. 10D and 10E are different views of an alternative container handling vehicle of Fig. 10C, where the lifting device motor and angle gear are rotated 90 degrees relative the lifting device motor and angled transmission of Fig. 10C;

Figs. 10F and 10G are perspective views of an alternative container handling vehicle of Fig. 10B, where a lifting device motor and hollow shaft gear can be seen in the second section;

Fig 10H is an exploded view of a hollow shaft gear used to connect the lifting device motor and the lifting axle;

Fig. 11A is a side perspective view of two container handling vehicles passing each other in the X direction of a rail system;

Fig. 11B is a top perspective view of Fig. 11A; Fig. 11C is another side view of Fig. 11 A, showing a gap between the two container handling vehicles passing each other in the X direction of the rail system;

Fig. 11D shows a perspective view from below of the container handling vehicles;

Figs. l la-C show differences in the center of gravity of the storage containers inside the storage container cavity relative the center of the footprint of the vehicle body, where Fig. l la illustrates a prior art single cell robot, Fig. l lb is a prior art central cavity robot, and Fig. 12C shows a container handling vehicle according to the present invention;

Figs. 13A-C show differences in imaginary lines extending between each of two pairs of opposed wheels of the same sets of wheels, and which of said lines which intersect or not intersect imaginary lines between other wheels, where Fig. 13A illustrates a prior art single cell robot, Fig. 13B is a prior art central cavity robot, and Fig. 13C shows a container handling vehicle according to the present invention.

In the drawings, like reference numbers have been used to indicate like parts, elements or features unless otherwise explicitly stated or implicitly understood from the context.

Detailed description of the invention

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be discussed in more detail by way of example only and with reference to the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to limit the invention to the subject-matter depicted in the drawings and that features described in one drawing are not necessarily dependent on the presence of other features shown in the same drawing but can be combined with features from embodiments of other drawings.

Referring to Figs. 3 to 4C, top views of two different rail systems of the automated storage and retrieval systems are shown.

The rail system forms a grid structure or grid pattern in the horizontal plane P. , see fig. 1. The grid 4 comprises a plurality of rectangular and uniform grid locations or grid cells 14 (see Fig. 4B), where each grid cell 14 comprises a grid opening 15 (i.e. the upper end of a storage column 12) which is delimited by a pair of opposed rails lOa, lOb of a first set of tracks and a pair of opposed rails l la, l lb of a second set of tracks. The rails l0a,l0b,l la,l lb form a rail system 8 on which the container handling vehicle(s) 9’ operate. In Fig. 4B, the grid cell 14 is indicated by a dashed box and the grid opening 15 is indicated by a hatched area.

Consequently, pairs of opposed rails lOa and lOb define parallel rows of grid cells running in the X direction, and pairs of opposed rails l la and l lb extending perpendicular to rails lOa and lOb define parallel rows of grid cells running in the Y direction.

Each grid cell 14 has a width W _c which is typically within the interval of 30 to 150 cm, and a length L _c which is typically within the interval of 50 to 200 cm. Each grid cell 14 may be rectangular as shown such that W _C <L _C . Each grid opening 15 has a width W _o and a length L ₀ which is typically 2 to 10 cm less than the width W _c , and the length L _c , respectively, of the grid cell 14. This difference between W _c and W ₀ and between L _c and L ₀ corresponds to the width (i.e. the width of a set of tracks) of two opposed rails l0a,l0b,l la,l lb or, in effect, the width of a double-track rail since the grid cell extends to the midpoint of such a double -track rail (i.e. a double track rail comprising lOa and lOb or l la and l lb).

The double-track rail may be profiled to provide two parallel channels for the wheels of the container handling vehicle to run in.

Fig. 3 shows a prior art rail system featuring single-track rails 10, 11. When such a rail system is used, two container-handling vehicles are not allowed to pass each other at adjacent grid cells 14.

Where a single-track rail is used in one of the directions, then the boundary of the grid cell extends to the side of the track on the opposite side of the grid opening to the one being worked (neighboring grid cells will overlap by this track width in a similar way).

The rail system shown in Figs. 4B and 4C, features horizontal double-track rails. Consequently, each rail is capable of accommodating two wheels in parallel. In such a rail system, the borders between neighboring grid cells 14 run along the centre line of the horizontal rails, as is indicated in Fig. 4B.

In Fig. 4C, grid cell 14, in the middle of the section of the illustrated grid system, comprises a grid opening/grid cell opening 15. To the left (West) of grid cell 14, there is an adjacent grid cell 14W comprising a grid opening 15W. Fikewise, to the right (East) of grid cell 14, there is an adjacent grid cell 14E comprising a grid opening 15E. Also, below grid cell 14 (South), there is an adjacent grid cell 14S comprising a grid opening 15S, and above grid cell 14 (North), there is an adjacent grid cell 14N comprising a grid opening 15N. In Fig. 4C, a footprint 30 of a prior art container handling vehicle is schematically illustrated. In this embodiment the footprint 30 is defined by the horizontal extent of the wheels of the vehicle. As is evident from the figure, the footprint 30 has a horizontal extent which is less than the horizontal extent of a grid cell.

Fig. 5 A is a perspective side view of parts of a lifting device 18 which can be mounted in a container handling vehicle and a container 6 to be lifted by the lifting device. The lifting device comprises a lifting frame 17, which is commonly connected to at least one rotatable lifting shaft via lifting bands, the lifting shaft arranged at an upper level within a cavity of the container handling vehicle.

Fig. 5B shows the footprint, i.e. the dashed area in the Figure denoted FV, of an exemplary container handling vehicle 9’according to the invention. The footprint FV is equal to the lateral extent of the container handling vehicle 9’ in both directions. The container handling vehicle 9’ consists of a first section 204 and a second section 205.

Fig. 5C shows the footprint of the first section 204, i.e. the dashed area in the Figure denoted Fl. In the disclosed embodiment, the first section comprises a cavity for accommodating a storage bin 6 and a lifting device 18 as shown in Fig. 5 A.

Fig. 5D shows the footprint of the second section 205, i.e. the dashed area in the Figure denoted F2.

Fig. 6 A is a perspective side view from above of a container handling vehicle 9’.

The container handling vehicle 9’ operates on a rail system 8, and is configured to move laterally in the X and Y directions indicated in the Figure. The X direction is perpendicular to the Y direction.

The vehicle 9’ comprises a first set of wheels (not shown, see Fig. 8 A) arranged at opposite portions of a vehicle body 13, for moving the vehicle 9’ along a first direction X on a rail system 8 of a storage system 1, and a second set of wheels (only two of the wheels of the second set of wheels are shown, 202”, 202””) arranged at opposite portions of the vehicle body 13, for moving the vehicle 9’ along a second direction Y on the rail system 8. The second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X. The first set of wheels is displaceable in a vertical direction Z between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle 9’ along the first direction X, and in the second position, the second set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle 9’ along the second direction Y. Structural details of suitable assemblies for providing displaceable sets of wheels are disclosed in for instance

WO2015/193278 Al and WO2017/153583, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. Fig. 6B is a top view of a container handling vehicle 9’ of Fig. 6A and illustrates the extent in the X- and Y directions (LX and LY) of the container handling vehicle 9’ on a rail system 8. The line C indicates a center line of the grid cell 14 and grid cell opening 15 in the Y direction. The footprint of the container handling vehicle 9’ in the X direction (LX) is substantially equal to the dimension of the grid cell 14 in the X direction and the footprint of the container handling vehicle 9’ in the Y direction (line LY) is larger than the dimension of the grid cell 14 in the Y direction such that part of the vehicle body extends into a neighboring cell (in the

embodiment shown, this is a neighbouring cell to the left of the cell being worked). This extension of the vehicle body into the neighboring cell is of a size less than half the lateral extent in the Y direction of the grid cell opening in the neighboring cell, meaning that the length LY is more than 1.0 grid cell but less than 1.5 grid cells 14 in the Y direction (1.0 < LY < 1.5 grid cells).

When operating on a rail system 8 as shown in Fig. 6B with rectangular grid cells 14, the footprint of the container handling vehicle 9’ is substantially square because the extent of the grid cell 14 is longer in the X direction than in the Y direction and the container handling vehicle occupies more than one grid cell 14 in the Y direction and only one grid cell 14 in the X direction. A substantially square footprint has the advantage that the overall stability of vehicle 9’ is improved compared to prior art solutions displaying a more rectangular footprint often in combination with a relatively high center of gravity. Fig. 7 is a top view of three similar container handling vehicles 9’ oriented in the same direction, passing each other and operating on a rail system 8 featuring dual- track rails as discussed above. As shown in the Figure, the container handling vehicles 9’ have a footprint corresponding to the dimension of the grid cell 14 in the X direction allowing other container handling vehicles 9’ travelling in the Y direction, to pass in neighboring cells (the container handling vehicles 9’ occupying two rows of the rail system 8 as they pass by each other) on both sides of the vehicle 9’. However, because the size of the overlap into the neighboring cell is less than half the lateral extent of the grid cell in the Y direction, similar container handling vehicles 9’ travelling in the X direction can pass each other occupying three rows.

The presence of the second section 205, makes it possible to utilize larger and stronger motors 203, see fig. 8 A, for driving the wheels than in the prior art single cell robot shown in fig. 2A, while at the same time keeping many of the advantages of such a robot. As disclosed in Fig. 8A, the first section 204 accommodates a first 20 , second 201”, third 201’” and fourth 201”” wheel of the first set of wheels and a first 202’ and second 202” wheel of the second set of wheels, and the second section accommodates a third 202’” and fourth 202”” wheel of the second set of wheels. This particular wheel arrangement is highly advantageous as it allows for the use of more powerful wheel hub motors 203 for driving the second 201” and the fourth 201”” wheel of the first set of wheels as well as the third 202’” fourth 202”” wheel of the second set of wheels.

Alternatively, the second 201” and fourth 201”” wheel of the first set of wheels can be accommodated in the second section (not shown) provided the hub motors of said wheels are also arranged in the second section. To improve stability of the vehicle 9’, the rim of the wheels 201’, 201’”, 202’, 202”, 202’”, 202”” are preferably arranged at the corners of the vehicle 9’.

All of the wheels 201’, 201”, 201’”, 201””, 202’, 202”, 202’”, 202”” are preferably arranged inside the lateral extent LX, LY in the X and Y directions of the vehicle body 13 (see also description in relation to Fig. 9).

The first section 204 and the second section 205 may be fully separated by a physical barrier at the intersection between the first and second sections 204, 205, such as a wall or plate or similar. Alternatively, the first and second sections 204, 205 may be partly separated at the intersection between the first and second section 204, 205, for example by providing a barrier over parts of the intersection.

In Fig. 8A, the first and second section is separated by a wheel connecting element 212 (i.e. a connection plate or beam) to which the second 201” and the fourth 201”” wheel of the first set of wheels and their respective hub motors 203 are connected... The wheel connecting element 212 is part of a wheel displacement assembly 214, such that the the second 201” and the fourth 201”” wheel of the first set of wheels (together with the the first 201’ and the third 201” wheel of the first set of wheels) may be moved in a vertical direction.

In the disclosed embodiment, the the second 201” and the fourth 201”” wheels are accommodated in the first section 204, while the hub motors 203 extend into the second section. In an alternative embodiment, both the second 201” and the fourth 201”” wheels, as well as the hub motors, may be accommodated in the second section 205.

It is noted that having the second 201” and the fourth 201”” wheel of the first set of wheels, as well as the third 202’” fourth 202”” wheel of the second set of wheels, arranged such that their hub motors 203 extend/protrude into the second section 205 allows for the use of more powerful motors than would be the case if the hub motors were arranged such that they would extend into the first section 204. The remaining wheels, i.e. the wheels not featuring a hub motor extending into the second section, may either be passive or motorized, for instance motorized by in wheel hub motors as disclosed in WO 2016/120075 Al.

Fig. 8B is a perspective view from below of an interior of the container handling vehicle 9’ showing the lifting frame 17 of the lifting device 18 in a lower position extending downwardly from the first section 204. The lifting device 18 may have similar features as the lifting device described in relation to Figs. 2A and 2B.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a container handling vehicle with hub motors 203 and two batteries 213’, 213” arranged in the second section 205. As is clear from e.g. Fig. 9, the exterior facing side of the wheels may in one aspect be arranged such that they are not extending outside the vehicle body 13 (indicated by the dotted lines on each side of the vehicle 9’ in Fig. 9). For example, the exterior facing sides of the wheels in the lateral X and Y directions may be flush with the vehicle body 13. Although not shown in Fig. 9 (but in Figs. 8A and 8B + 6B), the same applies to the wheels in the opposite direction (X), i.e. those wheels may also be arranged such that they are not extending outside the vehicle body 13.

The vehicle body 13 includes any of the following elements, even if all are present or if some are missing, such as body frame, side cover panels or plates, wheel suspensions, housing for track sensors between the wheels etc. A rotating exterior surface of the wheels may thus be arranged in the same vertical plane as one of the walls in the vehicle body 13. Alternatively, the wheels may be arranged inside the vehicle body 13 such that the rotating exterior surfaces of the wheels can be laterally displaced relative a vertical plane formed by one of the walls in the vehicle body 13. In Fig. 6B, none of the wheels are visible in the top view, indicating that the outermost lateral parts of all wheels are arranged such that they are not extending outside the vehicle body 13.

The container handling vehicle 9’ may be provided with an interface 206 (see Fig.

8 A) for charging of the batteries 213’, 213” in the container handling vehicle 9’.

Fig. 10A is a side view of a container handling vehicle 9’ where certain parts like the covers are removed. The container handling vehicle 9’ has an exchangeable battery 208 arranged inside a battery receiving unit 209 in an upper portion of the container handling vehicle. It is further disclosed a controller unit 210 which communicates with the overall control system. The controller unit 210 may further accommodate a capacitor power supply (not shown). The capacitor power supply typically has the ability to store enough power to operate any of the electrically driven components of the vehicle 9’ if the main power supply malfunctions or is lost. Such situations may e.g. be when the battery 208 is to be exchanged. The battery exchange is typically taking place on two different locations, i.e. the battery to be replaced (the“empty” battery) is dropped off at a different location to where the replacement battery is picked up from (“fully charged” battery), therefore the capacitor power supply may be used to move the robot between the two different locations. Alternatively, if the main battery malfunctions, the capacitor power supply can be used to operate the lifting device and/or move the robot to a service area. Furthermore, any regenerated power can be supplied to the capacitor power supply in order to make sure that the capacitor power supply has sufficient power capacity to perform any of its desired functions.

Fig. 10B is another view of Fig. 10A, where it is disclosed an assembly of motors comprising a lifting device motor 211 arranged in the second section 205. The lifting device motor 211 is connected at one end of a rotatable lifting shaft (not shown) of a lifting device arranged in the first section. This lifting device motor 211 may replace other lifting device motor(s) (not shown) arranged in the first section or function as an auxiliary motor in addition to any lifting device motors arranged in the first section. Thus, the second section 205 makes it possible to reduce the number of lifting device motor(s) in the first section to a minimum (even avoid the use of a lifting device motor in the first section) because the size and lifting capacity of the lifting device motor 211 arranged in the second section 205 is not limited by the available space of the first section. In other words, the lifting device motor 211 in the second section may be the sole lifting device motor of the vehicle, such that the available space in a top section of the first section of the vehicle 9’ is increased, or the motor 211 may be an auxiliary motor providing an increased lifting capacity to the lifting device.

Fig. 10C shows an embodiment of a container handling vehicle 9’, wherein the lifting device comprises a single lifting device motor 21 G and angled transmission 215 are arranged in the second section. The embodiment serves to illustrate how the available space of the second section allows for the use of a more powerful (and consequently larger) lifting device motor 21 G than what would be possible to arrange in the first section alone. This allows for the use of storage containers having a higher total weight (i.e. the weight including products stored in the container). It is noted that the prior art vehicle in Fig. 2B and 2C would likely have available space for a similar large lifting device motor, but would not be able to fully utilize the possibility of increased lifting capacity due to the cantilever design. Again referring to Fig. 10C, the angled transmission 215 with connected lifting device motor 21 G is angled downwards (i.e. in a mainly vertical direction).

In contrast, as seen in Figs 10D and 10E, a similar embodiment as in Fig. 10C is shown, however, the angled transmission 215 with connected lifting device motor 211’ is angled sideways (i.e. in a mainly horizontal direction), rotated 90 degrees relative to the embodiment in Fig 10C. Furthermore, Fig. 10E shows the lifting device axle 216 to which axle lifting bands connected to the lifting device 18 (not shown in Fig. 10E) are connected and coils up and reels out during lifting and lowering of the lifting device.

Figs. 10F and 10G are perspective views of an alternative container handling vehicle of Fig. 10B, where the lifting device motor 211’ and a hollow shaft gear 215 are arranged in the second section.

Fig 10H is an exploded view of a hollow shaft gear 215 used to connect the lifting device motor 211’ and lifting device axle 216. Compared to the embodiment of Figs 10C-10E, the lifting axle 217 of Figs. 10F-10H has been extended and the gear 215 is connected directly to the extended lifting axle 217 without a dedicated

connection. To be able to make this direct connection, a hollow shaft gear 215 is used instead of an angled transmission.

Fig. 11 A is a side view of two container handling vehicles 9’ travelling in the X direction of the rail system 8 passing each other using a total of three cells in the Y direction of the rail system 8. This particular rail system comprises single track rails in the X direction and double-track rails in the Y direction. The combination of single- and double-track rails may in some instances be the most cost-efficient solution, even if a rail system using only double-track rails is optimal regarding the possible travel paths of the container-handling vehicles arranged thereon.

Fig. 11B is a top view of Fig. 11A showing a gap G between the vehicle bodies 13 in the Y direction rendering possible the two vehicles 9’ travelling in the X direction to occupy only three rows in the Y direction.

Figs. 12A-C show differences in the center of gravity of the storage containers inside the storage container cavity relative the center of the footprint of the vehicle body, where Fig. 12A illustrates a prior art single cell robot, Fig. 12B is a prior art central cavity robot, and Fig. 12C shows an exemplary container handling vehicle according to the present invention.

In a single cell and central cavity robot, Fig. 12A, the center of gravity of the storage container CGSC is in the center of the cavity which also coincides with the center of the footprint of the vehicle body CGV.

In in a central cavity robot, Fig. 12B, the center of gravity of storage container CGSC is in the center of the cavity which also coincides with the center of the footprint of the vehicle body CGV. Fig. 12C shows an exemplary container handling vehicle according to the present invention, where the center of gravity of storage container CGSC is displaced relative the center of the footprint of the vehicle body CGV.

Figs. 13A-C are plan views showing differences in imaginary lines extending between wheel pairs of the same sets of wheels, and how said lines intersect, or not, imaginary lines between other wheels. Fig. 13A illustrates a prior art single cell robot, Fig. 13B is a prior art central cavity robot, and Fig. 13C shows an exemplary container handling vehicle according to the present invention.

In Fig. 13A, in a single cell and central cavity robot, each imaginary line Ll, L2, L3, L4 extending between each of two pairs of opposed wheels in each set of wheels intersects two other imaginary lines Ll, L2, L3, L4.

In Fig. 13B, in a central cavity robot, none of the imaginary lines Ll, L2, L3 , L4 extending between each of two pairs of opposed wheels in each set of wheels intersects another imaginary line Ll, L2, L3, L4.

Fig. 13C shows an exemplary container handling vehicle according to the present invention where imaginary lines Ll, L2 between each of two pairs of opposed wheels in the first set of wheels intersect one imaginary line L3 extending between two wheels in the second set of wheels, and where one imaginary line L4 between two wheels in the second set of wheels does not intersect any imaginary lines.

The invention has been described with reference to the Figures, however the skilled person will understand that there may be made alterations or modifications to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the attached claims.

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