Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to an automated carrier for transporting storage bins for warehouse and stores, and in particular to an autonomous carrier for transfer items or goods from storage to an operator or vice versa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] An automated storage and retrieval systems are typically used in applications where very high volume of loads being moved into and out of storage. An automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS or AS/RS) consists of a variety of computer-controlled systems for automatically placing and retrieving loads from defined storage locations.

[003] The automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS or AS/RS) have several advantage including reduced labor costs for moving goods into and out of inventory, lower inventory levels, more precise inventory tracking and space savings. Thus, the automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS or AS/RS) eliminating the need for manual picking, storing, assembling, and inventory replenishment thereby, the automated storage and retrieval systems reduce the variable cost of operations which fluctuate, with overtime, benefits, and payroll taxes all contributing to the total cost of workers.

[004] However, the currently available automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS or AS/RS) having very high initial investment cost which may not be possible for small to medium level warehouse owners. At the same time maintenance of the automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS or AS/RS) is also a cumbersome task in case of medium to large warehouses. Most of the investment cost is due to deployment of an automated carrier for placing and picking of the desired items. The automated carrier also known as robots or bots. Typically, the automated carrier are configured either only for picking or placing the items, which leads to requirement of more number of robots. Thereby, increasing installing and maintenance cost.

[005] The patent application WO2019101366A1 titled “Multi bin vehicle for an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a three dimensional grid” discloses about 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 sides of a vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a first direction (X) on the grid, a second set of wheels arranged at opposite sides of the vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a second direction on the grid (4), and the first set of wheels displaceable in a vertical direction (Z) between a first position. The first set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle along the first direction (X), and a second position. Further, the second set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle along the second direction (Y). Further, the vehicle body surrounds a cavity within which at least a first lifting device and a second lifting device are positioned adjacent to each other, each lifting device is arranged to lift a storage container from the grid and into the cavity, such that a bottom of the storage container is at a level above the lowest level of the second set of wheels.

[006] The patent application CN107067206B titled “System for transporting and storing commodity box units and method thereof” discusses about an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a storage structure having a storage rack with a seating surface configured to support bin units. The position of each bin unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage rack, each bin unit has a predetermined storage location, and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage location. A pick-up aisle configured to provide access to bin units within the storage structure and a seismic disturbance recovery system including a seismic disturbance motion sensor disposed on the storage rack, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensor and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated box plotter configured to traverse the pickup aisle, the automated box plotter in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seating position of at least one box unit within the storage structure.

[007] The above mentioned prior art and the available literature describes about the automated carrier capable of carrying multiple goods at a time but they are not configured for performing picking and placing of the bins simultaneously. Also, the available automated carrier having complex design which further increase the maintenance and investment cost.

[008] Therefore, keeping in view the problem associated with the state of the art there is a need for an automated carrier which is capable of picking and placing of the goods simultaneously. Also, the automated carrier design must be simple in order to reduce investment and maintenance cost.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic storage and retrieval system.

[010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the automatic storage and retrieval system adapted to execute multiple actions simultaneously.

[011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the automatic storage and retrieval system which is adapted to execute picking and placing the bins simultaneously.

[012] Another objective of the present invention is to reduce installment and maintenance cost of the automatic storage and retrieval system.

[013] Another objective of the present invention is to provide the automatic storage and retrieval system to reduce manual effort and time for picking and placing of the items in the warehouses and storages of various capacity.

[014] Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, the aspects of the present invention are disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[015] The present invention relates to an automatic storage and retrieval system, comprising an array of storage racks. A platform is installed in vicinity of the array of storage racks. An autonomous carrier is installed with a number of vertical columns. The autonomous carrier having a first and second position to carry a first and a second bin, respectively. Further, the autonomous carrier installed with servo motor and linear actuator to move on platform. Further, the autonomous carrier maintain alignment with the array of storage racks in order to pick and push the first and second bin.

[016] Further, the autonomous carrier is configured with a base portion. Further, the autonomous carrier includes one or more sides having a first side, a second, a third side and a fourth side. Further, the first side and the second side is open to transfer the at least one bin. Further, the third side and the fourth side is closed.

[017] Further, the base portion is installed with the number of vertical columns installed at one or more positions of the base portion. Further, the one or more position including four corners and center of the base portion. Further, the number of vertical columns installed at the center of the base portion, partitioning the base portion into a first position and a second position. Further, the first position and second position configured to carry a first bin and a second bin, respectively. The first bin and second bin configured to hold a filled bag and an empty bag, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[018] The present invention will be better understood after reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred aspects thereof with reference to the appended drawings, in which the features, other aspects and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing in which:

[019] Figure 1 illustrates a pictorial representation of an automatic storage and retrieval system (100);

[020] Figure 2 illustrates a pictorial representation of an autonomous carrier (104); and

[021] Figure 3 illustrates a pictorial representation of the autonomous carrier (104) with an electronic actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[022] The following description describes various features and functions of the disclosed system with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative aspects described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed system can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which have not been contemplated herein.

[023] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[024] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[025] The terms and words used in the following description are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustrative purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

[026] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[027] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, components or groups thereof.
[028] The present invention relates to an automated carrier for transporting storage bins, for warehouses and storages. Typically, loading and unloading in the warehouses done by the automatic robots which either perform loading or unloading at a time. The present invention provides solution for performing loading and unloading simultaneously.

[029] An automatic storage and retrieval system (100) is configured with an array of storage racks (102), an autonomous carrier (104) and a platform (110). Further, the array of storage racks (102) are configured to store inventory. The autonomous carrier (104) used to carry inventory from the array of the storage to an operator and vice versa. The platform (110) provides path for movement of the autonomous carrier (104).

[030] Figure 1 illustrates pictorial representation of an automatic storage and retrieval system (100). The automatic storage and retrieval system (100) configured an array of storage racks (102), a platform (110) and an autonomous carrier (104). The array of storage racks (102) are installed in warehouses and the platform (110) is installed in vicinity of the array of storage racks (102). The autonomous carrier (104) are adaptable to move on the platform (110).

[031] The array of storage racks (102) configured with a storage area. Further, the array of storage racks (102) configured a frame which is partitioned and installed with storage racks holding inventory. Further, the array of storage racks (102) may be made from material selected from a group of aluminum, stainless less steel and any other material. The platform (110) is installed in vicinity of the array of the storage racks (102). The platform (110) may be static. The autonomous carrier (104) moves on the platform (110).

[032] Figure 2 illustrates the pictorial representation of the autonomous carrier (104). Further, the autonomous carrier (104) is configured with a base portion. Further, the base portion consists of linear rack and pinion mechanism which is connected to the motor. Further, the motor allows the autonomous carrier (104) to move on the platform (110).

[033] Further, the base portion is installed with a number of vertical columns (112) installed at one or more positions of the base portion. Further, the one or more position including four corners and center of the base portion. Further, the number of vertical columns (112), partitioning the base portion into a first position (106) and a second position (108), installed at the center of the base portion. Further, the first position (106) and the second position (108) is configured to carry an at least one bin. Further, the at least one bin include a first bin (116) and a second bin (118). Further, the first position (106) is configured to carry the first bin (116). Further, the second position (108) is configured to carry the second bin (118). The first bin (116) and the second bin (118) configured to hold a filled bag and an empty bag, respectively.

[034] Further, the base portion is installed with a number of rollers (120). Further, the autonomous carrier (104) is installed with gripper (122) to prevent the at least one bin from falling.

[035] Further, the base portion of the autonomous carrier (104) installed with a linear actuator and servo motor allowing the autonomous carrier (104) to move on the platform (110). Further, the autonomous carrier (104) includes one or more sides. Further, the one or more sides having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. Further, the first side and the second side is open to transfer the at least one bin. Further, the third side and the fourth side is closed to prevent the at least one bin from falling.

[036] Further, the autonomous carrier (104) is connected to the controller. Further, the controller controls movement of the autonomous carrier (104), based on a signal received from the operator. For example, the operator provide details regarding the location of the inventory according to which the controller moves the autonomous carrier on the platform and aligned with the desired storage area. Further, the first position (106) of the autonomous carrier (104) is aligned with the storage area and pull the first bin (116) having filled bag, as shown in Figure 3. Further, the autonomous carrier (104) moves and the second position (108) aligned to the storage area and push the second bin (118) having empty bag onto the storage area.

[037] The autonomous carrier (104) installed with servo actuator allowing to move the autonomous carrier (104) on the platform (110). The controller guide the autonomous carrier (104) on the platform (110) and aligned with the storage area of the array of storage racks (102), based on a command received from the controller. The autonomous carrier (104) transfer the first bin (116) and the second bin (118) using an electronic actuator. Further, the controller receives the command from the operator. The controller process the command and transmits the signal to the autonomous carrier (104).

[038] The transferring of the at least one bin performed through an electronic actuator (114). Further, the autonomous carrier (104) move back to the operator after transferring the at least one bin. Further, the operator take out the at least one bin with filled bag and load cart with the bin having empty bag or vice versa. A safety sensor, installed on the autonomous carrier (104), in association with the controller to generate an alert in case of undesirable movement of the autonomous carrier (104).

[039] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. An automatic storage and retrieval system (100), comprising:
an array of storage racks (102) having predefined storage areas to hold at least one bin;
an autonomous carrier (104) for carrying the at least one bin to and from the array of storage rack (102);
a platform (110) in vicinity of the array of storage racks (102), allowing the autonomous carrier (104) to move and maintain contact with the predefined storage areas in order to transfer the at least one bin;
a controller for operating the autonomous carrier (104) and positioned to the desired location of the array of storage racks (102);
a safety sensor, installed on the autonomous carrier (104), in association with the controller to generate an alert in case of undesirable movement of the autonomous carrier (104);
wherein,
the autonomous carrier (104) having a first position (106) and a second position (108), and installed with a number of vertical columns (112);
the first position (106) and the second position (108) configured to carry a first bin (116) and a second bin (118), respectively;
the first bin (116) and the second bin (118) configured to hold a filled bag and an empty bag, respectively;
the controller, based on a signal, move the autonomous carrier (104) next to the desired storage area and pull the first bin (116) onto the first position (106);
the autonomous carrier (104) move one position and pushes the second bin (118) on the array of storage racks (102); and
the autonomous carrier (104) move back to the operator.

2. The automatic storage and retrieval system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the autonomous carrier (104) installed with servo actuator allowing to move the autonomous carrier (104) on the platform (110).

3. The automatic storage and retrieval system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller guide the autonomous carrier (104) on the platform (110) and aligned with the storage area of the array of storage racks (102), based on a command received from the controller.

4. The automatic storage and retrieval system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the autonomous carrier (104) transfer the first bin (116) and the second bin (118) using an electronic actuator (114).

5. The automatic storage and retrieval system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller receives the command from the operator.

6. The automatic storage and retrieval system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller process the command and transmits the signal to the autonomous carrier (104).