Storage container and automated article storage system

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (7) for transporting articles in an automated storage system comprising a shelving unit (21) capable of receiving the container and an aisle (22) along the shelving unit (21) in which an autonomous mobile robot (4) can circulate to deposit the container (7) on the shelving unit (21) or pick it up from same, the container comprising: - a main container (7A) suitable for receiving articles (5), the main container (7A) comprising a side wall (7A2) and having an outer contour; - a base (7B) comprising a bottom wall (7B1) and a side wall (7B2) having an inner contour substantially identical to the outer contour of the main container (7A) and attached to same, wherein at least one outer surface of the bottom wall has higher wear resistance than that of the main container (7A). The invention also relates to a system and a method using such a container.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: STORAGE CONTAINER AND AUTOMATED ITEM STORAGE SYSTEM

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to the field of intralogistics and relates to a container and an automated storage system for articles using this container.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] In such a system, items are transported by autonomous mobile robots to specific storage positions to be deposited for a certain period of time, then retrieved by the system for transport outside, for example for delivery to a customer.

[0007] Storage can in particular be done in a container and then placed by the autonomous mobile robot on a shelf. To do this, the robot transporting the container uses a gripper equipped with telescopic arms, fitted with finger-shaped hooks, which are placed at the front or rear of the container. This allows it to be pulled or pushed in order to move it by translation of the robot towards the shelf or in the other direction.

[0008] During this transfer, the container is subjected to friction with the shelf, which can accelerate its wear and tear, and therefore the frequency with which it must be changed. This is particularly true when the container material is fragile, for example cardboard, whose economic and ecological benefits can justify its use. However, the wear of the container can cause it to break, resulting in the dispersion of the items in the container. Frequent replacement of a large number of containers in an automated storage system can be expensive, so it is necessary to find a solution to reduce container wear while keeping the container inexpensive to manufacture.

[0009] Furthermore, to carry out the transfer when there are several containers on the shelf, it is necessary to provide sufficient space between the containers so that the gripper arms can slide into this space. If, after the container has been removed, an intervention causes this space to be excessively reduced, retrieving the container may become impossible. It is therefore necessary to anticipate this type of problem.

[0010] The objective of the invention is therefore to propose a storage container that is inexpensive, lightweight, recyclable and resistant to wear so as to reduce the frequency of its replacement and also having characteristics that always allow easy gripping by a gripper.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a container suitable for transporting items in an automated storage system having a storage level comprising a shelf configured to receive said container and an aisle along said shelf in which an autonomous mobile robot can circulate to place said container on said shelf or retrieve it from it, the container comprising:

[0013] - a main container adapted to receive articles, said main container comprising a side wall and having an external contour,

[0014] - a base comprising a bottom wall and a side wall having an internal contour substantially identical to the external contour of the main container and fixed thereto, at least one external surface of said bottom wall having a higher wear resistance than that of the main container. Advantageously, the bottom wall may have a higher wear resistance than that of the main container.

[0015] Advantageously, the base may have a higher wear resistance than the main container.

[0016] By using a more wear-resistant base (or the bottom wall, or at least the underside of it) the container's lifespan is increased and the frequency with which it needs to be replaced is consequently reduced. Furthermore, by reinforcing only the base, the container remains generally inexpensive.

[0017] According to embodiments, the base can be fixed to the main container by interlocking.

[0018] The nesting can be reversible, so it will be possible to replace the main container or the base separately, further reducing costs. The base can also be manufactured separately from a more durable material.

[0019] In some examples, the base is attached to the main container and forms a single body with it. This simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the side wall of the base has a height less than half, one-third or one-quarter of the height of the main container. This height is sufficient and allows the container to be reduced in cost. In fact, only the lower part most exposed to wear needs to be reinforced. In addition, fixing is easier with a base of reduced height, especially in the case of nesting.

[0021] According to exemplary embodiments, the base comprises a protective coating. This makes it possible to strengthen the base and make it more resistant to wear. According to exemplary embodiments, the base comprises a coating with a low coefficient of friction. The coating makes it possible to reduce friction and therefore wear.

[0022] The protective coating can also be low friction.

[0023] According to examples of embodiments, the main container and / or the base is made of cardboard.

[0024] Cardboard has the advantage of being inexpensive, easy to transport, and easy to recycle. For example, it can be transported in the form of pre-cut cardboard sheets for on-site assembly.

[0025] Advantageously, the base comprises means for detecting wear, for example on the underside. For example, the underside may comprise a colored band at a certain depth. For example, when a detection means detects a change in color of the underside,

[0026] Advantageously, the base, or part of it, may be made of a denser material than the main container. For example, the base may be made from compact cardboard (also called wood-board).

[0027] According to exemplary embodiments, the main container may be without a bottom wall. This further reduces the cost of the container.

[0028] The invention also relates to a system and method for automated storage of articles using a container according to the invention.

[0029] Advantageously, the system further comprises an autonomous mobile robot provided with two telescopic arms configured to move the container by translation from the autonomous mobile robot (4) to a shelf (21) and vice versa, in which the side wall (7B2) of the base has two first opposite sides whose thickness is greater than half the thickness of a telescopic arm (6). This makes it possible to always ensure a space for the arms of the gripper of the autonomous mobile robot to pass through, even when the containers are stuck to each other.

[0030] Advantageously, the side wall of the base has two second sides orthogonal to the first sides and opposite each other, each second side having a thickness greater than half the thickness of a finger of said telescopic arm, configured to come into contact with one of said second sides.

[0031] This provides space for the gripper finger to pass through, especially when two containers are arranged one after the other in a direction perpendicular to the robot's travel aisle.

[0032] For example, the wall can have four sides, which can have the same thickness.

[0033] Brief description of the figures

[0034] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below in relation to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, in which:

[0035] [Fig.1] Figure 1 represents an example of a storage system according to the invention;

[0036] [Fig.2] Figure 2 is a top view of a storage level with containers according to the invention;

[0037] [Fig.3] Figure 3 is a schematic side view showing the container shape according to the invention.

[0038] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same references.

[0039] Detailed Description Figure 1 schematically represents a simplified example of an automated storage system according to the invention. The storage system in this example comprises a stock formed by a three-dimensional shelving 1 and a plurality of autonomous mobile robots 4. The shelving 1 may comprise a plurality of storage levels 2, each storage level 2 may comprise locations for storing articles 21, for example in the form of a shelf. Each storage level 2 may comprise an aisle 22 in which an autonomous mobile robot 4 can circulate to transport articles to be stored or removed from the stock.

[0040] In non-illustrated embodiments, a storage level 2 may comprise a plurality of aisles for the circulation of autonomous mobile robots 4. An aisle 22 may also serve parallel shelves 21.

[0041] The racking 1 may further comprise one or more columns 3 (in the form of wells) connecting the plurality of storage levels 2 and allowing the robots 4 to move from one level 2 to another, or between a storage level 2 and an entry / exit level. For example, in Figure 1 the entry / exit level may be the lowest level (at ground level), but it may also be the highest level (the roof). In examples not shown, the lowest level may be an entry (or exit) and the highest level an exit (or entry).

[0042] Figure 2 shows a top view of a storage level 2 comprising a location 21 for storing items 5 and an aisle 22 in which an autonomous mobile robot 4 circulates. For example, the robot 4 can circulate on rails 220.

[0043] In the example, items 5 are stored in three containers 7A, 7B arranged side by side in location 21 along aisle 22. The robot 4 includes telescopic arms 6A, 6A for moving a container 7 from storage replacement 21 to the robot and vice versa.

[0044] A container 7 comprises a main container 7A in which the articles 5 are placed. The main container 7A comprises a bottom wall 7A1 and a side wall 7A2.

[0045] In examples not shown, the main container 7A may not include a bottom wall.

[0046] The container 7 also comprises a base 7B comprising a bottom wall 7B1 and a side wall 7B2 having an internal contour substantially identical to the external contour of the main container 7A to which it is attached. The attachment may be permanent when the two are either glued after manufacture or manufactured at the same time. The base may also be attached by reversible interlocking to the main container so that it can be replaced alone or replace the main container alone.

[0047] To move the container assembly 7A, 7B, the robot 4 comprises a gripper composed of two telescopic arms each comprising a first part 6A and a second part 6B arranged to extend the first part 6A. In addition, a hook 6C (also called a finger) is arranged at the end of the second part 6B. The finger 6C is configured to come into contact with the wall of the container when it is a question of moving it from the storage location to the robot. Each telescopic arm may also comprise at least one second hook that can be used when it is a question of moving the container 7A, 7B from the robot to the storage location 21.

[0048] Figure 3 schematically shows a side view showing a storage location 21 in the form of a shelf on which two containers 7 are placed side by side, each main container 7A carries stored items 5. The bases 7B of the two containers 7 have thicknesses making it possible to keep a distance d greater than the thickness of the arms 6 of the robot gripper. This ensures that it is always possible for the robot to pass the gripper arms on both sides of a container 7A, 7B.

[0049] The base 7B is more resistant to wear than the main container, this is advantageous because this part is more subject to stress during the translation of the container between the robot 4 and the storage location 21.

[0050] Advantageously, a protective coating 8 may be added. The coating 8 may also have a low coefficient of friction.

Claims

CLAIMS Container (7) suitable for transporting articles in an automated storage system (1) having a storage level (2) comprising a shelf (21) capable of receiving said container and an aisle (22) along said shelf (21) in which an autonomous mobile robot (4) can circulate to place said container (7) on said shelf (21) or take it from it, the container is characterized in that it comprises: - a main container (7A) adapted to receive articles (5), said main container (7A) comprising a side wall (7A2) and having an external contour, - a base (7B) comprising a lower wall (7B1) and a side wall (7B2) having an internal contour substantially identical to the external contour of the main container (7A) and is fixed thereto, at least one outer surface of said lower wall has a higher wear resistance than that of the main container (7A). Container (7) according to the preceding claim wherein the base (7B) is fixed to the main container (7A) by interlocking. Container (7) according to claim 1 wherein the base (7B) is integral with the main container (7A) and forms a single body with it. Container according to one of the preceding claims wherein the side wall (7B2) of the base has a height less than half or a third or a quarter of the height of the main container. Container (7) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the outer surface of the lower wall of the base (7B) comprises a protective coating (8).Container (7) according to the preceding claim in which the coating (8) has a low coefficient of friction. Container (7) according to one of the preceding claims in which the main container (7A) and the base (7B) are made of cardboard. Automated storage system for articles comprising a container (7) according to one of the preceding claims.Automated article storage system according to the preceding claim further comprising an autonomous mobile robot (4) provided with two telescopic arms configured to move the container (7) by translation from the autonomous mobile robot (4) to a shelf (21) and vice versa, wherein the side wall (7B2) of the base has two first opposite sides whose thickness is greater than half the thickness of a telescopic arm (6). Automated article storage system according to the preceding claim wherein the side wall (7B2) of the base has two second sides orthogonal to the first sides and opposite each other, each second side having a thickness greater than half the thickness of a finger (6C) of said telescopic arm, configured to come into contact with one of said second sides. Automated article storage method using an automated storage system according to one of claims 8 to 10.

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