Unloading constituent body and unloading station, and method of unloading item from storage container

Abstract

To provide an unloading constituent body and an unloading station, that relate to an automatic warehouse system for storage and collection of a container, and to provide a method of unloading product items from the container thereof.SOLUTION: There are provided a storage container carried by a delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading items from the storage container, while the storage container is carried by the delivery vehicle at an automatic warehouse system. The unloading station comprises an unloading device, and a destination conveyor constituted so as to transport items to an objective destination (TD). The unloading device is constituted so as to move the items to the destination conveyor through a side part opening of the storage container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated warehouse system for the storage and retrieval of containers, and in particular to an unloading arrangement and station and associated method of unloading product items from containers. [Background technology]

[0002] Figures 1A and 1C disclose a typical prior art automated warehouse system 1 with a framework structure 100. Figures 1B and 1D disclose prior art container handling vehicles 200, 300, respectively, that operate the system 1 disclosed in Figures 1A and 1C.

[0003] The framework structure 100 includes a number of upright members 102 and, optionally, a number of horizontal members 103 that support the upright members 102. The members 102, 103 may typically be made from metal, for example from extruded aluminum profiles.

[0004] The framework structure 100 defines a storage grid 104 that includes storage columns 105 arranged in rows within which storage containers 106 (also known as boxes) are stacked one on top of the other to form stacks 107.

[0005] Each storage container 106 can typically hold multiple product items (not shown), and the product items in a storage container 106 can be the same or can be of different product types depending on the application.

[0006] The storage grid 104 prevents horizontal movement of the storage containers 106 in the stack 107 and guides vertical movement of the storage containers 106, but typically does not otherwise support the storage containers 106 when stacked.

[0007] The automated storage and warehousing system 1 includes a container handling vehicle rail system 108 arranged in a grid pattern across the top of the storage 104, and a plurality of container handling vehicles 200, 300 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1D ) are operated on the rail system 108 to raise and lower storage containers 106 from and into and transport storage containers 106 above the storage columns 105. The horizontal extent of one of the grid cells 122 that make up the grid pattern is marked by a bold line in FIGS. 1A and 1C .

[0008] Each grid cell 122 has a width that is typically in the 30 cm to 150 cm interval and a length that is typically in the 50 cm to 200 cm interval. Each grid opening 115 has a width and length that is typically 2 cm to 10 cm less than the width and length of the grid cell 122 due to the horizontal extent of the rails 110, 111.

[0009] The rail system 108 includes a first set of parallel rails 110 and a second set of parallel rails 111, the first set of parallel rails 110 guiding the movement of the container handling vehicles 200, 300 in a first direction X across the top of the frame structure 100. The rail system 108 is arranged so that the container handling vehicles 200, 300 are aligned parallel to the storage columns 105, and a second set of parallel rails 111 are arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails 110 and guide the movement of the container handling vehicles 200, 300 in a second direction Y that is perpendicular to the first direction X. The rail system 108 thus defines grid columns 112 above which the container handling vehicles 200, 300 can move laterally above the storage columns 105, i.e. in a plane that is parallel to the horizontal XY plane.

[0010] Each prior art container handling vehicle 200, 300 includes a vehicle body and a wheel arrangement 201, 301 of eight wheels, with a first set of four wheels allowing lateral movement of the container handling vehicle 200, 300 in the X direction and the remaining four wheels in a second set allowing lateral movement in the Y direction. The wheels of one or both sets of the wheel arrangement can be raised and lowered such that the first set of wheels and / or the second set of wheels can be engaged with the respective set of rails 110, 111 at any one time.

[0011] Each prior art container handling vehicle 200, 300 also includes a lifting device (not shown) for vertical transportation of the storage containers 106, e.g., for raising and lowering the storage containers 106 from and into the storage columns 105. The lifting device includes one or more gripping / engagement devices (not shown) adapted to engage the storage containers 106, such that the gripping / engagement devices can be lowered from the vehicle 200, 300 and that the position of the gripping / engagement devices relative to the vehicle 200, 300 can be adjusted in a third direction Z, which is orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0012] By convention, and for purposes of this application, Z=1 identifies the top layer of the grid 104, i.e., the layer immediately below the rail system 108, Z=2 identifies the second layer below the rail system 108, Z=3 identifies the third layer, and so on. In the exemplary prior art grid 104 disclosed in Figures 1A and 1C, Z=8 identifies the bottom layer at the bottom of the grid 104. Accordingly, using, by way of example, the Cartesian coordinate system X, Y, Z shown in Figures 1A and 1D, the storage container identified as 106' in Figure 1A can be said to occupy grid location or cell X=10, Y=2, Z=3. The container handling vehicle 200, 300 can be said to travel in layer Z=0, and each grid column 112 can be identified by its X and Y coordinates.

[0013] Each container handling vehicle 200 includes a storage compartment or space (not shown) for receiving and storing the storage containers 106 as they are transported across the rail system 108. The storage space may include, for example, a cavity centrally located within the vehicle body, as described in WO 2014 / 090684 A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0014] Alternatively, the container handling vehicle 300 may have a cantilever beam construction as described in NO317366, the contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference.

[0015] The container handling vehicle 200 may have a footprint, i.e., extent in the X and Y directions, that is generally equal to the lateral extent of a grid cell 122. The extent of the grid cell 122 in the X and Y directions is generally equal to the extent of the grid cell 122 in the X and Y directions, as described, for example, in WO 2015 / 193278 A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As used herein, the term "lateral" can mean "horizontal."

[0016] Alternatively, the container handling vehicle 200 may have a footprint larger than the lateral extent of the grid columns 112 (the lateral area defined by the grid columns 112), as disclosed, for example, in WO2014 / 090684A1.

[0017] The rail system 108 can be a single track system, as shown in Figure 2A. Alternatively, the rail system 108 can be a double track system, as shown in Figure 2B, thus allowing a container handling vehicle 201 having a footprint 202, 202' that generally corresponds to the lateral area defined by the grid columns 112 to travel along a row of grid columns 112 (even when another container handling vehicle 200 is positioned above a neighboring grid column 112 in that row). Both the single and double track systems, or a combination including single and double track configurations in the single rail system 108, form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane P including a plurality of rectangular and uniform grid locations or grid cells 122, where each grid cell 122 includes a grid opening 115 bounded by a pair of rails 110a, 110b of the first rail 110 and a pair of rails 111a, 111b of the second set of rails 111. In Figure 2B, the grid cells 122 are indicated by dashed boxes.

[0018] As a result, rails 110a and 110b form a neighboring rail pair that defines parallel rows of grid cells running in the X direction, and rails 111a and 111b form a neighboring rail pair that defines parallel rows of grid cells running in the Y direction.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2C, each grid cell 122 has a width W that is typically spaced 30 cm to 150 cm apart. c , and a length L typically in the interval from 50 cm to 200 cm. c Each grid opening 115 has a grid cell 122 width W c and length L c Typically 2 to 10 cm smaller than the width W o and length L o It has.

[0020] In the X and Y directions, neighboring grid cells 122 are positioned so that they touch each other and there is no space between them.

[0021] In the storage grid 104, the majority of the grid columns 112 are storage columns 105, i.e., grid columns 112 in which storage containers 106 are stored in stacks 107. However, the grid 104 typically has at least one grid column 112 that is not used to store storage containers 106, which at least one grid column 112 includes a location where a container handling vehicle 200, 300 can drop off and / or collect the storage container 106 so that it may be transported to a second location (not shown) where it may be accessed from outside the grid 104 or transferred out of or into the grid 104. In the art, such locations are typically referred to as "ports," and the grid columns 112 in which the ports are located may be referred to as "distribution columns" 119, 120. The drop-off and collection ports of the container handling vehicles are referred to as the "upper ports of the distribution column" 119, 120, while the opposite ends of the distribution column are referred to as the "lower ports of the distribution column."

[0022] The storage grid 104 in Figures 1A and 1C includes two distribution columns 119 and 120. The first distribution column 119 can include, for example, a dedicated drop port where the container handling vehicles 200, 300 can drop the storage containers 106 for transport through the distribution column 119 and further to an access station or transfer station (not shown). And, the second distribution column 120 can include a dedicated collection port where the container handling vehicles 200, 300 can collect the storage containers 106 that have been transported through the distribution column 120 from the access station or transfer station (not shown). Each of the ports of the first and second distribution columns 119, 120 can include a port suitable for both collection and drop of the storage containers 106.

[0023] The second location can typically be a picking or stocking station where product items are removed from or positioned into the storage containers 106. At the picking or stocking station, the storage containers 106 are typically never removed from the automated storage system 1, but are placed back into the storage grid 104 once accessed. There are also lower ports provided in the distribution column for the transfer of storage containers out of or into the storage grid 104, such as for transferring the storage containers 106 to another storage facility (e.g., to another storage grid), directly to a transport vehicle (e.g., a train or lorry), or to a production facility.

[0024] To monitor and control the automated warehouse system 1 (e.g., to monitor and control the location of each storage container 106 within the storage grid 104; the contents of each storage container 106; and the movements of the container handling vehicles 200, 300 so that the desired storage containers 106 may be delivered to the desired locations at the desired times without the container handling vehicles 200, 300 colliding with each other), the automated warehouse system 1 includes a control system (not shown), which is typically computerized and which typically includes a database for tracking the storage containers 106.

[0025] A conveyor system including conveyors may be used to transport storage containers between the lower ports of the delivery columns 119, 120 and the access stations.

[0026] If the lower ports and access stations of the delivery columns 119, 120 are located at different levels, the conveyor system may include lift devices for transporting the storage containers 106 vertically between the ports and the access stations.

[0027] The conveyor system may be arranged to transport storage containers between different grids, for example as described in WO2014 / 075937A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0028] Furthermore, WO2016 / 198467A1 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) discloses examples of prior art access systems having conveyor belts (Figures 5a and 5b of WO2016 / 198467A1) and frame-mounted rails (Figures 6a and 6b of WO2016 / 198467A1) for transporting storage containers between a delivery column and a workstation where an operator can access the storage containers.

[0029] When a storage container 106 stored in the grid 104 disclosed in FIG. 1A is to be accessed, one of the container handling vehicles 200, 300 is commanded to retrieve the desired storage container 106 from its location in the grid 104 and transport the desired storage container 106 to or through a distribution column 119. This action involves moving the container handling vehicle 200, 300 to a location on the grid above the storage column 105 in which the desired storage container 106 is positioned, retrieving the storage container 106 from the storage column 105 using a lifting device (not shown) on the container handling vehicle, and transporting the storage container 106 to the distribution column 119. If the target storage container 106 is located deep in the stack 107, i.e., one or more other storage containers remain positioned above the target storage container 106, the above operation also involves temporarily moving the storage container positioned above before lifting the target storage container 106 from the storage column 105. This step, which may be referred to in the art as "digging", may be performed by the same container handling vehicle 200, 300 that is subsequently used to transport the target storage container 106 to the delivery column, or may be performed by one or more other cooperating container handling vehicles 200, 300. Alternatively or in addition, the automated warehouse system 1 may have container handling vehicles 200, 300 specifically dedicated to the task of temporarily removing the storage container 106 from the storage column 105. Once the target storage container 106 has been removed from the storage column 105, the temporarily removed storage container may be repositioned back into the original storage column 105. However, the removed storage container may alternatively be repositioned to another storage column 105.

[0030] When a storage container 106 is to be stored in the grid 104, one of the container handling vehicles 200, 300 is directed to collect the storage container 106 from the delivery column 120 and transport the storage container 106 to a location on the grid above the storage column 105 where it is to be stored. After any storage containers positioned at or above the desired location in the storage column stack 107 have been removed, the container handling vehicles 200, 300 position the storage container 106 in the desired location. The removed storage container can then be lowered back into the storage column 105 or repositioned in another storage column 105.

[0031] A problem associated with the known automated storage system 1 is that the areas surrounding the collection and drop ports can become congested with container handling vehicles 200, 300 that are directed to drop or collect storage containers 106. This can seriously impede the operation of the automated storage system 1. In small systems, this situation can possibly be alleviated by adding delivery columns to the grid, since this would allow the container handling vehicles 200, 300 to be distributed among a larger number of delivery column ports to avoid congestion. However, when ports and columns are added, the conveyor system infrastructure must usually be increased. This requires space, which may not always be available. Also, adding conveyor system infrastructure is costly.

[0032] Another problem with the prior art automated warehouse system 1 is that the separate drop-off and collection ports of the delivery columns 119, 120 require the container handling vehicles 200, 300 to travel to the storage column 105 after dropping off to pick up the new storage container 106. Similarly, the container handling vehicles 200, 300 must be unladen with a storage container 106 when they are sent to the collection port 120 to pick up the storage container. This results in inefficiencies and congestion around the ports. This causes increased congestion because the container handling vehicles 200, 300 are moving around on the grid without their payloads, the storage containers 106. In addition, the delivery columns 119, 120 may take up space above the grid 104 that could be used for other purposes, such as the movement of the container handling vehicles 200, 300.

[0033] For example, from WO 2016 / 198565 it is known to provide such an automated warehouse system with a robotic device including a movable arm with a picking mechanism at one end for transferring product items between the storage containers 106. The robotic device can be fixed to the grid or to the ceiling of the building in which the grid is located. In this prior art document, the robotic device is used to transfer product items between storage containers 106 located at the upper level of the grid and storage containers 106 located above the conveyor belt of the conveyor system.

[0034] Also, here, the area surrounding the robotic device may become congested with container handling vehicles 200, 300 directed to drop off or pick up storage containers 106. Moreover, adding conveyor system infrastructure is costly.

[0035] GB2544648 (Ocado Innovation) discloses an automated warehouse system with a robotic device for collecting product items, where the robotic device is fixed to a robotic vehicle, thereby forming a picking vehicle. A container handling vehicle is moved adjacent to the picking vehicle, and the picking vehicle moves the product items between containers held by the container handling vehicle. The container handling vehicle includes a top opening that allows the picking vehicle to access the containers from above.

[0036] It is also known from the above publications that product items are collected from containers and placed into a number of final customer shipping packages that are located in a destination container. The destination container with these shipping packages is then transported to a port where the shipping packages are removed from the containers after which they are closed and possibly addressed and stamped. This is typically a manual operation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0037] One object of the present invention is to provide a more efficient unloading of containers in such automated storage systems. The object is typically achieved by reducing the distance over which containers are transported and by reducing manual work actions. The object may also be achieved by reducing the equipment space in the automated storage system, since this will typically allow more container handling vehicles to operate in the system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0038] An unloading arrangement is described that includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container transported by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading items from the storage container while the storage container is being transported by the delivery vehicle in the automated warehouse system, the unloading station including an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to transport the items to an intended destination, the unloading device configured to move the items through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor. do.

[0039] As an alternative to the delivery vehicle carrying the storage container described above, a container handling vehicle with a cantilever structure (see FIG. 1D) can be used. When the storage container is in the top position below the cantilever, an unloading device can be used to move items through a side opening (on the smaller side of the storage container) to a destination conveyor. The storage container can include a floor; a top opening; two first parallel side walls; and two side openings, one in each of the first parallel side walls.

[0040] The delivery vehicle may include a container carrier that may include: a carrier floor; a carrier top opening; two first carrier parallel sidewalls; two second carrier parallel sidewalls; and two carrier side openings, one in each of the first carrier parallel sidewalls, each including a lower edge and an upper edge.

[0041] The purpose of the unloading device is to move the items through the side opening of the storage container and through the side opening of the container carrier and onto the destination conveyor. If the delivery vehicle does not have a dedicated container carrier with side walls etc., the purpose of the unloading device is to move the items only through the side opening of the storage container and onto the destination conveyor.

[0042] The side opening of the storage container can be as large as practical and can span the entire width of the side of the storage container. The height of the side opening can extend as far as possible without affecting the upper portion of the storage container, which upper portion is positioned to interact with a gripper on the lifting frame of the container handling vehicle.

[0043] Alternatively, one side of the storage container may include two or more side openings. Different side openings may be separated by one or more structural elements, such as, for example, vertical rods or beams or the like. The structural elements may be provided, for example, to increase the rigidity, strength, or stability of the storage container. Additionally, if the storage container is divided into two or more separate storage compartments, each of the storage compartments may include one dedicated side opening.

[0044] The storage container may have a rectangular shape with a pair of sides that are parallel and of equal size. The side openings of the storage container may be located on two opposite sides, i.e., on either the two larger sides or the two smaller sides.

[0045] Alternatively, the storage container can be of a square shape, i.e., all four sides are of the same size and both sides of each pair are parallel.

[0046] In either case of the storage container, for both rectangular and square shapes, the side openings may be arranged on three sides or on all four sides of the storage container. The storage container would then include a floor, four vertical rods or beams at each of the four corners, and an upper part for interaction with grippers on the lifting frame of the container handling vehicle. The advantage of storage containers with side openings (especially when the storage container has a square shape) is that they are easier to lift, transport, and store. , and / or does not depend on a particular orientation during unloading.

[0047] The unloading device can include a base structure; one or more unloading members, each having a contact surface; and one or more actuators configured to move the one or more unloading members.

[0048] The one or more unloading members may include a first unloading member having a first contact surface adapted to the item; and a second unloading member having a second contact surface adapted to the item.

[0049] The one or more actuators may include a first actuator configured to move the first unloading member; and a second actuator configured to move the second unloading member.

[0050] The actuators may be configured to independently move the unloading members.

[0051] The unloading device may further include a container lifting device that may include a first frame structure; a container lifting frame having a connection interface configured to connect to the container; and a lifting mechanism configured to lift the container lifting frame relative to the first frame structure.

[0052] Alternatively, the unloading device may be provided as a tilting or pivoting device mounted between the vehicle body and the container carrier, so that items can slide out of the container and the container carrier and further onto the transport device.

[0053] The container lifting device may further include a second frame structure, and the container lifting frame may be secured below the second frame structure, and the lifting mechanism may be configured to move the second frame structure up and down relative to the first frame structure.

[0054] The container lifting device may be configured to lift the container to a height at which the floor of the storage container is horizontally aligned with the lower edge of the side opening.

[0055] The lower edge of the side opening of the container carrier is preferably horizontally aligned with the floor of the storage container when the storage container is provided in the container carrier so that items can be easily pushed through the side opening.

[0056] The automated warehouse system may include a storage grid, and the base structure may be secured to the storage grid.

[0057] An unloading station for unloading items from a storage container while the storage container is being transported by a delivery vehicle in an automated warehouse system is described, which can include: a rail system including a plurality of rails defining an arrangement of grid cells; an unloading device disposed on one side of the grid cells; and a destination conveyor disposed on an opposite side of the grid cells and configured to transport the items to a desired destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the items through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

[0058] A method of unloading items from a storage container, comprising: transferring the storage container to an unloading station. A method is described that includes the steps of: transporting the items to a storage container, where the container is transported by a delivery vehicle; moving the items through a side opening of the storage container to a destination conveyor at an unloading station, where the items are moved by an unloading device; and transporting the items to their intended destination.

[0059] A storage container to be used in the above method can include a floor; a top opening; two first parallel side walls; and two side openings, one in each of the first parallel side walls.

[0060] An unloading device to be used in the above method may include a base structure; one or more unloading members, each having a contact surface; and one or more actuators configured to move the one or more unloading members.

[0061] The present invention also provides a remote-operated delivery vehicle for transporting storage containers between an automated warehouse grid configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers and a second location for handling the storage containers by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator, comprising: The remote-controlled delivery vehicle includes: - a rolling device configured to move a remotely operated delivery vehicle in a horizontal plane along a track of a delivery rail system, the delivery rail system including a first set of parallel rails arranged in a first direction and a second set of parallel rails arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; - a rolling device motor for driving the rolling device; - a power source configured to provide a propulsive force to a rolling device motor; Including, The remotely operated delivery vehicle further includes a container carrier, the container carrier being configured to receive a storage container on or at least partially within the container carrier; The container carrier is - two parallel side walls of the first carrier; - two parallel side walls of the second carrier; - two carrier side openings, one in each of the parallel side walls of the first carrier, each including a lower edge and an upper edge.

[0062] In one embodiment, the second location is an unloading station, the unloading station comprising: - with unloading devices; - Destination conveyor and Including, The unloading device is configured to move items stored in the storage container through one of the side opening of the storage container and the side opening of the container carrier to a destination conveyor.

[0063] In one embodiment, the lower edge of the carrier side opening is aligned with the floor of the storage container during movement of the items by the unloading device.

[0064] The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and are included to facilitate an understanding of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0065] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art automated storage system showing the complete system. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art automated warehouse system, showing an example of a prior art container handling vehicle capable of operating with the system. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art automated storage system showing the complete system. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art automated warehouse system, showing an example of a prior art container handling vehicle capable of operating with the system. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a top view of a container handling vehicle rail system showing a single track system. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a top view of the container handling vehicle rail system showing a double track system 2B. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 is a top view of the container handling vehicle rail system showing a double track system with the width and length of the container handling vehicle grid cells indicated. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a container is being carried by a delivery vehicle. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the container is shown isolated from the delivery vehicle. [Diagram 5] A close-up of a container with two shipping packages inside. [Figure 6a] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. [Figure 6b] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. [Figure 6c] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. [Figure 6d] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. [Figure 7a] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. [Figure 7b] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. [Figure 7c] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. [Figure 7d] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. [Figure 7e] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. [Figure 7f] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. [Figure 7g] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. [Figure 8a] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment. [Figure 8b] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment. [Figure 8c] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment. [Figure 8d] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment. [Figure 8e] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment. [Figure 8f] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment. [Figure 8g] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment. [Figure 8h] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the third embodiment. [Figure 9a] FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment. [Figure 9b] FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment. [Figure 10a] FIG. 13 illustrates a further alternative embodiment. [Figure 10b] FIG. 13 illustrates a further alternative embodiment. [Figure 10c] FIG. 13 illustrates a further alternative embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates a storage grid with a distribution system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are not intended to limit the present invention to the subject matter shown therein. Moreover, even if some of the features are described in relation to the system only, it is clear that they are equally valid in relation to the delivery vehicle and the related method, and vice versa. Thus, any features described in relation to the delivery vehicle only and / or the related method are also valid in relation to the system.

[0067] 1A-1D, the storage grids 104 of each storage structure 1 form a framework 100 of a total of 143 grid columns 112, with the width and length of the framework corresponding to the width and length of 13 and 11 grid columns 112, respectively. The upper layer of the framework 100 is a rail system 108 upon which a number of container handling vehicles 200, 300 are operated.

[0068] The framework 100 of the storage system 1 is constructed according to the above-mentioned prior art framework 100 described above, i.e. according to a number of upright members 102 and a number of horizontal members 103 supported by the upright members 102, further according to which the horizontal members 103 include a container handling vehicle rail system 108 of parallel rails 110, 111 in the X and Y directions, respectively, arranged across the top of the storage columns 105. The horizontal area of ​​a single grid cell 122, i.e. the area along the X and Y directions, respectively, can be defined by the distance between adjacent rails 110 and 111 (see also FIG. 2). In FIGS. 1A and 1C, such a grid cell 122 is marked above the rail system 108 by a bold line.

[0069] The container handling vehicle rail system 108 allows the container handling vehicles 200 , 300 to move horizontally between different grid locations, each of which is associated with a grid cell 122 .

[0070] In Figures 1A and 1C, the storage grid 104 is shown with a height of eight cells. However, it is understood that the storage grid 104 can, in principle, be of any size. In particular, it is understood that the storage grid 104 can be significantly wider and / or longer than that disclosed in Figures 1A and 1C. For example, the grid 104 can have a horizontal extent of more than 700x700 grid cells 122. Also, the grid 104 can be significantly deeper than that disclosed in Figures 1A and 1C. For example, the storage grid 104 can be more than 12 grid cells deep.

[0071] The storage container vehicles 200, 300 may be of any type known in the art, for example any one of the automated container handling vehicles disclosed in WO2014 / 090684A1, NO317366 or WO2015 / 193278A1.

[0072] The rail system 108 can be a single track system as shown in Figure 2A, a double track system as shown in Figure 2B, or a combination of single and double track systems. Details of various track systems are disclosed herein under the Background section.

[0073] In FIG. 1A, the control system of the automated warehouse system 1 is shown as a box 20 provided in communication with the vehicles 200, 300.

[0074] First embodiment Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 4, where an unloading station 10 for an automated warehouse system 1 is shown.

[0075] The unloading station 10 includes an unloading device, generally indicated by arrow 40 , and a destination conveyor, generally indicated by arrow 60 .

[0076] Also shown is a remotely operated vehicle in the form of a delivery vehicle 30. The delivery vehicle 30 includes a vehicle body 31 and a wheel arrangement 32 connected to the vehicle body 31. The wheel arrangement 32 is configured to move the remotely operated vehicle 30 along a rail system 108 of the automated store-and-store system 1 or along a corresponding rail system 108 positioned below or adjacent to the grid 104. The wheel arrangement 32 is considered to be prior art and will not be described in further detail herein.

[0077] The delivery vehicle 30 comprises a container carrier 36, which is positioned above the wheel arrangement 32. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the delivery vehicle 30 differs from the above-mentioned vehicles 200, 300 in that the vehicle 30 itself does not comprise a lifting device for lowering and raising the storage containers relative to the grid 104. In this embodiment, the vehicle 30 is of a type adapted to receive the storage containers 6 from above or to return them to the above by means of a separate lifting device. The lifting device used for this operation can be, for example, a lifting device of the prior art vehicles 200, 300, provided that the vehicle 30 is positioned below one of the vehicles 200, 300. Another example of such a lifting device will also be described in more detail below.

[0078] In this embodiment, the container carrier 36 includes two first parallel side walls 36S1 each having a side opening 36SO, and two second parallel side walls 36S2 perpendicular to the first side walls 36S1. The two second side walls 36S2 do not have side openings. In addition, the container carrier includes a floor 36F and a top opening 36TO for receiving and delivering the storage container 6. In this embodiment, the lower edge 36SOE of the side opening 36SO is horizontally aligned with the floor 6F of the storage container 6 when the storage container 6 is provided in the container carrier 36.

[0079] Here, the storage container 6 is similar to the prior art storage container 106 described above, with one difference (the storage container 6 includes two side openings 6SO in its two first parallel side walls 6S1). As shown in FIG. 4, the storage container has a floor 6F and a top opening 6TO.

[0080] The unloading device 40 will now be described. The unloading device 40 comprises a base structure 41, which may be fixed to the grid 104 or to the rail system 108. The unloading device 40 further comprises a first unloading member 42a having a first contact surface 43a and a second unloading member 42b having a second contact surface 43b. The contact surfaces 43a, 43b are adapted to the item 5. With respect to the planar cardboard box in Fig. 3, the contact surfaces 43a, 43b are planar.

[0081] The unloading device 40 further includes a first actuator 44a configured to move the first unloading member 42a relative to the base structure 41 and a second actuator 44b configured to move the second unloading member 42b relative to the base structure 41.

[0082] In addition, the unloading device 40 includes a control system for controlling the first and / or second actuators 44a, 44b. This control system can be the control system 20 of the automated warehouse system 1 shown in FIG. 1, which also controls the movement of the vehicles relative to the unloading device 40.

[0083] It should be noted that there can be one such unloading member 42 or there can be more than two such unloading members 42. In the automated store-and-store system 1, there can be several such unloading stations 10, in which some unloading stations 10 have one unloading member 42 that is to be used for larger items 5, while other unloading stations 10 have several unloading members 42 that are to be used for smaller items 5. Moreover, the contact surfaces 43 of some unloading members 42 can be designed for one particular type of item 5.

[0084] It should also be noted that the unloading members 42a, 42b in FIG. 3 may be moved in parallel when unloading larger items, and moved one at a time when unloading smaller items.

[0085] The purpose of the unloading device 40 is to move the items 5 stored in the storage container 6 through the side opening 36SO of the container carrier 36 and through the side opening 6SO of the storage container 6 and further to the destination conveyor 60. When the storage container 6 is provided in the container carrier 36, the lower edge 36SOE of the side opening 36SO is horizontally aligned with the floor 6F of the storage container 6, so that the items 5 can be easily pushed out through the side openings 6SO and 36SO.

[0086] In a first embodiment, the first and second actuators 44a, 44b are linear actuators that linearly move the unloading members 42a, 42b. The linear movement can be in a horizontal plane.

[0087] The destination conveyor 60 will now be described, which includes a belt conveyor 61 that receives items 5 at one end and transports the items 5 to a second end of the belt conveyor 61, hereinafter referred to as the target destination TD.

[0088] In Fig. 3, items 5 in the form of a shipping package containing two product items 5a are shown at a target destination TD, where, prior to arrival at the unloading station 10, the product items 5a are collected from a storage container 106 stored in a grid 104 into a shipping package 5 provided in a storage container 6 and then transported by a vehicle 30 to the unloading station 10 for unloading of the shipping package onto the destination conveyor 60.

[0089] It should be noted here that the shipping package 5 is a cardboard box, which is one example of a shipping package that may be used to ship the product item 5a. Other examples of such shipping packages are boxes or bags made from plastic or paper, lined envelopes, etc. The application 10 can be used independent of how the product items are assembled into the shipping package, and the picking operation can be an automated or manual picking process, and thus, in some cases, no picking operation is performed before the storage container 6 is moved to the unloading station.

[0090] It should also be mentioned that some product items 5a do not require an additional shipping package 5 before shipment. One such example is shown in FIG. 5, where two product items 5a are prepackaged into respective shipping packages and stored in storage containers 6 and / or 106 before arrival into the automated warehouse system. Here, the product items 5a can be directly unloaded from the storage containers 6 to a destination conveyor. Thus, the term "item" here refers to both the product items 5a and the shipping packages 5 containing one or several such product items 5a.

[0091] It should be noted that the destination conveyor 60 can include a roller conveyor or other type of conveying means for transporting the items to the intended destination TD. Moreover, it should be noted that the intended destination TD is the intended destination of the unloading station 10. The items 5 can be transported to a further destination, for example, to a station where the shipping package is closed, addressed and / or prepared for dispatch by a postal service or a delivery service, to a collection point, etc.

[0092] In FIG. 3 , the distance D between the contact surfaces 43a, 43b in their inactive position and the destination conveyor 60 is slightly larger than the width W of the vehicle 30, thereby allowing the vehicle 30 to move between the destination conveyor 60 and the unloading device 40, while at the same time helping to prevent the items 5 from falling onto the floor below the unloading station 10.

[0093] In addition, the height of the belt conveyor 61 is aligned with the height of the floor 6F of the storage container 6.

[0094] The operation of the unloading station 10 will now be described. In figure 6a, a vehicle 30 with a storage container 6 containing one item 5 is controlled by the control system 20 to move to the unloading station 10.

[0095] In FIG. 6 b the vehicle 30 is parked in an unloading position between the destination conveyor 60 and the unloading device 40 .

[0096] In FIG. 6 c , the unloading members 42 a , 42 b have moved linearly in parallel into the side openings 36 SO and 6 SO , thereby pushing the items 5 out of the storage containers 6 and container carriers 36 onto the belt conveyor 61 .

[0097] In FIG. 6d, the unloading members 42a, 42b have returned to their initial positions while the conveyor belt moves the item 5 towards its intended destination TD.

[0098] Then, in the final step shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 30 moves away from the unloading station 10 and the item 5 reaches its intended destination TD.

[0099] One advantage of the unloading station 10 of the first embodiment described above is that it is relatively simple. One small disadvantage with the first embodiment is that there may be a risk that the items 5 may slide out through the side openings 6SO, 36SO during acceleration and deceleration, especially in the Y direction shown in FIG. 6b. This can be avoided by keeping the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle 30 relatively low. Another way to overcome this advantage is to provide the floor 6F of the storage container 6 with a material that increases the friction between the floor 6F and the items 5. The second embodiment described below provides a further alternative solution to this disadvantage.

[0100] Second embodiment Reference is now made to figures 7a, 7b and 7c, where the unloading station 10 is similar to the unloading station 10 of the first embodiment and only the differences will be described in detail here.

[0101] In this embodiment, the lower edge 36SOE of the side opening 36SO is not horizontally aligned with the floor 6F of the storage container 6 when the storage container 6 is provided in the container carrier 36. Instead, the lower edge 36SOE of the side opening 36SO is provided above the height H1 of the floor 6F of the storage container 6, as shown in Fig. 7b. In this way, in case the items 5 provided in the storage container 6 slide due to the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle 30, the lower edge 36SOE will prevent the items 5 from further sliding out through the side opening 36SO of the container carrier 36. Thus, another object of the present invention is solved in that it is avoided that the product items fall out of the container during the shipping or transportation of the container.

[0102] In this embodiment, the unloading station 10 includes a container lifting device 50 for lifting the storage container 6 from the vehicle 30. As shown in Fig. 7c, the lifted height of the storage container 6 corresponds to a height H1, i.e. the container lifting device 50 is configured to lift the storage container 6 to a height at which the floor 6F of the storage container 6 is horizontally aligned with the lower edge 36SOE of the side opening 36SO. In the lifted position shown in Fig. 7c, the items 5 can be easily pushed out by the unloading device 40 through the side openings 6SO and 36SO.

[0103] In Fig. 7a the container lifting device 50 is shown to include a first frame structure 51, which is fixed to the base structure 41 of the unloading device 40 and which projects upwardly relative to the grid 104. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments the first frame structure 51 may be fixed to the grid 104 or to another fixed structure near the unloading device 40.

[0104] The container lifting device 50 comprises a container lifting frame 54 with a connection interface CI for connection to and disconnection from the storage container 6. In this embodiment, the container lifting frame 54 is of the same type as the container lifting frame 354 of the container handling vehicle 300 shown in FIG. 1D. The container lifting frame 54 is fixed below a second frame structure 52, which is movable up and down relative to the first frame structure 51 by a lifting mechanism 53. The lifting mechanism 53 can be an electric motor, an electric or electrohydraulic linear actuator, etc.

[0105] In this embodiment, the height of the unloading members 42a, 42b above the grid 104 can be adapted to the height of the lower edge 36SOE of the side opening 36SO by increasing the height of the base structure 41. Also, the height of the destination conveyor 60 can be adapted to the height of the lower edge 36SOE.

[0106] The operation of the unloading station 10 will now be described. In figure 7a, a vehicle 30 with a storage container 6 containing one item 5 is controlled by the control system 20 to move to the unloading station 10.

[0107] In figure 7d the vehicle 30 is parked in the unloading position between the destination conveyor 60 and the unloading device 40. The lifting frame 54 is now in a raised position.

[0108] In FIG. 7 e the lifting frame 54 has been lowered and the connection interface CI is connected to the storage container 6 .

[0109] In FIG. 7f, the lifting frame 54 lifts the storage container upwards by a height H1 (corresponding to FIG. 7c).

[0110] In FIG. 7g, the unloading members 42a, 42b have moved linearly in parallel into the side openings 36SO and 6SO, thereby pushing the items 5 out of the storage containers 6 and container carriers 36 onto the belt conveyor 61. In FIG.

[0111] When the item 5 has been pushed onto the destination conveyor 60, the unloading members 42a, 42b will return to their initial positions, the lifting frame 54 will be lowered and the connection interface CI will be disconnected from the storage container 6. After lifting the lifting frame 54 without the storage container 6, the vehicle 30 can move away from the unloading station 10. As explained above, the destination conveyor 60 will move the item 5 to its intended destination TD.

[0112] Third embodiment Reference is now made to figures 8a, 8b and 8c, where the unloading station 10 is similar to the unloading station 10 of the second embodiment, only the differences will be described in detail here.

[0113] In this embodiment, the container carrier 36 of the vehicle 30 is not provided with an opening. Here, the storage container 6 is lifted by the container lifting device 50 to a height H2 as shown in Fig. 8b and Fig. 8f, so as to horizontally align the floor 6F of the storage container 6 with the upper edge 36UE of the container carrier 36 as shown in Fig. 8c. In this way, if the items 5 provided in the storage container 6 slip due to the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle 30, the items 5 will not fall out of the storage container 6, since there is no side opening in the container carrier 36.

[0114] In this embodiment, the height of the unloading members 42a, 42b above the grid 104 is adapted to the height of the upper edge 36UE by increasing the height of the base structure 41. Also, the heights of the first frame structure 51 and the second frame structure 52 are changed due to the different lifting heights H2 of this embodiment. Also, the height of the destination conveyor 60 is adapted to the height of the upper edge 36UE.

[0115] The operation of the unloading station 10 will now be described. In figure 8a, a vehicle 30 with a storage container 6 containing one item 5 is controlled by the control system 20 to move to the unloading station 10.

[0116] In figure 8d the vehicle 30 has been parked in the unloading position between the destination conveyor 60 and the unloading device 40. The lifting frame 54 is now in a raised position.

[0117] In FIG. 8 e the lifting frame 54 has been lowered and the connection interface CI is connected to the storage container 6 .

[0118] In FIG. 8f, the lifting frame 54 lifts the storage container upwards by a height H2 (corresponding to FIG. 7c).

[0119] In FIG. 8g, the unloading members 42a, 42b have moved linearly in parallel into the side opening 6SO, thereby pushing the items 5 out of the storage container 6 onto the conveyor belt 61. In FIG.

[0120] In FIG. 8h, the unloading members 42a, 42b have returned to their initial positions.

[0121] Afterwards, the lifting frame 54 will be lowered and the connection interface CI will be decoupled from the storage container 6. After raising the lifting frame 54 without the storage container 6, the vehicle 30 can move away from the unloading station 10. As explained above, the destination conveyor 60 will move the item 5 to its intended destination TD.

[0122] Fourth embodiment Reference is now made to figures 9a and 9b. This embodiment corresponds to the first embodiment, i.e. the unloading station 10 does not include a container lifting device 50. However, a floor 6F is now provided at a height H1 below the lower edge 36SOE of the side opening 36SO of the container carrier 36, as in the second embodiment.

[0123] Here, the storage container 6 includes a ramp member 6G provided between the floor 6F and the lower edge 36SOE, allowing items 5 to be pushed by unloading members 42a, 42b along the floor 6F and upwardly along the ramp member 6G and out the side opening 36SO as shown in Figure 9b.

[0124] The embodiments described in connection with the figures solve at least some of the present objectives, including that product items and shipping packages are handled with care, i.e., they are not damaged during unloading of the container.

[0125] Fifth embodiment Reference is now made to Fig. 10a. Here, the unloading device 40 does not include a container lifting device 50 or an unloading member 42. Here, the unloading device 40 is provided as a tilting or pivoting device 48 mounted between the vehicle body 31 and the container carrier 36. In Fig. 10, it is shown that the container carrier 36 can be tilted with a tilting angle TA with respect to a horizontal plane. The tilting angle TA can be, for example, up to 60°. This causes the items 5 to slide out of the container 6 and the container carrier 36 onto the belt conveyor 61. This will be the case.

[0126] In Figure 10b, the container carrier 36 is similar to that of Figure 3, and the lower edge 36SOE of the side opening 36SO is aligned with the floor 6F of the storage container 6 when the storage container 6 is provided in the container carrier 36.

[0127] In Figure 10c, the container carrier 36 is similar to that of Figure 9b, ie with a ramp member 6G provided between the floor 6F and the lower edge 36SOE.

[0128] It should be noted that in this embodiment and the other embodiments described above, the container floor 6F can be made of or equipped with a material that provides the desired friction against the items 5, allowing the items to slide out of the container 6 and container carrier 36 only where desired.

[0129] It should also be noted that the unloading device 40 may include a combination of the fifth and first embodiments, i.e., having both a tilting or pivoting device 48 provided on the vehicle 30 and one or more reciprocating unloading members 42.

[0130] In the preceding description, it should be noted that the delivery vehicle may include a weighing mechanism, e.g., a commercially available electronic weighing scale, to measure the weight of the storage containers. Such a weighing mechanism may provide information regarding the contents within each storage container, such as total weight, number of units, internal weight distribution, and / or location within the storage grid where the storage container should be placed.

[0131] Reference is now made to Figure 11. Here, the automated storage system 1 comprises a distribution system 140 provided partially below the storage grid 104. The distribution system 140 may further comprise a distribution rail system 150 with rails 151, 152. The rail system 150 may be of the same type as the rail system of the storage grid 104.

[0132] The delivery rail system 150 shown in Figure 11 extends from a location inside the storage grid 104 to a location outside the storage grid 104, for example, to a location where the unloading station 10 described above is located. The delivery vehicle 30 shown in Figure 11 can be one of the delivery vehicles described above.

[0133] To maximize storage space for storage containers in the warehouse grid, it may be advantageous to arrange the distribution rail system 150 so that it extends as little as possible into the storage grid 104. That means that the warehouse grid can include multiple storage columns extending from an upper level to the base of the storage grid, thus allowing the maximum possible storage capacity, because the entire storage column can be used for storage.

[0134] To maintain the maximum possible storage capacity, the portion of the delivery rail system 150 that extends into the storage grid may be kept as small as possible, so that the delivery rail system 150 and delivery vehicles 30 can occupy as little space as possible of the warehouse grid, which space may be used for storage of storage containers.

[0135] The delivery rail system 150 is positioned within the framework structure of the storage grid. The storage grid may include a first rail system positioned outside the framework structure of the storage grid and a second rail system positioned outside the framework structure of the storage grid, the first and second rail systems connected such that a delivery vehicle can operate between the rail systems.

[0136] The distribution system 140 may include an interface that may connect to a third party storage, production, and distribution system, which may be a distribution rail system.

[0137] The distribution system may be integrated with third party storage, production, and distribution systems such that storage containers may be transported between the distribution system and the third party storage, production, and distribution systems.

[0138] The distribution system of the present invention may be connectable to third party storage, production, and distribution systems, such as production facilities, storage grids, assembly facilities, receiving or shipping locations, etc. The connection can be by a connectable rail system or by a conveyor system, including conveyors used to transport storage containers between the distribution system and the third party storage, production, and distribution systems.

[0139] In the preceding description, various aspects of the delivery vehicle and automated warehouse system according to the present invention have been described with reference to illustrative embodiments. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems, and configurations have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the system and its operation. However, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the system that are apparent to those skilled in the art of the disclosed subject matter, are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1. Automated warehouse system 5 items 5a Product Item 6 Storage Containers 6SO Storage container side opening 6F Storage container floor 6S1 First parallel side wall of storage container 6TO Storage Container Top Opening 10 Unloading Station 20 Warehouse system control system 30 Delivery Vehicles 31 Vehicle body 32 Wheel structure 36 Container Carrier 36F Container carrier floor 36SO Container Carrier Side Opening 36S1 First parallel side wall of container carrier 36S2 Second parallel side wall of container carrier Top opening of 36TO container carrier 36SOE Lower edge of side opening of container carrier Upper edge of 36UE container carrier 40 Unloading Device 41 Base structure of unloading device 42a First unloading member 42b Second unloading member 43a: first contact surface of first unloading member 43b second contact surface of unloading member 44a First Actuator 44b Second Actuator 48 Tilt / Pivot Device 50 Container Lifting Device 51 First frame structure 52 Second frame structure 53 Lifting Mechanism 54 Container Lifting Frame 60 Destination Conveyor 61 Conveyor Belt 100 Framework Structure 102 Framework structure upright members 103 Horizontal members of framework structures 104 Storage Grid / 3D Grid 105 Storage Column 106 Storage Container 107 Stack 108 Rail System / Container Handling Vehicle Rail System 110 a first set of parallel rails in a first direction (X) 110a first adjacent rail of first set 110b a second adjacent rail of the first set 111 A second set of parallel rails in a second direction (Y) 111a 1st adjacent rail of 2nd set 111b Second adjacent rail of second set 115 Grid Opening / Container Handling Vehicle Grid Opening 119 Shipping Column 120 Shipping Column 122 grid cells / container handling vehicle grid cells 140 Delivery System 200 First container handling vehicle 201 Wheel structure 202, 202' Container handling vehicle installation area 300 Second container handling vehicle 301 Wheel structure X First Direction Y Second Direction Wo Width of container handling vehicle grid opening Wc Width of container handling vehicle grid cell Lo Length of container handling vehicle grid opening Lc Length of container handling vehicle grid cell Wod Delivery Vehicle Grid Opening Width Wcd Width of delivery vehicle grid cell Lod Delivery vehicle grid opening length Lcd Delivery vehicle grid cell length H1 Height H2 Height TD destination CI Connection Interface

Claims

1. A delivery vehicle (30); A storage container (6) carried by the delivery vehicle (30); an unloading station (10) for unloading items (5; 5a) from said storage containers (6) while said storage containers (6) are being transported by said delivery vehicles (30) in the automated warehouse system (1); An unloading arrangement comprising: The unloading station comprises: An unloading device (40); a destination conveyor (60) configured to transport said items to a target destination (TD); Including, The unloading device is configured to move the items through a side opening (6SO) of the storage container to the destination conveyor. Unloading configuration.

2. The storage container comprises: Floor (6F); An upper opening (6TO); two first parallel side walls (6S1); two side openings (6SO), one in each of the first parallel side walls; 2. The unloading arrangement of claim 1, comprising:

3. The delivery vehicle (30) includes a container carrier (36), the container carrier (36) comprising: A carrier floor (36F); A carrier top opening (36TO); two first carrier parallel side walls (36S1); two second carrier parallel side walls (36S2); two carrier side openings (36SO), one in each of the parallel side walls of the first carrier, each of the two carrier side openings (36SO) including a lower edge (36SOE) and an upper edge (36UE); 3. The unloading arrangement of claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. The unloading device comprises: A base structure (41); one or more unloading members (42a, 42b) each having a contact surface (43a, 43b); one or more actuators (44a, 44b) configured to move the one or more unloading members; 4. The unloading arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

5. The one or more unloading members include: a first unloading member (42a) having a first contact surface (43a) adapted to the item; a second unloading member (42b) having a second contact surface (43b) adapted to the item; 5. The unloading arrangement of claim 4, comprising:

6. The one or more actuators include: a first actuator (44a) configured to move the first unloading member; a second actuator (44b) configured to move the second unloading member; 6. The unloading arrangement of claim 5, comprising:

7. 7. The unloading arrangement of claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the actuators are configured to move the unloading members independently.

8. The unloading device (40) further comprises a container lifting device (50), the container lifting device (50) comprising: A first frame structure (51); a container lifting frame (54) having a connection interface (CI) configured to connect to the container; a lifting mechanism (53) configured to lift the container lifting frame relative to the first frame structure; 8. The unloading arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising:

9. 9. The unloading arrangement of claim 8, wherein the container lifting device further comprises a second frame structure (52), the container lifting frame being fixed below the second frame structure, and the lifting mechanism is configured to move the second frame structure up and down relative to the first frame structure.

10. 10. The unloading arrangement according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the container lifting device is configured to lift the container up to a height (H1) at which the floor (6F) of the storage container (6) is horizontally aligned with the lower edge (36SOE) of the side opening (36SO).

11. 11. The unloading arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the automated storage system comprises a storage grid (104), and the base structure is fixed to the storage grid.

12. A unloading station for unloading items (5; 5a) from a storage container (6) while said storage container is being transported by a delivery vehicle (30) in an automated warehouse system (1), comprising: The unloading station comprises: a rail system including a plurality of rails defining an arrangement of grid cells; an unloading device (40) disposed on one side of the grid cell; a destination conveyor (60) disposed on an opposite side of the grid cell and configured to transport said items to a target destination (TD); Including, The unloading station, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the items through a side opening (6SO) of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

13. A method for unloading items (5; 5a) from a storage container (6), comprising the steps of: transporting the storage container to an unloading station (10), the container being transported by a delivery vehicle (30); moving the items through a side opening (6SO) of the storage container to a destination conveyor (60) of the unloading station, the items being moved by an unloading device (40); transporting the item to a target destination (TD); A method comprising:

14. The storage container comprises: Floor (6F); An upper opening (6TO); two first parallel side walls (6S1); two side openings (6SO), one in each of the first parallel side walls; The method of claim 13, comprising:

15. The unloading device comprises: A base structure (41); one or more unloading members (42a, 42b) each having a contact surface (43a, 43b); one or more actuators (44a, 44b) configured to move the one or more unloading members; The method of claim 13 or 14, comprising:

16. a remote-operated delivery vehicle (30) for transporting storage containers (6) between an automated warehouse grid (104) configured to store a plurality of stacks (107) of storage containers (6) and a second location for handling the storage containers (6) by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator, The remote-controlled delivery vehicle (30) comprises: a rolling device (32) configured to move said remote-controlled delivery vehicle (30) in a horizontal plane (P1) along a track of a delivery rail system (50), said delivery rail system (50) comprising a first set of parallel rails (51) arranged in a first direction (X) and a second set of parallel rails (52) arranged in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to said first direction (X); a rolling device motor for driving said rolling device (32); - a power source (43) configured to provide a propulsive force to said rolling device motor; Including, the remotely operated delivery vehicle (30) further comprises a container carrier (36) configured to receive the storage container (6) on or at least partially within the container carrier (36); The container carrier (36) comprises: - two parallel side walls (36S1) of the first carrier; - two parallel side walls (36S2) of the second carrier; - two carrier side openings (36SO), one in each of the parallel side walls of said first carrier, each of said two carrier side openings (36SO), each of said two carrier side openings (36SO) including a lower edge (36SOE) and an upper edge (36UE); A remote-controlled delivery vehicle (30).

17. The second location is an unloading station (10), the unloading station (10) comprising: - an unloading device (40); - a destination conveyor (60); Including, 17. The remote-operated delivery vehicle (30) of claim 16, wherein the unloading device (40) is configured to move items (5, 5a) stored in the storage container (6) through one of a side opening (6SO) of the storage container (6) and the side opening (36SO) of the container carrier (35) to the destination conveyor (60).

18. 18. The remote-operated delivery vehicle (30) of claim 16 or 17, wherein the lower edge (36SOE) of the carrier side opening (36SO) is aligned with a floor (6F) of the storage container (6) during movement of the items (5, 5a) by the unloading device (40).

Images