Article transporting system and method for operating an article transporting system

Abstract

Article transporting system comprising at least one transporting shuttle, a lower rail structure arranged below the at least one transporting shuttle, and an upper rail structure arranged above the at least one transporting shuttle. The at least one transporting shuttle comprises a housing structure configured for holding articles during transportation, a lower wheel arrangement, and an upper wheel arrangement. The at least one transporting shuttle is configured for being alternatingly propelled along the lower rail structure via the lower wheel arrangement and the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement. The lower wheel arrangement is releasably connectable to the lower rail structure and the upper wheel arrangement is releasably connectable to the upper rail structure. The upper wheel arrangement is rotatably arranged relative to the housing structure. The housing structure is configured for being rotatably displaced relative to the upper wheel arrangement enabling rotational movement of the housing structure relative to the upper rail structure and the lower rail structure, when the upper wheel arrangement is connected to the upper rail structure and the lower wheel arrangement is disconnected from the lower rail structure.

Description

[0001] ARTICLE TRANSPORTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN

[0002] ARTICLE TRANSPORTING SYSTEM

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates to an article transporting system comprising at least one transporting shuttle, a lower rail structure arranged below the at least one transporting shuttle, and an upper rail structure arranged above the at least one transporting shuttle. The at least one transporting shuttle comprises a housing structure configured for holding articles during transportation, a lower wheel arrangement, and an upper wheel arrangement. The at least one transporting shuttle is configured for being alternatingly propelled along the lower rail structure via the lower wheel arrangement and the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement. The disclosure further relates to a method for operating the transporting system.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Transporting systems are commonly used for transporting articles in manufacturing plants, warehouses, or in other locations where there is a need for transporting articles. In specific situations, there is a need for more flexible and time efficient transporting flows.

[0007] When for example manufacturing semiconductors, the reduction of semiconductor processing cycle time is of high importance. In some applications, the transported articles are transporting pods used during the transportation of the semiconductors. The transporting pods are isolating the semiconductors from contamination by providing an enclosed protected environment with controlled airflow, pressure and particle count. The transporting pods can be accessed by automated mechanical interfaces on production equipment.

[0008] Many transporting systems today are using tracks and shuttles for the transportation of articles between different transporting positions. Such system are complex in design and have non-flexible layouts, leading to non-efficient transportation with long travelling distances for the articles between the different transporting positions.

[0009] In semiconductor fabrication facilities, or in other manufacturing plants or warehouses, the non-efficient transportation of articles are increasing the processing cycle times of the articles. Therefore, there is a need for a more flexible and efficient transportation systems with reduced transportation time of articles between production equipment and storage positions, and from storage positions to other positions for further handling of the articles.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an article transporting system and a method for operating an article transporting system, where the previously mentioned problems are avoided. This object is at least partly achieved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain further developments of the article transporting system and the method for operating an article transporting system.

[0012] The disclosure concerns an article transporting system comprising at least one transporting shuttle, a lower rail structure arranged below the at least one transporting shuttle, and an upper rail structure arranged above the at least one transporting shuttle. The at least one transporting shuttle comprises a housing structure configured for holding articles during transportation, a lower wheel arrangement, and an upper wheel arrangement. The at least one transporting shuttle is configured for being alternatingly propelled along the lower rail structure via the lower wheel arrangement and the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement. The lower wheel arrangement is releasably connectable to the lower rail structure and the upper wheel arrangement is releasably connectable to the upper rail structure. The upper wheel arrangement is rotatably arranged relative to the housing structure. The housing structure is configured for being rotatably displaced relative to the upper wheel arrangement enabling rotational movement of the housing structure relative to the upper rail structure and the lower rail structure, when the upper wheel arrangement is connected to the upper rail structure and the lower wheel arrangement is disconnected from the lower rail structure. Advantages with these features are that the article transporting system can be made flexible and efficient in design through the rotatable displacement of the housing structure relative to the upper wheel arrangement, which is enabling rotational movement of the housing structure relative to the upper rail structure and the lower rail structure respectively. The rotational movement is efficiently used for positioning the housing structure for loading and unloading articles in connection to for example production equipment, such as machines for producing articles, or in connection to storage positions. Through the efficient positioning of the housing structure, the travelling distances for the articles between the different transporting positions can be reduced compared to traditional complex and non-flexible systems, where transporting shuttles have stationary positions relative to the rail structures. The article transportation system is through the efficient positioning of the housing structure also reducing the transportation time of the articles between production equipment and storage positions, and from storage positions to other positions for further handling of the articles, since the housing structure can be rotated into any desired position. Reduced travelling distances are enabling short cycle times of the articles. The rotational movement of the housing structure relative to the upper rail structure and the lower rail structure is simplifying the orientation of the transporting shuttle relative to machines or storage locations, as well as the positioning of the transporting shuttle to the respective rail structures. When the upper wheel arrangement is connected to the upper rail structure and the lower wheel arrangement is disconnected from the lower rail structure, the housing structure may be rotated in any desired direction, and in this way, the housing structure could for example be rotated 180 degrees for changing direction relative to the lower rail structure, or rotated relative to the upper rail structure for aligning the housing structure to machines or storage positions.

[0013] In one embodiment, the upper wheel arrangement is configured for being rotatably displaced relative to the housing structure for enabling alignment of the lower wheel arrangement with a direction of the lower rail structure when connecting the transporting shuttle to the lower rail structure. The upper wheel arrangement is configured for being rotatably displaced relative to the housing structure for enabling alignment of the upper wheel arrangement with a direction of the upper rail structure when connecting the transporting shuttle to the upper rail structure. The rotational movement of the upper wheel arrangement is in this way used for a simple and efficient positioning of the respective wheel arrangements when connecting them to a corresponding rail structure, even if the rail structures are arranged in different angles relative to each other.

[0014] In one embodiment, the lower rail structure comprises a plurality of lower rail sections and the upper rail structure comprises one or more upper rail sections. At least one of the one or more upper rail sections are extending in a direction different from the lower rail sections. The extensions in different directions are enabling a simple and smart layout of the article transporting system, where the transporting shuttles can be transported alternatingly on the different lower rail sections and the upper rail sections respectively in different transporting directions for a compact and flexible layout of the system.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lower rail structure comprises two or more lower rail sections extending in a first transporting direction, and the upper rail structure comprises at least one upper rail section extending in a direction different from the first transporting direction, enabling transportation of the at least one transporting shuttle between different lower rail sections via the at least one upper rail section.

[0016] In one embodiment, the lower wheel arrangement is attached to a lower base structure of the housing structure and the upper wheel arrangement is attached to an upper structure of the housing structure. The lower base structure and upper structure are used for holding the respective wheel arrangements to the housing structure.

[0017] In one embodiment, the transporting shuttle comprises a shaft structure arranged between the upper wheel arrangement and the housing structure, wherein the shaft structure is configured for rotatably displacing the upper wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure. The shaft structure is efficiently providing the rotational movement and the shaft structure may for example be driven by an electric motor or other suitable actuator.

[0018] In embodiments, the transporting shuttle comprises an upper lifting arrangement arranged between the upper wheel arrangement and the housing structure. The upper lifting arrangement is configured for lifting and lowering the upper wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure. Alternatively or in combination, the transporting shuttle comprises a lower lifting arrangement arranged between the lower wheel arrangement and the housing structure. The lower lifting arrangement is configured for lifting and lowering the lower wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure. The lifting arrangements are used for efficient positioning and connection of the transporting shuttle to the respective rail structures through the lifting and lowering movements of the wheel arrangements.

[0019] In embodiments, the upper lifting arrangement is configured for lifting the upper wheel arrangement into a position in connection to the upper rail structure when connecting the transporting shuttle to the upper rail structure. Alternatively or in combination, the lower lifting arrangement is configured for lifting the upper wheel arrangement into a position in connection to the upper rail structure when connecting the transporting shuttle to the upper rail structure.

[0020] In embodiments, the upper lifting arrangement is configured for lifting the housing structure with the lower wheel arrangement when the transporting shuttle has been connected to the upper rail structure for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the lower rail structure. Alternatively or in combination, the lower lifting arrangement is configured for lifting the lower wheel arrangement when the transporting shuttle has been connected to the upper rail structure for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the lower rail structure.

[0021] In embodiments, the upper lifting arrangement is configured for lowering the housing structure with the lower wheel arrangement into a position onto to the lower rail structure when connecting the transporting shuttle to the lower rail structure. Alternatively or in combination, the lower lifting arrangement is configured for lowering the lower wheel arrangement into a position onto to the lower rail structure when connecting the transporting shuttle to the lower rail structure.

[0022] In embodiments, the upper lifting arrangement is configured for lowering the upper wheel arrangement away from the upper rail structure when the transporting shuttle has been connected to the lower rail structure for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the upper rail structure. Alternatively or in combination, the lower lifting arrangement is configured for lowering the upper wheel arrangement away from the upper rail structure when the transporting shuttle has been connected to the lower rail structure for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the upper rail structure. In one embodiment, the transporting shuttle comprises a hoist mechanism configured for collecting the articles from and delivering the articles to storage positions below the lower rail structure. The hoist mechanism may comprise a platform structure and cables, belts or similar arrangements for lowering and raising the articles in a simple way.

[0023] The disclosure further concerns a method for operating an article transporting system, where the transporting system comprises at least one transporting shuttle, a lower rail structure arranged below the at least one transporting shuttle, and an upper rail structure arranged above the at least one transporting shuttle. The at least one transporting shuttle comprises a housing structure configured for holding articles during transportation, a lower wheel arrangement, and an upper wheel arrangement. The at least one transporting shuttle is alternatingly propelled along the lower rail structure via the lower wheel arrangement and the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement. The at least one transporting shuttle is releasably connectable to the lower rail structure via the lower wheel arrangement and releasably connectable to the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement. The upper wheel arrangement is rotatably arranged relative to the housing structure. The method comprises the steps: connecting the upper wheel arrangement to the upper rail structure and disconnecting the lower wheel arrangement from the lower rail structure; and rotatably displacing the housing structure relative to the upper wheel arrangement for establishing a rotational movement of the housing structure relative to the upper rail structure and the lower rail structure when the upper wheel arrangement is connected to the upper rail structure and the lower wheel arrangement is disconnected from the lower rail structure.

[0024] Advantages with the method are that the article transporting system can be operated in a flexible and efficient way through the rotatable displacement of the housing structure relative to the upper wheel arrangement. This is enabling rotational movement of the housing structure relative to the upper rail structure and the lower rail structure respectively. The rotational movement is efficiently used for positioning the housing structure for loading and unloading articles in connection to for example machines or storage positions. By the efficient positioning of the housing structure, the travelling distances for the articles between the different transporting positions can be reduced compared to traditional complex and non-flexible systems, where transporting shuttles have stationary positions relative to the rail structures. The article transportation system is through the efficient positioning of the housing structure also reducing the transportation time of the articles between production equipment and storage positions, and from storage positions to other positions for further handling of the articles, since the housing structure can be rotated into any desired position. Reduced travelling distances are enabling short cycle times of the articles. The rotational movement of the housing structure relative to the upper rail structure and the lower rail structure is simplifying the orientation of the transporting shuttle relative to machines or storage locations, as well as the positioning of the transporting shuttle to the respective rail structures. When the upper wheel arrangement is connected to the upper rail structure and the lower wheel arrangement is disconnected from the lower rail structure, the housing structure may be rotated in any desired direction, and in this way, the housing structure could for example be rotated 180 degrees for changing direction relative to the lower rail structure, or rotated relative to the upper rail structure for aligning the housing structure to machines or storage positions.

[0025] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps: rotatably displacing the upper wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement, for aligning the lower wheel arrangement with a direction of the lower rail structure; connecting the transporting shuttle to the lower rail structure with the lower wheel arrangement; and disconnecting the upper wheel arrangement from the upper rail structure. The rotational movement is in this way used for a simple and efficient positioning of the lower wheel arrangement when connecting the lower wheel arrangement to the lower rail structure. The rotational displacement may for example be used when the transporting shuttle is in a non-optimal position for connecting the lower wheel arrangement to the lower rail structure. In this way, the upper wheel arrangement can be rotatably displaced relative to the housing structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement for aligning the housing structure and the lower wheel arrangement with a direction of the lower rail structure when there is a need for connecting the transporting shuttle to the lower rail structure. The alignment is securing a correct direction of the lower wheel arrangement relative to the direction of the lower rail structure. In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps: rotatably displacing the upper wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the lower rail structure via the lower wheel arrangement, for aligning the upper wheel arrangement with a direction of the upper rail structure; connecting the transporting shuttle to the upper rail structure with the upper wheel arrangement; and disconnecting the lower wheel arrangement from the lower rail structure. The rotational movement is in this way used for a simple and efficient positioning of the upper wheel arrangement when connecting the upper wheel arrangement to the upper rail structure. The rotational displacement may for example be used when the upper wheel arrangement is in a non-optimal position for being connected to the upper rail structure. In this way, the upper wheel arrangement can be rotatably displaced relative to the housing structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the lower rail structure via the lower wheel arrangement for aligning the upper wheel arrangement with a direction of the upper rail structure when there is a need for connecting the transporting shuttle to the upper rail structure. The alignment is securing a correct direction of the upper wheel arrangement relative to the direction of the upper rail structure.

[0026] In one embodiment, the lower rail structure comprises two or more lower rail sections extending in a first transporting direction, and the upper rail structure comprises at least one upper rail section extending in a direction different from the first transporting direction. The method further comprises the step: transporting the at least one transporting shuttle between different lower rail sections via the at least one upper rail section. The extensions in different directions are enabling a simple and smart layout of the article transporting system, where the transporting shuttles can be transported alternatingly on the different lower rail sections and the upper rail sections respectively in different transporting directions for a compact and flexible layout of the system.

[0027] In one embodiment, the transporting shuttle comprises a shaft structure arranged between the upper wheel arrangement and the housing structure. The method further comprises the step: rotatably displacing the upper wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure by the shaft structure. The shaft structure is enabling the rotational movement and the shaft structure may for example be driven by an electric motor or other suitable actuator. In embodiments, the transporting shuttle comprises an upper lifting arrangement arranged between the upper wheel arrangement and the housing structure. The method further comprises the steps: lifting the upper wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure by the upper lifting arrangement, and / or lowering the upper wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure by the upper lifting arrangement. Alternatively or in combination, the transporting shuttle comprises a lower lifting arrangement arranged between the lower wheel arrangement and the housing structure, wherein the method further comprises the steps: lifting the lower wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure by the lower lifting arrangement, and / or lowering the lower wheel arrangement relative to the housing structure by the lower lifting arrangement. The lifting arrangements are used for efficient positioning and connection of the transporting shuttle to the respective rail structures through the lifting and lowering movements of the wheel arrangements.

[0028] In embodiments, the method further comprises the steps: lifting the upper wheel arrangement with the upper lifting arrangement into a position in connection to the upper rail structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the lower rail structure and connecting the transporting shuttle to the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement, and thereafter lifting the lower wheel arrangement with the lower lifting arrangement for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the lower rail structure; and / or lifting the upper wheel arrangement with the upper lifting arrangement into a position in connection to the upper rail structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the lower rail structure and connecting the transporting shuttle to the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement, and thereafter lifting the housing structure and the lower wheel arrangement with the upper lifting arrangement for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the lower rail structure; and / or lifting the upper wheel arrangement with the lower lifting arrangement into a position in connection to the upper rail structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the lower rail structure and connecting the transporting shuttle to the upper rail structure via the upper wheel arrangement, and thereafter lifting the lower wheel arrangement with the lower lifting arrangement for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the lower rail structure.

[0029] In embodiments, the method further comprises the steps: lowering the lower wheel arrangement with the lower lifting arrangement into a position onto to the lower rail structure for connecting the transporting shuttle to the lower rail structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the upper rail structure, and thereafter lowering the upper wheel arrangement away from the upper rail structure with the upper lifting arrangement for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the upper rail structure; and / or lowering the housing structure and the lower wheel arrangement with the upper lifting arrangement into a position onto to the lower rail structure for connecting the transporting shuttle to the lower rail structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the upper rail structure, and thereafter lowering the upper wheel arrangement away from the upper rail structure with the upper lifting arrangement for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the upper rail structure; and / or lowering the lower wheel arrangement with the lower lifting arrangement into a position onto to the lower rail structure for connecting the transporting shuttle to the lower rail structure when the transporting shuttle is connected to the upper rail structure, and thereafter lowering the upper wheel arrangement away from the upper rail structure with the lower lifting arrangement for disconnecting the transporting shuttle from the upper rail structure.

[0030] In one embodiment, the transporting shuttle comprises a hoist mechanism. The method further comprises the step: collecting the articles from and delivering the articles to storage positions below the lower rail structure by the hoist mechanism. The hoist mechanism may comprise a platform structure and cables, belts or similar arrangements for lowering and raising the articles in a simple way.

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] The disclosure will be described in detail in the following, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

[0033] Fig. 1a-b show schematically, in perspective layout views from above, different embodiments of an article transporting system comprising transporting shuttles, a lower rail structure arranged below the transporting shuttles, and an upper rail structure arranged above the transporting shuttles,

[0034] Fig. 2a-c show schematically, in enlarged perspective views, the transporting shuttle with a housing structure configured for holding articles during transportation, a lower wheel arrangement, and an upper wheel arrangement,

[0035] Fig. 3a-i show schematically, in perspective views and in side views, operational steps of the transporting shuttle, where the transporting shuttle is connected to and disconnected from the respective rail structures, and

[0036] Fig. 4a-b show schematically, in a side view and in a perspective view, a hoist mechanism of the transporting shuttle for collecting articles from and delivering articles to storage positions.

[0037] DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Various aspects of the disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings to illustrate and not to limit the disclosure, wherein like designations denote like elements, and variations of the described aspects are not restricted to the specifically shown embodiments, but are applicable on other variations of the disclosure.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the steps, services and functions explained herein may be implemented using individual hardware circuitry, using software functioning in conjunction with a programmed microprocessor or general purpose computer, using one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and / or using one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs). It will also be appreciated that when the present disclosure is described in terms of a method, it may also be embodied in one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more memories store one or more programs that perform the steps, services and functions disclosed herein when executed by the one or more processors.

[0040] Figure 1a schematically shows a layout view of an article transporting system S, and figure 1b schematically shows an alternative layout view of an article transporting system S. The transporting system comprises at least one transporting shuttle 1 , a lower rail structure 10L arranged below the at least one transporting shuttle 1 , and an upper rail structure 10u arranged above the at least one transporting shuttle 1. In figures 1a-b, two transporting shuttles 1 are schematically shown for illustrative purposes. The one or more transporting shuttles 1 are used for transporting articles A between different positions, such as between machines, storage positions and / or delivery positions. The article transporting systems S illustrated in figures 1a-b may suitably be used in connection to a semiconductor production plant for the transportation of articles A in the form of transporting pods holding semiconductor wafers. It should however be understood that the article transporting system S may be used for any type of suitable articles or goods.

[0041] As illustrated figures 1a-b, the lower rail structure 10L comprises a plurality of lower rail sections 11 . Each of the lower rail sections 11 L forms a lower travelling path for the transporting shuttles 1 , and the transporting shuttles 1 may travel along any of the lower rail sections 11 . The lower rail sections 11 L are in the shown embodiment extending in a direction parallel to each other, and the lower rail sections 11 are each arranged as a pair of rail beams extending in a longitudinal direction DLO of the article transporting system S. In other non-illustrated embodiments, the lower rail sections 11 L may have other configurations, and arranged parallel and / or non-parallel to each other.

[0042] As illustrated in figures 1a-b, the upper rail structure 10u further comprises upper rail sections 11 u. Each of the upper rail sections 11 u forms an upper travelling path for the transporting shuttles 1 , and the transporting shuttles 1 may travel along any of the upper rail sections 11u. The upper rail sections 11u are suitably extending in one or more directions different from the lower rail sections 11 . In the embodiment shown in figure 1a, the upper rail sections 11 u are arranged as rail beams extending in a lateral direction DLA of the article transporting system S perpendicular to, or essentially perpendicular to, the lower rail sections 11 . In the embodiment shown in figure 1 b, the upper rail structure 10u instead comprises upper rail sections 11ui extending in a lateral direction DLA of the article transporting system S perpendicular to, or essentially perpendicular to, the lower rail sections 11L, and one upper rail section 11u2 extending at an angle to the lateral direction DLA, and thus non-perpendicular to the lower rail sections 11 . It should be understood that in other non-illustrated embodiments, one or more of the upper rail sections 11u could extend in the same direction as the lower rail sections 11 , or alternatively at any suitable angle relative to the lower rail sections 11L, for a flexible layout of the article transporting system S. For the different embodiments, the lower rail structure 1 OL. suitably comprises two or more lower rail sections 11 L extending in a first transporting direction DTI , where the first transporting direction DTI, is corresponding to the longitudinal direction DLO. This enables transportation of the transporting shuttles 1 in opposite directions of the first transporting direction DTI along the lower rail sections 11 . The upper rail structure 10u suitably comprises at least one upper rail section 11u extending in a direction different from the first transporting direction DTI , enabling transportation of the at least one transporting shuttle 1 between different lower rail sections 11 via the at least one upper rail section 11u. In this way, the transporting shuttles 1 could be transported in opposite directions along the at least one upper rail section 11u from one of the lower rail sections 11 to another lower rail section 11 .

[0043] With the layout of the article transporting system S, where the lower rail structure 10L comprises two or more lower rail sections 11 extending in a first transporting direction DTI , and where the upper rail structure 10u comprises at least one upper rail section 11u extending in a direction different from the first transporting direction DTI , a flexible and efficient transportation system with reduced transportation time of articles A can be achieved. By transporting the at least one transporting shuttle 1 between different lower rail sections 11 L via the at least one upper rail section 11u, the travelling distances for the articles A can be optimized, enabling short transportation times of articles between production equipment and storage positions, and from storage positions to other positions for further handling of the articles.

[0044] The lower rail sections 11 and / or the upper rail sections 11 u suitably have straight configurations, as shown in figures 1a-b. Alternatively, the lower rail sections 11 L and / or the upper rail sections 11u, could be arranged as curved rail sections or as rail sections including one or more curved parts.

[0045] With this arrangement of the lower rail sections 11 L and upper rail sections 11u described above, a compact and efficient structure of the article transporting system S is achieved. The lower rail sections 11 L may be arranged closely to each other and in this way the lower rail structure 10L is formed with many different transportation options for the transporting shuttles 1 in the longitudinal direction DLO. The upper rail sections 11 u are suitably bridging two or more of the lower rail sections 11 , enabling efficient transportation of the transporting shuttles 1 between different lower rail sections 11 L. Further, the lower rail sections 11 L are enabling efficient transportation of the transporting shuttles 1 between different upper rail sections 11u. With this arrangement, the transporting shuttles 1 could travel in any directions along the lower rail sections 11 L and upper rail sections 11u respectively, enabling short travelling distances for the transporting shuttle between different positions of the article transporting system S.

[0046] Figures 2a-c schematically show the transporting shuttle 1 in a more detailed view, and as shown in the figures, the transporting shuttle 1 comprises a housing structure 1a configured for holding the articles A during transportation. The transporting shuttle

[0047] 1 further comprises a lower wheel arrangement 2 and an upper wheel arrangement 3. The lower wheel arrangement 2 is attached to a lower base structure 1 b of the housing structure 1a and thus arranged at a lower side of the housing structure 1a. The upper wheel arrangement 3 is attached to an upper structure 1c of the housing structure 1a and thus arranged at an upper side of the housing structure 1a. The housing structure 1a and the lower base structure 1b may comprise one or more nonillustrated openings for loading and unloading articles A in connection to for example machines or storage positions.

[0048] The transporting shuttles 1 are configured for being alternatingly propelled along the lower rail structure 1 OL. via the lower wheel arrangement 2 and the upper rail structure 10u via the upper wheel arrangement 3. To achieve this, the lower wheel arrangement

[0049] 2 is releasably connectable to the lower rail structure 10i_ and the upper wheel arrangement 3 is releasably connectable to the upper rail structure 10u.

[0050] When propelling the transporting shuttles 1 along the lower rail sections 11 L. of the lower rail structure 10i_, the lower wheel arrangement 2 is connected to one of the lower rail sections 11 and the upper wheel arrangement 3 is disconnected from the of the upper rail structure 10u, as shown in figure 2b. When propelling the transporting shuttles 1 along the upper rail structure 10u, the upper wheel arrangement 3 is connected to one of the upper rail sections 11u and the lower wheel arrangement 2 is disconnected from the lower rail structure 1 OL, as shown in figure 2c.

[0051] The lower wheel arrangement 2 may have any suitable configuration for enabling driving of the transporting shuttles 1 along the lower rail sections 1 1 L. In the embodiment of the transporting shuttle 1 shown in figures 2a-c, the lower wheel arrangement 2 comprises four lower wheels 2a. Two lower wheels 2a are arranged on each side of the transporting shuttle 1 , where two lower wheels 2a are arranged on each of the rail beams of the lower rail section 11 L when driving the transporting shuttle 1 along one of the lower rail sections 11L, as understood from for example figure 2b. The lower wheel arrangement 2 may comprise one or more electric motors for driving one or more of the lower wheels 2a along the lower rail sections 11 . The electric motors are suitably powered by power rails or electric cables arranged in the lower rail sections 11 . Alternatively, the electric motors are powered by battery cells carried by the transporting shuttle 1.

[0052] The upper wheel arrangement 3 may have any suitable configuration for enabling driving of the transporting shuttles 1 along the upper rail sections 11u. In the embodiment of the transporting shuttle 1 shown in figures 2a-c, the upper wheel arrangement 3 comprises three upper wheels 3a, where two upper wheels 3a are arranged on one side of the upper rail section 11u and one upper wheel is arranged on the other side of the upper rail section 11u when driving the transporting shuttle 1 along one of the upper rail sections 11u, as understood from for example figure 2c. The upper wheel arrangement 3 may comprise one or more electric motors for driving one or more of the upper wheels 3a along the upper rail sections 11 u. The electric motors are suitably powered by battery cells carried by the transporting shuttle 1. Alternatively, the electric motors are powered by power rails or electric cables arranged in the upper rail sections 11u.

[0053] The upper wheel arrangement 3 is further rotatably arranged relative to the housing structure 1a, as indicated with an arrow in figure 2a. With this arrangement, the upper wheel arrangement 3 can be rotated in different directions around a rotational axis AR relative to the housing structure 1a, and suitably the rotational axis AR is extending in a vertical direction Dv of the transporting shuttle 1 and the article transporting system S. The housing structure 1a is in this way configured for being rotatably displaced relative to the upper wheel arrangement 3 for enabling rotational movement of the housing structure 1a relative to the upper rail structure 10u and the lower rail structure 10L when the upper wheel arrangement 3 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u and the lower wheel arrangement 2 is disconnected from the lower rail structure 10i_, as schematically shown in figure 2c. The transporting shuttle 1 may comprise a shaft structure 4 or similar arrangement arranged between the upper wheel arrangement 3 and the housing structure 1a, for rotatably displacing the upper wheel arrangement 3 relative to the housing structure 1a. The shaft structure 4 may for example be driven by an electric motor or other suitable actuator.

[0054] The rotational movement of the housing structure 1a relative to the upper rail structure 10u and the lower rail structure 10L is simplifying the orientation of the transporting shuttle relative to machines or storage locations, as well as the positioning of the transporting shuttle 1 to the respective rail structures. When the upper wheel arrangement 3 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u and the lower wheel arrangement 2 is disconnected from the lower rail structure 10i_, the housing structure 1a may be rotated in any desired direction, and in this way, the housing structure 1a could for example be rotated 180 degrees for changing direction relative to the lower rail structure 10i_, or rotated relative to the upper rail structure 10u for aligning the housing structure 1a to machines or storage positions.

[0055] As described above, the article transporting system S is operated by alternatingly propelling the at least one transporting shuttle 1 along the lower rail structure 1 OL. via the lower wheel arrangement 2 and the upper rail structure 10u via the upper wheel arrangement 3, enabled by the releasable connection of the transporting shuttle 1 to the lower rail structure 10i_ via the lower wheel arrangement 2 and the releasable connection of the transporting shuttle 1 to the upper rail structure 10u via the upper wheel arrangement 3. The rotatable arrangement of the upper wheel arrangement 3 relative to the housing structure 1a is establishing a rotational movement of the housing structure 1a relative to the upper rail structure 10u and the lower rail structure 10L respectively, when the upper wheel arrangement 3 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u and the lower wheel arrangement 2 is disconnected from the lower rail structure 10i_. When the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u and disconnected from the lower rail structure 1 OL, the transporting shuttle 1 is hanging freely from the upper rail structure 10u. The disconnection from the lower rail structure 1 OL is enabling the rotational movement of the housing structure 1a relative to the upper wheel arrangement 3 and the respective rail structures without any unwanted interaction with the lower rail structure 10L.

[0056] When the upper wheel arrangement 3 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u and the lower wheel arrangement 2 is disconnected from the lower rail structure 1 OL, the rotatable displacement of the upper wheel arrangement 3 relative to the housing structure 1a is enabling alignment of the lower wheel arrangement 2 with a direction of the lower rail structure 1 OL. when connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the lower rail structure 10i_. The rotational displacement may for example be used when the transporting shuttle 1 is in a non-optimal position for connecting the lower wheel arrangement to one of the lower rail sections 11 . In this way, the upper wheel arrangement 3 can be rotatably displaced relative to the housing structure 1a when the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to one of the upper rail sections 11 u via the upper wheel arrangement 3 for aligning the housing structure 1a and the lower wheel arrangement 2 with a direction of the lower rail section 11L, when there is a need for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the lower rail section 11 . The alignment is securing a correct direction of the lower wheel arrangement 2 relative to the direction of the lower rail section 11 . When aligned, the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the lower rail section 11 with the lower wheel arrangement 2 and the upper wheel arrangement 3 is disconnected from the upper rail section 11u.

[0057] When the lower wheel arrangement 2 is connected to the lower rail structure 1 OL. and the upper wheel arrangement 3 is disconnected from the upper rail structure 10u, the rotatable displacement of the upper wheel arrangement 3 relative to the housing structure 1a is enabling alignment of the upper wheel arrangement 3 with a direction of the upper rail structure 10u when connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the upper rail structure 10u. The rotational displacement may for example be used when the upper wheel arrangement 3 is in a non-optimal position for being connected to one of the upper rail sections 11u. In this way, the upper wheel arrangement 3 can be rotatably displaced relative to the housing structure 1a when the transporting shuttle

[0058] 1 is connected to one of the lower rail sections 11 via the lower wheel arrangement

[0059] 2 for aligning the upper wheel arrangement 3 with a direction of the upper rail section 11u when there is a need for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the upper rail section 11u. The alignment is securing a correct direction of the upper wheel arrangement 3 relative to the direction of the upper rail section 11 u. When aligned, the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail section 11u with the upper wheel arrangement 3 and the lower wheel arrangement 2 is disconnected from the lower rail section 11i_.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in figures 2a-c, the transporting shuttle 1 comprises an upper lifting arrangement 6 arranged between the upper wheel arrangement 3 and the housing structure 1a. The upper lifting arrangement 6 is used for lifting and lowering the upper wheel arrangement 3 relative to the housing structure 1a. The transporting shuttle 1 further comprises a lower lifting arrangement 5 arranged between the lower wheel arrangement 2 and the housing structure 1a. The lower lifting arrangement 5 is used for lifting and lowering the lower wheel arrangement 2 relative to the housing structure 1a.

[0061] In figures 3a-i, the operation of the transporting shuttle 1 is schematically illustrated. As shown in figure 3a, the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to one of the lower rail sections 11 of the article transporting system S, and may be operated along the lower rail section 11 L. between different positions. The transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the lower rail section 11 via the lower wheel arrangement 2, and the transporting shuttle 1 may be stopped in a stopping position PSTOP in which the transporting shuttle 1 can shift from travelling along the lower rail section 11 L via the lower wheel arrangement 2 to instead travelling along one of the upper rail sections 11u via the upper wheel arrangement 3. In figure 3b, the transporting shuttle 1 has reached the stopping position PSTOP. In the stopping position PSTOP, the upper lifting arrangement 6 is lifting the upper wheel arrangement 3 into a position in connection to the upper rail section 11u, as shown more in detail in figures 3c-d. In this way, the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail section 11 u via the upper wheels 3a of the upper wheel arrangement 3. In the shown embodiment, the upper lifting arrangement 6 comprises upper lifting arms 6a connected to the upper wheels 3a, and the upper wheels 3a are lifted by a pivoting movement towards the upper rail section 11u by the upper lifting arms 6a, as indicated with arrows in figure 3c. When the transporting shuttle 1 has been connected to the upper rail section 11 u by the upper wheels 3a, as shown in figure 3d, the lower lifting arrangement 5 is lifting the lower wheel arrangement 2 away from the lower rail section 11 for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the lower rail section 11 . In the shown embodiment, the lower lifting arrangement 5 comprises lower lifting arms 5a connected to the lower wheels 2a, and the lower wheels 2a are lifted away from the lower rail section 11 by the lower lifting arms 5a by a translating movement upwards for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the lower rail section 11 L, as indicated with arrows in figure 3d. In figure 3d, the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail section 11u and disconnected from the lower rail section 11 . When the transporting shuttle 1 has been connected to the upper rail section 11u and disconnected from the lower rail section 1 1 L, the transporting shuttle 1 is ready for being transported along the upper rail section 11 u, as exemplified in figure 3e.

[0062] As described above and shown in figure 3f, the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to one of the upper rail sections 11 u of the article transporting system S, and may be operated along the upper rail section 11u between different positions. The transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail section 11u via the upper wheel arrangement 3, and the transporting shuttle 1 may be stopped in a stopping position PSTOP in which the transporting shuttle 1 can shift from travelling along the upper rail section 11u via the upper wheel arrangement 3 to instead travel along any suitable lower rail section 11 L via the lower wheel arrangement 2. In the stopping position PSTOP, the lower lifting arrangement 5 is lowering the lower wheel arrangement 2 into a position onto to the lower rail section 11 , and in this way, the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the lower rail section 11 via the lower wheels 2a of the lower wheel arrangement 2. The lower wheels 2a are lowered towards the lower rail section 11 L. by the lower lifting arms 5a by a translating movement downwards for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the lower rail section 11L, as indicated with arrows in figure 3g. When the transporting shuttle 1 has been connected to the lower rail section 11 L. by the lower wheels 2a, the upper lifting arrangement 6 is lowering the upper wheel arrangement 3 away from the upper rail section 11u for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the upper rail section 11u. The upper wheels 3a are lowered by a pivoting movement away from the upper rail section 11u by the upper lifting arms 6a for disconnecting the upper wheel arrangement 3 from the upper rail section 11u, as indicated with arrows in figure 3h. When the transporting shuttle 1 has been connected to the lower rail section 11 and disconnected from the upper rail section 11u, as shown in figure 3i, the transporting shuttle 1 is ready for being transported along the lower rail section 11 .

[0063] Thus, in the embodiment shown in figures 3a-i, the upper wheel arrangement 3 is lifted with the upper lifting arrangement 6 into a position in connection to the upper rail structure 10u when the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the lower rail structure 10L for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the upper rail structure 10u via the upper wheel arrangement 3. Thereafter the lower wheel arrangement 2 is lifted with the lower lifting arrangement 5 for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the lower rail structure 10i_. The lower wheel arrangement 2 is lowered with the lower lifting arrangement 5 into a position onto to the lower rail structure 1 OL. for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the lower rail structure 1 OL. when the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u. Thereafter the upper wheel arrangement 3 is lowered away from the upper rail structure 10u with the upper lifting arrangement 6 for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the upper rail structure 10u.

[0064] With the design of the upper lifting arrangement 6 and the lower lifting arrangement 5 described above, the transporting shuttle 1 could be connected to the respective rail sections without any movements of the housing structure 1a, or with only minor movements of the housing structure 1a, in the vertical direction Dv for a smooth handling of the articles A during transportation.

[0065] It should be understood that the lower lifting arrangement 5 and the upper lifting arrangement 6 could have other configurations than the ones described above. The lifting arrangements may be operated with suitable actuators for connecting and disconnecting the wheels to the respective rail sections. In other non-illustrated embodiments, the upper lifting arrangement 6 may be designed to support the lowering and lifting of the lower wheel arrangement 2 relative to the lower rail structure 10L and the lower lifting arrangement 5 may be designed to support the lowering and lifting of the upper wheel arrangement 3 relative to the upper rail structure 10u.

[0066] In other non-illustrated alternative embodiments, the transporting shuttle 1 may be arranged without the lower lifting arrangement 5, but with an upper lifting arrangement 6 that is capable of lifting and lowering the housing structure 1a when the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u. With such a configuration, the upper lifting arrangement 6 is used for lifting the housing structure 1a with the lower wheel arrangement 2 when the transporting shuttle 1 has been connected to the upper rail structure 10u for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the lower rail structure 1 OL- When the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u, the upper lifting arrangement 6 is also used for lowering the housing structure 1a with the lower wheel arrangement 2 into a position onto to the lower rail structure 10L for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the lower rail structure 1 OL-

[0067] In this way, the upper wheel arrangement 3 may be lifted with the upper lifting arrangement 6 into a position in connection to the upper rail structure 10u when the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the lower rail structure 10L for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the upper rail structure 10u via the upper wheel arrangement 3. Thereafter the housing structure 1a and the lower wheel arrangement 2 are lifted with the upper lifting arrangement 6 for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the lower rail structure 10i_. The housing structure 1a and the lower wheel arrangement 2 may be lowered with the upper lifting arrangement 6 into a position onto to the lower rail structure 10L for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the lower rail structure 10L when the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u. Thereafter the upper wheel arrangement 3 is lowered away from the upper rail structure 10u with the upper lifting arrangement 6 for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the upper rail structure 10u.

[0068] In further non-illustrated alternative embodiments, the transporting shuttle 1 may be arranged without the upper lifting arrangement 6, but with a lower lifting arrangement 5 that is capable of lifting and lowering the housing structure 1a when the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the lower rail structure 10i_. With such a configuration, the lower lifting arrangement 5 is used for lifting the housing structure 1a with the upper wheel arrangement 3 into a position in connection to the upper rail structure 10u for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the upper rail structure 10u. Thereafter, the lower lifting arrangement 5 is used for lifting the lower wheel arrangement 2 away from the lower rail structure 1 OL. for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the lower rail structure 10i_. When the transporting shuttle 1 has been connected to the upper rail structure 10u, the lower lifting arrangement 5 is also used for lowering the lower wheel arrangement 2 towards the lower rail structure 10L for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the lower rail structure 10i_. Thereafter, the lower lifting arrangement 5 is used for lowering the housing structure 1a with the upper wheel arrangement 3 away from the upper rail structure 10u for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the upper rail structure 10u.

[0069] In this way, the upper wheel arrangement 3 may be lifted with the lower lifting arrangement 5 into a position in connection to the upper rail structure 10u when the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the lower rail structure 10L for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the upper rail structure 10u via the upper wheel arrangement 3. Thereafter the lower wheel arrangement 2 is lifted with the lower lifting arrangement 5 for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the lower rail structure 10i_. The lower wheel arrangement 2 may be lowered with the lower lifting arrangement 5 into a position onto to the lower rail structure 1 OL. for connecting the transporting shuttle 1 to the lower rail structure 1 OL. when the transporting shuttle 1 is connected to the upper rail structure 10u. Thereafter the upper wheel arrangement 3 is lowered away from the upper rail structure 10u with the lower lifting arrangement 5 for disconnecting the transporting shuttle 1 from the upper rail structure 10u.

[0070] The respective lifting arrangements are providing a flexible connection to and disconnection from the respective rail structures. The upper lifting arrangement 6 arranged between the upper wheel arrangement 3 and the housing structure 1a, is as described above, lifting the upper wheel arrangement 3 relative to the housing structure 1a, and / or lowering the upper wheel arrangement 3 relative to the housing structure 1a. The lower lifting arrangement 5 arranged between the lower wheel arrangement 2 and the housing structure 1a, is as described above, lifting the lower wheel arrangement 2 relative to the housing structure 1a and / or lowering the lower wheel arrangement 2 relative to the housing structure 1a.

[0071] The transporting shuttle 1 may further be arranged with a hoist mechanism 7 that is configured for collecting articles A from and delivering articles A to storage positions Ps below the lower rail structure 10i_, as schematically illustrated in figures 4a-b. In the shown embodiment, the hoist mechanism comprises a platform structure 7a and cables 7b for lowering and raising the articles A in a simple way. The cables 7b are extending between the housing structure 1a and the platform structure 7a, and the cables 7b are connected to a suitable actuating mechanism, such as a non-illustrated electric motor with a rotatable hoist drum. An exemplified storage position Ps is schematically shown in figures 4a-b, and in the storage position Ps, the articles A can be collected from and delivered to an article storage holder H below the lower rail section 11 L. by the hoist mechanism 7. The platform structure 7a suitably comprises gripping members of similar arrangements for holding the articles A, collecting the articles A, and delivering the articles A. In other embodiments, belts or similar arrangements may be used for lowering and raising the articles A instead of cables.

[0072] It should be understood that a control system suitably is used for controlling the operation of the article transporting system S.

[0073] The present disclosure has been presented above with reference to specific embodiments. However, other embodiments than the above described are possible and within the scope of the disclosure. Different method steps than those described above, performing the method by hardware or software, may be provided within the scope of the disclosure. Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of the article transporting system, the one or more programs comprising instructions for performing the method according to any one of the above-discussed embodiments. Alternatively, according to another exemplary embodiment a cloud computing system can be configured to perform any of the method aspects presented herein. The cloud computing system may comprise distributed cloud computing resources that jointly perform the method aspects presented herein under control of one or more computer program products. Moreover, the processor may be connected to one or more communication interfaces and / or sensor interfaces for receiving and / transmitting data with external entities such as e.g. sensors, an off-site server, or a cloud-based server.

[0074] The processor or processors associated with the control system of the article transporting system may be or include any number of hardware components for conducting data or signal processing or for executing computer code stored in memory. The system may have an associated memory, and the memory may be one or more devices for storing data and / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various methods described in the present description. The memory may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The memory may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities of the present description. According to an exemplary embodiment, any distributed or local memory device may be utilized with the systems and methods of this description. According to an exemplary embodiment the memory is communicably connected to the processor (e.g., via a circuit or any other wired, wireless, or network connection) and includes computer code for executing one or more processes described herein.

[0075] It will be appreciated that the above description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. While specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. Furthermore, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the teachings of the present disclosure, but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims. Reference signs mentioned in the claims should not be seen as limiting the extent of the matter protected by the claims, and their sole function is to make claims easier to understand.

[0076] REFERENCE SIGNS

[0077] 1 : Transporting shuttle

[0078] 1a: Housing structure

[0079] 1 b: Lower base structure

[0080] 1c: Upper structure

[0081] 2: Lower wheel arrangement

[0082] 2a: Lower wheels

[0083] 3: Upper wheel arrangement

[0084] 3a: Upper wheels

[0085] 4: Shaft structure

[0086] 5: Lower lifting arrangement

[0087] 5a: Lower lifting arms

[0088] 6: Upper lifting arrangement

[0089] 6a: Upper lifting arms

[0090] 7: Hoist mechanism

[0091] 7a: Platform structure

[0092] 7b Cable

[0093] 10i_: Lower rail structure

[0094] 10u: Upper rail structure

[0095] 11i_: Lower rail section

[0096] 11u: Upper rail section

[0097] A: Article

[0098] AR: Rotational axis

[0099] DLA: Lateral direction

[0100] DLO: Longitudinal direction

[0101] Dv: Vertical direction

[0102] DTI : First transporting direction

[0103] H: Storage holder

[0104] Ps: Storage position

[0105] PSTOP: Stopping position

[0106] S: Article transporting system

Claims

26CLAIMS1 . An article transporting system (S) comprising at least one transporting shuttle (1), a lower rail structure (10i_) arranged below the at least one transporting shuttle (1), and an upper rail structure (10u) arranged above the at least one transporting shuttle (1), wherein the at least one transporting shuttle (1) comprises a housing structure (1a) configured for holding articles (A) during transportation, a lower wheel arrangement (2), and an upper wheel arrangement (3), wherein the at least one transporting shuttle (1) is configured for being alternatingly propelled along the lower rail structure (10i_) via the lower wheel arrangement (2) and the upper rail structure (10u) via the upper wheel arrangement (3), wherein the lower wheel arrangement (2) is releasably connectable to the lower rail structure (10i_) and the upper wheel arrangement (3) is releasably connectable to the upper rail structure (10u), wherein the upper wheel arrangement (3) is rotatably arranged relative to the housing structure (1a), wherein the housing structure (1a) is configured for being rotatably displaced relative to the upper wheel arrangement (3) enabling rotational movement of the housing structure (1a) relative to the upper rail structure (10u) and the lower rail structure (10i_) when the upper wheel arrangement (3) is connected to the upper rail structure (10u) and the lower wheel arrangement (2) is disconnected from the lower rail structure (10L).

2. The article transporting system (S) according to claim 1 , wherein the upper wheel arrangement (3) is configured for being rotatably displaced relative to the housing structure (1a) enabling alignment of the lower wheel arrangement (2) with a direction of the lower rail structure (10L) when connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the lower rail structure (10i_), wherein the upper wheel arrangement (3) is configured for being rotatably displaced relative to the housing structure (1a) enabling alignment of the upper wheel arrangement (3) with a direction of the upper rail structure (10u) when connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the upper rail structure (10u).

3. The article transporting system (S) according to claim 1 or 2,wherein the lower rail structure (10i_) comprises a plurality of lower rail sections (11 ) and the upper rail structure (10u) comprises one or more upper rail sections (11 u), wherein at least one of the one or more upper rail sections (11 u) are extending in a direction different from the lower rail sections (11 ).

4. The article transporting system (S) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower rail structure (10i_) comprises two or more lower rail sections (11 ) extending in a first transporting direction (DTI), wherein the upper rail structure (10u) comprises at least one upper rail section (11u) extending in a direction different from the first transporting direction (DTI), enabling transportation of the at least one transporting shuttle (1) between different lower rail sections (11 ) via the at least one upper rail section (11u).

5. The article transporting system (S) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower wheel arrangement (2) is attached to a lower base structure (1b) of the housing structure (1a) and the upper wheel arrangement (3) is attached to an upper structure (1c) of the housing structure (1a).

6. The article transporting system (S) according to any preceding claim, wherein the transporting shuttle (1) comprises a shaft structure (4) arranged between the upper wheel arrangement (3) and the housing structure (1a), wherein the shaft structure (4) is configured for rotatably displacing the upper wheel arrangement (3) relative to the housing structure (1a).

7. The article transporting system (S) according to any preceding claim, wherein the transporting shuttle (1) comprises an upper lifting arrangement (6) arranged between the upper wheel arrangement (3) and the housing structure (1a), wherein the upper lifting arrangement (6) is configured for lifting and lowering the upper wheel arrangement (3) relative to the housing structure (1a), and / or wherein the transporting shuttle (1) comprises a lower lifting arrangement (5) arranged between the lower wheel arrangement (2) and the housing structure (1a), wherein the lower lifting arrangement (5) is configured forlifting and lowering the lower wheel arrangement (2) relative to the housing structure (1a).

8. The article transporting system (S) according to claim 7, wherein the upper lifting arrangement (6) is configured for lifting the upper wheel arrangement (3) into a position in connection to the upper rail structure (10u) when connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the upper rail structure (10u), and / or wherein the lower lifting arrangement (5) is configured for lifting the upper wheel arrangement (3) into a position in connection to the upper rail structure (10u) when connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the upper rail structure (10u).

9. The article transporting system (S) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the upper lifting arrangement (6) is configured for lifting the housing structure (1a) with the lower wheel arrangement (2) when the transporting shuttle (1) has been connected to the upper rail structure (10u) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle (1) from the lower rail structure (10i_), and / or wherein the lower lifting arrangement (5) is configured for lifting the lower wheel arrangement (2) when the transporting shuttle (1) has been connected to the upper rail structure (10u) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle (1) from the lower rail structure (10L).

10. The article transporting system (S) according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the upper lifting arrangement (6) is configured for lowering the housing structure (1a) with the lower wheel arrangement (2) into a position onto to the lower rail structure (10i_) when connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the lower rail structure (10i_), and / or wherein the lower lifting arrangement (5) is configured for lowering the lower wheel arrangement (2) into a position onto to the lower rail structure (10i_) when connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the lower rail structure (10L).11 . The article transporting system (S) according to any of claims 7 to 10,29 wherein the upper lifting arrangement (6) is configured for lowering the upper wheel arrangement (3) away from the upper rail structure (10u) when the transporting shuttle (1) has been connected to the lower rail structure (10L) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle (1) from the upper rail structure (10u), and / or wherein the lower lifting arrangement (5) is configured for lowering the upper wheel arrangement (3) away from the upper rail structure (10u) when the transporting shuttle (1) has been connected to the lower rail structure (10L) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle (1) from the upper rail structure (10u).

12. The article transporting system (S) according to any preceding claim, wherein the transporting shuttle (1) comprises a hoist mechanism (7) configured for collecting the articles (A) from and delivering the articles (A) to storage positions (Ps) below the lower rail structure (10L).

13. A method for operating an article transporting system (S), wherein the transporting system (S) comprises at least one transporting shuttle (1), a lower rail structure (10L) arranged below the at least one transporting shuttle (1), and an upper rail structure (10u) arranged above the at least one transporting shuttle (1), wherein the at least one transporting shuttle (1) comprises a housing structure (1a) configured for holding articles (A) during transportation, a lower wheel arrangement (2), and an upper wheel arrangement (3), wherein the at least one transporting shuttle (1) is alternatingly propelled along the lower rail structure (10i_) via the lower wheel arrangement (2) and the upper rail structure (10u) via the upper wheel arrangement (3), wherein the at least one transporting shuttle (1) is releasably connectable to the lower rail structure (10i_) via the lower wheel arrangement (2) and releasably connectable to the upper rail structure (10u) via the upper wheel arrangement (3), wherein the upper wheel arrangement (3) is rotatably arranged relative to the housing structure (1a), wherein the method comprises the steps: connecting the upper wheel arrangement (3) to the upper rail structure (10u) and disconnecting the lower wheel arrangement (2) from the lower rail structure (10L); and rotatably displacing the housing structure (1a) relative to the30 upper wheel arrangement (3) for establishing a rotational movement of the housing structure (1a) relative to the upper rail structure (10u) and the lower rail structure (10L) when the upper wheel arrangement (3) is connected to the upper rail structure (10u) and the lower wheel arrangement (2) is disconnected from the lower rail structure (10L).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises the steps: rotatably displacing the upper wheel arrangement (3) relative to the housing structure (1a) when the transporting shuttle (1) is connected to the upper rail structure (10u) via the upper wheel arrangement (3), for aligning the lower wheel arrangement (2) with a direction of the lower rail structure (10i_); connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the lower rail structure (10i_) with the lower wheel arrangement (2); and disconnecting the upper wheel arrangement (3) from the upper rail structure (10u).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the steps: rotatably displacing the upper wheel arrangement (3) relative to the housing structure (1a) when the transporting shuttle (1) is connected to the lower rail structure (10L) via the lower wheel arrangement (2), for aligning the upper wheel arrangement (3) with a direction of the upper rail structure (10u); connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the upper rail structure (10u) with the upper wheel arrangement (3); and disconnecting the lower wheel arrangement (2) from the lower rail structure (10i_).

16. The method according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the lower rail structure (10i_) comprises two or more lower rail sections (11 ) extending in a first transporting direction (DTI), wherein the upper rail structure (10u) comprises at least one upper rail section (11u) extending in a direction different from the first transporting direction (DTI), wherein the method further comprises the step: transporting the at least one transporting shuttle (1) between different lower rail sections (11 ) via the at least one upper rail section (11u).3117. The method according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the transporting shuttle (1) comprises a shaft structure (4) arranged between the upper wheel arrangement (3) and the housing structure (1a), wherein the method further comprises the step: rotatably displacing the upper wheel arrangement (3) relative to the housing structure (1a) by the shaft structure (4).

18. The method according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the transporting shuttle (1) comprises an upper lifting arrangement (6) arranged between the upper wheel arrangement (3) and the housing structure (1a), wherein the method further comprises the steps: lifting the upper wheel arrangement (3) relative to the housing structure (1a) by the upper lifting arrangement (6), and / or lowering the upper wheel arrangement (3) relative to the housing structure (1a) by the upper lifting arrangement (6), and / or wherein the transporting shuttle (1) comprises a lower lifting arrangement (5) arranged between the lower wheel arrangement (2) and the housing structure (1a), wherein the method further comprises the steps: lifting the lower wheel arrangement (2) relative to the housing structure (1a) by the lower lifting arrangement (5), and / or lowering the lower wheel arrangement (2) relative to the housing structure (1a) by the lower lifting arrangement (5).

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method further comprises the steps: lifting the upper wheel arrangement (3) with the upper lifting arrangement (6) into a position in connection to the upper rail structure (10u) when the transporting shuttle (1) is connected to the lower rail structure (10i_) and connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the upper rail structure (10u) via the upper wheel arrangement (3), and thereafter lifting the lower wheel arrangement (2) with the lower lifting arrangement (5) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle (1) from the lower rail structure (10L); and / or lifting the upper wheel arrangement (3) with the upper lifting arrangement (6) into a position in connection to the upper rail structure (10u) when the transporting shuttle (1) is connected to the lower rail structure (10i_) and connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the upper rail structure (10u) via the32 upper wheel arrangement (3), and thereafter lifting the housing structure (1a) and the lower wheel arrangement (2) with the upper lifting arrangement (6) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle (1) from the lower rail structure (10L); and / or lifting the upper wheel arrangement (3) with the lower lifting arrangement (5) into a position in connection to the upper rail structure (10u) when the transporting shuttle (1) is connected to the lower rail structure (10i_) and connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the upper rail structure (10u) via the upper wheel arrangement (3), and thereafter lifting the lower wheel arrangement(2) with the lower lifting arrangement (5) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle(1) from the lower rail structure (10L).

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the method further comprises the steps: lowering the lower wheel arrangement (2) with the lower lifting arrangement (5) into a position onto to the lower rail structure (10i_) for connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the lower rail structure (10i_) when the transporting shuttle (1) is connected to the upper rail structure (10u), and thereafter lowering the upper wheel arrangement(3) away from the upper rail structure (10u) with the upper lifting arrangement (6) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle (1) from the upper rail structure (10u); and / or lowering the housing structure (1a) and the lower wheel arrangement(2) with the upper lifting arrangement (6) into a position onto to the lower rail structure (10i_) for connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the lower rail structure (10L) when the transporting shuttle (1) is connected to the upper rail structure (10u), and thereafter lowering the upper wheel arrangement (3) away from the upper rail structure (10u) with the upper lifting arrangement (6) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle (1) from the upper rail structure (10u); and / or lowering the lower wheel arrangement (2) with the lower lifting arrangement (5) into a position onto to the lower rail structure (10i_) for connecting the transporting shuttle (1) to the lower rail structure (10L) when the transporting shuttle (1) is connected to the upper rail structure (10u), and thereafter lowering the upper wheel arrangement (3) away from the upper rail structure (10u) with the33 lower lifting arrangement (5) for disconnecting the transporting shuttle (1) from the upper rail structure (10u).

21. The method according to any of claims 13 to 20, wherein the transporting shuttle (1) comprises a hoist mechanism (7), wherein the method further comprises the step: collecting the articles (A) from and delivering the articles (A) to storage positions (Ps) below the lower rail structure (10L) by the hoist mechanism (7).

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