CN117222856A - automatic storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a frame structure (100 ',100 ") for a storage system, the frame structure (100 ', 100") comprising a plurality of vertical column profiles (102) and a horizontal rail system (108) supported on the vertical column profiles (102), wherein at least a lower section of each column profile (102) is thermally separated from the rail system by an insulation (2, 2 ') positioned at each column profile between the lower section of the column profile and a connection of the column profile and the rail system, the insulation being configured to limit thermal conductivity between the lower section of the column profile (102) and the rail system (108).

Description

Automatic storage system

Technical Field

The present application relates to a storage system in which a rail system for a container handling vehicle is thermally insulated from a low temperature section arranged below.

Background

Fig. 1 discloses a common prior art automated storage and retrieval system 1 having a frame structure 100, and fig. 2, 3 and 4 disclose three different prior art container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 adapted to operate on such a system 1.

The frame structure 100 comprises upright members 102 and a storage volume comprising storage columns 105 arranged in rows between the upright members 102. In these storage columns 105, storage containers 106 (also referred to as bins) are stacked one on top of the other to form a stack 107. The member 102 may generally be made of metal (e.g., extruded aluminum profile) and may alternatively be referred to as a vertical profile (column profile).

The frame structure 100 of the automated storage and retrieval system 1 includes a rail system 108 (i.e., a grid of rails) disposed on top of the frame structure 100, on which rail system 108 a plurality of container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 run to lift and lower storage containers 106 from and into the storage columns 105 and also transport the storage containers 106 over the storage columns 105. The rail system 108 includes: a first set of parallel rails 110 arranged to guide the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 to move in a first direction X on top of the frame structure 100; and a second set of parallel rails 111 arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails 110 to guide movement of the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X. The containers 106 stored in the column 105 are accessed by the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 through the access opening 112 in the rail system 108. The container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 may move laterally over the storage columns 105, i.e., in a plane parallel to the horizontal X-Y plane.

The upstanding members 102 of the frame structure 100 may be used to guide the storage containers during lifting of the containers from the column 105 and lowering of the containers into the column. The stack 107 of containers 106 is typically self-supporting.

Each prior art container handling vehicle 201, 301, 401 includes a vehicle body 201a, 301a, 401a and first and second sets of wheels 201b, 301b, 401b, 201c, 301c, 401c that enable the container handling vehicle 201, 301, 401 to move laterally in the X and Y directions, respectively. In fig. 2, 3 and 4, the two wheels in each group are fully visible. The first set of wheels 201b, 301b, 401b are arranged to engage with two adjacent rails of the first set of rails 110 and the second set of wheels 201c, 301c, 401c are arranged to engage with two adjacent rails of the second set of rails 111. At least one set of wheels 201b, 301b, 401b, 201c, 301c, 401c may be raised and lowered such that the first set of wheels 201b, 301b, 401b and/or the second set of wheels 201c, 301c, 401c may be engaged with a corresponding set of rails 110, 111 at any time.

Each prior art container handling vehicle 201, 301, 401 also includes a lifting device for vertical transport of the storage containers 106, e.g., lifting the storage containers 106 from the storage column 105 and lowering the storage containers 106 into the storage column. The lifting device comprises one or more gripping/engagement devices adapted to engage with the storage container 106 and which may be lowered from the vehicle 201, 301, 401 such that the position of these gripping/engagement devices with respect to the vehicle 201, 301, 401 may be adjusted in a third direction Z orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y. Portions of the gripping devices of the container handling vehicles 301, 401 are shown in fig. 3 and 4 with reference numerals 304, 404. The gripping device of the container handling vehicle 201 is located in the vehicle body 201a in fig. 2.

Conventionally, and also for the purposes of the present application, z=1 represents the uppermost layer of the storage container, i.e., the layer directly below the rail system 108, z=2 represents the second layer below the rail system 108, z=3 represents the third layer, and so on. In the exemplary prior art disclosed in fig. 1, z=8 represents the bottom layer of the lowermost side of the storage container. Similarly, x= … n and y= … n denote the position of each storage column 105 on the horizontal plane. Thus, as an example, and using the cartesian coordinate system X, Y, Z shown in fig. 1, it can be said that the storage container identified as 106' in fig. 1 occupies the storage positions x=17, y=1, z=6. It can be said that the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 travel in a layer with z=0, and each storage column 105 can be identified by its X and Y coordinates. Thereby, it is also said that the storage containers shown in fig. 1 extending above the rail system 108 are arranged in the z=0 level.

The storage volume of the frame structure 100 is often referred to as a grid 104, wherein the possible storage locations within the grid are referred to as storage units. Each storage column may be identified by a position in the X-direction and the Y-direction, and each storage unit may be identified by a container number in the X-direction, the Y-direction, and the Z-direction.

Each prior art container handling vehicle 201, 301, 401 includes a storage compartment or space for receiving and loading storage containers 106 as the storage containers 106 are transported on the rail system 108. The storage space may comprise a cavity centrally arranged within the vehicle body 201a (as shown in fig. 2 and 4) and as described for example in WO2015/193278A1 and WO2019/206487A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative configuration of a container handling vehicle 301 having a cantilever structure. Such a vehicle is described in detail in, for example, NO317366, the content of which is also incorporated herein by reference.

The footprint of the cavity container handling vehicle 201 shown in fig. 2 may cover an area having dimensions in the X-direction and the Y-direction that are approximately equal to the lateral extent of the storage column 105, for example, as described in WO2015/193278A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The term "lateral" as used herein may mean "horizontal".

Alternatively, the footprint of the cavity container handling vehicle 401 may be greater than the lateral area defined by the storage columns 105 as shown in fig. 1 and 4, e.g., as disclosed in WO2014/090684A1 or WO2019/206487 A1.

The rail system 108 generally includes rails having grooves in which wheels of a vehicle travel. Alternatively, the rail may comprise an upwardly protruding element, wherein the wheels of the vehicle comprise flanges preventing derailment. These grooves and upwardly projecting elements are collectively referred to as rails. Each rail may comprise one track or each rail may comprise two parallel tracks. Each rail may be provided with two parallel rail members that are snapped together, each rail member providing a track for both rail rails.

WO2018/146304A1 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) shows a common configuration of a rail system 108, comprising rails and parallel tracks forming a rail grid in both the X-direction and the Y-direction.

In the frame structure 100, most of the columns 105 are storage columns 105, i.e. the storage containers 106 are stored in stacks 107 in the columns 105. However, some columns 105 may have other purposes. In fig. 1, columns 119 and 120 are dedicated columns for container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 to unload and/or pick up storage containers 106 so that the storage containers may be transported to an access station (not shown) where the storage containers 106 may be accessed from outside of the frame structure 100 or moved out of or into the frame structure 100. Such locations are commonly referred to in the art as "ports" and the column in which the ports are located may be referred to as "port columns" 119, 120. The transport to the access station may be in any direction, i.e., horizontal, inclined, and/or vertical. For example, the storage containers 106 may be placed in a random or dedicated column 105 within the frame structure 100 and then picked up by any container handling vehicle and transported to the port columns 119, 120 for further transport to an access station. Note that the term "tilted" means that the transport of the storage container 106 has some conventional transport orientation between horizontal and vertical.

In fig. 1, the first port column 119 may be, for example, a dedicated unloading port column in which the container handling vehicles 201, 301 may unload the storage containers 106 to be transported to the access or transfer station, and the second port column 120 may be a dedicated pick-up port column in which the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 may pick up the storage containers 106 that have been transported from the access or transfer station.

The access station may generally be a picking station or an inventory station where product items are removed from storage containers 106 or placed into storage containers 106. In the picking or inventory stations, the storage containers 106 are typically not removed from the automated storage and retrieval system 1, but are returned to the frame structure 100 after being accessed. The port may also be used to transport the storage container to another storage facility (e.g., another frame structure or another automated storage and retrieval system), a transport vehicle (e.g., a train or truck), or a production facility.

A conveyor system including a conveyor is typically used to transport the storage containers between the port columns 119, 120 and the access station.

If the port columns 119, 120 and the access station are located at different elevations, the conveyor system may include a lifting device with vertical members for transporting the storage containers 106 vertically between the port columns 119, 120 and the access station.

The transport system may be arranged to transport the storage containers 106 between different frame structures, such as described in WO2014/075937A1, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

When the storage containers 106 stored in one of the plurality of columns 105 disclosed in fig. 1 are to be accessed, one of the plurality of container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 is instructed to take out the target storage container 106 from the position where the target storage container is located, and to transport the target storage container to the unloading port column 119. The operation includes moving the container handling vehicles 201, 301 to a position above the storage column 105 where the target storage container 106 is located, taking the storage container 106 out of the storage column 105 using a lifting device (not shown) of the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401, and transporting the storage container 106 to the unloading port column 119. If the target storage container 106 is located deep in the stack 107, i.e., one or more other storage containers 106 are located above the target storage container 106, the operations further include temporarily moving the storage container located above prior to lifting the target storage container 106 from the storage column 105. This step (which is sometimes referred to in the art as "digging") may be performed with the same container handling vehicle that is subsequently used to transport the target storage container to the unloading port column 119, or with one or more other cooperating container handling vehicles. Alternatively or additionally, the automatic storage and retrieval system 1 may have container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 dedicated to the task of temporarily removing storage containers 106 from the storage column 105. After the target storage container 106 has been removed from the storage column 105, the temporarily removed storage container 106 may be replaced into the initial storage column 105. However, the removed storage containers 106 may alternatively be relocated to other storage columns 105.

When the storage container 106 is to be stored in one of the plurality of columns 105, one of the plurality of container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 is instructed to pick up the storage container 106 from the pick-up port column 120 and transport it to a position above the storage column 105 where the storage container is to be stored. After removing any storage containers 106 located at or above the target location within the stack 107, the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 position the storage containers 106 at the desired locations. The removed storage containers 106 may then be lowered back into the storage column 105 or repositioned to other storage columns 105.

To monitor and control the automated storage and retrieval system 1, for example, the location of individual storage containers 106 within the frame structure 100, the contents of each storage container 106; and movement of the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 such that the desired storage containers 106 may be transported to the desired location at the desired time without the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 colliding with one another, the automated storage and retrieval system 1 includes a control system 500 that is typically computerized and typically includes a database for maintaining tracking of the storage containers 106.

The above described prior art storage systems may also be used to freeze and/or cool stored items. WO2015/124610A1 discloses a storage system (see fig. 5) configured to cool items stored in stacked storage containers 106. The storage system has an insulating cover (not shown) disposed at the upper end of each storage column 105 to insulate the storage containers from the upper ambient environment. One potential problem with having the lower section of the frame structure 100 at the low temperatures required to freeze or cool the stored items is that conductive cooling of the rail system 108 via the vertical column profile 102 may cause water to condense and even freeze on the rails 110, 111. Water and/or ice on the rails may cause a number of problems, such as loss of wheel traction for the container handling vehicles 201, 301, 401 running on the rails.

It is an object of the present application to provide an improved frame structure for a refrigerated storage system.

Disclosure of Invention

The application is defined by the appended claims and by the following:

in a first aspect, the application provides a frame structure for a storage system, the frame structure comprising a plurality of vertical column profiles and a horizontal rail system supported on the vertical column profiles, wherein at least a lower section of each column profile is thermally separated from the rail system by an insulation positioned at each column profile between a connection of the column profile and the rail system and the lower section of the column profile, the insulation being configured to limit thermal conductivity between the rail system and the lower section of the column profile.

In other words, the insulation is configured to limit the thermal conductivity between at least one lower section of the column profile and the rail system to which the column profile is connected.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the column profile and optionally at least part of the rail system may be made of an aluminium alloy and the insulation may comprise an insulation material having a thermal conductivity below 20W/mK.

The insulating material may have a thermal conductivity of less than 10W/mK, less than 5W/mK or preferably less than 1W/mK.

The aluminum alloy may have a thermal conductivity between 115-226W/mK and may belong to the 6000 or 7000 series aluminum alloys. The ratio of the thermal conductivity of the heat insulating material to the thermal conductivity of the aluminum alloy may be in the range of 0.2 to 0.001.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the insulating material may be a synthetic polymer or wood. The synthetic polymer may advantageously be selected from various types of: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).

The insulation may be configured such that the maximum heat transfer or maximum thermal conductivity between the lower section of the column profile and the rail system is substantially equal to the thermal conductivity of the insulation material. In other words, at least part of the insulation in heat-conducting contact with both the rail system and the lower section of the column profile is made of an insulating material.

The insulation may include additional layers (e.g., as a sandwich construction) in which a material providing thermal insulation (i.e., insulation material) is sandwiched between other layers providing other characteristics, e.g., providing increased strength and/or toughness to assist in load transfer from the rail system from top to bottom through the vertical columns. Alternatively, the insulating material layers may have other layers sandwiched therebetween.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the insulation may be configured such that heat conducted between the rail system and the lower section of the column profile has to pass through the insulation material.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the insulation may comprise a horizontal plate arranged between the rail system and at least one lower section of the column profile. The horizontal plate may be made of a heat insulating material. The horizontal plate conductively separates the rail system from at least one lower section of the column profile and may alternatively be referred to as a separating plate.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the horizontal plate of each insulation element may extend transversely to the column profile at a common height arranged between the rail system and at least one lower section of the column profile.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the insulation may comprise vertical protrusions which may be arranged to interact with the surface of the column profile or rail system to limit horizontal movement between the insulation and the column profile or the insulation and rail system, respectively. The surface of the column profile or rail system that interacts with the vertical protrusions may be a substantially vertical surface. These vertical protrusions may extend from the horizontal plate of the insulation.

These vertical protrusions may be in any shape or form, such as pins or ribs, as long as they are adapted to limit horizontal movement between the insulation and the column profile or the insulation and the rail system.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the vertical protrusions are configured to prevent horizontal movement between the insulation and the rail system, and the vertical protrusions may extend into corresponding recesses located at a downwardly facing portion of the rail system or arranged at opposite sides of at least one rail.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, each column profile may have a hollow central section and four corner sections, each of which may be defined by a pair of vertically extending, outwardly projecting and mutually perpendicular flanges. These corner sections may alternatively be referred to as corner spaces. In other words, the column profile has a cross section comprising a hollow central section and four corner sections.

The hollow central section may comprise four vertically extending wall sections. These wall sections may form a substantially square hollow portion of the cross section of the column profile. Each wall section may have an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface may be arranged between two corner sections, i.e. between two parallel flanges.

The horizontal plate may comprise a main portion having a periphery equal to the periphery of the cross-section of the hollow central section.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the insulation may comprise four corner sections (alternatively corner spaces or corner recesses) that completely overlap with the respective four corner sections of the column profile, such that the column profile will have four consecutive corner sections extending from the rail system to the lowermost end of the column profile. These four corner sections may be arranged in a horizontal plate.

The horizontal plate may be cross-shaped. The center or centerline of the cross-shaped plate may be collinear with the centerline of the column profile.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the insulation (or horizontal plate) may comprise vertical protrusions arranged to interact with the inner or outer surface of the hollow central section to limit horizontal movement between the insulation and the column profile.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, a heat shield may be arranged at the uppermost end of the column profile and the rail system is supported on the heat shield.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the insulation (or horizontal plate) may comprise vertical protrusions arranged at opposite sides of at least one rail of the rail system, which vertical protrusions limit the horizontal movement between the insulation and the rail in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail. These vertical protrusions may extend upward from the horizontal plate.

In one embodiment of the frame structure, the column profile may comprise a lower profile section and an upper profile section which are connected to each other via a heat insulation.

In one embodiment, the frame structure may comprise a plurality of storage columns in which storage containers may be stacked one on top of the other in a vertical stack, each storage column being defined by one corner section of each of the four column profiles, the corner sections being arranged to accommodate the corners of the storage containers, and the insulation of each column profile (102) being configured to be flush with or recessed from the corner section of the column profile such that the corner section is unobstructed between the rail system and the lower end of the storage column.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a storage system for storing containers, the storage system comprising a frame structure according to any embodiment of the first aspect and a plurality of container handling vehicles arranged to run on a rail system.

In one embodiment of the storage system, the vertical column profiles define storage columns in which storage containers are stored stacked one on top of the other in a vertical stack.

The container handling vehicle may include: wheels allowing them to move on the rail system in two mutually perpendicular directions; and a lifting device for lowering the storage container into the storage column or lifting the storage container from the storage column.

In one embodiment, the storage system may be a refrigerated storage system and may include a cooling system arranged to provide cooling air to a section of the storage system arranged below the rail system. The section of the storage system provided with cooling air may be arranged at a height below the height of the insulation.

In one embodiment of the storage system, the storage columns defined by the column profiles thermally separated from the rail system provide a portion of the total number of storage columns in the frame, thereby providing separate cooling zones within the frame. The cooling zone may be separated from the remaining storage columns of the frame by insulating walls.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a method of constructing a frame structure for a refrigerated storage structure, the frame structure comprising a plurality of vertical columns of profiles and a rail system on which a container handling vehicle is movable in two mutually perpendicular directions, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing each column profile with insulation;

-mounting the profile rows to be able to support the rail system;

-arranging insulation at a location so as to thermally separate the rail system from at least one lower section of each column of profiles, such that thermal conductivity between at least one lower section of a profile column and the rail system to be supported by the profile column is limited; and

-constructing a rail system supported by the profile rows.

The frame structure constructed by the method according to the third aspect may comprise any one of the features of the frame according to the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a method of preventing wheel traction loss for a container handling vehicle operating on a rail system of a refrigerated storage system, the frame of the refrigerated storage system comprising a plurality of vertical column profiles on which the rail system is supported, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing each column profile with insulation; and

-arranging the insulation so as to separate the rail system heat from at least one lower section of each column profile, such that the thermal conductivity between the lower section of the column profile and the rail system to which the column profile is connected is limited, i.e. such that condensation of water on the rail system is prevented or minimized.

The insulation, rail system and column profile used in the method according to the fourth aspect may comprise any of the features defined in relation to the frame according to the first aspect.

In all aspects of the application, the vertical column profile and/or the rail system may be made of an extrudable metal, preferably an aluminum alloy.

In the present application, the term "thermally separated" is intended to define that the conductive heat transfer between two structures (thermally separated) is limited or minimized.

The frame structure according to the first aspect may alternatively be defined as comprising a plurality of vertical column profiles and a horizontal rail system supported on the vertical column profiles, wherein at least one lower section of each column profile is connected to the rail system via an insulation configured to limit the thermal conductivity between the at least one lower section of the column profile and the rail system. In other words, at least one lower section of the column profile may be connected to the rail system via a thermal insulation, and the thermal insulation may be located at any height between the rail system and the upper height of the lower section of the column profile.

The insulation may also be referred to as an insulation element or insulation carrier.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present application will be described in detail by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a frame structure of a prior art automatic storage and retrieval system.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle having a centrally disposed cavity for carrying a storage container therein.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle having a cantilevered section for carrying a storage container underneath.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a prior art container handling vehicle from below, showing a container lift assembly.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a prior art refrigerated storage system.

Fig. 6 is a top side perspective view of a first exemplary frame structure according to the present application.

Fig. 7 is a top side exploded view of the exemplary frame structure of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view from below of the exemplary frame structure of fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a heat insulator used in the frame structure of fig. 6 to 8.

Fig. 10 and 11 are perspective side views of a refrigerated storage system having a second exemplary frame structure according to the present application.

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of a vertical column profile for use in the refrigerated storage system of fig. 10 and 11.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a thermal shield for use in the frame structure of the refrigerated storage system of fig. 10 and 11.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not intended to limit the application to the subject matter shown.

The present application provides a frame structure for use in a refrigerated storage system (e.g., a prior art storage system, as shown in fig. 5).

In prior art storage systems and frames according to the present application, the column profile 102 and rail system 108 are made of a suitable aluminum alloy having a high thermal conductivity. Typical aluminum alloys used for extruded structural members (e.g., 6000 and 7000 series alloys) have thermal conductivities of 115-226W/mK.

In prior art refrigerated storage systems, the high thermal conductivity of the column profile 102 and rail system 108 may cause undesirable cooling of the rail system. If rail system 108 is in contact with ambient air maintained at, for example, room temperature, condensation and ice may accumulate on the rails. Water or ice on the rail will reduce friction between the wheels of the container handling vehicle running on the rail system and may also derail the container handling vehicle. The reduced friction of the wheels may prevent the accuracy required to control the container handling vehicle to retrieve and store containers within the storage system.

A first exemplary embodiment of a frame structure 100' according to the present application is shown in fig. 6 to 9.

The frame structure 100' includes a plurality of vertical column profiles 102 and a horizontal rail system 108 supported on the vertical column profiles 102. The column profile 102 and rail system 108 are made of an aluminum alloy as described above in the prior art refrigerated storage systems. To ensure that the thermal conductivity between the rail system 108 and at least one lower section of the column profiles 102 is limited or minimized, each column profile 102 is thermally separated from the rail system 108 by the insulation 2. The insulation 2 is located at the uppermost end 10 of the corresponding column of profiles 102. The rail system 108 is supported on the insulation 2 and is not in direct contact with the column profile.

Details of the column profile are shown in fig. 7. Each column profile has a hollow central section 7 and four corner sections 8, each corner section 8 being defined by a pair of vertically extending, outwardly projecting flanges 11 which are mutually perpendicular. The central section comprises four vertically extending wall elements 14. Each wall element 14 is arranged between two parallel flanges 11 of two corner sections 8.

In the first exemplary embodiment in fig. 6 to 9, the heat insulator is made of a heat insulating material having a thermal conductivity of less than 20W/mK. The thermal conductivity should be as low as possible and may preferably be below 1W/mK. Examples of suitable insulation materials are synthetic polymers with sufficient strength, such as various types of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Other insulating materials, such as various types of wood, may also be used.

The thermal conductivity of the synthetic polymer can be measured according to any suitable method according to ISO 22007-1:2017 or by using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) (https:// www.mt.com/hk/en/home/support_content/matchar_apps/matchar_uc226. Html). The thermal conductivity of wood can be measured according to ASTM 5334.

It should be noted that all synthetic polymers and wood will have a significantly lower thermal conductivity than the thermal conductivity of the aluminum alloy suitable for constructing the frame structure according to the application.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the heat insulator 2 is obtained by molding a suitable synthetic polymer into a desired shape. Note, however, that in other embodiments, the thermal shield 2 may comprise a material having a high thermal conductivity, so long as the thermal shield is configured such that heat conducted between the column profile 102 and the rail system 108 must pass through the thermal shield material.

Referring to fig. 9, the insulation 2 has a horizontal plate 3 which is arranged between the rail system 108 and the column profile 102 and separates the two, i.e. between the rail system 108 and at least one lower section of the column profile 102. The horizontal plate 3 of each insulation 2 extends transversely to the respective column profile. The horizontal plate 3 may also have four corner sections 9 that completely overlap with the respective four corner sections 8 of the column profile 102. In other words, the horizontal plate does not extend into the four corner sections 8 of the column profile 102. When the frame according to the application is used in a prior art storage system as shown in fig. 1 and 5, the insulation should not extend horizontally beyond the corner sections 9 to prevent the storage containers 106 from passing into the storage columns 105 defined by the column profile 102. However, when used in other types of storage systems, for example where the storage container is introduced into the frame in a different manner (such as horizontally), the configuration of the insulation may not be limited in the same manner.

A first set of vertical protrusions 5 extends from the horizontal plate 3 to interact with the rail system 108. The first set of vertical protrusions 5 are arranged at opposite sides of the two vertical rails 110, 111 of the rail system 108 and limit the horizontal movement between the insulation 2 and the rails 110, 111.

A second set of vertical protrusions 4 extends from the horizontal plate 3 to interact with the upper ends of the column profiles 102. The second set of protrusions 4 is configured to interact with the inner surface of the hollow central section 7 of the column profile 102 to limit horizontal movement between the insulation 2 and the column profile 102. In alternative embodiments, the second set of protrusions may be configured to interact with the outer surface of the hollow central section 7.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the vertical protrusions 4,5 are shaped as ribs, however, the vertical protrusions may have any suitable form, such as pins, as long as the function of preventing horizontal movement between the insulation 2 and the rail system 108 or the column profile 102 is obtained.

Alternative configurations of the protrusions 4,5 are conceivable, and the first set of protrusions 5 may for example be configured as extensions of the wall element 14. In this configuration, horizontal movement between the insulation 2 and the rail system may be limited by interaction with the recess 13 in the rail system 108. The recess 13 is configured to interact with the upper end 10 of the column profile 102 in a frame 100 that does not comprise the insulation 2.

A second exemplary embodiment of a frame structure 100 "according to the present application is shown in fig. 10 to 13. The illustrated frame structure 100 "is part of a refrigerated storage system including a container handling vehicle 201 and a cooling system 11. In the refrigerated storage system, the column profile 102 defines a plurality of storage columns 105 in which storage containers 106 are stored stacked one on top of the other in a stacked manner. The cooling section of the storage column 105 may be insulated from the surrounding environment or non-cooled parts of the storage system by insulating walls 19.

In view of the first exemplary embodiment, the main distinguishing feature of the second exemplary embodiment is that the column profile 102 comprises a lower profile section 102a and an upper profile section 102b, and the insulation 2' is arranged to interconnect the lower profile section 102a and the upper profile section 102 b.

In addition to limiting the heat transfer between the lower sections of the column profiles, the insulation 2' of the frame structure 10″ provides a connection for the cover device, allowing the use of a removable cover 12. This cover device is not an essential feature of the application and is not described in further detail herein.

The insulation 2' comprises an insulation material as described above.

Referring to fig. 13, the insulation 2' has a horizontal plate 3 arranged between the lower profile section 102a and the upper profile section 102b of the column profile 102 (i.e. between the rail system 108 and at least one lower section of the column profile 102). The horizontal plate 3 of each insulation 2 extends transversely to the respective column profile 102. The horizontal plate 3 may also have four corner sections 9 that completely overlap with the respective four corner sections 8 of the column profile 102. In other words, the horizontal plate does not extend into the four corner sections 8 of the column profile 102.

Vertical protrusions 6, 6' extend from both sides of the horizontal plate 3 to interact with the upper end 16 of the lower profile section 102a and the lower end 17 of the upper profile section 102 b. The vertical protrusions 6, 6 'ensure that the horizontal movement between the insulation 2' and the lower profile section 102a and the upper profile section 102b is limited. The vertical protrusions 6, 6' are configured to interact with the inner surface of the hollow central section 7 of the respective profile section 102a, 102 b. To fix the lower profile section 102a to the upper profile section 102b, the insulation 2' may comprise a profile connecting element 15. Each profile connection element 15 has a first through-hole 18 for bolting to the lower profile section 102a and a second through-hole 18' for connecting to the upper profile section 102 b.

List of reference numerals

1. Automated storage and retrieval systems of the prior art

2. Heat insulation piece

3. Horizontal plate

4. Vertical protrusions, ribs

5. Vertical protrusions, ribs

6. Vertical protrusion, pin

7. Hollow central section

8 (column profile) corner section

9 (insulation) corner section

10 Uppermost (of column profile)

11 Flanges (of column profile)

12. Cover for a container

13. Concave part

14. Wall element

15. Profile connecting element

16 Upper end (of lower profile section)

17 Lower end (of upper profile section)

18. 18' through hole

19. Insulating wall

100. Frame structure

102. Upper member of frame structure, vertical column profile

102a lower profile section

102b upper section bar section

105. Storage column

106. Storage container

106' specific location of storage container

107. Stacking of

108. Guide rail system

110. Parallel guide rails in a first direction (X)

110a first guide rail in a first direction (X)

110b in a first direction (X)

111. Parallel guide rails in a second direction (Y)

111a in the second direction (Y)

111b second guide rail in a second direction (Y)

112. Access opening

119. First port row

120. Second port row

201. Container handling vehicle of the prior art

201a vehicle body of container transport vehicle 201

201b drive device/wheel device, first direction (X)

201c drive means/wheel means, second direction (Y)

301. Cantilever container handling vehicles of the prior art

301a vehicle body of container transporting vehicle 301

301b drive means in a first direction (X)

301c in a second direction (Y)

304. Clamping device

401. Container handling vehicle of the prior art

401a vehicle body of container transport vehicle 401

401b drive means in a first direction (X)

401c second direction (Y)

404. Clamping device

Y second direction

Z third direction

Claims (19)

1. A frame structure (100 ',100 ") for a storage system, the frame structure (100 ', 100") comprising a plurality of vertical column profiles (102) and a horizontal rail system (108) supported on the vertical column profiles (102), wherein at least a lower section of each of the column profiles (102) is thermally separated from the rail system by an insulation (2, 2 ') positioned at each of the column profiles between the lower section of the column profile and a connection of the column profile and the rail system, the insulation being configured to limit thermal conductivity between the rail system (108) and the lower section of the column profile (102).

2. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the column profile (102) is made of an aluminium alloy and the insulation (2, 2') comprises an insulation material having a thermal conductivity lower than 20W/mK.

3. A frame structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insulating material is a synthetic polymer or wood.

4. The frame structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the insulation (2, 2') is configured such that heat conducted between the lower section of the column profile (102) and the rail system (108) has to pass through the insulation material.

5. The frame structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulation (2, 2') comprises a horizontal plate (3) arranged between at least one of the lower sections of the column profile (102) and the rail system (108).

6. The frame structure according to claim 5, wherein the horizontal plate (3) of each thermal insulation (2, 2') extends transversely to the column profile (102) at a common height arranged between at least one of the lower sections of the column profile and the rail system (108).

7. The frame structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulation comprises vertical protrusions (4, 5, 6) arranged to interact with a surface of the column profile (102) or the rail system (108) to limit horizontal movement between the insulation (2, 2') and the column profile (102) or the insulation and the rail system (108), respectively.

8. The frame structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each column profile (102) has a hollow central section (7) and four corner sections (8), each corner section (8) being defined by a pair of vertically extending, outwardly projecting flanges (11) that are mutually perpendicular.

9. The frame structure according to claim 8, wherein the insulation (2, 2') comprises four corner sections (9) fully overlapping with the respective four corner sections (8) of the column profile (102).

10. The frame structure according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the insulation (2, 2 ') comprises vertical protrusions (4, 6) arranged to interact with the inner or outer surface of the hollow central section (7) to limit horizontal movement between the insulation (2, 2') and the column profile (102).

11. The frame structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulation (2) is arranged at the uppermost end (10) of the column profile (102) and the rail system (108) is supported on the insulation.

12. The frame structure according to claim 11, wherein the insulation (2) comprises vertical protrusions (5) arranged at opposite sides of at least one rail (110, 111) of the rail system (108), the vertical protrusions (5) limiting a horizontal movement between the insulation (2) and the rail (110, 111) along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the rail (110, 111).

13. The frame structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the column profile (102) comprises a lower profile section (102 a) and an upper profile section (102 b) connected to each other via the insulation (2').

14. The frame structure according to claim 8, comprising a plurality of storage columns (105) in which storage containers can be stacked one on top of the other in a vertical stack, each of the storage columns being defined by one corner section (8) of each of four column profiles (102), the corner sections (8) being arranged to accommodate corners of a storage container (106), and the insulation (2, 2') of each column profile (102) being configured to be flush with or recessed from the corner section (8) of the column profile (102) such that the corner section (8) is unobstructed between the rail system and a lower end of the storage column (102).

15. A storage system for storing containers (106), the storage system comprising a frame structure (100', 100 ") according to any of the preceding claims and comprising a plurality of container handling vehicles (201, 301, 401) arranged to run on the rail system (108).

16. The storage system according to claim 15, wherein the vertical column profile (102) defines a storage column (105) in which storage containers (106) are stored stacked one on top of the other in a vertical stack.

17. A storage system according to claim 15 or 16, comprising a cooling system (11) arranged to provide cooling air to a section of the storage system arranged below the rail system.

18. A method of constructing a frame structure (100 ',100 ") for a refrigerated storage structure, the frame structure (100') comprising a rail system (108) and a plurality of vertical columns of profiles (102) on which container handling vehicles (201, 301, 401) are movable in two mutually perpendicular directions, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing each of said column profiles (102) with a thermal insulation (2, 2');

-mounting the profile row (102) to be able to support the rail system (108);

-arranging the insulation (2, 2') at a position so as to thermally separate the rail system from at least one lower section of each of the column profiles, such that the thermal conductivity between at least one of the lower sections of the profile column (102) and the rail system (108) to be supported by the profile column (102) is limited; and

-constructing the rail system (108) supported by the profile columns.

19. A method of preventing wheel traction loss for a container handling vehicle (201, 301, 401) operating on a rail system (108) of a refrigerated storage system, the refrigerated storage system comprising a plurality of vertical columns of profiles (102) on which the rail system (108) is supported, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing each of said column profiles (102) with a thermal insulation (2, 2'); and

-arranging the insulation (2, 2') so as to thermally separate the rail system from at least one lower section of each of the column profiles (102) such that the thermal conductivity between the lower section of the column profile (102) and the rail system (108) to which the column profile (102) is connected is limited.