Multiple Simultaneous Aisle Access Control For A Mobile Storage System

Abstract

A mobile storage system includes movable storage units that can be positioned to selectively form an aisle between adjacent storage units. The storage units define a maximum aisle space that forms a single aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units, or a number of aisles between several adjacent pairs of storage units by distributing the maximum aisle space between at least two aisles. A control arrangement controls the position of the storage units, in response to user commands, so as to form the aisles. The control arrangement may be configured such that, when a pair of aisles are present between two pairs of storage units, one of the aisles is closed based on certain criteria when a command to open a different aisle is initiated. The criteria may be user defined, or may be a characteristic such as the frequency of use of the aisles such that the more frequently used aisle remains open and the less frequently used aisle is closed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a mobile storage system incorporating the multiple simultaneous aisle access control in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2-11 are side elevation views of the mobile storage system of FIG. 1, showing the storage units incorporated in the mobile storage system and the various movements of the storage units to form one or more aisles between adjacent storage units; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of components incorporated in a controller forming a part of the mobile storage system of FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A mobile storage system, comprising: a plurality of mobile storage units, wherein the mobile storage units are movable toward and away from each other to selectively form an aisle between adjacent storage units, wherein the storage units are arranged to define a maximum aisle space within the mobile storage system, and wherein the maximum aisle space is capable of forming a single aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units or a plurality of aisles between a plurality of adjacent pairs of storage units; anda control arrangement that is operable to control the position of the storage units relative to each other, wherein the control arrangement is operable to position the storage units in response to user commands so as to form one or more aisles between the storage units.

2. The mobile storage system of claim 1, wherein the control arrangement is operable to form either a single aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units using the maximum aisle space, or a plurality of aisles between a plurality of adjacent pairs of storage units system by distributing the maximum aisle space between at least two aisles located between at least two adjacent pairs of mobile storage units.

3. The mobile storage system of claim 2, wherein the control arrangement further comprises a surveillance unit configured to monitor the presence of an object within the aisles, and wherein the control arrangement is responsive to the surveillance unit to prevent movement of the storage units between which an aisle is located when an object is present in the aisle.

4. The mobile storage system of claim 2, wherein each storage unit defines an end that includes an actuator, wherein the actuator of each storage unit is selectively operated by a user to cause relative movement between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit to form an aisle therebetween.

5. The mobile storage system of claim 4, wherein the actuators and the control arrangement are configured such that, when each actuator is initially actuated, an aisle having a width less than the maximum aisle space is formed between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit, and when each actuator is subsequently actuated after the initial actuation, an aisle having a width equal to the maximum aisle space is formed between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit.

6. The mobile storage system of claim 2, wherein the control arrangement is configured such that, when creating an aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units when a pair of aisles are present between two other adjacent pairs of storage units, one of the aisles between the two other adjacent pairs of storage units is closed based on one or more predetermined criteria.

7. The mobile storage system of claim 6, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the frequency of use of the aisles such that the more frequently used aisle remains open and the less frequently used aisle is closed.

8. The mobile storage system of claim 6, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a user-defined designation of an aisle that is to remain open.

9. A mobile storage system, comprising: a plurality of movable storage units defining at least one aisle between a pair of adjacent storage units, and wherein the movable storage units include a drive arrangement adapted to move the storage units to selectively form the aisle between adjacent storage units; andcontrol means interconnected with the drive arrangement for distributing a maximum aisle space between either one aisle located between a single pair of storage units, or between a pair of aisles, wherein the pair of aisles is located between two spaced apart sets of adjacent storage units.

10. The mobile storage system of claim 9, wherein the control means is configured such that, when an operator desires to create an aisle between a pair of storage units, the control means is operable close one of a pair of open aisles based on predetermined criteria.

11. The mobile storage system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined criteria is programmed into the control means.

12. The mobile storage system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises relative frequency of use.

13. The mobile storage system of claim 9, further comprising surveillance means for monitoring the presence of an object within the aisles, and wherein the control means is responsive to the surveillance means to prevent movement of the storage units between which an aisle is located when an object is present in the aisle.

14. The mobile storage system of claim 9, wherein each storage unit defines an end that includes that includes actuator means that is selectively operated by a user for causing relative movement between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit to form an aisle therebetween.

15. The mobile storage system of claim 14, wherein the actuator means and the control means are configured such that, when each actuator means is initially actuated, an aisle having a width less than the maximum aisle space is formed between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit, and when each actuator means is subsequently actuated after the initial actuation, an aisle having a width equal to the maximum aisle space is formed between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit.

16. A method of operating a mobile storage system that includes a plurality of mobile storage units, wherein the mobile storage units are movable toward and away from each other to selectively form an aisle between adjacent storage units, comprising the acts of: providing a maximum aisle space within the mobile storage system, wherein the maximum aisle space is capable of forming a single aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units or a plurality of aisles between a plurality of adjacent pairs of storage units; andcontrolling the position of the storage units relative to each other so as to form either one aisle located between a single pair of storage units using the maximum aisle space, or a pair of aisles located between two spaced apart sets of adjacent storage units by distributing the maximum aisle space between the pair of aisles.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the control arrangement is operable to form either a single aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units, or a plurality of aisles between a plurality of adjacent pairs of storage units system by distributing the maximum aisle space between at least two aisles located between at least two adjacent pairs of mobile storage units.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the act of monitoring the presence of an object within the aisles, and controlling movement of the storage units so as to prevent movement of a pair of storage units between which an aisle is located when an object is present in the aisle.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein each storage unit includes an actuator, and including the act of selectively operating an actuator to cause relative movement between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit to form an aisle therebetween.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein when each actuator is initially actuated, an aisle having a width less than the maximum aisle space is formed between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit, and wherein when each actuator is subsequently actuated after the initial actuation, an aisle having a width equal to the maximum aisle space is formed between the storage unit and an adjacent storage unit.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the act of creating an aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units, when a pair of aisles are present between two other adjacent pairs of storage units, is carried out based on one or more predetermined criteria.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the frequency of use of the aisles such that the more frequently used aisle remains open and the less frequently used aisle is closed.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a user-defined designation of an aisle that is to remain open.