Patent Application
20180303346
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to systems and methods for storage of containers, and more particularly to storage structures for containers and vehicles for conveying the containers into and from the storage structures.
Systems for storage of containers are used for many years. These systems have various storage structures in which the containers can be accommodated for different periods of time. Storage structures can be located at seaports and harbors, or at any location in which storage of containers is required. The structures can occupy large areas, and for the purpose of reducing these areas, can be structured with elevated floors. With such complex storage structures, conveying containers to and from the storage structures can be a complicated task, which can be carried out by mechanical means and can be facilitated in a variety of techniques.
One type of the above systems includes storage structures in which vehicles (e.g., Automated Guided Vehicles) are used for inserting and extracting the containers to and from the storage structures.
The term ‘vehicle’ refers hereinafter in the specification and the claims to any structure having a chassis and a propulsion arrangement, which is configured for conveying cargo from place to place. For example, the vehicle can be an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV).
The term ‘container’ refers hereinafter in the specification and the claims to any structure designed for containing material and products for storage or transportation purposes. The container can be an intermodal container (e.g. container, freight container, ISO container, shipping container, hi-cube container, box, conex box and sea can). The container can be a standardized reusable steel box generally used for the safe, efficient and secure storage and movement of materials and products within a global containerized intermodal freight transport system. It is appreciated that the term ‘container’ can also be widely interpreted as an automobile such as a private or a public car, which can be stored by the system of the presently disclosed subject matter.
The term ‘column’ refers hereinafter in the specification and the claims to any structural element of a storage cell of a storage system configured for supporting at least one container thereon.
The phrase ‘base portions’ refers hereinafter in the specification and the claims to any portions of the container that are structured to allow grasping, holding, lifting or supporting the container. The base portions can be located at bottom corner fittings of a container and/or other load transfer area located at the bottom the container. The base portions are defined in various standards, one of which is ISO 1496 titled “Series 1 freight Containers—Specification and testing, part 1”.
According to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is disclosed a vehicle configured for conveying at least one container. The vehicle has a supporting portion configured for holding said container, and a primary lifting mechanism for controlling elevation of the supporting portion. The lifting mechanism is configured to move the supporting portion between an elevated position and a lowered position. The supporting portion is configured for assuming a retracted state associated with a first outline of the vehicle when seen from above, and combinable at least with the lowered position of the supporting portion, and an extended state associated with a second outline of the vehicle when seen from above and combinable at least with the elevated position of the supporting portion. The supporting portion in its extended state has projecting areas, projecting in the second outline relative to the first outline and configured for supporting said container.
According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, above vehicle is used in a system for storage of at least one container.
The above system comprises the following components:
The ability of the supporting portion to change its dimensions, allows changing the dimensions of the entire vehicle. For example, in the retracted state of the supporting portion combined with the lowered position of the lifting mechanism, the vehicle can have relatively compact dimensions. These dimensions increase the maneuverability of the vehicle within the storage structure, when the vehicle does not carry a container thereon. For instance, a compact vehicle can pass through relatively narrow passages. On the other hand, in the extended state of the supporting portion, the vehicle can have increased dimensioned allowing it to carry a container placed on its projecting areas.
Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be incorporated in any one or more of the aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, independently or in combinations thereof:
The projecting areas can have outermost points spaced from each other to a distance D1 defining a maximal dimension of the second outline along a first axis of the vehicle. The first outline can have outermost points spaced from each other to a distance D2 defining a maximal dimension along said first axis, which is smaller than D1, allowing the vehicle with its first outline to pass, along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, between two columns spaced from each other along said first axis to a distance greater than D2 and smaller than D1, without said container thereon.
In a certain embodiment, which will be described in the detailed description, the distance between outermost points of the projecting areas is referred by the reference E1, defining a maximal dimension of the second outline along the first axis of the vehicle, and the outermost points of the first outline is referenced by E2, defining a maximal dimension along said first axis. E1 and E2 respectively correspond with D1 and D2.
On one hand, the dimension D1 is dictated by the location of the base portions of the container so as to correctly support the container during its transportation. On the other hand, the dimension D2 is dictated by the maneuverability requirement of the vehicle within the storage structure (e.g., the distance between different elements of the storage structure, such as columns of storage cells). The ability of the supporting portion to be retracted or extended, allows providing a vehicle in which D2<D1, so that its maneuverability in the lowered position of its lifting mechanism is improved. The columns can comprise lower portions characterized by a minimal length dimension in the first axis associated with the distance therebetween (R1) and the following condition is fulfilled: D2<R1<D1, so that at least in the retracted state of the supporting portion, transportation of the vehicle along said second axis into said storage cell, in the lowered position of the supporting portion without said container thereon is allowed, and in said extended state of the supporting portion, said transportation is prevented.
When the condition D2<R1<D1 is fulfilled, the maneuverability of the vehicle is improved, and the following is allowed:
The columns can comprise upper portions characterized by a minimal length dimension in the first axis associated with the distance therebetween (R2) and the following condition is fulfilled: D2<R2<D1, so that at least in the retracted state of the supporting portion, movement of the supporting portion between its elevated position and its lowered position is allowed.
According to specific examples, when the condition D2<R2<D1 is fulfilled, so that at least in the extended state of the supporting portion, movement of the supporting portion between its elevated position and its lowered position can be prevented.
The columns can have straight elongated shape with their bearing portions as horizontal flat surfaces, so that the following condition is fulfilled: R1=R2.
According to the example of straight elongated columns, the peripheral dimensions of the storage cell can be not greater than the peripheral dimensions of a container stored therein, and this allows designing a storage structure in which containers are disposed in proximity to each other. This design can be efficient in space exploitation by the storage structure, and thereby can allow accommodating more containers in a given space.
The upper portions of the columns can protrude into an interior space of their storage cell with respect to the lower portions, so that the following condition is fulfilled: R1>R2.
Each of said projecting areas can be associated with a corresponding retractable element that is retracted in the retracted state of the supporting portion and is extended in the extended state of the supporting portion.
The supporting portion can comprise a plurality of recesses, each configured at least partially to accommodate at least one of said retractable elements in the retracted state of the supporting portion.
The projecting areas can comprise a securing arrangement configured for securing the container to the supporting portion, thereby preventing the container from moving with respect to the supporting portion at least during transportation of the container by the vehicle. The securing arrangement can allow transporting the container by the vehicle in the elevated position of the lifting mechanism. This can eliminate the need for moving the lifting mechanism to its lowered position prior to the transportation of the container, which can save time.
At least part of the projecting areas can comprise a guiding arrangement configured for guiding the container during loading thereof on the vehicle for properly locating the container with respect to the supporting portion. The guiding arrangement can improve the efficient of the container loading operation.
The securing arrangement and the guiding arrangement can be integrated in a common securing-guiding arrangement.
At least one of said securing arrangement and said guiding arrangement can be configured to assume a folded unoperative position and an unfolded operative position.
The supporting portion can have a rectangular shape defined by four corners, and the projecting areas can be disposed at said corners. These projecting areas can be suitable for carrying the container from its bottom corner fittings.
The supporting portion can have a rectangular shape defined by four corners with sides therebetween, and said projecting areas can be disposed at least part of said sides.
The vehicle can comprise an auxiliary arrangement configured for holding the container instead of said supporting portion for allowing the supporting portion to shift between its extended state and its retracted state.
The auxiliary arrangement can be essential when the same base portions are used for supporting the container by the supporting portion and for supporting it by the bearing portions. In this case, the auxiliary arrangement can support the container from alternative base portions other than said base portions, so as to facilitate shifting the container from the supporting portion of the vehicle to the bearing portions of the storage cell.
The auxiliary arrangement can comprise one or more grasping elements and a secondary lifting mechanism. The grasping elements can be configured for assuming a grasping state for grasping the container from alternative base portions other than said base portions, thereby allowing movement of the supporting portion or the container with respect to each other by the secondary lifting mechanism so as to allow shifting of the supporting portion between its extended state and its retracted state, and a folded state associated with the first outline of the vehicle when seen from above.
The auxiliary arrangement can further comprise a middle portion disposed under said supporting portion and between the primary lifting mechanism and the second lifting mechanism, and the grasping elements can be mounted to the middle portion.
The supporting portion can be constituted by a plurality of supporting portions, each associated with a different portion of the vehicle.
The supporting portion and the primary lifting mechanism can be add-ons mountable on a body of a vehicle.
The projecting areas can have outermost points spaced from each other to a distance D1′ (also referred as E1′ in one embodiment which will be described in the detailed description) defining a maximal dimension of the second outline along the second axis of the vehicle, and said first outline can have outermost points spaced from each other to a distance D2′ (also referred as E2′ in one embodiment which will be described in the detailed description) defining a maximal dimension along the second axis, which is smaller than D1′, allowing the vehicle with its first outline to pass, along the first axis perpendicular to said second axis, between columns of a cell spaced from each other along said second axis to a distance greater than D2′ and smaller than D without said container thereon and, when having the second outline, to locate said container on the bearing portions of the columns of said cell. The columns can comprise lower portions characterized by a minimal length dimension in the second axis associated with the distance therebetween (R1′) and the following condition is fulfilled: D2′<R r<D1′, so that at least in the retracted, transportation of the vehicle along said second axis into said storage cell, in the lowered position of the supporting portion without said container thereon is allowed, and in said extended state of the supporting portion, said transportation is prevented.
According to one example, the vehicle can be capable of transporting into and from the storage cell along both first and second axes, at least in the retracted state of the supporting portion and the lowered position of the lifting mechanism.
The columns can comprise upper portions characterized by a minimal length dimension in the second axis associated with the distance therebetween (R2′) and the following condition is fulfilled: D2′<R2′<D1′, so that at least in the retracted state of the supporting portion, movement of the supporting portion between its elevated position and its lowered position is allowed.
The conditions: D2′<R2′<D1′ can be fulfilled, so that at least in the extended state of the supporting portion, movement of the supporting portion between its elevated position and its lowered position is prevented.
According to yet another aspect of the present subject matter there is disclosed a method for using a system for storage of at least one container. The method can comprise steps of:
The method can further comprise the steps of steps of:
According to yet another aspect of the present subject matter there is disclosed a method for using a system for storage of at least one container. The method can comprise steps of:
The method can further comprise the steps of:
According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is disclosed a system for storage of at least one container, comprising:
Having the securing arrangement mechanically associated with the supporting portion can allow transporting the container by the vehicle in the elevated position of the lifting mechanism. This can eliminate the need for moving the lifting mechanism to its lowered position prior to the transportation of the container, which can save time. In addition, the securing arrangement can reduce risk of movement of the container with respect to the vehicle during transportation.
The guiding arrangement can improve the efficiency of the container loading operation and to facilitate proper location of the container on the vehicle.
The supporting portion can comprise supporting areas configured for supporting said container at base portions thereof, and wherein said supporting portion is structured so that when the container is received thereon, additional base portions of the container are exposed, when seen from below, for being placed on said bearing portions when the supporting portion is moved from its elevated position to its lowered position.
The vehicle can have a first axis and a second axis perpendicular thereto and the supporting portion can have a first maximal length dimension (L1) in said first axis. The columns can comprise lower portions characterized by a minimal length dimension in the first axis associated with the distance therebetween (R1) and the following condition can be fulfilled: R1>L1, so that transportation of the vehicle along said second axis into said storage cell, at least in the lowered position of the supporting portion without said container thereon is allowed.
The columns can comprise upper portions characterized by a minimal length dimension in the second axis associated with the distance therebetween (R2) and said upper portions can protrude into an interior space of their storage cell with respect to the lower portions, so that the following condition is fulfilled: R1>R2.
The supporting portion can have a first maximal length dimension (L1′) in said 20 second axis, and the columns can comprise lower portions characterized by a minimal length dimension in the second axis associated with the distance therebetween (R1′). the following condition can be fulfilled: R1′>L1′, so that transportation of the vehicle along said first axis into said storage cell, in the lowered position of the supporting portion without said container thereon is allowed.
In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Attention is first directed to
Reference is now made to
The base portions are defined in various standards, one of which is ISO 1496 titled “Series 1 freight Containers—Specification and testing, part 1”. The ISO 1496 standard defines the base portions as follows:
“All containers shall be capable of being supported by their bottom corner fittings only . . .
. . . All containers, other than 1 D and 1 DX, shall also be capable of being supported only by load transfer areas in their base structure. Consequently, these containers shall have end transverse members and sufficient intermediate load transfer areas (or a flat underside) of sufficient strength to permit vertical load transfer to or from the longitudinal member of a carrying vehicle. Such longitudinal members are assumed to lie within the two 250 mm wide zones defined by the broken lines in figure B1”.
According to the above definition, the base portions can be related to two types of portions: bottom corner fittings 51 and load transfer areas 52. In particular, the bottom corner fittings 51 allow carrying therefrom all types of containers, and the load transfer areas 52 allow carrying therefrom all types of container, other than the 1D and the 1DX types.
Referring back to
Reference in now made to
The vehicle 100 is characterized by changeable dimensions, which on one hand allow it to maneuver within the storage system 1 between the columns 4, and on the other hand, to carry a container when needed.
The maneuverability of the vehicle 100 within the storage system 1 is a function of the dimensions of the vehicle 100 at present moment, as well as the distance between the columns 4 forming the storage cells 2. In order to be able to pass between the columns 4, the vehicle 100 should have reduced dimensions.
In order to convey the container 50 to and from the storage cell 2, the vehicle 100 should have increased dimensions, which allow it support the container at the load transfer areas 52, and should also allow placing its bottom corner fittings 51 on the columns 4.
The vehicle 100 is an AGV that comprises: a body 102, a propulsion arrangement (not shown), omnidirectional wheels 104 mechanically associated with the propulsion arrangement, and a computer (not shown) that controls the operation of the propulsion arrangement. The omnidirectional wheels 104 allow the vehicle 100 to move along a first axis, namely Y axis (shown in
The supporting portion 108 is configured for holding the container 50 thereon, and configurable between a retracted state associated with a first outline 110 of the vehicle when seen from above (marked in dashed line in
The supporting portion 108 comprises retractable elements 120 horizontally movable with respect to the supporting portion 108, so that they are retracted in the retracted state of the supporting portion 18, and extended in the extended state of the supporting portion 18.
In the extended state of the supporting portion 108, projecting areas 114 project in the second outline 112 relative to the first outline 110 and are configured for supporting the container 50. Each one of the projecting areas 114 is associated with a corresponding retractable element 120, while being retracted.
Each of the retractable elements 120 is retractable into a respective recess 124 formed within the supporting portion 108. As can be seen in
As shown in
As shown in the drawings, the vehicle 100 of
As shown in
As shown in the drawings, the vehicle 100 of
The dimensions D1 and D1′ are dictated by the location of the base portions of the container 50, i.e., the load transfer areas 52, and the distance therebetween, so as to correctly support the container 50 during its transportation. In the illustrated example, the supporting portion 108 has a rectangular shape defined by four corners 116 with sides 118 therebetween, and the projecting areas 114 project from the sides 118.
As shown in
When disposed in its unfolded operative position, each of the guiding-securing lugs 126 is protruding upwardly from a respective retractable element 120. In this position, the guiding-securing lugs 126 are configured to guide the container 50 during loading thereof on the vehicle 100 for properly locating it with respect to the supporting portion 108. The effect of guiding is gained by the protrusion of the guiding-securing lugs 126. During the loading of the container 50 on the supporting portion 108, the operator in charge of the loading can locate the container between distal ends 128 of the protruding guiding-securing lugs 126, which are distal with respect to the retractable elements 120, and then slide the container downwardly along the guiding-securing lugs 126 to the proper location on the supporting portion 108. The location of the proximate end 129 on the retractable elements 120 facilitates proper location of the container 50 on the supporting portion 108.
In addition, the guiding-securing lugs 126 constitute securing elements, preventing unintentional movement of the container 50 with respect to the supporting portion 108. The securing effect is gained by the protrusion of the guiding-securing lugs 126, which act as stopping elements, preventing the container from moving horizontally. As best seen in
The folded unoperative position of the guiding-securing arrangement lugs 126 is provided for enabling a compact form of the supporting portion, and is combinable at least with the retracted state of the supporting portion 108, as illustrated in
Reference is now made to
As mentioned above, the dimensions of vehicle 100 are configured so as to allow the vehicle 100 to pass between the columns 4 of the storage cell 2, along both X and Y axes, in the retracted state and the lowered position of the supporting portion 108.
The distance between the columns 4 along Y axis is greater than D2 and smaller than D1 and thereby allowing the vehicle 100 with its first outline 110 (which is associated with the retracted state of the supporting portion 108 and with the distance D2) to pass therebetween along X axis, on one hand, and preventing its passage therebetween when the vehicle 100 is with its second outline 112 (which is associated with the extended state of the supporting portion 108 and with the distance D1).
The columns 4 have lower portions 41 characterized by a minimal length dimension therebetween R1 in the first axis, i.e. Y axis in the drawings, and the following condition is fulfilled: D2<R1<D1. The distance R1 is related to the dimensions of the vehicle 100 in the lowered position of the supporting portion 108, so that this condition assures that in the lowered position and the retracted state of the supporting portion 108, the vehicle 100 can pass between the columns when moving along the X axis. It can be easily seen from
The columns 4 also have upper portions 42 characterized by a minimal length dimension R2 therebetween in the Y axis. The distance R2 is related to a distance between bearing portions 43 (seen best in
The columns 4 are characterized by a straight elongated shape, so that the following condition is fulfilled: R1=R2. In addition, the peripheral dimensions of the storage cell 2 are substantially equal to the peripheral dimensions of the container 50.
As shown in
As can be seen from
Reference is now made to
In
While transportation of the container 50 can be performed in both the lowered and the elevated positions of the supporting portion 108, entrance into the storage cell 2 is possible only with the supporting portion 108 in its elevated position, as best seen in
Apart from the projecting areas 114, which project from the first outline 110 of the vehicle, other parts of the vehicle 100 do not project from the first outline, i.e. the outermost points are spaced from each other to the distances D2 and D2′. As a result of that, passage of the vehicle 100 between the lower portions 41 of the columns 4, which are spaced from each other in a distance R1 along the Y axis and R1′ along X axis, is facilitated.
The vehicle 100 takes such a position in the cell 2 wherein the bearing portions 43 are located underneath the bottom corner fittings 51 of the container 50, from which the container is to be supported by the columns 2.
The next step involves moving the supporting portion 108 to its lowered position by the primary lifting mechanism 106, thereby placing the bottom corner fittings 51 of the container on the bearing portions 43 of the columns, as seen in
Now, with the container 50 being supported by the bearing portions 43 of the columns 4, the vehicle 100 can exit the storage cell 2 without the container 50. Before exiting the storage cell 2, the supporting portion 108 is shifted to its retracted state, thereby decreasing the outline of the vehicle to the first outline 110, with which passage of the vehicle 100 between the columns 4, in the lowered position of the supporting portion 108, is allowed (
The method can further comprise steps of taking the container 50 out from a storage cell 2. These steps are reverse steps to the above steps of inserting the container 50 into the storage cell 2. These reverse steps include: transporting the vehicle 100 into the storage cell 2, while the container 50 is stored therein and the supporting portion 108 is in its lowered position and its retracted state (
Another example of a vehicle according to the presently disclosed subject matter is vehicle 200, illustrated in
The vehicle 200 is an AGV that comprises: a body 202, a propulsion arrangement (not shown), omnidirectional wheels 204 mechanically associated with the propultion arrangement, and a computed (not shown) that controls the operation of the propultion arrangement. The omnidirectional wheels 204 allow the vehicle 200 to move along a first axis, namely Y axis (shown in
The supporting portion 208 is configured for holding the container 50 thereon, and configurable between a retracted state associated with a first outline 210 of the vehicle 200 when seen from above (marked in dashed line in
As shown in
In the retracted state supporting portion 208, the vehicle 200 is characterized by a first outline 210 (marked in dashed line in
As shown in
As can be understood from the drawings, the projecting areas 214 of the vehicle 200 are configured for supporting the container 60 from its bottom corner fittings 61, and not from the load transfer areas, and therefore the vehicle 200 is suitable for carrying all kinds of containers, including the 1D and 1DX type containers.
Each one of the projecting areas 214 is associated with a corresponding retractable element 220. The retractable elements 220 are retracted in the retracted state of the supporting portion 208, and are extended in the extended state thereof. Each one of the retractable elements 220 is retractable into a respective recess (not shown in the drawings) of the supporting portion 208.
The retractable elements 220 comprise a securing arrangement in the form of securing lugs 260, best seen in
Each securing lug 260 is protruding upwardly from a respective retractable element 220. The securing lugs 260 constitute securing elements, preventing unintentional movement of the container 60 with respect to the supporting portion 208. The securing effect is gained by the protrusion of the securing lugs 260 into corresponding recesses 63 (seen best in
Vehicle 200 is adapted to operate in conjunction with the storage cell 2 for storing the container 60 therein.
As mentioned above, the dimensions of vehicle 200 are configured so as to allow the vehicle 200 to pass between the columns 4 of the storage cell 2, along both X and Y axes, in the retracted state and the lowered position of the supporting portion 208.
The distance between the columns 4 along axis Y is greater than E2 and smaller than E1. This allows the vehicle 200 with its first outline 210, on one hand, to pass between the columns 4 in the retracted state of the supporting portion 208 when moving along the Y axis. On the other hand, the vehicle 200 is not able to pass between the columns 4 with its second outline 212, in the extended state of the supporting portion 208.
The columns 4 have lower portions 41 characterized by a minimal length dimension therebetween R1 in the Y axis, and the following condition is fulfilled: E2<R1<E1. The distance R1 between the lower portions 41 of the columns 2 along Y axis is related to the dimensions of the vehicle 200 in the lowered position of the supporting portion 208, so that this condition assures that in the lowered position and the retracted state of the supporting portion 208, the vehicle 200 can pass between the columns 2. According to this condition, in the lowered position and the extended state of the supporting portion 208, the vehicle 200 cannot pass between the columns 4.
The columns 4 have upper portions 42 characterized by a minimal length dimension therebetween R2 in Y axis. The distance R2 is related to a distance between bearing portions 43 of the columns 4, which best seen in
The columns 4 are straight elongated shape, so that the following condition is fulfilled: R1=R2. According to the example of straight elongated columns, the peripheral dimensions of the storage cell 2 can be not greater than the peripheral dimensions of a container 60 stored therein, and this allows designing a storage system 1 in which containers 60 are disposed in proximity to each other, as can be seen in
As shown in
Another example of a storage cell according to the presently disclosed subject matter is a storage cell 3, illustrated in
The columns 8 have lower portions 81 characterized by a minimal length dimension therebetween R1 in the first axis, i.e. Y axis in the drawings.
The columns 8 further have upper portions 82 characterized by a minimal length dimension therebetween R2 in Y axis. The distance R2 is related to a distance between bearing portions 83 of the columns 8, which best seen in
The upper portions 82 of the columns protrude into an interior space of their storage cell 3 with respect to the lower portions 81, so that the following condition is fulfilled: R1>R2.
In addition, the following condition is fulfilled: E2<R2<E1, so that in the retracted state of the supporting portion, movement of the supporting portion 208 between its elevated position and its lowered position is allowed. According to the specific example, in the extended state of the supporting portion 208, movement of the supporting portion between its elevated position and its lowered position is prevented.
Storage cell 3 can provide storage services to both vehicles 100 and 200, with the difference that the storage cells 2 allow much compact storage structures.
The vehicle 200 also comprises an auxiliary arrangement generally designated 230. The auxiliary arrangement 230 is configured for facilitating in freeing the bottom corner fittings 61 of the container 60 during the placement of the container 60 on the columns 4. This operation is done by holding the container 60 to a short period of time, instead of the supporting portion 208, for allowing the supporting portion 208 to shift between its extended state and its retracted state, which afterwards allows placing the container within the storage cell 2 on the bottom corner fittings 61.
The auxiliary arrangement 230 is essential when the same base portions (e.g., the base corner fittings 61) are used for supporting the container 60 by the supporting portion 208 and for supporting it by the bearing portions 43 of the storage cell 2.
In the present case, during its operation, the auxiliary arrangement 230 grasps the container 60 from alternative base portions 62, best seen in
The grasping elements 232 are also configured to assume a folded state, seen in
The auxiliary arrangement further comprises a middle portion 236 disposed under the supporting portion 208 and between the primary lifting mechanism 206 and the second lifting mechanism 234. The grasping elements 232 are mounted to the middle portion 236.
Referring now to
In
Even though the vehicle 200 can transport the container 60 in both the lowered and the elevated positions of the supporting portion 208, entrance into the storage cell 2 is possible only with the supporting portion 208 in its elevated position, as best seen in
Apart from the projecting areas 214, which have outermost points spaced from each other to the distances E1 and E1′, other parts of the vehicle 200 do not project from the first outline 210 of the vehicle, i.e. their outermost points are spaced from each other to the distances E2 and E2′. As a result of that, passage of the vehicle between the lower portions of the columns, which are spaced from each other in a distance R1, is facilitated.
Moreover, having the ability to transport along both axes X and Y, and due to its dimensions, the vehicle 200 can enter the cell 2 from all four directions, i.e. along axis X and along axis Y.
As shown in
Consequently, movement of the supporting portion 208 by the secondary lifting mechanism 234 with respect to the container 60, which is now being held by the middle portion 236 via the grasping elements 232, is allowed.
In the retracted state of the supporting portion 208, the bottom corner fittings 61 are exposed with respect to the bearing portions 43, and are ready to be placed thereon, as seen in
The next step, as illustrated in
Once supported by the bearing portions 43 of the columns 4, shifting the grasping elements 232 to their folded state is enabled, and thereby the vehicle 200 is in its most compact state, and is ready for escaping from the storage cell 2.
The method can further comprise steps of taking a container 60 out from a storage cell 2. These steps are reverse steps to the steps of insertion of a container 60 into the storage cell 2, and are performed in a reversed manner.
Another example of a vehicle according to the presently disclosed subject matter is vehicle 300, illustrated in
The vehicle 300 comprises a body 302, and a propulsion arrangement 304 mounted thereto. The propulsion arrangement 304 is configured with omnidirectional wheels, allowing the vehicle 300 to transport along a first axis of the vehicle, namely Y axis, and a second axis thereof, namely X axis. Axes Y and X are perpendicular to each other.
The vehicle 300 is configured with a supporting portion 308, which is elevatable with respect to the body 302 via a primary lifting mechanism 306, seen in
The supporting portion 308 comprises supporting areas 320 configured for supporting the container 70 at base portions thereof. As can be understood from the drawings, the supporting areas 320 of the supporting portion 308 are configured for supporting the container 70 from its load transfer areas 72 (which are similar to the load transfer areas 52 of the container 50) and not from the bottom corner fittings 71 (which are similar to the bottom corner fittings 51 of the container 50), and therefore, vehicle 300 is configured for carrying containers other than 1D and 1DX.
The supporting portion 308 is structured with exposed portions 311 at its corners, seen in
The supporting portion 308 is configured with a guiding-securing arrangement, in the form of guiding-securing projections 326, seen in enlarged view in
The guiding of the container is gained by the shape of the guiding-securing projections 326, seen best in
In addition, the guiding-securing projections 326 constitute securing elements, preventing unintentional movement of the container 70 with respect to the supporting portion 308. The securing effect is gained by the protrusion of the guiding-securing projections 326, which act as stopping elements, preventing the container from moving. As best seen in
The vehicle 300 is adapted to operate in conjunction with storage cell 9, for storing a container 70 therein.
The vehicle 300 has a first maximal length dimension (L1) in the first axis, i.e. Y axis. The columns 11 comprise lower portions 12 characterized by a minimal length dimension in the first axis associated with the distance therebetween (R1) and the following condition is fulfilled: R1>L1, so that transportation of the vehicle along the second axis, i.e. X axis, into and from the storage cell, at least in the lowered position of the supporting portion without said container thereon is allowed (
The columns 11 further comprise upper portions 13 characterized by a minimal length dimension in the second axis associated with the distance therebetween (R2) and the upper portions protrudes into an interior space of the storage cell with respect to the lower portions 12, so that the following condition is fulfilled: R1>R2. The upper portions comprise bearing portions 14, configured for supporting the container 70 from its bottom corner fittings 71.
The supporting portion has a first maximal length dimension (L1′) in the second axis, i.e. X axis, and the lower portions 12 of the columns 11 are characterized by a minimal length dimension in the second axis associated with the distance therebetween (R1′). the following condition is fulfilled: R1′>L1′, so that transportation of the vehicle 300 along Y axis into and from the storage cell, in the lowered position of the supporting portion 308 without the container 70 thereon is allowed (
As can be seen in
When the vehicle 300 is inside the storage cell 9, and with the elevated position of the supporting portion 308, the exposed portions 311 of the supporting portion 308 are located above the columns 11, and more particularly above the bearing portions 14, thereby allowing movement of the supporting portion 308 to its lowered position, by the primary lifting mechanism 306.
Once the vehicle 300 is located inside the storage cell 9, the supporting portion 308 can be moved between the elevated position, seen in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 230538 | Jan 2014 | IL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL2015/050057 | 1/18/2015 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20170319069 A1 | Nov 2017 | US |
