Storage system

1. A storage system comprising at least one vehicle, a horizontal rail grid, and a charging system for charging a rechargeable power source of the vehicle,

wherein the vehicle comprises a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels for moving the vehicle upon the rail grid;

wherein the first set of wheels is displaceable in a vertical direction between a first position, wherein the first set of wheels may move the vehicle in a first direction, a second position, wherein the first and the second set of wheels are in contact with the rail grid, and a third position, wherein the second set of wheels may move the vehicle in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein the charging system comprises three charge-receiving elements arranged on a bottom section of the vehicle and connected to the power source, and a charging station comprising two charge-providing elements connected to a charging power source;

wherein the charging station comprises an actuator operatively connected to the charge-providing elements and arranged to move the charge-providing elements in a vertical direction, such that the charge-receiving elements may be connected with the charge-providing elements when the vehicle is positioned above the charging station;

wherein the charge-receiving elements comprise a first charge-receiving element centrally arranged on the bottom section and a second charge-receiving element and a third charge-receiving element arranged on opposite sides of the first charge-receiving element, such that the two charge-providing elements connect to the first charge-receiving element and one of the second and third charge-receiving elements depending upon an orientation in which the vehicle is arranged on the rail grid; and

wherein each charge-receiving element is in a form of a power socket and each charge-providing element is in a form of a power pin.

2. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is arranged to move the charge-providing elements between a first position in which the charge-receiving elements and the charge-providing elements may be connected and a second position in which the charge-receiving elements and the charge-providing elements are separated.

3. The storage system according to claim 2 , wherein the charge-receiving elements and the charge-providing elements are connected when the vehicle is positioned above the charging station, and the charge-providing elements are in the first position.

4. The storage system according to claim 2 , wherein the actuator is arranged such that an upper level of the charge-providing elements is at or below an upper level of the rail grid when the charge-providing elements are in the second position and above the upper level of the rail grid when the charge-providing elements are in the first position.

5. The storage system according to claim 2 , wherein the charge-receiving elements and the charge-providing elements are connected when the vehicle is positioned above the charging station, and the charge-providing elements are in the first position and the first set of wheels is in the first or second position.

6. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the three charge-receiving elements are arranged in a line along the first or second direction.

7. The storage system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is operably connected to the power pins and arranged to move the power pins in a vertical direction between an upper first position and a lower second position.

8. The storage system according to claim 7 , further comprising a support structure, the support structure comprising a horizontal plate element having an opening arranged such that the power pins will extend above an upper edge of the opening when in the upper first position and below, or at a level of, the edge when in the lower second position.

9. The storage system according to claim 7 , wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor, an actuator arm assembly, and a vertically arranged slide element to which the power pins are connected, the actuator arm assembly is operatively connected between the electric motor and the slide element, such that rotation of the motor may move the power pins between the upper first position and the lower second position.

10. A method of charging a vehicle in a storage system, the storage system comprising a horizontal rail grid and a charging system for charging a rechargeable power source of the vehicle,

wherein the vehicle comprises a first set of wheels and a second set of wheels for moving the vehicle upon the rail grid;

wherein the first set of wheels is displaceable in a vertical direction between a first position, wherein the first set of wheels may move the vehicle in a first direction, a second position, wherein the first and the second set of wheels are in contact with the rail grid, and a third position, wherein the second set of wheels may move the vehicle in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;

wherein the charging system comprises three charge-receiving elements arranged on a bottom section of the vehicle and connected to the power source, and a charging station comprising two charge-providing elements connected to a charging power source;

wherein the charging station comprises an actuator operatively connected to the charge-providing elements and arranged to move the charge-providing elements in a vertical direction;

wherein the charge-receiving elements comprise a first charge-receiving element centrally arranged on the bottom section and a second charge-receiving element and a third charge-receiving element arranged on opposite sides of the first charge-receiving element, such that the two charge-providing elements connect to the first charge-receiving element and one of the second and third charge-receiving elements depending upon an orientation in which the vehicle is arranged on the rail grid;

wherein each charge-receiving element is in a form of a power socket and each charge-providing element is in a form of a power pin; and

wherein the method comprises:

moving the vehicle in the first direction towards the charging station;

stopping the vehicle in a position above the charge-providing elements; and

moving the charge-providing elements in a vertical direction, such that the charge-receiving elements and the charge-providing elements are connected.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein moving the charge-providing elements in a vertical direction is preceded by:

displacing the first set of wheels from the first position to the second position such that horizontal movement of the vehicle is prevented.