Apparatus and method for charging a load handling device
A load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in a storage system a grid framework structure, the load handling device including: a vehicle body housing a driving mechanism operatively arranged for moving the load handling device on the grid framework structure; a lifting device having a lifting drive assembly and a grabber device configured to releasably grip a container and lift the container from the stack into a container-receiving space; are chargeable power source electrically coupled to an electrical charge point for electrically coupling to a charge head of a charge station wherein; the electrical charge point includes a charge collector connectable to the charge head of the charge station under action of a magnet.
1 . A storage system comprising:
i) a grid framework structure supporting a pathway arranged in a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces or grid cells;
ii) a load handling device configured for lifting and moving containers stacked in the grid framework structure, the load handling device including:
a) a vehicle body housing a driving mechanism operatively arranged for moving the load handling device on the grid framework structure;
b) a lifting device having a lifting drive assembly and a grabber device configured to, in use, releasably grip a container and lift the container from the stack into a container-receiving space;
said driving mechanism and the lifting drive assembly being powered by a rechargeable power source electrically coupled to an electrical charge point arranged on the vehicle body, the electrical charge point including a charge collector; and
iii) a charge station including a charge head electrically coupled to a power source charger;
wherein:
the charge head is configured to be connectable with the charge collector to charge the rechargeable power source of the load handling device under action of a magnet an electromagnet,
wherein the charge collector and/or the charge head is/are configured to be moveable to electrically couple with each other under action of the electromagnet; and wherein the charge collector and/or the charge head is configured to be extendable from or retractable within an outer housing.
2 . The storage system of claim 1 , wherein the charge collector comprises:
at least two charge-receiving contact pads arranged to be connectable to at least two charge-providing contact pads of the charge head.
3 . The storage system of claim 1 , wherein the charge collector and the charge head of the charge station are arranged to electrically couple with each other under action of a magnetic attractive force and electrically disconnect from each other under action of a magnetic repulsive force.
4 . The storage system of claim 3 , wherein the charge collector and the charge head each comprise:
one or more magnets.
5 . The storage system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more of the magnets of the charge collector or the charge head comprises:
a rare-earth magnet.
6 . The storage system of claim 1 , wherein the charge head is mounted to the pathway.
7 . The storage system of claim 6 , wherein the charge head is mounted to an arm that is configured to be moveable to electrically couple with the charge collector of the load handling device.
8 . The storage system of claim 7 , wherein the arm is configured to be moveable in response to a signal from a controller.
9 . The storage system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical charge point is mounted to an exterior surface at least one wall of the vehicle body.
10 . The storage system of claim 9 , wherein the wall is a sidewall of the vehicle body.
11 . The storage system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle body comprises:
a skirt having a first pair of opposite side walls and a second pair of opposite side walls, wherein the electrical charge point is mounted to a bottom edge of at least one of the first and/or second pair of opposite sidewalls.
12 . The storage system of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnet will be activated when the charge-providing pads of the charge head are in contact with the charge-receiving pads of the charge collector.
13 . The storage system of claim 12 , wherein the electromagnet is activated by an actuator.
14 . The storage system of claim 13 , wherein the actuator is a contact switch.
15 . The storage system of claim 1 , comprising:
a controller configured to be operable to supply current to charge the rechargeable power source in response to the electromagnet being activated.
16 . The storage system of claim 1 , wherein the charge head is moveable to the second position under action of gravity to contact the charge collector.
17 . The storage system of claim 1 , wherein the charge head is configured and arranged to be raised to the first position by a linear actuator to disengage the charge head from the charge collector of the load handling device.
18 . The storage system of claim 17 , wherein the electromagnet will be activated when the linear actuator has extended a predetermined length.
19 . The storage system of claim 1 , wherein the charge head is configured and arranged to be moveable among a first position wherein the charge head will be spaced apart from the charge collector and a second position wherein the charge head will be in physical contact with the charge collector.
20 . The storage system of claim 19 , wherein the charge head is guided in a vertical direction by at least one guide member.
21 . A method of charging a rechargeable power source of a load handling device in a storage system, the method comprising:
providing the storage system comprising:
a grid framework structure supporting a pathway arranged in a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces or grid cells;
the load handling device being configured for lifting and moving containers stacked in the grid framework structure including:
a vehicle body housing a driving mechanism operatively arranged for moving the load handling device on the grid framework structure; and
a lifting device having a lifting drive assembly and a grabber device configured to, in use, releasably grip a container and lift the container from a stack of containers into a container-receiving space,
said driving mechanism and the lifting drive assembly being powered by the rechargeable power source electrically coupled to an electrical charge point arranged on the vehicle body, the electrical charge point including a charge collector; and
a charge station including a charge head electrically coupled to a power source charger,
wherein the charge head is configured to be connectable with the charge collector to charge the rechargeable power source of the load handling device under action of an electromagnet;
a) lowering the charge head towards the charge collector of the electrical charge point;
b) activating the electromagnet to pull and/or push the charge head towards the charge collector under a magnetic attractive force, wherein the charge collector and/or the charge head is/are configured to be moveable to electrically couple with each other under action of the electromagnet; and
c) supplying current to the rechargeable power source via the charge head, wherein the charge collector and/or the charge head is configured to be extendable from or retractable within an outer housing.
22 . The method of claim 21 , comprising:
d) activating the electromagnet in response to detecting a signal from an actuator.