CA1242155A - Storage and retrieval system with stored equipment testing capability - Google Patents
Storage and retrieval system with stored equipment testing capabilityInfo
- Publication number
- CA1242155A CA1242155A CA000479919A CA479919A CA1242155A CA 1242155 A CA1242155 A CA 1242155A CA 000479919 A CA000479919 A CA 000479919A CA 479919 A CA479919 A CA 479919A CA 1242155 A CA1242155 A CA 1242155A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- item
- storage
- carrier
- item carrier
- connector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
- B65G1/02—Storage devices
- B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
- B65G1/137—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
- B65G1/1371—Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed with data records
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
- B65G1/02—Storage devices
- B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
- B65G1/0485—Check-in, check-out devices
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
- Testing Electric Properties And Detecting Electric Faults (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Items such as components, assemblies, or fully assembled items of equipment (printers, computers, recorders, etc.) may be subjected to burn-in or other test procedures while in storage in a storage and retrieval system which utilizes rack type storage locations and a stacker-retriever vehicle (with shuttle table assembly) for placing item carriers at selected ones of the storage locations. The item carrier includes means to mount the item and to connect the item to power and control inputs; as well as a power and control input connector connectable to a power and control input connector located at each of a number of test locations within the rack storage area.
The shuttle table assembly in one embodiment, following placement of the item carrier in the test storage location, is raised up to engage the face of the item carrier and to move the item carrier so as to mate the item carrier power and control input connector with the connector of the storage test location. When the shuttle table assembly is operated to retrieve the item carrier it is first inserted into contact with an item carrier disconnect device and operates same to move the item carrier so as to effect disconnection of the mating connectors. Thereafter the shuttle assembly is operated to retrieve the item carrier. In another embodiment the shuttle table assembly is formed with upturned lips; the first to move the item carrier deeper into the test storage location to mate the connectors, and the second to coact with the item carrier to effect disconnection of the connectors prior to retrieval of the item carrier. Remote and local computers and other controls are provided for the vehicle, the shuttle assembly and to provide power and control inputs and effect the test procedure for the item while in storage. In another alternate embodiment the power and input signal connectors take the form of transmission devices, that merely need to be positioned in proximity to each other and substantial alignment so that the signals from the test location transmission device can be received by the transmission device on the item carrier.
Items such as components, assemblies, or fully assembled items of equipment (printers, computers, recorders, etc.) may be subjected to burn-in or other test procedures while in storage in a storage and retrieval system which utilizes rack type storage locations and a stacker-retriever vehicle (with shuttle table assembly) for placing item carriers at selected ones of the storage locations. The item carrier includes means to mount the item and to connect the item to power and control inputs; as well as a power and control input connector connectable to a power and control input connector located at each of a number of test locations within the rack storage area.
The shuttle table assembly in one embodiment, following placement of the item carrier in the test storage location, is raised up to engage the face of the item carrier and to move the item carrier so as to mate the item carrier power and control input connector with the connector of the storage test location. When the shuttle table assembly is operated to retrieve the item carrier it is first inserted into contact with an item carrier disconnect device and operates same to move the item carrier so as to effect disconnection of the mating connectors. Thereafter the shuttle assembly is operated to retrieve the item carrier. In another embodiment the shuttle table assembly is formed with upturned lips; the first to move the item carrier deeper into the test storage location to mate the connectors, and the second to coact with the item carrier to effect disconnection of the connectors prior to retrieval of the item carrier. Remote and local computers and other controls are provided for the vehicle, the shuttle assembly and to provide power and control inputs and effect the test procedure for the item while in storage. In another alternate embodiment the power and input signal connectors take the form of transmission devices, that merely need to be positioned in proximity to each other and substantial alignment so that the signals from the test location transmission device can be received by the transmission device on the item carrier.
Description
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STORAGE Al~D RETRIEVAL SYSTE:lil WIT STORED EQ~IPME~T T~STI~G CAPABILITY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-FIELD OF APPLICATION
This invention relates to storage and retrieval systems;
and more particularly to storage and retrieval systems which incorporate s-tations at which selected operations can be performed on equiprnent being stored, or to be stored.
sAcKGRouND OF THE INVENTION-DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Storage and retrieval systems for uni-t material handling are being utilized more and more to facilitate placement of items into a particular storage location and subsequent retrieval of the stored item. Many such systems are used -to place components, sub-assemblies, assemblies and entire ready to function units oE
equipmen-t into storage un-til required for use or for shipment to a purchaser Such systems may u-tili~e either autom2ted, son automated, or man-rider type stacker cranes, stacker-retrievers or similar material handling equipment to move the item between a selected location in a rack type storage area and to a work sta-tion either adjacent to or remote from -the rack storage area The work s-ta-tion may be a pick-up and/or delivery s-tation, where the item is picked up by other equipment, or a person, or rnovemen-t out of storage, or where the item is placed Eor movernent -to a particular location within the sys-tem. The work station may also be a loca-tion to which an item is I;
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transported and left so that a particular manufacturing or assembly operation may be performed upon the item; and lrom which the item after being worked upon is removed to be returned to storage.
Some storage and re-trieval systems operate under the complete or substantially complete automated control of a computer or microprocessor. This includes the placement of the item into storage at a particular address or location and the removal of the item from its storage address or location, to another part of the system, out of the system, or to a work sta-tion an thereafter back into the system.
One particular type of storage and retrieval system is known as a flexible assembly system and incorporates a rack type storage area disposed adjacent or which otherwise incorporates work stations. Operators, either people or robots or both, at - the work stations utilize computer commands and controls to order items components, sub-assemblies, etc.) out of storage and to return the ltem to storage or to another work station. A
stacker craze, or stacker retriever, under computer control Jo proceeds to the address location within the sys-tem where the item is stored, retrieves the item from s-torage and brings it -to the worX station where the operator performs one or more ~nanufacturin~3 operations on the item. Such manufacturing operations can include drilling, reaming, cutting, wel-ling, . ., assembling other items to the item or any o-ther one of the many operations required to manufacture something. The item is thereafter returned to storage.
Transport of the item is usually facilitated by placing -the S item in a tote or pan, or upon a pallet or other carrier. The material handling or carrying vehicle (stacker crane, stacker-retriever, etc.), in turn, usually incorporates a pick-up mechanism in the form of a shuttle or York lift that co-operates with the item carrier to move it in the system, place the carrier and item into a particular storage location or retrieve the item carrier from such a locati.on. To accomplish this the pick-up mechanism is quite often extendable to either one or other size of the carrying vehicle for pick-up and drop-off; and centered with respect to the carrying vehicle during movement of the vehicle within the system.
Thus, many such flexible assembly systems may be and are ~tili~ed to assernble components, sub-assemblies, and assemblies into a fully assembled device or i-tem of equipment. Once fully assemble, the item may be returned to storage within the system. ~lowever, in many ins-tances, the componen-t, sub-assembly, assembly or item of equipment may need to be tested for quality control or other purposes. For electrical and elec-tronic items it is us-lal to burn-in the item. Testing (and/or burning-in) of the item usually requires connecting the item to a source of power and/or to a source froln which control inputs can be : obtained The power may be electrical, motive, EluiA or the like;
while the control input may be fluid, elec-tronic Eiber optic transmi-tted or -the like.
Connecting an item -to power and control inpu-ts at the assembly work s-tation not only requires the availability oE such connections at the work sta-tion, but space to locate the item while being tested. Some -tests require eY~-tensive time and to do so at -the work station may no-t only diminish the available space for other operations but may in fact render the station unavailable for other purposes during the tes-ting of the item. Transport of the item to a testing loca-tion remote from the assembly work station, on the other hand, may require: additional material handling equipment; space to store the item during testing; and removal of -the item from the computerized inventory and other con-trols of the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTlON
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and impxoved s-torage and retrieval sys-tem.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved automated storage and retrieval system.
It is still another object of this inven-tion to provide a new and improved flexible assembly system.
It is yet still another object of this inven-tion -to provide a new and improved storage and re-trieval sys-tem with stored i-tem testing capability.
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It :is a further object oE this inven-tion to provide a new and improved appara-tus and me-thod for testing an item while in storage.
It is still a further object of this invention -to provide a new and improved apparatus and method for tes-ting an item while under the control of a storage and retrieval sys-tem.
It is yet still a further objec-t of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus and method to burn-in an electronic apparatus while such apparatus is being stored in a flexible assembly system storage loca-tion.
This invention involves storage and retrieval systems which include item storage racks, and material handling, vehicles, which facilitate movemen-t of items into storage at selected locations in -the rack storage area, and which re-trieve items from the selec-ted loca-tions. The i-tems to be stored and retrieved are disposed upon totes, pans, pallets or other carriers of a configuration which facilitates cooperation between the carrier, vehicle and rack. The invention con-templates con-struction of the i'cem carrier to enable the item to be connected up to power and control inputs and to facilitate conduction of power and control signals through the item carrier to a -trans~
mission device for receiving power and control inputs. The invention further contempla-tes; providing at prede-termined locations wi-thin -the rack storage area a source of power and controls or suitable connections -to a remo-te source of power _ 5 _ . , - jrc~
and controls and wh.ich align with -the power and con-trol input device of the item carrier; and u-tilization of the material handling vehicle and its controls to effec-~ alignmen-t of the item carrier and item carried -thereby to the source of power and control inputs in the process of placing the item in storage, and to effect disassociation of the i-tem carrier, and item carried thereby, from the power and control inputs in the process of retrieving the item from storage.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention in its details of construction and arrangement of parts will be seen from the above, from -the following description of the pre-ferred embodiment when considered with the drawing and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF_THE DRAWING
In the drawing:
FIG. :L is a fragmentary perspective view of a storage and retrieval system utili2ing a stacker~retriever and which incorporates the instant invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of a special item carrier, for the storage and retriever system of FIG. l which incorpora-tes power and control connec-tions for an item when carried thereby and for connecting the item carrier to a source of power and control inputs, and showing an item carried thereby and connec-ted up to the power and control inpu-ts in accordance with this invention;
jrc: , f FIG. 3 is an end view of the item carrier of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4a and b schematically show on a reduced scale, the relationship between item test carrier, vehicle shuttle -table and tes-t storage rack location prior to (or followi.ng) storage of an item carrier and item according to a first embodiment of the instant invention, FIGS. 5a and b are similar to FIGS 4a and b, but showing the item carrier and item being placed at a selected tes-t storage location;
FIGS. 6a and b are similar to FIGS. 5a and b, but showing the relationship ox the item test carrier, vehicle shuttle table and test storage rack location after withdrawal of the shuttle table there-from;
FIGS. 7a and b are similar to FIGS. 6a-d, but showing the shuttle table ccacting with the item carrier to connect it to the power and control input connector disposed at the selected test storage location; '.?
FIGS. 8a and b are similar to FIGS. 7a and b, but show -the shuttle table coac-ting with the power and control input connector to release the connection between it and the item carrier;
FIGS. 9a and b are similar to FIGS. 4a and b, but show an alterna-tive embodiment, FIGS. lOa and b are similar to FIGS. 9a and b, but show the item test carrier following placement by the shuttle table at a test storage rack location;
FIGS. lla and b are similar to FIGS. lOa and b, but show the shuttle table coacting with the item test carrier to connect same to a power and control input connector at the test storage location;
FIGS. 12a and b are similar to FIGS. lla and b, but show the shuttle table coacting with the item test carrier to disconnect same from the power and control input connector at the test storage location;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view in partial section showing details of the disconnect assembly oE the FIGS. 4 - 8 embodiment;
and FIG. 14 is an elevational view of FIG. 13 cut away in part to better show details thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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For convenience, the invention will be described as applied to an automated storage and retrieval system of the flexible assembly type wherein a unit of electrical equipment (such as a printer, keyboard, or the like) is assembled by a human operator at an assembly workstation, and is thereaft.er automatically returned by a computer control to a selected test storage location within the storage rack structure. once at the test location at transmission device on the item test carrier, upon which the item was assembled, is positioned with respect to a transmission device at the test storage location. The computer . .
controls then cause power and control signals to be provicled to the i-tem by way of the transmission device and.item tes-t carrier and a computer controlled test procedure is undertaken while the item is in storage. It should be understood, never-theless, that without departing from the scope of -the invention that the hereinafter described apparatus and method may be in-corporated in any automated, semi-automa-ted, or other type of item storage and re-trieval system; -that the power and con-trol inputs may be fluid, motive or fiber optic or air transmit-ted, or in any other form; that the item test carrier, and connectors on the item test carrier and at the storage rack tes-t location can be selected to accommodate the type and form of power and control inputs; and -that the i-tem to be -tes-ted can be a com-ponent, sub-assembly, assembly or the like.
With reference to FIG. 1, there is generally shown at 10 a stacker-retriever of available construction disposed for movement in the direction of arrows A B in an aisle 12 be-tween a first rack assembly 14 and a second rack assembly 16 A lower guide rail 18 and an upper guide rail 20 guide such movemen-t of stacker-retriever 10 in aisle 12 Rack assemblies 14, 16 -toge-ther with stacker-retriever 10 form an automa-ted storage and retrieval system Eor items (not shown) which may be disposed either in totes 30 or on test carriers 31 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) which items can b.e parts, sub-assemblies, assemblies components, units of equipment and the like.
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Rack assemblies 14, 16 are of conventional cons-truction and include ver-tical members 32 (FIG. 1) and horizontal members 34 with associated support members 36 all assembled -together to form the rack assemblies so as to provide a number of storage positions or locations 40 each sized to receive a tote 30 or an i-tem test carrier 31 and item 42 carried thereby. Rack assembly 16 includes a number of -test storage posi-tions or locations 44 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 9) to be hereinafter explained.
Rack 16, additionally includes a number of access posi.tions 50 that are constructed in a conven-tional manner with roller--type conveyor rolls (not shown)so that if a tote 30 is deposited in a position 50 it will roll forward near or onto a work station 52 where an operator 54 will have access to tote 30 to ei-ther re-move items 56 therefrom ox place such items 56 in to-tes 30.
Tote 30 is then retrieved by a stacker-retriever 10 and returned either to its original location 40 in either rack assembly 14 or rack assembly 16 or to a test storage location 44.
S-tacker-retriever 10 incorporates a lift carriage assem-blv 70 (FIG. 1) disposed for ver-tical movement (in the direction of arrows C-D, FIG. 1) and guided in such movemen-t by a pair of support masts 72, 74 (FIG. 1) of generally "U" shaped channel construction. A shuttle table assembly 80, incorpora-ted in-to lift carriage assembly 70, includes top shuttle table 82 and appropriate drives and con:trols, to be hereinafter described, to , irc: ~A,I~, ~2~
move top shuttle table 82 in the direction of arrows G-H (JIG.
1). Such movement enables top shuttle table 82 to extend beneath and pick up tote 30 or carrier 31 from a particular storage or test location 40, 44 to remove a selected tote 30 or carrier 31 from its storage location 40, 44 and to bring tote 30 or carrier 31 into a centered position onto lift carriage assembly 70. when so positioned lift carriage assembly 70 may be moved up or down (in the direction of arrows C-D FIG. 1) as desired; and stacker-retriever 10 may be moved along aisle 12 until lift carriage assembly 70 is aligned with either a different storage , .1 . ., . . I. .
location 40, a rack storage test location 44 or an access location 50. Such m~Yement of stac~er-retriever 10 are under controls 58 disposed in cabinet 60 of stacker~retriever 10 and which also operate shuttle table assembly 80 to extend shuttle table 82 and deposit tote 30 or test carrier 31 in a desired location.
Controls 58 Jay, in t.urn, be either fully or partially controlled by a close or remote computer, or the like, as will be hereinafter explained.
The vertical movement of lift carriage assembly 70 is ac.complished by a vertical drive assembly (not shown) which is disposed on top of or as part of cabinet 60; and which is connected by a wire cable 94 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to lift carriage assembly 70 to raise, lower and maintain the position of lift carriage assembly 70 to and at selected positions corresponding to a storage location 40, test storage location 44 or access location 50; as well as positions therebetween if so selected. Suitable ~24~5~
controls and mechanisms are disposed in cabinet 60 and on lift carriage assembly 70 to facilitate positioning of lift carriage assembly 70.
Shuttle assembly 80 is of the telescoping type and may, for example, be of the type and construction shown in United States Patent Application Serial Number 504, 416 and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.
Each item test carrier 31 includes a connector 100 (FIGSo 2 and 3) for connection to a connector 102 (FIGS. 4a, 5a and 14) fixedly disposed at each location 44 of rack assembly 14 and 16.
In the described embodiment, connectors 100 and 102 are electrical type and of a size and configuration to mate one with the otherO
Connector 102 is suitably connected, through electrical conduits lnot shown3 to a source of electrical power, and to computer controls, as will be hereinafter explained, to thus provide power and control signals to connector 100.
Connector 102 is disposed in a substantially fixed position at location 44 by suitable attachment to mounting means 103 (FIG. 4) and in suck a way that connector 102 is vertically and horizontally alignable with connector 100 when carrier 31 is disposed at location 44. In the embodiments shown connector 100 is substantially centered side to side and top to bottom on a rear wall 37 (JIGS. 2 and 3) of carrier 31. Connector 102 will be correspondingly disposed at location 44. It should be understood, however, that connector 100 may be positioned at any suitable location on carrier 31 as long as it's disposition permits connection to a connector 102 correspondingly disposed at location 44 for mating engagement in the manner to be hereinafter described.
A connector disconnect assembly 104 (FIGS. 4a, 13 and 14) is disposed at each test location 44 by being mounted to mounting means 103 in position therein to cooperate with rear wall 37 of carrier 31 and a leading edge 84 of shuttle table assembly 80 as will be hereinafter explained. Disconnect assembly 104 includes a pair of arms 105, lOSa mounted in scissor-like fashion to pivot about a pivot in the form of a bolt and nut assembly 106 which mounts disconnect assembly 104 to mounting means 103. Each of the arms 105, 105a is identical and includes a horizontally extending body portion lQ9, a down turned ear 107, 107a and on upturned ear 108, 108a.
Horizontal members 34 are spaced and constructed so that a carrier 31 when placed thereon will be centered, and connector 100 of carrier 31 aligned with connector 102 disposed within a location 44.
Connector 100 is connected by suitable electrical conductors llo FIG. 2) to an electrical connector 112 suitably disposed on or within item test carrier 31. A mating electrical connector 114 is connected by an appropriate conductor cable 116 to item 42.
Accordingly, when connector 114 is connected to connector 112 power and control input signals provided to connector 100 from connector 102 pass through conductors 110 and cable 116 to actuate and control item 42 for a prescribed test procedure.
A computer, micro-processor, or like equipment 140 for the storage and retrieval system (FIG. 1) may be located at workstation 52. AlternatiVely computer 140 may be disposed within cabinet 60 ox stacker-retriever 10 or at any other suitable remote or close locution. Computer 140, in addition to its other functions, is programmed in a conventional manner to provide appropriate control signals to run item 42 through one or more prescribed test procedures and to otherwise provide for power lo input to item 42 to operate same during the test procedure.
It should be understood that while connectors 100, 102, 112 and 114 are o the electrical type, that suitable connectors for providng fluid such as air or hydraulics) power and control inputs to carrier 31 and item 42 may be provided. Alternately motive power (rom a motor) may be connected to carrier 31 and thro~h suit~hle shafting and connectors to items 42, with suitable control inputs. It is also contemplated that other signal transmission devices may be utilized either in place of connectors lQ0, 102 or in conjunction therewith. Devices for transmitting fiber optic signals or for transmitting signals by radio, infra-red, laser or the like would also be appropriate Computer 140 Gould, accordingly provide appropriate controls.
A keyboard 142 (FIG. 1), or other suitable entry device, is located at workstation 52 and suitably interconnected to computer 140. Operator 54 thus, after completing assembly of an item 42 and desiring to run same through a prescribed test procedure need only interconnect connector 114 of item 42 to connector 112 of carrier 31. It should be understood that operator 54 would probably not have assembled or placed item 42 upon carrier 31 if it were not to be so tested either immediately following assembly or at a layer time. Operator 54 thereafter enters the appropriate instructions into computer 140 by entry device 142.
Workstations 52 may, if desired, be a workstation dedicated to final assembly, or an assembly procedure after which item 42 is to be processed through a test procedure. If workstation 52 is so dedicated when computer 140 may be programmed to automatically transport a carrier 31 picked up from such a dedicated workstation to a test location 44. The program for computer 140 may also be such that the test procedure to be run will be automatically initiated following pick up at a test carrier 31 from a particular workstation 52.
Operator 54, in such situations, may merely have to utilize entry device 142 to indicate that a test carrier 31 is ready to be picked up. or, if preferred a sensing device 111 FIG. 1) may be disposed at each access position 50 to detect the presence of a carrier 31 at that location. Suitable connections from sensing device 111 to computer 140 ~Jould indicate that a carrier 31 is ready to be picked up by stacker-retriever 10 for transport to a selected test location 44 for a particular test procedure.
Computer 140 would, upon sensing carrier 31, initiate the pick up, transport, and delivery at carrier 31.
Sensing device 111 may be a conventional proximity switch such as a micro-switch, read switch, or the like) or it may be photocell controlled or a device for reading a code (bar, magnetic or otherwise) carried by carrier 31. The-code would, in turn, upon interpretation by computer 140 initiate the appropriate pick up, transport, delivery, and test procedure.
Stacker-retriever 10, due to the appropriate inputs to computer 140/ and thereby to controls 58, proceeds to pick up item test carrier 31 and item 42 at either workstation 52 or a selected position 50. After properly locating carrier 31 and item 42 on shuttle table assembly 80, and centering shuttle table 80, stacker-retriever 10 is energized to move down aisle 12 in the direction of either arrow A or B (FIG. 1). Shuttle table assembly 80 is then elevated (or lowered if appropriate) moving in the direction of either arrow C or D (FIGS. 1 and 4b) until it is aligned with a selected rack storage test location 44 at a selected bay and level of rack assembly 14 or 16. The computer controls select the appropriate empty location 44 upon operator 54 inputting that an item test carrier 31 is to be placed into a test procedure.
Shuttle table assembly 80, once so aligned with a test position 44 is actuated to extend its table top 82~ in the direction of arrow T ( FIG. 4b), until item test carrier 31 and item 42 are inserted into location 44 a predetermined distance (FIGS. 5a and 5b). Shuttle table assembly 80 is then moved in the direction of arrow (FIG. 5b) until carrier 31 seats upon horizontal members 34. shuttle table assembly 80 is then actuated to move its top ~2 in the direction of arrow S and until it is completely withdrawn from beneath carrier 31 (FIGS. 6a and 6b) Shuttle table assembly 80 is thereafter raised (in -the direction ak arrow C, FIG. 6a) until table top 82 is aligned proximate the center of a front wall 38 of carrier 31 (FIG. 7b~, and then shuttle table 80 is actuated to extend its top 82 first into engagement with carrier 31, and thereafter a distance sufficient to move carrier 31 so that connector 100 thereof is moved into mating engagement with connector 102 at location ~4.
As carrier 31 is so moved into location 44 rear wall 37 of carrier 31 will engage upturned ears 108, 108a ox arms 105, 105a of disconnect assembly 104. This will occur prior to connector 100 being fully engaged with connector 102. Further movement of carrier 31 into location 44 (in the direction of arrow T FIGS. 7b and 13) causes arm 105 to rotate in khe clockwise direction about pivot 106 (FIG. 13) and arm 105a to rotate in the counter clockwise direction about pivot 106 (FIG. 13). By the time c~rrrier 31 has been moved so that its connector 100 is fully connected to connector 102 arms 105, 105a will have been rotated from their disconnect positions, I, Ia (shown in phantom in FIG.
13) to their connect positions II, IIa (shown in sold lines in FIG. 13).
so A sensing device 113 (FIG. 7a) in the form of a plunger actuacted (or a micro-switch, read type switch or other proximity device is secured to mounting means 103 for coaction with rear wall 37 of carrier 31. Device 113 is suitably connected to computer 140 so that when connector 100 is fully connected wlth connector 102 computer 14U is signalled to indicat that the connection is complete and that the test procedure can begin.
Shuttle table assembly 80 is thereafter withdrawn by movement in the direction of arrow S (FIG. 7b) and stacker-retriever 10 is free to be otherwise utilized.
Once carrier 31 is so connected to connector 102 power and control inputs are provided from computer 140 to run item 42 through a burn-in or other test procedure. Upon completion of the test procedure, or at another desired time computer 140 is accessed to instruct stacker-retriever 10 to retrieve carrier 31 and item 4~ for movement to workstation 52 or another desired location.
Stacker-retriever 10 is appropriately moved and its shuttle table assembly 80 actuated to extend its table top 82 beneath carrier 31 (FIGS. 8a and 8b). Table top 82 is extended until a leading edge 109 thereof engages downturned ears 107, 107a of arms 105, 105a respectively. Continued movement oE table top 82, in the direction of arrow T (FIG. 86), causes rotation of arm 105 in the counter clockwise direction about pivot 106 tFIG. 13), and of arm 105a in the clockwise direction about pivot 106 (FIG. 3);
until arms 1~5, 105a have been moved from their connect positions II, IIa to their disconnect positons I, Ian AS arms 105, 105a are so moved upturned ears 108, 108a thereof are moved against rear wall 37 of carrier 31. Further rotation of arms 105, 105a (due to the coactiora between moving table top 82 and downturned ears 107, 107a thereon moves carrier 31 in the direction of arrow S (FIGS.
8b and 13) u!Q~til connector 100 is disconnected Erom a connector 102.
Shuttle table assembly 80 is thereafter actuated so that table top 82 is mod in the direction of arrow S (E~IG. 8b) until its leading edgy 109 clears connector 102 and upturned ears 108, 108a. subse~3;uent raising of shuttle table assembly 80 lifts carrier 81 eif of horizontal members 34. Carrier 31 is thereafter transporte~ t3ack into stacker-retriever 10 and when shuttle table assembly 80 .-is properly disposed thereon stacker-retriever 10 may be actuated. ~,o transport carrier 81 to its next destination.
An alte~:~qate embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b through FIGS. 12a and 12b. In the alternative embodiment stacker-ret~!:.iever 10 is identical to the one described for FIG5. 1 through 8b, end it is controlled and operated substantially identically except as will be hereinafter described.
A shuttlle table assembly 180 is provided for stacker-retriver 10 of FIGS. 9a and 9b which is substantially identical to shuttle table assembly 80 and which can be operated identical to shuttle table assembly 80. However, a table top 182, provided for shuttle l 3~
.
table assembly 180, is formed with upturned lips 184 and 186.
Carrier l is identical to carrier 31 of FIGS. 1 through 8b and includes an identical connector 100. Connector 100, in turn, mates with a connector 102 provided at test location 44a.
Connector 102 is identical to connector 102 oE FIGS. 1 to 8b and it to is fixedly positioned on rack assembly 14 or 16 within positon 44a as hereinbefore described for connector 102 of FIGS. 1 to 8b. however, a disconnect assembly (such as assembly 104 of FIGS. l and 13 and 14) is not provided at each such test location 44a.
After operator 54 inputs computer 140 to start a pick up of a test carrier 31 and item 42 to be tested (or such is otherwise initiate stacker-retriever 10 is appropriately actuated.
Shuttle tt;able assembly 180 thereof picks up carrier 31 and item 42 amd moves some into alignment with a selected rack storage test l~catio~ 44a tFIGS. 9a and 9b) as hereinbefore described. Shuttle table assembly 180 is thereafter actuated to extend its top 182 and move carrier 31 into location 44a (FIGS. lOa and lOb).
Shuttle table assembly 180 is then lowered to seat carrier 31 upon members 34.
Thereafter shuttle table assembly 180 is actuated to extend table top 182 further in the direction of arrow T (FIG. lOb) until lip 184 ox table top 182 engages front wall 38 of carrier 31 (FIGS. lla and llb). Continued movement of the table top 182 (in the direction of arrow T) moves carrier 31 until its connector 100 mates with connector 102. Shuttle table assembly 180 is thereafter lowered and withdrawn from location 44a into its FIG.
pa position. The test, or burn-in procedure may thereafter be undertaken.
~7hen computer 140 signals stacker-retriever 10 to retrieve carrier 31 stacker-retriever 10 and its shuttle table assembly 180 are appropriately actuated to again align same with location 44a (in the manner previously described). ~Iowever, shuttle table assembly 180 is aligned so that its table top 182 is disposed with the upper edges ox lips 184 and 186 positioned to pass beneath carrier 31~ Shu-ttle table top 182 is thereafter extended so that its lip 186 is disposed between rear wall 37 of carrier 31 (FIGS.
12a and 12b) and mounting means 103 for connector 102. Shuttle table assembly 180 is~raised up until it just contracts the bottom of carrier 31 and is thereafter actuated to move its top 182 in the direction of arrow S FIG. 12b) until its lip 186 engages rear wall 37 of carr;er 31. Further movement of table top 182 in the direction of arrow So due to the coaction between lip 186 and rear wall 37, moves carrier 31 in the direction of arrow S disconnects c,onnector 100 from connector 102. Shuttle table assembly 180 is then actuated to raise carrier 31 off of horizontal members 34 and to move carrier 31 in the direction of arrow S out from location 44a. Shuttle table assembly 180 is thereafter repositioned on stacker-retriever 10 and stacker-retriever 10 actuated to transport carrier 31 to its next destination.
hen transmission devices, which need not be physically connected one to the other are utilized, operaton oE the shuttle assembly, under control of computer 1~0, woulcl be such as to position the item carrier so that its transmission device is positioned and aligned to receive the signals transmitted by the transmission device at the test location.
From the above description it will thus be seen that there has been provided new and improved storage and retrieval systems:
which systems effect connection of item test carriers with power and control inputs during storage of such carriers, to thereby facilitate testing of items carried by the test carriers, and which effect disconnection of item test carriers from power and control inputs upon retrieval of the item test carrier and item from storage 15 . It will be understood that although I have shown the preferred embodiments of my invention that various modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit as comprehended by the following claims.
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STORAGE Al~D RETRIEVAL SYSTE:lil WIT STORED EQ~IPME~T T~STI~G CAPABILITY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-FIELD OF APPLICATION
This invention relates to storage and retrieval systems;
and more particularly to storage and retrieval systems which incorporate s-tations at which selected operations can be performed on equiprnent being stored, or to be stored.
sAcKGRouND OF THE INVENTION-DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Storage and retrieval systems for uni-t material handling are being utilized more and more to facilitate placement of items into a particular storage location and subsequent retrieval of the stored item. Many such systems are used -to place components, sub-assemblies, assemblies and entire ready to function units oE
equipmen-t into storage un-til required for use or for shipment to a purchaser Such systems may u-tili~e either autom2ted, son automated, or man-rider type stacker cranes, stacker-retrievers or similar material handling equipment to move the item between a selected location in a rack type storage area and to a work sta-tion either adjacent to or remote from -the rack storage area The work s-ta-tion may be a pick-up and/or delivery s-tation, where the item is picked up by other equipment, or a person, or rnovemen-t out of storage, or where the item is placed Eor movernent -to a particular location within the sys-tem. The work station may also be a loca-tion to which an item is I;
~2~
transported and left so that a particular manufacturing or assembly operation may be performed upon the item; and lrom which the item after being worked upon is removed to be returned to storage.
Some storage and re-trieval systems operate under the complete or substantially complete automated control of a computer or microprocessor. This includes the placement of the item into storage at a particular address or location and the removal of the item from its storage address or location, to another part of the system, out of the system, or to a work sta-tion an thereafter back into the system.
One particular type of storage and retrieval system is known as a flexible assembly system and incorporates a rack type storage area disposed adjacent or which otherwise incorporates work stations. Operators, either people or robots or both, at - the work stations utilize computer commands and controls to order items components, sub-assemblies, etc.) out of storage and to return the ltem to storage or to another work station. A
stacker craze, or stacker retriever, under computer control Jo proceeds to the address location within the sys-tem where the item is stored, retrieves the item from s-torage and brings it -to the worX station where the operator performs one or more ~nanufacturin~3 operations on the item. Such manufacturing operations can include drilling, reaming, cutting, wel-ling, . ., assembling other items to the item or any o-ther one of the many operations required to manufacture something. The item is thereafter returned to storage.
Transport of the item is usually facilitated by placing -the S item in a tote or pan, or upon a pallet or other carrier. The material handling or carrying vehicle (stacker crane, stacker-retriever, etc.), in turn, usually incorporates a pick-up mechanism in the form of a shuttle or York lift that co-operates with the item carrier to move it in the system, place the carrier and item into a particular storage location or retrieve the item carrier from such a locati.on. To accomplish this the pick-up mechanism is quite often extendable to either one or other size of the carrying vehicle for pick-up and drop-off; and centered with respect to the carrying vehicle during movement of the vehicle within the system.
Thus, many such flexible assembly systems may be and are ~tili~ed to assernble components, sub-assemblies, and assemblies into a fully assembled device or i-tem of equipment. Once fully assemble, the item may be returned to storage within the system. ~lowever, in many ins-tances, the componen-t, sub-assembly, assembly or item of equipment may need to be tested for quality control or other purposes. For electrical and elec-tronic items it is us-lal to burn-in the item. Testing (and/or burning-in) of the item usually requires connecting the item to a source of power and/or to a source froln which control inputs can be : obtained The power may be electrical, motive, EluiA or the like;
while the control input may be fluid, elec-tronic Eiber optic transmi-tted or -the like.
Connecting an item -to power and control inpu-ts at the assembly work s-tation not only requires the availability oE such connections at the work sta-tion, but space to locate the item while being tested. Some -tests require eY~-tensive time and to do so at -the work station may no-t only diminish the available space for other operations but may in fact render the station unavailable for other purposes during the tes-ting of the item. Transport of the item to a testing loca-tion remote from the assembly work station, on the other hand, may require: additional material handling equipment; space to store the item during testing; and removal of -the item from the computerized inventory and other con-trols of the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTlON
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and impxoved s-torage and retrieval sys-tem.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved automated storage and retrieval system.
It is still another object of this inven-tion to provide a new and improved flexible assembly system.
It is yet still another object of this inven-tion -to provide a new and improved storage and re-trieval sys-tem with stored i-tem testing capability.
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It :is a further object oE this inven-tion to provide a new and improved appara-tus and me-thod for testing an item while in storage.
It is still a further object of this invention -to provide a new and improved apparatus and method for tes-ting an item while under the control of a storage and retrieval sys-tem.
It is yet still a further objec-t of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus and method to burn-in an electronic apparatus while such apparatus is being stored in a flexible assembly system storage loca-tion.
This invention involves storage and retrieval systems which include item storage racks, and material handling, vehicles, which facilitate movemen-t of items into storage at selected locations in -the rack storage area, and which re-trieve items from the selec-ted loca-tions. The i-tems to be stored and retrieved are disposed upon totes, pans, pallets or other carriers of a configuration which facilitates cooperation between the carrier, vehicle and rack. The invention con-templates con-struction of the i'cem carrier to enable the item to be connected up to power and control inputs and to facilitate conduction of power and control signals through the item carrier to a -trans~
mission device for receiving power and control inputs. The invention further contempla-tes; providing at prede-termined locations wi-thin -the rack storage area a source of power and controls or suitable connections -to a remo-te source of power _ 5 _ . , - jrc~
and controls and wh.ich align with -the power and con-trol input device of the item carrier; and u-tilization of the material handling vehicle and its controls to effec-~ alignmen-t of the item carrier and item carried -thereby to the source of power and control inputs in the process of placing the item in storage, and to effect disassociation of the i-tem carrier, and item carried thereby, from the power and control inputs in the process of retrieving the item from storage.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention in its details of construction and arrangement of parts will be seen from the above, from -the following description of the pre-ferred embodiment when considered with the drawing and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF_THE DRAWING
In the drawing:
FIG. :L is a fragmentary perspective view of a storage and retrieval system utili2ing a stacker~retriever and which incorporates the instant invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of a special item carrier, for the storage and retriever system of FIG. l which incorpora-tes power and control connec-tions for an item when carried thereby and for connecting the item carrier to a source of power and control inputs, and showing an item carried thereby and connec-ted up to the power and control inpu-ts in accordance with this invention;
jrc: , f FIG. 3 is an end view of the item carrier of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4a and b schematically show on a reduced scale, the relationship between item test carrier, vehicle shuttle -table and tes-t storage rack location prior to (or followi.ng) storage of an item carrier and item according to a first embodiment of the instant invention, FIGS. 5a and b are similar to FIGS 4a and b, but showing the item carrier and item being placed at a selected tes-t storage location;
FIGS. 6a and b are similar to FIGS. 5a and b, but showing the relationship ox the item test carrier, vehicle shuttle table and test storage rack location after withdrawal of the shuttle table there-from;
FIGS. 7a and b are similar to FIGS. 6a-d, but showing the shuttle table ccacting with the item carrier to connect it to the power and control input connector disposed at the selected test storage location; '.?
FIGS. 8a and b are similar to FIGS. 7a and b, but show -the shuttle table coac-ting with the power and control input connector to release the connection between it and the item carrier;
FIGS. 9a and b are similar to FIGS. 4a and b, but show an alterna-tive embodiment, FIGS. lOa and b are similar to FIGS. 9a and b, but show the item test carrier following placement by the shuttle table at a test storage rack location;
FIGS. lla and b are similar to FIGS. lOa and b, but show the shuttle table coacting with the item test carrier to connect same to a power and control input connector at the test storage location;
FIGS. 12a and b are similar to FIGS. lla and b, but show the shuttle table coacting with the item test carrier to disconnect same from the power and control input connector at the test storage location;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view in partial section showing details of the disconnect assembly oE the FIGS. 4 - 8 embodiment;
and FIG. 14 is an elevational view of FIG. 13 cut away in part to better show details thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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For convenience, the invention will be described as applied to an automated storage and retrieval system of the flexible assembly type wherein a unit of electrical equipment (such as a printer, keyboard, or the like) is assembled by a human operator at an assembly workstation, and is thereaft.er automatically returned by a computer control to a selected test storage location within the storage rack structure. once at the test location at transmission device on the item test carrier, upon which the item was assembled, is positioned with respect to a transmission device at the test storage location. The computer . .
controls then cause power and control signals to be provicled to the i-tem by way of the transmission device and.item tes-t carrier and a computer controlled test procedure is undertaken while the item is in storage. It should be understood, never-theless, that without departing from the scope of -the invention that the hereinafter described apparatus and method may be in-corporated in any automated, semi-automa-ted, or other type of item storage and re-trieval system; -that the power and con-trol inputs may be fluid, motive or fiber optic or air transmit-ted, or in any other form; that the item test carrier, and connectors on the item test carrier and at the storage rack tes-t location can be selected to accommodate the type and form of power and control inputs; and -that the i-tem to be -tes-ted can be a com-ponent, sub-assembly, assembly or the like.
With reference to FIG. 1, there is generally shown at 10 a stacker-retriever of available construction disposed for movement in the direction of arrows A B in an aisle 12 be-tween a first rack assembly 14 and a second rack assembly 16 A lower guide rail 18 and an upper guide rail 20 guide such movemen-t of stacker-retriever 10 in aisle 12 Rack assemblies 14, 16 -toge-ther with stacker-retriever 10 form an automa-ted storage and retrieval system Eor items (not shown) which may be disposed either in totes 30 or on test carriers 31 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) which items can b.e parts, sub-assemblies, assemblies components, units of equipment and the like.
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Rack assemblies 14, 16 are of conventional cons-truction and include ver-tical members 32 (FIG. 1) and horizontal members 34 with associated support members 36 all assembled -together to form the rack assemblies so as to provide a number of storage positions or locations 40 each sized to receive a tote 30 or an i-tem test carrier 31 and item 42 carried thereby. Rack assembly 16 includes a number of -test storage posi-tions or locations 44 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 9) to be hereinafter explained.
Rack 16, additionally includes a number of access posi.tions 50 that are constructed in a conven-tional manner with roller--type conveyor rolls (not shown)so that if a tote 30 is deposited in a position 50 it will roll forward near or onto a work station 52 where an operator 54 will have access to tote 30 to ei-ther re-move items 56 therefrom ox place such items 56 in to-tes 30.
Tote 30 is then retrieved by a stacker-retriever 10 and returned either to its original location 40 in either rack assembly 14 or rack assembly 16 or to a test storage location 44.
S-tacker-retriever 10 incorporates a lift carriage assem-blv 70 (FIG. 1) disposed for ver-tical movement (in the direction of arrows C-D, FIG. 1) and guided in such movemen-t by a pair of support masts 72, 74 (FIG. 1) of generally "U" shaped channel construction. A shuttle table assembly 80, incorpora-ted in-to lift carriage assembly 70, includes top shuttle table 82 and appropriate drives and con:trols, to be hereinafter described, to , irc: ~A,I~, ~2~
move top shuttle table 82 in the direction of arrows G-H (JIG.
1). Such movement enables top shuttle table 82 to extend beneath and pick up tote 30 or carrier 31 from a particular storage or test location 40, 44 to remove a selected tote 30 or carrier 31 from its storage location 40, 44 and to bring tote 30 or carrier 31 into a centered position onto lift carriage assembly 70. when so positioned lift carriage assembly 70 may be moved up or down (in the direction of arrows C-D FIG. 1) as desired; and stacker-retriever 10 may be moved along aisle 12 until lift carriage assembly 70 is aligned with either a different storage , .1 . ., . . I. .
location 40, a rack storage test location 44 or an access location 50. Such m~Yement of stac~er-retriever 10 are under controls 58 disposed in cabinet 60 of stacker~retriever 10 and which also operate shuttle table assembly 80 to extend shuttle table 82 and deposit tote 30 or test carrier 31 in a desired location.
Controls 58 Jay, in t.urn, be either fully or partially controlled by a close or remote computer, or the like, as will be hereinafter explained.
The vertical movement of lift carriage assembly 70 is ac.complished by a vertical drive assembly (not shown) which is disposed on top of or as part of cabinet 60; and which is connected by a wire cable 94 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to lift carriage assembly 70 to raise, lower and maintain the position of lift carriage assembly 70 to and at selected positions corresponding to a storage location 40, test storage location 44 or access location 50; as well as positions therebetween if so selected. Suitable ~24~5~
controls and mechanisms are disposed in cabinet 60 and on lift carriage assembly 70 to facilitate positioning of lift carriage assembly 70.
Shuttle assembly 80 is of the telescoping type and may, for example, be of the type and construction shown in United States Patent Application Serial Number 504, 416 and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.
Each item test carrier 31 includes a connector 100 (FIGSo 2 and 3) for connection to a connector 102 (FIGS. 4a, 5a and 14) fixedly disposed at each location 44 of rack assembly 14 and 16.
In the described embodiment, connectors 100 and 102 are electrical type and of a size and configuration to mate one with the otherO
Connector 102 is suitably connected, through electrical conduits lnot shown3 to a source of electrical power, and to computer controls, as will be hereinafter explained, to thus provide power and control signals to connector 100.
Connector 102 is disposed in a substantially fixed position at location 44 by suitable attachment to mounting means 103 (FIG. 4) and in suck a way that connector 102 is vertically and horizontally alignable with connector 100 when carrier 31 is disposed at location 44. In the embodiments shown connector 100 is substantially centered side to side and top to bottom on a rear wall 37 (JIGS. 2 and 3) of carrier 31. Connector 102 will be correspondingly disposed at location 44. It should be understood, however, that connector 100 may be positioned at any suitable location on carrier 31 as long as it's disposition permits connection to a connector 102 correspondingly disposed at location 44 for mating engagement in the manner to be hereinafter described.
A connector disconnect assembly 104 (FIGS. 4a, 13 and 14) is disposed at each test location 44 by being mounted to mounting means 103 in position therein to cooperate with rear wall 37 of carrier 31 and a leading edge 84 of shuttle table assembly 80 as will be hereinafter explained. Disconnect assembly 104 includes a pair of arms 105, lOSa mounted in scissor-like fashion to pivot about a pivot in the form of a bolt and nut assembly 106 which mounts disconnect assembly 104 to mounting means 103. Each of the arms 105, 105a is identical and includes a horizontally extending body portion lQ9, a down turned ear 107, 107a and on upturned ear 108, 108a.
Horizontal members 34 are spaced and constructed so that a carrier 31 when placed thereon will be centered, and connector 100 of carrier 31 aligned with connector 102 disposed within a location 44.
Connector 100 is connected by suitable electrical conductors llo FIG. 2) to an electrical connector 112 suitably disposed on or within item test carrier 31. A mating electrical connector 114 is connected by an appropriate conductor cable 116 to item 42.
Accordingly, when connector 114 is connected to connector 112 power and control input signals provided to connector 100 from connector 102 pass through conductors 110 and cable 116 to actuate and control item 42 for a prescribed test procedure.
A computer, micro-processor, or like equipment 140 for the storage and retrieval system (FIG. 1) may be located at workstation 52. AlternatiVely computer 140 may be disposed within cabinet 60 ox stacker-retriever 10 or at any other suitable remote or close locution. Computer 140, in addition to its other functions, is programmed in a conventional manner to provide appropriate control signals to run item 42 through one or more prescribed test procedures and to otherwise provide for power lo input to item 42 to operate same during the test procedure.
It should be understood that while connectors 100, 102, 112 and 114 are o the electrical type, that suitable connectors for providng fluid such as air or hydraulics) power and control inputs to carrier 31 and item 42 may be provided. Alternately motive power (rom a motor) may be connected to carrier 31 and thro~h suit~hle shafting and connectors to items 42, with suitable control inputs. It is also contemplated that other signal transmission devices may be utilized either in place of connectors lQ0, 102 or in conjunction therewith. Devices for transmitting fiber optic signals or for transmitting signals by radio, infra-red, laser or the like would also be appropriate Computer 140 Gould, accordingly provide appropriate controls.
A keyboard 142 (FIG. 1), or other suitable entry device, is located at workstation 52 and suitably interconnected to computer 140. Operator 54 thus, after completing assembly of an item 42 and desiring to run same through a prescribed test procedure need only interconnect connector 114 of item 42 to connector 112 of carrier 31. It should be understood that operator 54 would probably not have assembled or placed item 42 upon carrier 31 if it were not to be so tested either immediately following assembly or at a layer time. Operator 54 thereafter enters the appropriate instructions into computer 140 by entry device 142.
Workstations 52 may, if desired, be a workstation dedicated to final assembly, or an assembly procedure after which item 42 is to be processed through a test procedure. If workstation 52 is so dedicated when computer 140 may be programmed to automatically transport a carrier 31 picked up from such a dedicated workstation to a test location 44. The program for computer 140 may also be such that the test procedure to be run will be automatically initiated following pick up at a test carrier 31 from a particular workstation 52.
Operator 54, in such situations, may merely have to utilize entry device 142 to indicate that a test carrier 31 is ready to be picked up. or, if preferred a sensing device 111 FIG. 1) may be disposed at each access position 50 to detect the presence of a carrier 31 at that location. Suitable connections from sensing device 111 to computer 140 ~Jould indicate that a carrier 31 is ready to be picked up by stacker-retriever 10 for transport to a selected test location 44 for a particular test procedure.
Computer 140 would, upon sensing carrier 31, initiate the pick up, transport, and delivery at carrier 31.
Sensing device 111 may be a conventional proximity switch such as a micro-switch, read switch, or the like) or it may be photocell controlled or a device for reading a code (bar, magnetic or otherwise) carried by carrier 31. The-code would, in turn, upon interpretation by computer 140 initiate the appropriate pick up, transport, delivery, and test procedure.
Stacker-retriever 10, due to the appropriate inputs to computer 140/ and thereby to controls 58, proceeds to pick up item test carrier 31 and item 42 at either workstation 52 or a selected position 50. After properly locating carrier 31 and item 42 on shuttle table assembly 80, and centering shuttle table 80, stacker-retriever 10 is energized to move down aisle 12 in the direction of either arrow A or B (FIG. 1). Shuttle table assembly 80 is then elevated (or lowered if appropriate) moving in the direction of either arrow C or D (FIGS. 1 and 4b) until it is aligned with a selected rack storage test location 44 at a selected bay and level of rack assembly 14 or 16. The computer controls select the appropriate empty location 44 upon operator 54 inputting that an item test carrier 31 is to be placed into a test procedure.
Shuttle table assembly 80, once so aligned with a test position 44 is actuated to extend its table top 82~ in the direction of arrow T ( FIG. 4b), until item test carrier 31 and item 42 are inserted into location 44 a predetermined distance (FIGS. 5a and 5b). Shuttle table assembly 80 is then moved in the direction of arrow (FIG. 5b) until carrier 31 seats upon horizontal members 34. shuttle table assembly 80 is then actuated to move its top ~2 in the direction of arrow S and until it is completely withdrawn from beneath carrier 31 (FIGS. 6a and 6b) Shuttle table assembly 80 is thereafter raised (in -the direction ak arrow C, FIG. 6a) until table top 82 is aligned proximate the center of a front wall 38 of carrier 31 (FIG. 7b~, and then shuttle table 80 is actuated to extend its top 82 first into engagement with carrier 31, and thereafter a distance sufficient to move carrier 31 so that connector 100 thereof is moved into mating engagement with connector 102 at location ~4.
As carrier 31 is so moved into location 44 rear wall 37 of carrier 31 will engage upturned ears 108, 108a ox arms 105, 105a of disconnect assembly 104. This will occur prior to connector 100 being fully engaged with connector 102. Further movement of carrier 31 into location 44 (in the direction of arrow T FIGS. 7b and 13) causes arm 105 to rotate in khe clockwise direction about pivot 106 (FIG. 13) and arm 105a to rotate in the counter clockwise direction about pivot 106 (FIG. 13). By the time c~rrrier 31 has been moved so that its connector 100 is fully connected to connector 102 arms 105, 105a will have been rotated from their disconnect positions, I, Ia (shown in phantom in FIG.
13) to their connect positions II, IIa (shown in sold lines in FIG. 13).
so A sensing device 113 (FIG. 7a) in the form of a plunger actuacted (or a micro-switch, read type switch or other proximity device is secured to mounting means 103 for coaction with rear wall 37 of carrier 31. Device 113 is suitably connected to computer 140 so that when connector 100 is fully connected wlth connector 102 computer 14U is signalled to indicat that the connection is complete and that the test procedure can begin.
Shuttle table assembly 80 is thereafter withdrawn by movement in the direction of arrow S (FIG. 7b) and stacker-retriever 10 is free to be otherwise utilized.
Once carrier 31 is so connected to connector 102 power and control inputs are provided from computer 140 to run item 42 through a burn-in or other test procedure. Upon completion of the test procedure, or at another desired time computer 140 is accessed to instruct stacker-retriever 10 to retrieve carrier 31 and item 4~ for movement to workstation 52 or another desired location.
Stacker-retriever 10 is appropriately moved and its shuttle table assembly 80 actuated to extend its table top 82 beneath carrier 31 (FIGS. 8a and 8b). Table top 82 is extended until a leading edge 109 thereof engages downturned ears 107, 107a of arms 105, 105a respectively. Continued movement oE table top 82, in the direction of arrow T (FIG. 86), causes rotation of arm 105 in the counter clockwise direction about pivot 106 tFIG. 13), and of arm 105a in the clockwise direction about pivot 106 (FIG. 3);
until arms 1~5, 105a have been moved from their connect positions II, IIa to their disconnect positons I, Ian AS arms 105, 105a are so moved upturned ears 108, 108a thereof are moved against rear wall 37 of carrier 31. Further rotation of arms 105, 105a (due to the coactiora between moving table top 82 and downturned ears 107, 107a thereon moves carrier 31 in the direction of arrow S (FIGS.
8b and 13) u!Q~til connector 100 is disconnected Erom a connector 102.
Shuttle table assembly 80 is thereafter actuated so that table top 82 is mod in the direction of arrow S (E~IG. 8b) until its leading edgy 109 clears connector 102 and upturned ears 108, 108a. subse~3;uent raising of shuttle table assembly 80 lifts carrier 81 eif of horizontal members 34. Carrier 31 is thereafter transporte~ t3ack into stacker-retriever 10 and when shuttle table assembly 80 .-is properly disposed thereon stacker-retriever 10 may be actuated. ~,o transport carrier 81 to its next destination.
An alte~:~qate embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b through FIGS. 12a and 12b. In the alternative embodiment stacker-ret~!:.iever 10 is identical to the one described for FIG5. 1 through 8b, end it is controlled and operated substantially identically except as will be hereinafter described.
A shuttlle table assembly 180 is provided for stacker-retriver 10 of FIGS. 9a and 9b which is substantially identical to shuttle table assembly 80 and which can be operated identical to shuttle table assembly 80. However, a table top 182, provided for shuttle l 3~
.
table assembly 180, is formed with upturned lips 184 and 186.
Carrier l is identical to carrier 31 of FIGS. 1 through 8b and includes an identical connector 100. Connector 100, in turn, mates with a connector 102 provided at test location 44a.
Connector 102 is identical to connector 102 oE FIGS. 1 to 8b and it to is fixedly positioned on rack assembly 14 or 16 within positon 44a as hereinbefore described for connector 102 of FIGS. 1 to 8b. however, a disconnect assembly (such as assembly 104 of FIGS. l and 13 and 14) is not provided at each such test location 44a.
After operator 54 inputs computer 140 to start a pick up of a test carrier 31 and item 42 to be tested (or such is otherwise initiate stacker-retriever 10 is appropriately actuated.
Shuttle tt;able assembly 180 thereof picks up carrier 31 and item 42 amd moves some into alignment with a selected rack storage test l~catio~ 44a tFIGS. 9a and 9b) as hereinbefore described. Shuttle table assembly 180 is thereafter actuated to extend its top 182 and move carrier 31 into location 44a (FIGS. lOa and lOb).
Shuttle table assembly 180 is then lowered to seat carrier 31 upon members 34.
Thereafter shuttle table assembly 180 is actuated to extend table top 182 further in the direction of arrow T (FIG. lOb) until lip 184 ox table top 182 engages front wall 38 of carrier 31 (FIGS. lla and llb). Continued movement of the table top 182 (in the direction of arrow T) moves carrier 31 until its connector 100 mates with connector 102. Shuttle table assembly 180 is thereafter lowered and withdrawn from location 44a into its FIG.
pa position. The test, or burn-in procedure may thereafter be undertaken.
~7hen computer 140 signals stacker-retriever 10 to retrieve carrier 31 stacker-retriever 10 and its shuttle table assembly 180 are appropriately actuated to again align same with location 44a (in the manner previously described). ~Iowever, shuttle table assembly 180 is aligned so that its table top 182 is disposed with the upper edges ox lips 184 and 186 positioned to pass beneath carrier 31~ Shu-ttle table top 182 is thereafter extended so that its lip 186 is disposed between rear wall 37 of carrier 31 (FIGS.
12a and 12b) and mounting means 103 for connector 102. Shuttle table assembly 180 is~raised up until it just contracts the bottom of carrier 31 and is thereafter actuated to move its top 182 in the direction of arrow S FIG. 12b) until its lip 186 engages rear wall 37 of carr;er 31. Further movement of table top 182 in the direction of arrow So due to the coaction between lip 186 and rear wall 37, moves carrier 31 in the direction of arrow S disconnects c,onnector 100 from connector 102. Shuttle table assembly 180 is then actuated to raise carrier 31 off of horizontal members 34 and to move carrier 31 in the direction of arrow S out from location 44a. Shuttle table assembly 180 is thereafter repositioned on stacker-retriever 10 and stacker-retriever 10 actuated to transport carrier 31 to its next destination.
hen transmission devices, which need not be physically connected one to the other are utilized, operaton oE the shuttle assembly, under control of computer 1~0, woulcl be such as to position the item carrier so that its transmission device is positioned and aligned to receive the signals transmitted by the transmission device at the test location.
From the above description it will thus be seen that there has been provided new and improved storage and retrieval systems:
which systems effect connection of item test carriers with power and control inputs during storage of such carriers, to thereby facilitate testing of items carried by the test carriers, and which effect disconnection of item test carriers from power and control inputs upon retrieval of the item test carrier and item from storage 15 . It will be understood that although I have shown the preferred embodiments of my invention that various modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit as comprehended by the following claims.
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Claims (27)
1. A storge and retrieval system for item carriers and items when carried thereby; comprising:
a) rack type storage means including a plurality of storage locations each of a size and configuration to receive and store an item carrier and ite when carried thereby;
b) stacker-retriever means movable with respect to said rack type storage means and including shuttle table means positionable in proximity to and in alignment with selected ones of said storage locations and at of size and configuration to coact with and carry an item carrier and item when carried thereby;
c) at least a portion of said shuttle table means being extendable into a selected one of said storage locations and coacting with an item carrier, in a first predetermined manner to store the item carrier at a selected storage location, and/or being withdrawable from a selected storage location and coacting with an item carrier, in a second predetermined manner, to retrieve the item carrier from a selected storage location;
d) control means coacting with said stacker-retriever means and said shuttle table means to so move said stacker-retriever means and so position, extend and withdraw said portion of said shuttle table means;
e) predetermined ones of said storage locations being test storage locations and including first transmission means disposed for coaction with second transmission means carried by an item carrier;
f) said control means being controllable to not only coact with said stacker-retriever means and said shuttle table means to so store an item carrier at a selected test stoarage location but also to effect substantial transmission alignment between said first transmission means and said second transmission means when said control means effects storage of an item carrier;
g) said control means being further controllable to not only coact with said stacker means and said shuttle table means to so withdraw an item carrier from a selected test storage location but also to effect movement of said first transmission means away from said second transmission means;
h) said first transmission means being connectable to at least a source of control signals;
i) said second transmission means being connectable to an item when carried by said item carrier as disposable for transmission alignment with transmission means.
a) rack type storage means including a plurality of storage locations each of a size and configuration to receive and store an item carrier and ite when carried thereby;
b) stacker-retriever means movable with respect to said rack type storage means and including shuttle table means positionable in proximity to and in alignment with selected ones of said storage locations and at of size and configuration to coact with and carry an item carrier and item when carried thereby;
c) at least a portion of said shuttle table means being extendable into a selected one of said storage locations and coacting with an item carrier, in a first predetermined manner to store the item carrier at a selected storage location, and/or being withdrawable from a selected storage location and coacting with an item carrier, in a second predetermined manner, to retrieve the item carrier from a selected storage location;
d) control means coacting with said stacker-retriever means and said shuttle table means to so move said stacker-retriever means and so position, extend and withdraw said portion of said shuttle table means;
e) predetermined ones of said storage locations being test storage locations and including first transmission means disposed for coaction with second transmission means carried by an item carrier;
f) said control means being controllable to not only coact with said stacker-retriever means and said shuttle table means to so store an item carrier at a selected test stoarage location but also to effect substantial transmission alignment between said first transmission means and said second transmission means when said control means effects storage of an item carrier;
g) said control means being further controllable to not only coact with said stacker means and said shuttle table means to so withdraw an item carrier from a selected test storage location but also to effect movement of said first transmission means away from said second transmission means;
h) said first transmission means being connectable to at least a source of control signals;
i) said second transmission means being connectable to an item when carried by said item carrier as disposable for transmission alignment with transmission means.
2. The storage and retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said first transmission means and said second transmission means respectively send and receive signals through the air.
3. The storage and retrieval system of claim 2 wherein said signals are infra-red.
4. The storage and retrieval system of claim 3; wherein:
a) said first transmission means and said second transmission means are connectors of a size and configuration to be connected in mating engagement one to the other;
b) said shuttle table means when storing on item carrier at a selected test storage location effecting mating engagement of said connectors;
c) said shuttle table means when withdrawng an item carrier from a selected test storage locatin effecting a disconnection of said connector means.
a) said first transmission means and said second transmission means are connectors of a size and configuration to be connected in mating engagement one to the other;
b) said shuttle table means when storing on item carrier at a selected test storage location effecting mating engagement of said connectors;
c) said shuttle table means when withdrawng an item carrier from a selected test storage locatin effecting a disconnection of said connector means.
5. The storage and retrieval system of claim 4 wherein said first connector means is connected to both a source of motive power and a source of control signals.
6. The storage and retrieval system of claim 5 wherein said control means include computer control means and said computer control means coacts with said first connector means and the source of motive power and control signals to control transmission thereof to said first connector means.
7. The storage and retrieval system of claim 6 wherein said computer control means coacts with said first connector means and thereby said second connector means to run an item, carried by a test carrier, through a predetermined test procedure.
8. The storage and retrieval system of claim 7 wherein said predetermined test procedure is a burn-in of the item carried by the test carrier.
9. The storage and retrieval system of claim 8 wherein said first connector means are for electrical interconnection of electrical conductors.
10. The storage and retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said portion of said shuttle table means is first extended into a selected one of said storage locations to place an item carrier therein at a first predetermined position and thereafter a second predetermined portion of said shuttle table means coacts with the item carrier so placed to move the item carrier further into said selected storage location and to effect mating engagement of said first connector means and said second connector means.
11. The storage and retrieval system of claim 10 wherein said second predetermined portion of said portion of said shuttle table means is a leading edge of said portion of said shuttle table means which is moved into engagement with a predetermined surface of an item carrier to so move the item carrier.
12. The storage and retrieval system of claim 11 wherein said portion of said shuttle table means when coacting with an item carrier to withdraw the item carrier from a selected test location first effects disconnection of said first connector and said second connector and then withdraws the item carrier from said selected test location.
13. The storage and retrieval system of claim 12 wherein disconnect means are provided at each of said test locations, said disconnect means coacting with said portion of said shuttle table means, during movement thereof to place an item carrier at a selected test location, to be actuated thereby from a disconnect condition to a connect condition, and said disconnect means coacting with said portion of said shuttle table means, during movement thereof to withdraw an item carrier from a selected test position, to be actuated thereby from said connect condition to said disconnect condition and to thereby coact with an item carrier to effect disconnection of said first connector and said second connector.
14. The storage and retrieval system of claim 13 wherein said disconnect means includes a pair of scissor-like arms pivoted one to the other with each such arm including a first ear that coacts with said portion of said shuttle table means and a second ear that coacts with an item carrier.
15. The storage and retrieval system of claim 10 wherein said second predetermined portion of said shuttle table means is an upturned lip which is moved into engagement with a first predetermined portion of an item carrier to so move the item carrier.
16. The storage and retrieval system of claim 15 wherein said portion of said shuttle table means that effects said disconnection of said first connector and said second connector is a second upturned lip which is moved into engagement with a second predetermined portion of an item carrier prior to withdrawal thereof from a selected test location to effect said disconnection of said first connector and said second connector.
17. The method of subjecting an item to a test procedure while the item is being stored in a storage and retrievel system which includes a rack structure, providing a plurality of storage locations each of a size and configuration to receive an item carrier, and a vehicle including shuttle means for placing item carriers into selected ones of the storage locations and for withdrawing and retrieving item carriers so placed; comprising:
a) Forming one or more item test cariers each so as to receive an item to be tested, and each with first transmission means;
b) positioning second transmission means at predetermined ones of the storage locations;
c) providing signal inputs to said second transmission means;
d) operating the vehicle to place an item test carrier and item to be tested carried thereby at a selected one of said predetermined storage locations, and while doing so to position and substantially align said first transmission means and said second transmsisson means;
e) providing control means, responsive to positioning and substantial alignment of said first transmission means and second transmission means. to institute a flow of signals therebetween and a predetermined test procedure;
f) operating the vehicle to retrieve an item test carrier from selected storage locations, and while doing so to seperate said first transmission means from said second transmission means; and g) providing control means for said vehilce to so operate same.
a) Forming one or more item test cariers each so as to receive an item to be tested, and each with first transmission means;
b) positioning second transmission means at predetermined ones of the storage locations;
c) providing signal inputs to said second transmission means;
d) operating the vehicle to place an item test carrier and item to be tested carried thereby at a selected one of said predetermined storage locations, and while doing so to position and substantially align said first transmission means and said second transmsisson means;
e) providing control means, responsive to positioning and substantial alignment of said first transmission means and second transmission means. to institute a flow of signals therebetween and a predetermined test procedure;
f) operating the vehicle to retrieve an item test carrier from selected storage locations, and while doing so to seperate said first transmission means from said second transmission means; and g) providing control means for said vehilce to so operate same.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein said first transmission means and said second transmission means send and receive signals through the air.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said signals are infra-red.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein said signals are radio.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein said first transmission means includes a first connector and said second transmission means includes a second connector, each being of a size and configuration to mate with and be connected to the other, and each adapted to receive power and control inputs.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein said power and control inputs are electrical and said first connector and second connector are electrical.
23. The method fo claim 22 including operating the vehicle so that the shuttle means coacts with the item carrier to so place the item carrier into a selected storage location, and to retrieve an item carrier therefrom.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the shuttle means is operated to first place an item carrier of a first predetermined position is a selected storage location and then to move the item carrier further into the selected storage location and while doing so to connect said first connector means to said second connector means.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the shuttle means is operated to retrieve an item carrier from a selected storage location and while doing so is first operated to effect disconnection of said first connector means from said second connector means and then to retrieve the item carrier from the selected storage location.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein a predetermined portion of the shuttle means engages a first predetermined portion of the item carrier to move the item carrier so as to connect said first connector means to said second connector means.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein item carrier disconnect means are provided at each of said predetermined ones of said storage locations, said disconnect means coacting with an item carrier to move the item carrier and disconnect said first connector means from said second connector means response to coaction between said shuttle means and said disconnect means.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US60340684A | 1984-04-24 | 1984-04-24 | |
| US603,406 | 1984-04-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1242155A true CA1242155A (en) | 1988-09-20 |
Family
ID=24415301
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000479919A Expired CA1242155A (en) | 1984-04-24 | 1985-04-24 | Storage and retrieval system with stored equipment testing capability |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS60248502A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1242155A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3514481A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2563194A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2157667A (en) |
| IL (1) | IL74927A0 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102897460A (en) * | 2012-09-14 | 2013-01-30 | 上海精星仓储设备工程有限公司 | Distributing shuttle vehicle located by magnetic grid ruler for automatic stereoscopic warehouse |
| CN110877800A (en) * | 2018-09-06 | 2020-03-13 | 爱德万测试株式会社 | Automated handling of devices under test with different physical dimensions in a test cell |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5472309A (en) | 1985-05-13 | 1995-12-05 | Computer Aided Systems, Inc. | System for delivery |
| US5273392A (en) | 1986-01-02 | 1993-12-28 | Computer Aided Systems, Inc. | Automated work center and method |
| US5222855A (en) | 1986-01-02 | 1993-06-29 | Computer Aided Systems, Inc. | Automated work center |
| CA1338932C (en) * | 1988-02-22 | 1997-02-25 | Stanley H. Lukken | Automated work center and method |
| KR910005857Y1 (en) * | 1989-08-30 | 1991-08-05 | 삼성전관 주식회사 | Inspection device of a characteristic of color crt |
| US5588790A (en) | 1993-11-01 | 1996-12-31 | Lichti Robert D | High speed storage system |
| FI20002830A (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2002-06-23 | Metso Paper Inc | Method and system for controlling the need for a doctor blade |
| DE202010009656U1 (en) | 2010-06-30 | 2010-09-09 | Hänel GmbH & Co. KG | storage rack |
| CN106743033B (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2022-12-23 | 金石机器人银川有限公司 | Transfer skip car capable of storing and taking tires in classification mode and using method thereof |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4328422A (en) * | 1978-03-27 | 1982-05-04 | Litton Systems, Inc. | Automated warehouse vehicle position determining system |
-
1985
- 1985-04-16 IL IL74927A patent/IL74927A0/en unknown
- 1985-04-22 DE DE19853514481 patent/DE3514481A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1985-04-24 JP JP60088463A patent/JPS60248502A/en active Pending
- 1985-04-24 CA CA000479919A patent/CA1242155A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-04-24 GB GB08510422A patent/GB2157667A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1985-04-24 FR FR8506246A patent/FR2563194A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102897460A (en) * | 2012-09-14 | 2013-01-30 | 上海精星仓储设备工程有限公司 | Distributing shuttle vehicle located by magnetic grid ruler for automatic stereoscopic warehouse |
| CN110877800A (en) * | 2018-09-06 | 2020-03-13 | 爱德万测试株式会社 | Automated handling of devices under test with different physical dimensions in a test cell |
| CN110877800B (en) * | 2018-09-06 | 2023-02-21 | 爱德万测试株式会社 | Automated handling of devices under test with different physical dimensions in a test cell |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2157667A (en) | 1985-10-30 |
| IL74927A0 (en) | 1985-08-30 |
| DE3514481A1 (en) | 1985-12-05 |
| FR2563194A1 (en) | 1985-10-25 |
| JPS60248502A (en) | 1985-12-09 |
| GB8510422D0 (en) | 1985-05-30 |
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