RESCUE SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR RETRIEVING A MALFUNCTIONING VEHICLE FROM A RAIL SYSTEM

摘要

Rescue system for retrieving a malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) from a rail system (108,308) of an automated storage and retrieval system (1), the rail system (108,308) comprising a plurality of rails with tracks extending in an X-direction and a plurality of rails with tracks extending in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction, a plurality of remotely operated vehicles (201,301,340) configured to move in the X and Y-directions on the tracks of the rail system, - a first rescue vehicle (40) configured to run on the tracks of the rail system (108,308), the first rescue vehicle (40) being provided with a lifting device (41) on one side of the vehicle (40), the lifting device (41) facing for engagement in a first X-direction; - a second rescue vehicle (40) configured to run on the tracks of the rail system (108,308), the second rescue vehicle (40) being provided with a lifting device (41) on an opposite side of the vehicle (40), the lifting device (41) facing for engagement in a second X-direction opposite to the first; - wherein the first and second rescue vehicles (40) are configured to work in tandem so that when one of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles (201,301,340) malfunctions, the first and second rescue vehicles (40) can position themselves on the rail system (108,308) on opposite sides of the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) to engage their respective lifting devices (41) with the opposite sides of the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) and operate their lifting devices simultaneously so as to lift the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340) off the rail system (108,308) and transport the malfunctioning vehicle (240,340). It is further described and automated storage and retrieval system comprising a rescue system, methods of operating a rescue system and rescue vehicles for use in a rescue system.