METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SORTING OR RETREIVING ITEMS

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

主权项

1. A material handling system, comprising:
a plurality of storage locations; a track adjacent the storage locations, wherein a first group of the storage locations is disposed on a first side of the track and a second group of the storage locations is disposed on a second side of the track; a plurality of vehicles for delivering items to the storage locations or retrieving items from the storage locations, wherein the vehicles travel along the track in an aisle between the first and second groups of storage locations; a output station positioned along the track; a controller for independently controlling each vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to control one of the vehicles to retrieve an from one of the storage locations and then advance the vehicle with the item toward the output station, wherein when the vehicle approaches the output station the controller is configured to control the vehicle so that the vehicle drives upwardly and stops at the output station to present the contents to the operator so that the operator can readily remove the item from the vehicle, wherein the controller is further configured to advance the vehicle away from the output station after the operator removes the item from the vehicle.