NEGATIVE SELECT ACCESS MECHANISM

摘要

A technique for storage and retrieval of objects is provided. A holding structure is configured to hold the objects, and the objects are stored in the holding structure such that the objects can slide in and out of the holding structure. An elastic mechanism is at the back of the holding structure, and the elastic mechanism pushes the objects toward the front of the holding structure such that the objects are accessible at the front of the holding structure. A selector mechanism is positionable to push the objects that are adjacent to a selected object to be retrieved toward the back of the holding structure, and the selector mechanism exposes a portion of the selected object so that the selected object can be engaged at the exposed portion. A gripper is configured to engage the exposed portion of the selected object and pull the selected object from the holding structure.

主权项

1. An apparatus for storage and retrieval of objects, the apparatus comprising:
a holding structure configured to hold the objects, the objects being stored in the holding structure such that the objects can slide in and out of the holding structure; an elastic mechanism at a back of the holding structure, the elastic mechanism pushing the objects toward a front of the holding structure such that the objects are accessible from the front of the holding structure; a selector mechanism positionable to push the objects that are adjacent to a selected object to be retrieved toward the back of the holding structure, the selector mechanism exposing at least a portion of the selected object so that the selected object can be engaged at the exposed portion; and a gripper configured to engage the exposed portion of the selected object and pull the selected object from the holding structure.