| abstract |
The invention concerns an automatic storage system comprising at least one storage unit designed to hold the items to be stored, a storage and retrieval unit and a robot unit designed to grip and carry the items. In order to improve a storage system of this kind so that it is as simple as possible in design and can easily be fitted into the premises available, the invention proposes that the robot is fitted with a gripper-arm carrier which can be moved over a given range of action in two directions at right angles to each other in a plane which includes the storage unit and the storage and retrieval unit. Mounted on the gripper arm is a gripper which can be moved over a given range of action in a third direction. The gripper is designed to grip the storage items in a direction at right angles to the third direction. The storage unit is designed so that the storage surfaces in the storage positions are essentially parallel to the third direction and the range of action of the gripper-arm carrier extends over the storage surfaces. |