Importance

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Abstract

A storage system comprises a rack defining a plurality of storage locations arranged one above the other, trays removably stored at the storage locations, and an elevator configured for moving a selected tray between its assigned storage location and a retrieval space below the storage locations. The storage locations are formed by pairs of horizontally opposite spaced apart rails with inwardly projecting sidewalls on which a tray can be rested. The elevator comprises a platform configured to carry and transfer the trays to and from the rack, and a drive system configured to move the platform that includes a servomotor. The platform carries optical sensors used cooperatively with the servomotor to detect a selected storage location of a tray to be stored or retrieved. Upon input of a selected storage location, the platform is displaced initially at a high speed until reaching a vertically offset position relative to the selected storage position detected using the servomotor, and therefrom at a low speed until sidewalls of the rails of the selected storage location are detected using the optical sensors.

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First Claim