An apparatus for storing control units comprises a cabinet (10) with a plurality of rails (41) arranged horizontally along inner sidewalls and is configured to receive a plurality of drawers (40) above each other. Each drawer (40) comprises a plurality of docking sockets (1), each docking socket (1) being configured to receive and retain one control unit. The apparatus comprises a robotic elevator device (20) adapted to move an elevator table (30) in a vertical direction to a vertical position corresponding to a pair of rails (41) into which a drawer (40) is to be inserted or from which the drawer (40) is to be withdrawn. The elevator table (30) comprises a linear motor (32, 34) capable of moving the drawer (40) along a pair of rails (41) in a longitudinal direction. A robotic gripper, which may be internal or external to the apparatus, is capable of putting control units into the docking sockets or withdrawing the control units from the docking sockets.
Docking station
2016-03-23
Patent
Electronic Resource
English