DE102017124253A1 - Transport system, loading unit and method for loading a delivery vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The transport system (2) comprises a delivery vehicle (4), a cargo unit (6) and an industrial truck (8). The delivery vehicle (4) comprises a cargo space (10) for receiving the cargo unit (6). The industrial truck (8) comprises a load-receiving means (18) which can be coupled to the load unit (6) and is set up to receive and handle the load unit (6) and to load the cargo hold (10) with the load unit (6). The load unit (6) is adapted to receive a plurality of packages (26). The cargo unit (6) is constructed from at least a first and a second cargo unit module (61, 62) and the truck (8) is adapted to the first and second cargo unit module (61, 62) in the cargo compartment (10) of the delivery vehicle (4). to spread, so that between the cargo unit modules (61, 62) a walk-in space (24) is present.

Description

The invention relates to a transport system, comprising a delivery vehicle, a loading unit and a truck, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a cargo space for receiving the cargo unit, the truck comprises a load receiving means coupled to the cargo unit and for receiving and handling the cargo unit and for loading the cargo hold with the Charge unit is set up and the cargo unit is adapted to receive a variety of freight. Furthermore, the invention relates to a loading unit for such a transport system and to a method for loading a delivery vehicle with a loading unit.

In the course of the growth of e-commerce and the associated growth in online trading, the requirements for the transport systems used between warehouses and customers are also changing. Today, deliverers, such as parcel delivery or logistics personnel, spend a lot of time loading / stocking their delivery vehicles. One way to speed up the loading of a delivery vehicle is by a process where a complete cargo space system is loaded into its cargo hold at one time, for example via the tailgate of the delivery vehicle.

It is an object of the invention to provide a transport system, a loading unit for such a transport system and a method for loading a delivery vehicle with a loading unit, which is improved over known solutions.

The object is achieved by a transport system comprising a delivery vehicle, a loading unit and a truck, wherein the delivery vehicle comprises a cargo space for receiving the cargo unit, the truck comprises a load-receiving means coupled to the cargo unit and for receiving and handling the cargo unit and for loading the cargo space is arranged with the cargo unit and the loading unit is adapted to receive a plurality of pieces of freight, wherein the transport system is formed by the fact that the cargo unit is constructed from at least a first cargo unit module and at least a second cargo unit module and the truck is adapted to at least the first cargo unit module and to spread the second cargo unit module in the cargo hold of the delivery vehicle such that there is a walk-in clearance between the first and second cargo unit modules.

In particular, the industrial truck is also set up to drive together or push together at least the first cargo unit module and the second cargo unit module in the cargo compartment of the delivery vehicle, so that the two modules form a cargo unit, and to unload this cargo unit from the cargo compartment of the delivery vehicle.

Advantageously, the transport system to a compact and space-saving cargo unit, which is handled by the truck. The walk-in space required in the delivery vehicle, through which a person can access the cargo contained in the cargo unit modules, is not made until it is actually required, namely in the cargo hold of the delivery vehicle. Thus, outside the delivery vehicle, compact and space-saving cargo units can be transported and handled by the truck. In addition, take the compact cargo units in a warehouse or intermediate depot only a small storage space to complete.

The cargo unit modules are, for example, shelf containers. These can be made in different sizes and also have different shelf divisions. A suitable shelf division is carried out, for example, on the basis of the size and nature of the primarily transported freight items, such as boxes intended for a final customer.

The delivery vehicle is, for example, a commercial delivery van whose cargo space has been converted to receive the transport system. It is therefore an adaptation based on a largely commercial transporter.

According to one embodiment, the transport system is developed in that at least the first charge unit module is provided with at least one first coupling device and the second charge unit module is provided with at least one second coupling device, so that the first and the second charge unit module can be coupled to one another via the coupling devices.

The coupling of the two charge unit modules, for example, the front side. It can be done manually or automatically. Both purely mechanical couplings, as well as electromechanical or hydraulic coupling devices are provided as coupling devices. The two coupling devices on the charge unit modules are designed such that the two charge unit modules can be coupled together to form a common charge unit, which in the coupled state is also manageable as a whole.

The two charge unit modules are in particular designed such that they form a weatherproof charge unit in the coupled state. This possible embodiment also relates, for example, to the coupling of the two charge unit modules. This is designed such that the two units form a weatherproof cargo unit. For this purpose, for example, corresponding seals are provided on the mutually facing edges, edges or surfaces of the charge unit modules.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the first and second coupling device of the first and the second charge unit module are configured so that a theft-proof closure of the two charge unit modules is provided.

For this purpose, the coupling devices are provided for example with a mechanical, electromechanical or electronic lock, which can be locked and / or unlocked both manually and by the truck. For this purpose, the truck is equipped for example with a corresponding mechanical or electronic key device.

Advantageously, the security of the freight items during the transport chain is ensured even if the cargo unit temporarily unattended, for example, in an interim storage or on a temporary storage space, is parked. As a result, the transport system according to this aspect of the invention is more flexible than conventional systems and also more cost effective.

In also weatherproof embodiment of the cargo unit modules, such a cargo unit can be stored, for example, in an outdoor warehouse, which reduces the storage costs and makes the system flexible.

According to a further embodiment, the transport system is formed by the fact that the cargo unit modules each have opposing large flat sides and an intended for receiving the cargo interior of the cargo unit module is accessible from an open large flat side and the interior of the cargo unit module on the other sides to an external environment is completed, wherein the first charge unit module and the second charge unit module are coupled to each other so that the open large flat sides of the two charge unit modules facing each other, so that there is a closed to the outside space charge unit.

The accessibility of the interior of the cargo unit modules on their large flat sides allows fast and efficient access, for example, a delivery driver on the present in the cargo unit packages. However, not only the unloading, but also the loading of the cargo unit modules is considerably simplified by this large access opening.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the loading unit comprises a first half as a first cargo unit module and a second half as a second cargo unit module and the truck comprises an expandable load-receiving means and is adapted to spread the two halves of the cargo unit in the hold of the delivery van, so that between these a extending in the longitudinal direction of the cargo compartment corridor is present as a gap.

According to a further embodiment, the transport system is further developed in that the industrial truck comprises a load receiving means, which is adapted to receive at least the first cargo unit module and the second cargo unit module separately.

The truck can be an automatic or autonomous vehicle. It is also provided that the truck is to operate manually. It is further provided according to further embodiments that the truck is a wheel-supported truck. It is also provided that the truck works on the counterweight principle.

The object is further achieved by a loading unit for a transport system according to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments, wherein the load unit is coupled to a load-receiving means of a truck and is adapted to receive a plurality of pieces of freight in an interior, wherein the load unit of at least one at least the first charge unit module is provided with at least one first coupling device and the second charge unit module is provided with at least one second coupling device, so that the first and the second charge unit module can be coupled to one another via the coupling devices.

Same or similar advantages and advantageous developments, as previously mentioned with regard to the transport system meet also to the cargo unit according to aspects of the invention. For example, it is provided that the two coupling devices, which are present on the two charge unit modules of the charge unit, allow a theft-proof coupling of the two charge unit modules to one another.

According to an advantageous refinement, it is provided that the cargo unit modules each have large flat sides opposite one another and the interior of the cargo unit module provided for receiving the freight units is accessible from an open, large flat side and the interior of the cargo unit module is closed to an external environment on the remaining sides, wherein the first charge unit module and the second charge unit module are coupled to each other so that the open large flat sides of the two charge unit modules facing each other, so that there is a closed to the outside space charge unit.

The cargo unit modules are, for example, shelf containers. Thus, the loading unit is, for example, two dockable shelf containers, which form the first and second load unit module of such a load unit.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for loading a delivery vehicle with a loading unit, in which an industrial truck couples a load-receiving means comprising this with the load unit and spends the load unit into a freight compartment of the delivery vehicle, the method being developed by the load unit being out at least one first cargo unit module and at least one second cargo unit module is constructed and the truck spreads at least the first cargo unit module and the second cargo unit module after the cargo unit has been placed in the cargo compartment in the cargo compartment of the delivery vehicle, so that between the first and second cargo unit module, a walk-in space is formed ,

It is also specifically contemplated that the method also includes the steps of the truck bringing together or merging the first and second cargo unit modules in the cargo compartment of the delivery vehicle such that the walk-through gap between the first and second cargo unit modules disappears. Subsequently, a coupling of the cargo unit modules, for example by the truck, be made. The cargo unit thus provided can then be unloaded from the truck of the delivery vehicle or unloaded from the truck. According to this further embodiment, it is a method for loading and unloading a delivery vehicle.

The method for loading the delivery vehicle with a loading unit has the same or similar advantages as previously mentioned with regard to the transport system and the loading unit.

The method is advantageously developed by virtue of the fact that at least the first charge unit module is provided with at least one first coupling device and the second charge unit module is provided with at least one second coupling device, wherein the first and the second charge unit module are coupled to one another via the coupling devices, decoupled from the industrial truck and then be spread.

Furthermore, it is provided, in particular, that the industrial truck comprises a load-receiving device, with which the at least first cargo unit module and the second cargo unit module are received separately.

The decoupling of the two cargo unit modules, but also the coupling of the two cargo unit modules can be done manually or automatically. This process can be purely mechanical, electro-mechanical or hydraulically operated. An automatic coupling and decoupling is made for example by the truck. It is also provided that the truck locks the two cargo unit modules theft-proof each other. It is also envisaged that the truck unlocks such a theft-proof lock. For this purpose, the truck transmits, for example, a corresponding mechanical or electronic key to the coupling device of one of the two cargo unit modules or to the coupling devices of both cargo unit modules.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features.

• 1 ein Transportsystem in perspektivischer und schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung,
• 2a bis 2c und 3a bis 3c einzelne Zustände des Transportsystems während eines Verfahrens zum Beladen eines Lieferfahrzeugs,
• 4 eine perspektivische, schematisch vereinfachte Darstellung einer Beladungssituation eines Frachtraums eines Lieferfahrzeugs, der mit zwei Ladungseinheitsmodulen beladen ist und
• 5 ein Ladungseinheitsmodul in perspektivischer und schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

• 1 a transport system in perspective and schematically simplified representation,
• 2a to 2c and 3a to 3c individual states of the transport system during a method for loading a delivery vehicle,
• 4 a perspective, schematically simplified representation of a loading situation of a cargo hold of a delivery vehicle, which is loaded with two cargo unit modules and
• 5 a cargo unit module in a perspective and schematically simplified representation.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

1 shows in schematically simplified perspective view of a transport system 2 , which is a delivery vehicle that is only partially illustrated 4 , a cargo unit 6 and a truck 8th includes. The delivery vehicle 4 includes a cargo hold 10 for receiving the cargo unit 6 , The truck 8th is exemplified as a wheel-supported truck 8th shown. This includes two outriggers 12 at the free ends of which are wheels 14 are located. The outriggers 12 are designed so that they load the cargo space 10 between the wheels 16 of the vehicle 4 under the underbody of the vehicle 4 drive. It is provided according to further embodiments, not shown, that the truck 8th works on the counterweight principle, so that on the boom 12 can be waived.

The truck 8th further comprises a load handling means 18 which is in 1 only partially visible. For example, it is the load-carrying means 18 around a forklift fork. About the load handling device 18 is the cargo unit 6 with the truck 8th coupled, so that the latter the cargo unit 6 record and handle. The truck 8th and the load handling device 18 are also designed so that with the truck 8th the cargo unit 6 in the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 can be invited. The cargo unit 6 is designed to hold a variety of packages, such as boxes intended for end users. The cargo unit 6 includes an in 1 Front illustrated first cargo unit module 61 and one in 1 Rear illustrated second cargo unit module 62 , For example only, the in 1 shown charge unit 6 from two load unit modules 61 . 62 built up. The cargo unit 6 may also consist of more than two unit charge modules 61 . 62 be constructed. The load handling device 18 For example, it is set up such that it is the first charge unit module 61 and the second cargo unit module 62 can record separately. For this purpose, for example, an expandable forklift fork is suitable. However, it is also provided, for example, that the load-carrying means 18 the cargo unit modules 61 . 62 receives separately on the front side.

In the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 is a recording rack 9 which is on the ground and on the side walls of the cargo hold 10 is mounted. At this recording rack 9 become the cargo unit modules 61 . 62 the cargo unit and kept safe while driving.

The truck 8th is not just set up the cargo unit 6 in the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 but also the first cargo unit module 61 and the second cargo unit module 62 in the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 to spread or spread apart, so that between the first and the second charge unit module 61 . 62 a walk-in space is created. Starting from this gap, for example, a delivery driver to the in an interior of the cargo unit 6 access existing freight for subsequent delivery to a customer.

A method of loading the delivery vehicle 4 with the cargo unit 6 should be based on the representations in the 2a to 2c and 3a to 3c are explained.

First, the truck takes 8th the cargo unit 6 with the exemplified as a fork load handling device 18 on. In the truck 8th For example, it is an automatic or even autonomously driving vehicle. However, it is also provided that it is the truck 8th is a hand-controlled vehicle. After the truck 8th the cargo unit 6 has approached, for example, has found this on a storage area, the truck is approaching 8th the cargo unit 6 ( 2a) and takes the cargo unit 6 on ( 2 B) , For this the truck is coupled 8th the load handling device 18 , For example, a forklift fork, with the cargo unit 6 , lifts it and then drives to the desired delivery vehicle 4 ( 2c) ,

3a that already shows 2c known situation from a different perspective. The truck 8th spends the cargo unit 6 in the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 ( 3b) , The jibs are moving 12 of the truck 8th in the illustrated embodiment, under the underbody of the delivery vehicle 4 between his rear wheels 16 , Is the cargo unit located 6 in the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 , which is the first charge unit module 61 and the second cargo unit module 62 built-up cargo unit 6 in the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 spread apart, for example, by moving apart as load handling equipment 18 used forklift fork. Thus comes the first cargo unit module 61 For example, on the left side wall of the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 to the plant and the second charge unit module 62 comes as an example on the right side wall of the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 to the plant. It is further provided, for example, that the charge unit modules 61 . 62 on the side walls of the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 be anchored so that these also while driving the delivery vehicle 4 reliable and safe in this are included. By moving apart the first and second charge unit module 61 . 62 occurs between the cargo unit modules 61 . 62 a walk-in space.

This loading situation shows 4 in a perspective and schematically simplified representation. The view into the cargo hold 10 of the delivery vehicle 4 is towards the rear access opening of the cargo hold 10 directed. The first cargo unit module 61 is located on the left hand side wall shown on the right in this figure 21 , the second cargo unit module 62 is located at the in 4 on the left hand side wall 22 , Between the cargo unit modules 61 . 62 is the accessible space 24 , from which a carrier or delivery driver to those in the cargo unit modules 61 . 62 existing freight 26 of which, for reasons of clarity, only a few are provided with reference numerals. For the freight 26 For example, these are cartons of a mail-order company intended for a consumer.

5 shows in schematically simplified perspective representation, by way of example, the first charge unit module 61 the cargo unit 6 , It is an example of a shelf container whose shelf division for the size and nature of the primarily transported cargo 26 , of which in turn only some are provided with reference numerals for reasons of clarity, is set up. The first cargo unit module 61 has opposite large flat sides 31 . 32 on, of which the in 5 shown in front open. From this flat side 31 here is the interior 30 of the cargo unit module 61 in which the freight items 26 be recorded, accessible. On the other sides is the cargo unit module 61 completed towards the outside environment.

The cargo unit modules 61 . 62 which the cargo unit 6 form, are designed such that they are coupled to each other so that their two open flat sides 31 are in the coupled state facing each other. The cargo unit 6 is further configured, for example, that in the coupled state of the charge unit modules 61 . 62 the cargo unit 6 forming a weatherproof unit. For this purpose, for example, at the in 5 illustrated front edge 28 of the cargo unit module 61 provided a circumferential seal, so that the cargo unit modules 61 . 62 can form a weatherproof unit.

For coupling the two charge unit modules 61 . 62 These are each provided with a coupling device, not shown in the figures, so that the two charge unit modules 61 . 62 mechanically or electromechanically or hydraulically coupled to each other. The coupling of the two charge unit modules 61 . 62 is designed in particular so that the coupled charge unit modules 61 . 62 which is a cargo unit 6 form, as a whole are manageable.

All mentioned features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features are considered alone and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features which are identified by "particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

transport system

4

delivery vehicle

6

charging unit

8th

Truck

9

receiving stand

10

hold

12

boom

14, 16

bikes

18

Load handling devices

21

left side wall

22

right side wall

24

gap

26

cargo

28

front edge

30

inner space

31

first big flat side

32

second big flat side

61

first cargo unit module

62

second charge unit module

Claims (10)

Transport system (2), comprising a delivery vehicle (4), a cargo unit (6) and an industrial truck (8), wherein the delivery vehicle (4) comprises a cargo space (10) for receiving the cargo unit (6), the industrial truck (8) comprising load-receiving means (18) which can be coupled to the load unit (6) and are set up for picking up and handling the load unit (6) and for loading the hold (10) with the load unit (6) and the load unit (6) is arranged to accommodate a plurality of freight items (26), characterized in that the cargo unit (6) is constructed from at least one first cargo unit module (61) and at least one second cargo unit module (62) and the truck (8) is adapted to at least the first cargo unit module (61 ) and the second cargo unit module (62) in the cargo compartment (10) of the delivery vehicle (4) to spread so that between the first and second cargo unit module (61, 62) a walkable Zwisch henraum (24) is present. Transport system (2) to Claim 1 characterized in that at least the first cargo unit module (61) is provided with at least one first docking device and the second cargo unit module (62) is provided with at least one second docking device, such that the first and second cargo unit modules (61, 62) via the docking devices can be coupled to each other. Transport system (2) to Claim 2 , characterized in that the cargo unit modules (61, 62) each have opposing large flat sides (31, 32) and an intended for receiving the freight pieces (26) interior (30) of the cargo unit module (61, 62) from an open large flat side ( 31) is accessible forth and the interior (30) of the cargo unit module (61, 62) is closed on the remaining sides to an external environment, wherein the first charge unit module (61) and the second charge unit module (62) are coupled to each other that the open large flat sides (31) of the two charge unit modules (61, 62) facing each other, so that there is a closed to the outside space charge unit (6). Transport system after Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the cargo unit (6) comprises a first half as a first cargo unit module (61) and a second half as a second cargo unit module (62) and the truck (8) comprises an expandable load-receiving means (18) and is adapted to the two Halves the cargo unit (6) in the cargo compartment (10) of the delivery truck (4) to spread so that between them in the longitudinal direction of the cargo compartment (10) extending passage as a gap (24) is present. Transport system (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the truck (8) comprises a load receiving means (18) which is adapted to at least the first cargo unit module (61) and the second cargo unit module (62) to accommodate separately. Loading unit (6) for a transport system (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the load unit (6) with a load-receiving means (18) of a truck (8) coupled and adapted to receive a plurality of pieces of freight (26) in an inner space (30), wherein the loading unit (6) of at least a first charge unit module (61) and at least one second charge unit module (62) and at least the first charge unit module (61) is provided with at least one first coupling device and the second charge unit module (62) is provided with at least one second coupling device, so that the first and the second charge unit module (61, 62) can be coupled to one another via the coupling devices. Charge unit (6) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the cargo unit modules (61, 62) each have opposing large flat sides (31, 32) and provided for receiving the freight pieces (26) interior (30) of the cargo unit module (61, 62) from a first open large flat side (31) is accessible and the interior (30) of the cargo unit module (61, 62) is closed on the remaining sides against an external environment, wherein the first cargo unit module (61) and the second cargo unit module (62) are coupled to one another the first open large flat sides (31) of the two charge unit modules (61, 62) face one another, so that a charge unit (6) which is closed relative to the outer space is present. Method for loading a delivery vehicle (4) with a loading unit (6), in which an industrial truck (8) couples a load receiving means (18) covered by the latter with the loading unit (6) and places the loading unit (6) in a cargo space (10) of the delivery vehicle (4), characterized in that the cargo unit (6) is constructed from at least one first cargo unit module (61) and at least one second cargo unit module (62) and the truck (8) at least the first cargo unit module (61) and the second The cargo unit module (62), after the cargo unit (6) has been brought into the cargo compartment (10), spreads in the cargo compartment (10) of the delivery vehicle (4), such that a walk-through gap (24, 24) between the first and second cargo unit modules (61, 62) ) arises. Method according to Claim 8 characterized in that at least the first cargo unit module (61) is provided with at least one first docking device and the second cargo unit module (62) is provided with at least one second docking device, wherein the first and second cargo unit modules (61, 62) abut each other via the docking devices are coupled, decoupled from the truck (8) and then spread. Method according to Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the truck (8) comprises a load receiving means (18), with which the at least first cargo unit module (61) and the second cargo unit module (62) are received separately.

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