CA3216934A1 - Storage facility for material panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage facility for material panels comprising: a) at least one rail-bound basic track with at least one pair of rails and at least one rail-bound transfer track leading to panel depositing locations with at least two pairs of rails, wherein the pair of rails of a basic track and the pair of rails of a transfer track meet one another at substantially right angles, b) at least one transport device consisting of two carrier vehicles, each with their own drive unit, which can be synchronized with one another during transport at a constant distance and which can jointly accommodate the material panels to be transported, and c) one lifting device that can likewise be synchronized that is respectively provided on each of the two carrier vehicles, by means of which lifting device material panels can be removed and accommodated on the panel depositing locations in the storage facility. In order to improve the storage facility when compared to the prior art, it is provided that the transport device can be moved by a wheel orientation device both on a basic track and on a transfer track in such a way that the carrier vehicles can be moved parallel to one another on the basic track at a constant distance one behind the other and on the transfer track at a uniform distance at the same height. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a storage device.

Description

STORAGE FACILITY FOR MATERIAL PANELS
The invention relates to a storage facility for material panels comprising a) at least one rail-bound basic track with at least one pair of rails and at least one rail-bound transfer track leading to panel depositing locations with at least two pairs of rails, wherein the pair of rails of a basic track and the pair of rails of a transfer track meet one another at substantially right angles, b) at least one transport device consisting of two carrier vehicles, each with their own drive unit, which can be synchronized with one another during transport at a constant distance and which can jointly accommodate the material panels to be transported, and c) one lifting device that can likewise be synchronized that is respectively provided on each of the two carrier vehicles, by means of which lifting device material panels can be removed and accommodated on the panel depositing locations in the storage facility.
For definition of the terms used, it is further elucidated:
- a storage facility describes the entire facility and area for receiving and storing material panels or stacks of material panels by means of at least one transport device and various panel depositing locations, which are usually arranged at a defined height, - a rail-bound transfer track is the rail track which leads through the storage rows directly past the panel depositing locations, - a rail-bound basic track is a rail track, usually running at right angles to the transfer track, which leads through the warehouse at a distance from the panel depositing Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 2 -locations or laterally past them, - the rails @airs of rails) referred to here are primarily, but not restricted to, the rails according to DE 4318383 Cl or WO 2014/032699 Al marketed by the applicant.
This type of so-called round rail has proven itself in practice because they are constructed in a simple manner and are thus easy to manufacture. One advantage for fabrication halls is that the rail can be laid out almost flush with the floor, so that other vehicles are not restricted in their freedom of movement. In contrast with trough-shaped rails, in which the wheels of the floor conveyors run, the risk of contamination of the rails is significantly reduced, - the carrier vehicles then correspondingly have concave grooved wheels in the circumferential area, so that the rails with a convex top surface section are at least partially immerged in the grooved area of the wheels on contact.
- Pair of rails usually means two parallel rails. If, however, the carrier vehicles exceed a certain width, a third or, if necessary, even a fourth rail may need to be laid out in parallel to support the carrier vehicles. This arrangement is to be subsumed in an equivalent manner under the term pair of rails. In this case, at least six and if necessary at least eight wheels or wheel cassettes are required for one direction of travel.
- the panel depositing locations are preferably long parallel carrier rows upon which individual material panels or stacks of material panels can generally be deposited at a defined height, wherein the carrier vehicles can pass between the panel depositing locations on the transfer track and unload the material panels lifted by the lifting Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 3 -device at the desired panel depositing location.
Such storage facilities for material panels, such as chipboard, oriented strand board (OSB) or insulation boards, which accordingly comprise a top surface area of more than 1.5 m2, are already known. In fact, they are constructed in a similar manner everywhere. A
larger base carriage travels on the basic track, which base carriage usually carries two satellite vehicles.
These two satellite vehicles, each as carrier vehicles with their own drive units, in turn carry stacks of material panels and can leave the base vehicle on transfer tracks arranged at right angles to the basic track. In the prior art a transport device accordingly substantially consists of a base vehicle and two satellite or carrier vehicles. The storage units commonly used today consist of three parallel panel depositing locations. The two satellite vehicles can move in the two intermediate spaces between them while they jointly carry material panels. In so doing, the material panels are lifted by means of lifting devices so that they can be moved above the panel depositing locations in appropriate locations. The material panels are then lowered and deposited on the three panel depositing locations. There are numerous patent applications describing this situation and the associated state of the art. WO 2021/240009 Al, WO
2021/240010 A2, WO
2021/240011 A2 and DE102022000571.9, which has not yet been published at the time of the application, may be mentioned here.
All the writings deal with at least one base vehicle that can be moved on rails as well as a plurality of transfer tracks leading to panel depositing locations, and at least one satellite vehicle that can be moved thereon and is capable of moving at least one material panel, wherein a resting Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 4 -place is provided on the base vehicle for at least one satellite vehicle, wherein the base vehicle has an electrical power supply, for example, via a sliding contact, and a drive unit with a base vehicle electric motor, and wherein the satellite vehicle likewise comprises a drive unit with a satellite vehicle motor.
.. There are various approaches to supply the "piggyback satellites" with power in such a way that they can also move independently of the base vehicle and operate their lifting devices. To date, all of these approaches are still not truly satisfactory. Sliding contacts are vulnerable, cables are a hindrance and charging stations for rechargeable batteries are complex. In particular, however, the control units of base vehicles in interaction with satellite vehicles are often not easy to implement, as radio and WLAN transmissions in the warehouses are often impaired.
Moreover, the satellite vehicles are dependent on being picked up by the base vehicle to transfer to another transfer track via the basic track.
.. The task of the invention is to develop a storage facility for material panels in which the described problems with regard to the control of the base carriage-satellite carriage can be avoided.
The task is solved according to the features of claim 1 and in particular in that the transport device can be moved by a wheel orientation device both on a basic track and on a transfer track in such a way that the carrier vehicles can be moved parallel to one another on the basic track at a constant distance one behind the other and on the transfer track at a uniform distance at the Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 5 -same height. During transport, the distances designated Al (on the basic track) and A2 (on the transfer track) should be the same.
The wheel orientation device can be used to orient the active wheels, which is to say those that .. move the transport device along the rails, either in the direction of the basic track or in the direction of the transfer track, which branches off at a right angle. It is not imperative to be individual wheels. In many cases, two or more wheels are also mounted one behind the other in a so-called cassette. In this case, if necessary, the cassette may be rotated by 900 around a vertical axis. When a rotation of the wheels is referred to in the following, this includes the rotation of a cassette. But it can also refer to different sets of wheels rolling on the rails of the basic track or the rails of the transfer track.
The solution according to the invention is many times more flexible than conventional solutions with a basic vehicle and satellite vehicles, since the transport device permits and performs both .. transverse and longitudinal travel, which is to say on the basic track and the transfer track. At the same time, several transport devices can be located on the basic track and the transfer track without obstructing one another or being dependent on one another.
It is even conceivable that transport devices encountering one another on the basic track avoid one another by one of the transport devices entering a transfer track to let the other oncoming transport device pass.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 6 -In order to be able to carry out these variants quickly, it is preferable if the constant distance of the two carrier vehicles on the basic track coincides with the distance of the at least two transfer pairs of rails in such a way that the active wheels can be placed on the transfer rails after activation of the wheel orientation device.
With an exact distance synchronization on the basic track, the at least two carrier vehicles automatically arrive at the intersecting transfer paths at the correct distance. As soon as the wheel orientation device has been activated and the wheels of the carrier vehicles have been switched from the basic track direction to the transfer track direction, the carrier vehicles can turn parallel, in a quasi-right or quasi-left direction, and continue on the transfer tracks.
It is particularly important to emphasize that the material panels to be transported retain their position on the two carrier vehicles and are not moved or displaced relative to the entire transport device.
It is advantageous to ensure that the wheel orientation device is connected to the chassis components of the carrier vehicles.
In this manner, means may be provided on each carrier vehicle directly on the chassis which change an orientation of the active wheels from the basic track direction to the transfer track direction.
There are three alternative preferred possibilities for an effective wheel orientation device, which are briefly mentioned in dependent claims 4 to 6.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 7 -As a first possibility, it is advantageous if a rotatable table is respectively provided at rail level in the crossing area of the rails and the wheels of the two carrier vehicles are rotatably mounted about a vertical axis.
Then, by rotating a table, a wheel standing on it can also be rotated to change the direction of travel of the carrier vehicle. It is irrelevant whether the rotational drive is provided on the wheel or on the table. With sufficient weight and sufficient friction, the table does not even need a rail or groove for the wheel, but rather can have a perfectly smooth top surface.
As already mentioned, wheels here are also understood to include cassettes with two or three wheels, as long .. as they can fit on a rotary table.
In the case of this arrangement, it is imperative that all wheels of both carrier vehicles are on rotary tables so that the transport device can change from one direction of travel to another. For this reason, the constant distance of the two carrier vehicles on the basic track must imperatively be maintained.
As a second possibility to create an effective wheel orientation device, it is advantageous if the wheels of the carrier vehicle are rotatably mounted in a motor-driven manner about a vertical axis, and for them to be relieved of load at least briefly by at least one pressure piston which is suitable for lifting the carrier vehicle until the wheels are rotated through about 900. The pressure piston can, for example, comprise an actuator.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 8 -Such a pressure piston makes it possible to relieve each wheel or cassette in such a way that it can be rotated relative to the carrier vehicle with little effort. The pressure piston thereby acts against an area of the crossing of the rails and relieves the wheels by exerting counterpressure so that they no longer bear the load of the carrier vehicles and the material panels to be transported.
Instead, this load is now taken over by the pressure piston. This makes it possible to integrate all the components required for changing the direction in the floor conveyor element and accordingly simplifies their control as well as the construction of the rail system.
By raising the wheels and carrier vehicle off the rails, the end of the pressure piston facing the rails extends downward beyond the running surface of the at least one wheel so that no part of the wheel is in contact with any part of the rail system. This enables the wheels or alternatively cassette to rotate freely and without resistance relative to the carrier vehicle.
As a third possibility to create a wheel orientation device, it is advantageous to have a lifting fixture that is suitable to raise the wheels of the carrier vehicles standing on the rails of the basic track while it lowers other wheels onto the rails of the transfer track or vice versa.
This third possibility will be elucidated in more detail in the later description of the embodiments, inasmuch as it has already been tested in the experimental field.
In this version, the chassis has two sets of wheels. The first set is oriented in the direction of the basic track, the second in the direction of the transfer track. All wheels are coupled to at least one Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 9 -lifting fixture, wherein one of the sets is in contact with rails, while the other set is lifted off the rails. The change-over of the sets which have contact with the rails takes place in the crossing area of the basic track and of the transfer track. Here too, these operations must be capable of being performed in a synchronized manner for both carrier vehicles.
In this third version, it is particularly preferred if a first chassis with the wheels for the rails of the basic track and a second chassis with the wheels for the rails of the transfer track can be moved relative to one another by the lifting fixture.
The lifting fixture can lower the first chassis while it raises the second chassis, or precisely the opposite. As a result, either the wheels of the first chassis or the wheels of the second chassis come into engagement or contact with the associated rails. A particularly effective and advantageous arrangement is when the first chassis is overlaid on top of the second chassis. A
lifting fixture between these chassis then allows the first chassis to be lowered so far that its wheels touch down on rails. At the same time, or subsequently, the second chassis with its wheels can be lifted off the rails. Similarly, in the case of a change in direction, the reverse process can also take place.
In a constructionally preferred embodiment, the first chassis is configured as a downwardly open cuboid, which is to say with four side walls and a cover surface. On the top, the cover surface becomes the support surface for the material panels. At least four wheels are attached to the lower edges of the cuboid, which wheels run, for example, on the rails of the basic track. The second chassis, that also has at least four wheels that can, for example, run on the rails of the Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 10 -transfer track, is inserted from below into the opening of the first chassis.
The lifting device between the two chassis ensures that the direction of travel can be changed by either placing the first or the second chassis on the assigned rails.
Thus, with particular advantage, it is ensured that both the lifting device and the lifting fixture comprise the same actuators.
Note once again the terminology used, according to which a lifting device serves to raise and lower the material panels to be transported, while a lifting fixture determines the active wheels on the rails of the basic track or on those of the transfer track.
If, in this case, the support surface of the carrier vehicle is firmly connected to the first chassis, then like actuators, preferably even the same actuators, can be used for the lifting device and the lifting fixture. If, by way of example, the first chassis (preferably the one overlaid on top of the second chassis) is lowered with the support surface so that the wheels are in contact with the rails, then the lower edge of the material panels is also in the lowest possible transport position.
This situation is however very suitable for transportation on the basic track.
If, subsequently, the first chassis is raised and the second chassis is lowered in order to switch to the transfer track, then the lower edge of the material panels is in a slightly higher position, which is of benefit for placement on the panel depositing locations. In this manner, there is a corresponding advantage if at least one height position is coupled with lowered wheels and thus wheels in contact on the rails of the basic track and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered wheels and Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 11 -thus wheels in contact on the rails of the transfer track.
However, it is also advantageous if each lifting device is suitable to approach several height positions for the support surfaces of the carrier vehicle and thus the lower edge of the material panels to be transported.
In this manner, it is particularly easy to move the material panels to their storage position above the panel depositing locations and to then set them down on the panel depositing location by lowering the lifting device to a second, lower height position in which the lower edge of the material panel would theoretically be below the panel depositing location.
Preferably here one height position is coupled with lowered wheels and thus wheels in contact on the rails of the basic track and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered wheels and thus wheels in contact on the rails of the transfer track.
Thus, it is preferred that at least two height positions for the support surfaces of the carrier vehicle can be set during transport on the transfer track, one in which the support surface, and thus the lower edge of the material panels to be transported, lies above and one in which the lower edge of the material panels to be transported lies below the panel depositing location in the storage facility.
The preferred means of supplying energy to the carrier vehicles are induction loops which generate a magnetic field and are accommodated, for example, parallel to the rails in the work Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 12 -hall floor. The vehicles accordingly have a receiver unit in the form of at least one further coil through which the generated magnetic field flows. The generated current is preferably stored in rechargeable batteries or power storage devices on the carrier vehicles. By definition, this also includes capacitors in the present invention. In this manner, there is always enough energy available for the travel drive units, the lifting device, and the lifting fixture. The lifting device and the lifting fixture can, for example, operate hydraulically via electrically driven pumps or directly via electric spindle drive units.
Separate charging stations or charging points can also be provided for efficient charging of the rechargeable batteries.
However, this preferred power circuit need not be provided if the basic principle of the invention is satisfied. By way of example, a conventional power supply, for example, via cables with winding drums, is also intended to be covered by the invention.
Preferably the carrier vehicles are mechanically decoupled from one another at least in the unloaded state. This means that no constructive connection is provided between the carrier vehicles. A synchronous movement of the carrier vehicles at constant distance one behind the other or next to one another is not achieved in this case by mechanical or constructive coupling means which fulfill the function of a fixed shaft, but in another manner, possibly by a suitable synchronous control of the respective travel movements so that both carrier vehicles behave like a single vehicle. A transported material panel is then not displaced during travel with respect to any of the carrier vehicles.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 13 -The terms "coupling" and "decoupling" here relate to the carrier vehicles themselves and to their movement. A common load which is carried by both vehicles such as, for example, the said material panel, is therefore not to be understood as coupling means even if this should lie in a slip-proof manner on the carrier vehicles. On the contrary, a mechanical decoupling ensures that .. the carrier vehicles, at least in the unloaded state, can move independently of one another on the basic track and on the transfer track (subject to the above-described synchronization by a common control unit). In addition, no coupling of two carrier vehicles is provided by a common base vehicle on which the carrier vehicles are transported at constant distance. This base vehicle would ultimately be part of the complete transport device. In fact, the material panels to be transported are not moved relative to the complete transport device since the complete transport device only consists of the carrier vehicles. The rail tracks on which the carrier vehicles rest also do not constitute any coupling means in this connection since the respective carrier vehicles can fundamentally be moved freely on these.
Preferably the storage facility according to the invention comprises a control unit for maintaining the distance between two carrier vehicles in order to ensure that the two carrier vehicles remain at a constant distance one behind another on the basic track and remain at a uniform distance parallel to one another at the same height on the transfer tracks. It is advantageous when a control unit receives the actual data of the carrier vehicle by means of a rotary encoder on at least one of the wheels. This precise determination of the current position makes it possible to adjust .. the drive units of the carrier vehicles.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 14 -In particular at the intersections of the rails of the basic track and the rails of the transfer track, it can additionally be useful to record the exact position of the wheels by means of transponders. A
positioning or alternatively rotation of the wheels about a vertical axis can thereby be ensured when changing the direction of travel at a crossing of the rails.
Preferably, there are at least two parallel basic tracks in the storage facility. This allows the uncomplicated use of a plurality of transport devices, consisting of two carrier vehicles. In the case of two transport devices approaching one another, one of them can easily move aside on to the second basic track via a transfer track. Moreover, two basic tracks allow the transport device to approach the panel depositing locations from two sides, which also makes it much easier to accommodate and deposit the material panels in the storage facility.
The carrier vehicles can be configured identically. The carrier vehicles can thus have the same technical structure and be controlled and operated in the same way.
The invention further comprises a method for operating a storage facility for material panels, which storage facility comprises the following:
a) at least one rail-bound basic track with at least one pair of rails and at least one rail-bound transfer track leading to panel depositing locations with at least two pairs of rails, wherein the pair of rails of a basic track and the pair of rails of a transfer track meet one another at substantially right angles, b) at least one transport device consisting of two carrier vehicles, each with their own drive unit, which can be synchronized with one another during transport at a constant distance and which Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 15 -can jointly accommodate the material panels to be transported, and c) one lifting device that can likewise be synchronized that is respectively provided on each of the two carrier vehicles, by means of which lifting device material panels can be removed and accommodated on the panel depositing locations in the storage facility, wherein the transport device is moved by a wheel orientation device both on a basic and on a transfer track and specifically in such a way that the carrier vehicles are moved on the basic track at a constant distance one behind the other and on the transfer track at a uniform distance at the same height parallel to one another, wherein the material panels to be transported thereby maintain their position on the two carrier vehicles and are not moved or displaced relative to the entire transport device.
Preferably the constant distance of the two carrier vehicles on the basic track coincides with the distance of the at least two pairs of rails on the transfer track in such a way that, after activation of the wheel orientation device, the active wheels can be moved on the transfer rails.
Preferably the wheel orientation device is connected to the chassis components of the carrier vehicles.
According to a preferred embodiment, the wheels of the carrier vehicles are rotated about a vertical axis to change the direction of travel.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 16 -This rotation of the wheels preferably takes place while they rest on rotatable tables in the crossing area of the rails.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the wheels of the carrier vehicles are mounted in a motor-driven manner rotatably about a vertical axis and they are relieved of load at least briefly during rotation by at least one pressure piston which lifts the carrier vehicle until the wheels are rotated through about 900 .
According to a further preferred embodiment, for changing the direction of travel a lifting fixture raises the wheels of the carrier vehicles standing on the rails of the basic track while lowering other wheels onto the rails of the transfer track or vice versa.
Preferably for changing the direction of travel a first chassis with the wheels for the rails of the basic track and a second chassis with the wheels for the rails of the transfer track are moved relative to one another by the lifting fixture.
Preferably both the lifting device as well as the lifting fixture are driven by the same actuators.
Further preferably the lifting device approaches several height positions for the support surface of the carrier vehicle.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 17 -Preferably at least one height position is coupled with lowered wheels and thus wheels in contact on the rails of the basic track and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered wheels and thus wheels in contact on the rails of the transfer track.
Preferably the support surface of the material panels to be transported lies above the panel depositing location in the storage facility during transport of a material panel on the transfer track and is lowered to a height position below the panel depositing location for depositing a material panel on the panel depositing location.
Preferably the carrier vehicles are supplied with energy via induction loops.
Further preferably electrical energy is stored in rechargeable batteries on the carrier vehicles.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the carrier vehicles are mechanically decoupled from one another at least in the unloaded state.
Preferably the distance between two carrier vehicles is maintained by a common control unit of the carrier vehicles.
Preferably the control unit moves the carrier vehicles in a distance-synchronized manner in the loaded state and in the unloaded state they are moved in a distance-synchronized manner or independently of one another as desired. The term "distance-synchronized manner" here Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 18 -designates the already sufficiently described movement of the two carrier vehicles while maintaining their distances, i.e. on the basic track at constant distance one behind the other and on transfer tracks at constant distance at the same height parallel to one another. In the unloaded state such a movement is possible but the carrier vehicles can also be moved independently of .. one another if this is required. The decision as to which is this movement modes is selected can be made on the basis of the instantaneous operating situation, for example, by evaluating corresponding sensor data and/or on the basis of pre-programmed sequences.
In this case, the control unit preferably receives its data from rotary encoders on at least one wheel.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the precise position on a crossing area is ensured by at least one transponder for the rail pair of a basic track and/or the rail pairs of a transfer track.
The invention is explained hereinafter with reference to the illustrative drawings. Wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of a storage facility according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of a transport device for material panels with basic track and transfer track leading to the panel depositing locations, Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show carrier vehicles between the panel depositing locations with different height positions of the support surfaces, Fig. 4 shows a first chassis in three-dimensional view with removable lifting device, Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 19 -Fig. 5 shows a first chassis in three-dimensional view from below with insertable second chassis, Fig. 6 shows a first chassis overlaid on top of the second chassis in three-dimensional view from below, Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b show an alternative wheel orientation device with piston for lifting and turning the wheels, and Fig. 8 shows a further alternative wheel orientation device with rotary tables at the crossing point of the rails by means of which rotary tables the wheels can be turned.
The schematic diagram in Fig. 1 is more or less a top view of the storage facility 1 for material panels (stack) 2, with basic tracks 3, which have rails 3.1, 3.2 and transfer tracks 4, which have rails 4.1, 4.2. When speaking of pairs of rails, each pair of rails involves either one rail 3.1 and one rail 3.2 on the basic track or one rail 4.1 and one rail 4.2 on the transfer track. Transport devices 5, which are suitable for carrying the material panels (stack) 2 can travel on both tracks 3, 4. Material panels and stacks of material panels are referred to in the following only as .. material panels 2. Each transport device 5 consists of two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2, each with their own drive unit, wherein a control unit 21 ensures that carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 travel on the basic track 3 at a constant distance Al one behind the other and on the transfer track 4 at a uniform distance A2 parallel to one another at the same height. To enable the carrier vehicles to travel both on the basic track 3 and on the transfer track 4, a wheel orientation device 10 is provided, which is shown and elucidated in several alternatives in the further course of the description and figures.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 20 -The two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 can travel on the transfer tracks 4 and at the panel pick-up location 8 located precisely between three beam-shaped panel depositing locations 7 for the material panels 2. The support surface 24 of the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 can be raised and lowered in a synchronized manner by means of a lifting device 25, which will be elucidated in more detail below. In this manner, material panels are raised by means of lifting devices 25 when the storage bins are loaded so that they can be moved above the panel depositing location 7. At a suitable point, the material panels 2 are then lowered and deposited on the three panel depositing locations 7. The carrier vehicles can then move freely underneath the material panels. The process is correspondingly reversed when unloading and picking up material panels 2, not only from the panel depositing locations 7 but also at the panel pick-up location 8.
In order to maintain clarity in Fig. 1, the rails 3.1, 3.2 of the basic track 3 are dashed, the rails 4.1, 4.2 of the transfer track 4 are shown by thin lines, the panel depositing locations 7 by thick black lines and induction loops 9 for power supply are shown in gray.
In Fig. 2, a short section of the basic track 3 and of the transfer track 4 is drawn in three dimensions. Two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2, which form the transport device 5, can be seen on the rails 3.1, 3.2 of the basic track 3. They jointly carry material panels 2. The reference sign Al indicates that the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 always maintain the same distance. By means of the wheel orientation device 10 (which is explained in more detail in reference to Fig. 5 through Fig.
8), the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 are able to, so to speak, turn right and continue on the rails 4.1, 4.2 of the transfer track 4. For each carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2 such a pair of rails 4.1,4.2 is Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 21 -provided, wherein the pairs of rails run exactly parallel, each pair of rails between two panel depositing locations 7.
Figures 3a and 3b illustrate how the two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 can travel between three panel depositing locations 7. The reference sign A2 indicates that the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 always maintain the same distance, which is to say that they always travel parallel at the same height.
During transport, the distances Al and A2 are the same.
Fig. 3a shows how the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 transport material panels 2 at a small height above the panel depositing locations 7. The support surface 24 of the transport device 5 is therefore slightly higher than the support on the panel depositing locations 7. In this case, the support surface 24 is raised by a lifting device 25 not shown here. In contrast, the support surface 24 in Fig. 3b is once again lowered so that the material panels are placed on the panel depositing locations 7.
Fig. 4 is a kind of exploded view showing the first chassis 11 of a carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2 with a cavity and the lifting device 25 that can be accommodated therein, as well as the rechargeable batteries 18 for power storage on a carrier 28. In this embodiment, the rechargeable batteries 18 are powered by means of an inductive receiver unit 27. The stored current can be used to operate the lifting device 25 in addition to the drive units for the carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2, which are not shown. In this embodiment, the lifting device 25 comprises an electric motor 29 and two coupled actuators 13, which actuators can raise and lower the first chassis 11 in the installed state and Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 22 -thus also the support surface 24 for the material panels 2.
A transponder 23 is furthermore indicated in Fig. 4, which transponder can transmit, by means of a signal transmitter not shown, the exact position of the carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2 (in particular, in the crossing area of the rails) to the control unit 21 located externally or in the switch box 30, so that the constant distance Al can be synchronized.
Fig. 5 also illustrates the installation of the second chassis 12 in the first chassis 11 in an exploded-like view, this time in a view from below. Lastly, Fig. 6 shows the first chassis 11 overlaid on top of the second chassis 12 in a similar manner. The wheels 14 of the chassis 11, 12 can be seen. In this embodiment, the first chassis 11 is provided for the basic track 3 and the drive units for the basic track 3 bear the reference sign 19. The second chassis 12 is provided for the transfer track 4 and the drive units for the transfer track 4 bear the reference sign 20. A rotary encoder 22 is indicated in order to make the exact position of the carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2, determinable.
Depending on how far the actuator 13 is extended in the lifting device 25, it is not only decided how high the support surface 24 with the material panels 2 is lifted. Rather, the actuator 13 at the same time forms a lifting fixture 26 that determines whether it will be the wheels 14 of the drive units 19 for the basic track 3 or the wheels 14 of the drive units 20 for the transfer track 4 that touch down on the corresponding rails. At this point, it should be noted once again the terminology according to which a lifting device 25 serves to raise and lower the material panels 2 to be transported, while a lifting fixture 26 defines the active wheels 14 on the rails of the basic Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 23 -track 3 or those of the transfer track 4. At crossing points of the rails 3.1, 3.2 or 4.1, 4.2, when the actuator 13 is retracted, the wheels 14 of the drive units 19 for the basic track 3 will be on the rails, whereas, when the actuator is extended, the wheels 14 of the drive units 20 for the transfer track 4 will be on the rails. In the constructionally preferred embodiment, the first chassis 11 is designed as a downwardly open cuboid, which is to say with four side walls and a cover surface.
On top, the cover surface becomes a support surface 24 for the material panels 2. At least four wheels 14 are attached to the lower edges of the first chassis 11, which wheels, for example, run on the rails 3.1, 3.2 of the basic track 3. The second chassis 12 is introduced from below into the opening of the first chassis 11, and likewise has at least four wheels 14 which can be positioned, for example, on the rails 4.1,4.2 of the transfer track 4. The lifting fixture 26 between the two chassis 11, 12 ensures that the direction of travel can be changed by placing either the first or the second chassis on the associated rails.
This preferred switching by a wheel orientation device 10 of the direction of travel is particularly simply constructed. There are, however, also two alternative possibilities which are also intended to be covered by the invention and which are explained in Figures 7 and 8.
In both cases, one gets by here with only one chassis 11. As in the previous embodiment, the wheels 14 run on the round rails 3.1, 3.2, 4.1,4.2.
According to Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b, two wheels 14 are located in a wheel cassette. An extendable piston 16 is arranged between the wheels. When this piston extends precisely at the intersection Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 24 -of two rails, the rotatably mounted wheel cassette, which is lifted from the rails, can be rotated by a motor by 900 about a vertical axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the piston 16.
When the piston 16 once again retracts, the wheels 14 are automatically positioned on the crossing rails. This process of the wheel orientation device 10 must be initiated simultaneously for all wheels or wheel cassettes 14 of the two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2.
Fig. 8 alternatively shows an embodiment of a wheel orientation device 10, which is arranged on at least four rotary tables 17 in the crossing area of rails 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2. If the axis of rotation of the rotary table 17 coincides with the vertical axes of rotation of the wheels or wheel 10 .. cassettes 14, the wheels can be rotated by 90 . In so doing, the rotational drive (not shown) can be carried out both via the wheel 14 as well as via the rotary table 17. As in the previous embodiments, the wheel orientation device 10 must always be activated simultaneously for all wheels 14 of the two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 25 -List of reference signs 1 Storage facility 2 Material panels (stack) 3 Basic track 3.1, 3.2 Basic track rails 4 Transfer track 4.1,4.2 Transfer track rails 5 Transport device 6.1, 6.2 Carrier vehicle 7 Panel depositing location 8 Panel pick-up location 9 Induction loop Wheel orientation device 11 First chassis 12 Second chassis 13 Actuator 14 Rotatable wheel or wheel cassette 15 Axis of rotation 16 Piston 17 Rotary table 18 Rechargeable battery, power storage device, capacitor Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

- 26 -19 Basic track drive unit 20 Transfer track drive unit 21 Control unit 22 Rotary encoder 23 Transponder 24 Support surface 25 Lifting device 26 Lifting fixture

27 Receiver unit

28 Carrier

29 Electric motor

30 Switch box Al, A2 Distance Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

Claims (37)

Claims

1. Storage facility for material panels (2) comprising a) at least one rail-bound basic track (3) with at least one pair of rails (3.1, 3.2) and at least one rail-bound transfer track (4) leading to panel depositing locations (7) with at least two pairs of rails (4.1, 4.2), wherein the pair of rails of a basic track (3) and the pair of rails of a transfer track (4) meet one another at substantially right angles, b) at least one transport device (5) consisting of two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2), each with their own drive unit (19, 20), which can be synchronized with one another during transport at a constant distance (Al, A2) and which can jointly accommodate the material panels (2) to be transported, and c) one lifting device (25) that can likewise be synchronized that is respectively provided on each of the two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2), by means of which lifting device material panels (2) can be removed and accommodated on the panel depositing locations (7) in the storage facility, characterized in that the transport device (5) can be moved by a wheel orientation device (10) both on a basic track (3) and on a transfer track (4) in such a way that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) can be moved parallel to one another on the basic track (3) at a constant distance (Al) one behind the other and on the transfer track (4) at a uniform distance (A2) at the same height.

2. Storage facility according to claim 1, characterized in that the constant distance (Al) of the two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) on the basic track (3) coincides with the distance of the at least two pairs of rails (respectively 4.1, 4.2) on the transfer track (4) in such a way that, after activation of the wheel orientation device (10), the active wheels (14) can be moved on the transfer rails.

3. Storage facility according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the wheel orientation device (10) is connected to the chassis components (11, 12) of the carrier vehicles.

4. Storage facility according to any one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that a rotatable table (17) is respectively provided in the crossing area of the rails (3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2) at rail height and the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are mounted rotatably about a vertical axis.

5. Storage facility according to any one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are mounted in a motor-driven manner rotatably about a vertical axis and in that they are relieved of load at least briefly by at least one pressure piston (16) which is suitable for lifting the carrier vehicle (6.1, 6.2) until the wheels (14) are rotated through about 90 .

6. Storage facility according to any one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that a lifting fixture (26) is provided which is suitable to raise the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18 (6.1, 6.2) standing on the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the basic track (3) while lowering other wheels (14) onto the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4) or vice versa.

7. Storage facility according to claim 6, characterized in that a first chassis (11) with the wheels for the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the basic track (3) and a second chassis (12) with the wheels for the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4) can be moved relative to one another by the lifting fixture (26).

8. Storage facility according to any one of claims 6 through 7, characterized in that both the lifting device (25) as well as the lifting fixture (26) comprise the same actuators (13).

9. Storage facility according to any one of claims 1 through 8, characterized in that each lifting device (25) is suitable to approach several height positions for the support surface (24) of the carrier vehicle (6.1, 6.2).

10. Storage facility according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one height position is coupled with lowered wheels and thus wheels in contact on the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the basic track (3) and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered wheels and thus wheels in contact on the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4).

11. Storage facility according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that at least two height positions can be set during transport on the transfer track (4), one in which the support surface (24) of the material panels (2) to be transported lies above and one in which the Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18 support surface (24) of the material panels (2) to be transported lies below the panel depositing location (7) in the storage facility.

12. Storage facility according to any one of the claims 1 through 11, characterized in that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) can be supplied with energy via induction loops (9).

13. Storage facility according to claim 12, characterized in that electrical energy can be stored in rechargeable batteries (18) on the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2).

14. Storage facility according to any one of claims 1 through 13, characterized in that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are mechanically decoupled from one another at least in the unloaded state.

15. Storage facility according to any one of claims 1 through 14, characterized by a control unit (21) for maintaining the distance between two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2).

16. Storage facility according to any one of claims 1 through 15, characterized in that the control unit (21) receives its data from rotary encoders (22) on at least one wheel (14).

17. Storage facility according to any one of claims 1 through 16, characterized in that at least one transponder (23) is provided for the pair of rails (3.1, 3.2) of a basic track (3) and/or for the pair of rails (respectively 4.1, 4.2) of a transfer track (4) in order to ensure an exact position at a crossing of the rails.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

18. Storage facility according to any one of the claims 1 through 17, characterized in that at least two parallel basic tracks (3) are provided in the storage facility (1).

19. Method for operating a storage facility for material panels (2), which storage facility comprises the following:
a) at least one rail-bound basic track (3) with at least one pair of rails (3.1, 3.2) and at least one rail-bound transfer track (4) leading to panel depositing locations (7) with at least two pairs of rails (4.1, 4.2), wherein the pair of rails of a basic track (3) and the pair of rails of a transfer track (4) meet one another at substantially right angles, b) at least one transport device (5) consisting of two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2), each with their own drive unit (19, 20), which can be synchronized with one another during transport at a constant distance (Al, A2) and which can jointly accommodate the material panels (2) to be transported, and c) one lifting device (25) that can likewise be synchronized that is respectively provided on each of the two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2), by means of which lifting device (25) material panels (2) can be removed and accommodated on the panel depositing locations (7) in the storage facility, which method is characterized in that the transport device (5) can be moved by a wheel orientation device (10) both on a basic track (3) and on a transfer track (4) in such a way that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) can be moved parallel to one another on the basic track (3) at a constant distance (Al) one behind the other and on the transfer track (4) at a uniform distance (A2) at the same height parallel to one another, wherein the material panels to be transported thereby maintain their position on the two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) and are not moved or displaced relative to the entire transport device (5).
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the constant distance (Al) of the two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) on the basic track (3) coincides with the distance of the at least two pairs of rails (respectively 4.1, 4.2) on the transfer track (4) in such a way that, after activation of the wheel orientation device (10), the active wheels (14) can be moved on the transfer rails.

21. Method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the wheel orientation device (10) is connected to the chassis components (11, 12) of the carrier vehicles.

22. Method according to any one of claims 19 through 21, characterized in that the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are rotated about a vertical axis to change the direction of travel.

23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the wheels (14) are rotated while they rest on rotatable tables (17) in the crossing area of the rails (3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2).

24. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are mounted in a motor-driven manner rotatably about a vertical axis and they are relieved of load at least briefly during rotation by at least one pressure piston (16) which lifts the carrier vehicle (6.1, 6.2) until the wheels are rotated through about 90 .

25. Method according to any one of claims 19 through 21, characterized in that for changing the direction of travel a lifting fixture (26) raises the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) standing on the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the basic track (3) while lowering other wheels (14) onto the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4) or vice versa.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

26. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that for changing the direction of travel a first chassis (11) with the wheels for the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the basic track (3) and a second chassis (12) with the wheels for the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4) can be moved relative to one another by the lifting fixture (26).

27. Method according to any one of claims 25 through 26, characterized in that both the lifting device (25) as well as the lifting fixture (26) are driven by the same actuators (13).

28. Method according to any one of claims 19 through 27, characterized in that the lifting device (25) approaches several height positions for the support surface (24) of the carrier vehicle (6.1, 6.2).

29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that at least one height position is coupled with lowered wheels and thus wheels in contact on the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the basic track (3) and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered wheels and thus wheels in contact on the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4).

30. Method according to claims 28 or 29, characterized in that the support surface (24) of the material panels (2) to be transported lies above the panel depositing location (7) in the storage facility during transport of a material panel (2) on the transfer track (4) and is lowered to a height position below the panel depositing location (7) for depositing a material panel (2) on the panel depositing location (7).
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

31. Method according to any one of claims 19 through 30, characterized in that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are supplied with energy via induction loops (9).

32. Method according to claim 31, characterized in that electrical energy is stored in rechargeable batteries (18) on the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2).

33. Method according to any one of claims 19 through 30, characterized in that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are mechanically decoupled from one another at least in the unloaded state.

34. Method according to any one of claims 19 through 33, characterized in that the distance between two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) is maintained by a common control unit (21) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2).

35. Method according to claim 34, characterized in that the control unit (21) moves the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) in a distance-synchronized manner in the loaded state and in the unloaded state they are moved in a distance-synchronized manner or independently of one another as desired.

36. Method according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that the control unit (21) receives its data from rotary encoders (22) on at least one wheel (14).
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18

37. Method according to any one of claims 19 through 36, characterized in that the precise position on a crossing area is ensured by at least one transponder (23) for the rail pair (3.1, 3.2) of a basic track (3) and/or the rail pairs (respectively 4.1, 4.2) of a transfer track (4).
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-10-18