CZ303897A3 - System for storing, searching and transport of goods - Google Patents

Abstract

Automated storage, retrieval and transport system goods of any shape and size in shopping centers without aisles between shelves, on ships, airplanes, trains, etc. contains storage facilities by storage platforms, of which divided into large quantities of rectangular units (1). Each rectangular unit (1) is provided with holes (9) for the flow of compressed air supplied to the space below rectangular unit (1) towards its upper surface to create an air cushion between the rectangular ones unit (1) and a pallet (3) present therein (2). Compressed air into space below rectangular unit (1) supplied from the compressor (6) by conveying lines (7, 8) to a control valve (5) for each rectangular one unit (1). The rectangular unit (1) is further provided pallet presence sensors (13) based on their signal the computer (12) controls the supply via the control valves (5) compressed air of the subunit rectangular unit (1) a driving means (10) for moving the pallet (3) directions.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for automated storage, retrieval and transport of goods of any shape, size and configuration in shopping centers that do not use a racking and aisle system, ships, aircraft, trains, trucking and other storage and transport of goods. The system also supports the construction of aisle-free shopping centers with shelves, garages, parking lots and aisle-free storage areas for maximum use of available space.

In particular, the invention relates, but not exclusively, to the automated storage, retrieval and transport of goods on pallets and all kinds of containers.

The invention further relates to the automatic storage and detection of cars in garages and parking lots. The invention allows fully computerized handling of stored items within a mall-free shopping center, from the mall to the lorry and from that vehicle to another means of transport and from the mall to the mall. It also enables automated loading and unloading of containers and their loading and unloading onto and from the vehicle into the storage area. The new device may be mounted on a fixed or mobile base such as a ship, an aircraft, a freight wagon and a container. It can be mounted as a single or multi-level structure, in any conceivable arrangement of rectangular units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a system for storing, locating and transporting goods that are placed on a board or pallet, whose:

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- the 2 underside has a plurality of air cushions and a plurality of short leg-like members, further provides a computer controlled air flow directed to the air cushions and floors provided with compressed air outlets to allow pallet movement without friction, further providing means for either transversal or longitudinal movement of said pallets to be placed on a storage area which is divided into rectangular units, each unit being individually connected to a main control computer that controls the system as a whole. The means of movement may be mechanical, pneumatic, electrical or hydraulic.

Embodiments of the invention

Vehicles, cargo and other goods are divided into units and placed on pallets as described above. Each unit is individually connected to an internal (on-board) computer.

Each computer is connected via the interface to the computer inside the shopping center.

All pallets are dimensionally adapted to the rectangular units mentioned, allowing free movement from one unit to the other in both transverse and longitudinal directions. The stored goods are placed on the transport plate in a designated area outside the storage area.

The loaded pallet is then lifted by means of an air cushion and set in motion by means determined by the control computer. Each individual unit missed by the moving pallet is activated before the pallet enters the unit to ensure smooth pallet movement. The unit missed by the pallet is immediately deactivated. The control computer saves the pallet at random or according to a program that defines the criteria within the storage area. To allow the pallet to move in the storage area with other pallets, the computer dynamically removes all necessary pallets off the path for which the pallet is to move from one point to another. For loading and unloading a vehicle or container, the pallet is placed close to •

- 3 storage area, with the floor in the same level as the floor of the storage area. The vehicle interior computer connects to the storage computer, thereby allowing pallets to move from the vehicle or container to the storage area.

At a multi-level shopping center, a hoist shall be fitted. The hoist will include one or more rectangular units that are dimensionally the same as the other units in the center. Each rectangular unit includes a pressure shut-off / opening valve and a transverse and longitudinal motion inductor.

Each of these units (and hoist control) is connected to the master computer. The hoist is located close to the shopping center and stops at each level, with a smooth floor surface to provide friction-free movement both in and out of the elevator. The control computer is equipped with suitable software that manages all pallet movements and records each individual movement of each item in the storage area. The computer manipulates the pallets to allow the storage and retrieval of goods, while simultaneously calculating the path of movement of each pallet to ensure smooth movement into and out of the storage area.

Overview of the drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a multi-level storage device; Fig. 2 shows a storage pallet disposed on said device; Fig. 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of a storage unit; Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a pallet carrier; Fig. 6 shows a side section of the unit of Fig. 5 with the drive means;

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Fig. 7 shows a cross section of the drive means, Figs. 8 and 9, showing two models of the drive means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a storage device with three storage levels, each of which is divided into a plurality of rectangular units 1. The goods 2 to be stored are placed on a support plate or pallet 3 (Fig. 2) which is placed, if desired, in a hoist 4 which transports the plate to the level considered.

Once the hoist 4 has stopped, a continuous surface is formed by the storage plane, which, as already mentioned, comprises a plurality of rectangular units 1. The compressed air valve 5 (Fig. 3) opens and allows air to flow under the support pallet 3. · The air is simultaneously guided under an adjacent rectangular unit to form a friction-free surface. The compressed air supplied by the compressor 6 is conveyed via ducts 7 and 8 below the unit 1 from where it exits through a plurality of openings 9. The pallet 2 is moved by various means 10 as described. The unit 1 further has sensors 13. These rectangular hoist unit and rectangular storage unit 1 sensors detect whether the support pallet is completely transferred to the first rectangular storage unit, then the compressed air valve closes, simultaneously opening the valve of the next adjacent rectangular unit in the storage unit. The movement can be caused by means 10 which allow movement in all four possible directions. As soon as the load carrier pallet reaches the designated storage location, the local compressed air valve closes, the formed air film under the carrier pallet disappears and the pallet settles on the storage area.

All of the above functions are controlled by a computer 12 connected to each individual item in the system. The computer controls the movement of all pallets on the storage area to clear the path for an incoming or outgoing pallet of goods.

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- 5 In the same way, goods may be delivered and transported from a shopping center to another shopping center, for example using a lorry equipped with the same equipment. Similarly, goods can be shipped to a ship, aircraft, etc.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a support pallet provided with four air cushions 30 and four leg-like members 32 which allow the pallet 3 to stand in place when not in motion.

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a floor section (unit 1) over which the pallet 3 is moved, which includes a plurality of air outlet openings or outlets 34 that are precisely positioned on the planned air cushion path 30 in the transverse or longitudinal direction. The distance between the holes 34 is smaller than the diameter of the cushion 30, allowing the cushions 30 to conceal the holes 34 at the same time (thereby receiving compressed air from one hole until it covers the adjacent hole). The apparatus includes a drive 40 adapted to move the pallet in a transverse or longitudinal direction.

Fig. 6 shows a side section through the floor and drive 40.

The support pallet comprises a flexible air cushion and short leg-like members 32. The support pallet floats above floor 1, which is part of the storey floor. In the floor are air outlets 34 which receive compressed air from a valve 5 (FIG. 3) controlled by a computer 12.

The apparatus further comprises two actuators 40, one for the transverse direction and the other for the longitudinal direction, both of which are mounted on the frame 38. The wheels are connected to a source of compressed air via a three-way valve 36 via a line 37.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the drive 40. The drive includes a tire 41 mounted on a wheel 42. mounted on an axle 44. The air passage 43 connects the tire 41 and a bore 46 in the axle 44. A rotatable air connector 45 is secured to the bore. inflatable tires 41 flow compressed air as needed. The axle is supported in bearings 47 which are fixed to the swinging arms 48. As can be seen in Figs. The pin 50 is mounted in the base structure of the base. ····

- 6 51, which is rigidly connected to the base of the floor frame .38. The spring 52 is mounted between the pivot arm 48 and the support 51.

If the tire is inflated through the conduit 37, contact will occur between the tire 41 and the pallet 3. (FIG. 9). If the valve 36 is opened, air will escape from the tire 41 and the tire will be compressed by the spring 52 and the pallet 3 will cease. touch. The spring will also resist the force exerted by the motor 54 and the belt 55 on the axle 44.

As seen in FIG. 9, the drive system is in contact with the pallet 2 when the tire 41 is inflated. Upon activation of the motor 54, the rotational movement is transmitted by the belt 55 to the wheel 42 and the tire 41 to the pallet 3.

The connection of the tire 41 to the pallet 2 ^is interrupted by the P ° release of air through the valve 37 by the spring pulling the wheel downwards against the arm 48.

Control method

Compressed air enters the device via duct 37 and exits through an opening 34 in a portion of floor 1 into the air cushion 30 and inflates it. The inflated cushion lifts the support pallet 3 so that the legs 32 stop leaning against the floor. The compressed air is supplied to the drive 41 of the drive 4, the tire inflates and the tire comes into contact with the support pallet 3. The engine starts to rotate around and the pallet begins to move in the desired direction. At the end of the movement, the engine shuts down, the air escapes from the tire, allowing the spring to pull the tire down and the pallet standing on its feet again.

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Claims (5)

PATENT CLAIMS A system for storing, locating and transporting goods on a board or pallet, the underside of which is provided with a plurality of air cushions and a plurality of foot-like members, wherein a computer controlled stream of compressed air is directed to said air cushions for movement friction-free pallets, the system comprising means for transversal and longitudinal movement of the pallets to be placed on a storage area divided into rectangular units, each unit being individually connected to a master control computer that controls the system as a whole. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the rectangular units are provided with a shut-off / opening valve which is connected to the compressor, the valve and the compressor being controlled by a computer. The system of claim 1, wherein the rectangular unit has two drive means for transverse and longitudinal movement of said pallet disposed on the unit. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said unit has an inflatable drive means to provide contact with said pallet. The system of claim 1, wherein said unit comprises an inflatable air cushion.