DE102012006163A1 - Storage system i.e. rack storage, for storage and retrieval of object i.e. pallet with washing agent package, has controller comprising storage area determining unit such that storage areas are determined for storing or retrieving objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a lifting device for storage or removal of objects. A controller transmits price-information of a computer of a system operating an alternating-voltage system via a data transmission channel. The controller comprises a storage area determining unit such that storage areas are determined for storing or retrieving the objects based on the price information, and/or trajectories of the objects are predetermined. Height and/or an energy value of the storage areas relevant for storing or retrieving the objects is computed with selection of the storage area. The lifting device is designed as a storage- and retrieval system. The alternating voltage system is designed as a solar power plant and a wind power station. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating of a storage system.

Description

The invention relates to a storage system, in particular rack storage, with load handling equipment, in particular storage and retrieval unit, for storage or retrieval of objects and a method for operating a storage system.

It is well known that storage systems require the fastest possible storage and retrieval of objects. However, the energy consumption is high.

The invention is therefore based on the object to protect the environment by energy is saved.

According to the invention the object is achieved in the storage system according to the features specified in claim 1 and in the method according to the features specified in claim 6.

Important features of the invention in the storage system, in particular rack storage, with load handling equipment, in particular storage and retrieval unit, for storage or retrieval of objects are that
the objects being able to be stored by the load-receiving means in storage bins of the storage system or being able to be stored therefrom,
where storage bins are arranged at different heights,
wherein the load receiving means is connected to a controller, in particular so that the load receiving means is controllable by the controller,
wherein the load receiving means comprises at least one lifting drive, which can be supplied from an AC voltage network,
wherein energy generated during regenerative operation of the lifting drive is at least partially regenerable into the alternating voltage network,
wherein the controller can be supplied with price information via a data transmission channel, in particular by a computer of the system or company operating the AC voltage network,
wherein the controller has a storage space determining means, so that depending on the price information, the storage locations for storing or retrieving the objects can be determined and / or the trajectories of the objects can be predetermined.

The advantage here is that the AC voltage network is balanced, so power fluctuations are reduced. Because the price is low when many and / or high-performance power plants feed electrical energy into the AC grid, for example, solar power plants during the day in unclouded sky and / or wind power plants with strong enough wind strength. During this period of low price, the storage system at least partially converts electrical energy into potential energy in the gravitational field of the earth, in particular at least 80%. At high prices, so scarce supply of energy, this potential energy is again provided as electrical energy.

The storage system thus also acts as an energy store to compensate, so buffering, the AC voltage fluctuations.

In an advantageous embodiment, the objects are similar, ie in particular interchangeable. The advantage here is that at high prices, an object from the upper storage bins is primarily auslagerbar, ie from the storage system, removable and at low prices, an object from the lower storage bins is auslagerbar. The procedure is reversed accordingly when outsourcing. Since the same objects are used interchangeably, the buffering of the network is made possible by the inventive method, this buffering is a secondary task of the storage system, since the main task of the storage system is the storage and retrieval of objects.

Not all objects must be similar in order to achieve the advantage of the invention. It suffices that several objects of a kind of object are similar. Preferably, there are two or more objects for each type of object. Under similar objects, the objects of the same type of object are always understood below.

In an advantageous embodiment, the storage space determination means has a memory in which the storage locations occupied by respective stored objects are noted. The advantage here is that a so-called chaotic storage is executable, which is always known in the memory, which object is stored in which storage bin.

In an advantageous embodiment, the data transmission channel is at least partially covered by the Internet. The advantage here is that no additional lines or data transmission channels must be set up but the existing infrastructure is shared.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lifting drive has a matrix converter or a regenerative converter. The advantage here is that inexpensive components can be used.

Important features in the method for operating a storage system for the storage or removal of objects are that objects in Storage bins of the storage system are stored or outsourced from there,
where storage bins are arranged at different heights,
wherein, when retrieving an object from a storage location which is higher than another storage location, potential energy is converted into electrical energy, which is at least partially fed back into an AC voltage network supplying the storage system,
wherein during storage and retrieval a price information of the electrical energy is taken into account,
by the respective storage space in which the object is to be stored or from which the object is to be outsourced is determined depending on the price information and the object is moved during storage or retrieval on according to the price information dependent trajectories.

The advantage here is that electrical energy as mechanical energy, in particular potential energy, is cacheable in the storage system and in this way the network is buffered by the price information is used as an input.

Ultimately, the price information corresponds to the current electrical energy fed into the AC grid by energy producers.

In an advantageous embodiment, each storage location is assigned an energy value, in particular wherein the energy value is the energy amount required for the storage or is the amount of energy that can be regenerated during removal. The advantage here is that each storage space thus has a value characterizing it, in particular unambiguously characterizing it. Thus, the prioritization of storage bins during storage and retrieval is very easy to execute. Because at high prices is stored in the unused storage space with the lowest energy value for storage, at low prices is stored in the unused storage space with the highest energy value for storage, at high prices is outsourced from the occupied storage space with the highest energy value for outsourcing and low prices outsourced from the occupied storage bin with the lowest energy value for removal.

In an advantageous embodiment, at a price of the electrical energy which is below a critical value, preferably high storage bins are determined for storage, ie in particular for storage of the storage bin identified with the highest energy value, and low storage bins are determined during the removal, In particular, therefore, the storage location is determined for the storage location marked out with the lowest energy value for removal. The advantage here is that by setting the critical value, ie the threshold value, a high price can easily be distinguished from a low price.

In an advantageous embodiment of a price of electrical energy, which is above a critical value, preferably low storage bins intended for storage, ie in particular for storing the labeled with the lowest energy value for storage bin is determined, and there are high storage bins when outsourcing determined, in particular is therefore determined to outsource the marked with the highest energy value for storage space. The advantage here is that by setting the critical value, ie the threshold value, a high price can easily be distinguished from a low price.

In an advantageous embodiment, the price information is not taken into account in the time-critical state of the storage system, so the fastest possible storage or outsourcing is performed. The advantage here is that the inventive method does not slow down the operating speed at time-critical state.

In an advantageous embodiment, the price information to be expected in the future is estimated and it is taken into account in the determination of the future storage bins to be used,
especially taking into account a solar forecast, wind forecast or weather forecast,
in particular by means of a neural network. The advantage here is that a forward-looking planning is possible.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is stored more quickly in the time-critical state than in the non-time-critical state.

In an advantageous embodiment of that storage space is determined for storage, the energy difference value is proportional to the price difference between the current price and critical value, the energy difference value of the difference of the energy value of the storage bin is determined for all occupied or unused storage bins of the storage system average value of the energy values. In particular, that storage space for removal is determined whose energy difference value is proportional to the price difference between the critical value and the current price, the energy difference value of the difference of the energy value of the storage location being determined for all occupied or unoccupied storage bins of the storage system average value of the energy values. The advantage here is that to the extent that As the price increases, a correspondingly higher or lower storage space is selected.

Further advantages emerge from the subclaims. The invention is not limited to the combination of features of the claims. For the skilled person, further meaningful combination options of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or figures, in particular from the task and / or the task posing by comparison with the prior art arise.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures:
The invention relates to a shelf storage in which objects can be stored and stored. For this purpose, the shelf storage on different high arranged storage bins.

By means of a storage and retrieval unit, the objects are transported from a ground level to their storage space, ground level being understood as the height of the storage and retrieval space, ie the area of the shelf storage at which the objects are picked up or delivered by the storage and retrieval unit. The higher the storage bin is arranged, the greater the potential energy that must be supplied to the object to store it. For this purpose, the storage and retrieval unit on one or more electric motor drives. When outsourcing an object this is transported from a high storage space to the ground level, by means of the regenerative drives electrical energy can be generated and is fed back into the electrical supply network.

The drives have a regenerative drive for this purpose. For example, a matrix converter is provided in the drive, which feeds an electric motor or the drive has a converter with DC intermediate circuit, from which an inverter stage of the inverter is fed, which feeds a three-phase motor, wherein an inverter stage between the supply network and DC link is connected such From the generator generated by the motor energy from the intermediate circuit can be fed into the grid and in motor operation, the inverter stage is effective as a rectifier.

In all the aforementioned embodiments, therefore, an electric motor can be fed on the AC power supply network, in particular a three-phase system, so that an object can be conveyed upwards against the gravitational force by means of a lifting mechanism of the stacker crane. In regenerative mode, energy can be fed back into the supply network by lowering the object downwards in the direction of gravity.

The drives of the storage and retrieval unit are connected to a controller, which is a central control of the storage rack or is connected to such.

The central control of the shelf warehouse now specifies to which storage location the respective incoming object should be transported. Likewise, the central controller specifies which stored object should now be swapped out next.

The central controller is connected to a data transmission line, in particular the Internet, to the computer of the electricity supply company, which operates the supply network or provides the electrical energy via the network.

Here, at intervals, information about the currently valid price of electrical energy is transmitted. In this way, the weather-dependent and therefore short-term increased offer by solar energy or wind energy is taken into account. Because when there is little cloud cover, a high supply of solar energy is provided, and when wind occurs, there is a high supply of wind energy.

Now, if the price is low due to a high supply of electrical energy, the objects to be stored are stored at the highest possible storage bins. However, if the price is high due to a low supply of electrical energy, the objects to be stored are stored at the lowest possible storage bins. In addition, at high prices, the storage is carried out at the latest possible time. If the warehouse has a buffer for objects at the goods receipt, ie several objects can be stored in a queue, this buffer is used to the maximum. Conversely, at low prices, the buffer is emptied as quickly as possible.

Likewise, the objects to be outsourced are prioritized in such a way that, at high prices, the highest-lying objects are swapped out first and as quickly as possible. At low prices, on the other hand, the low-lying ones are outsourced.

To distinguish between high and low prices, a critical value is defined, above which a price is considered high and below which a price is considered low.

The invention has particularly high advantages when many similar objects are stored. For example, each of the similar objects is a pallet of detergent packages. By long-term operation, ie storage and outsourcing of objects such objects are stored in the shelf storage at high and low storage positions. When outsourcing is therefore dependent on the price of electricity a corresponding inventive outsourcing allows, so at low electricity prices, the lower and at high electricity costs, the higher located.

In order to determine storage locations that can be used for storage or retrieval, each storage location is assigned an energy value that is typical for storage or retrieval.

It is also possible to take into account that the transport path in the horizontal direction also requires energy. Thus, if the storage and retrieval unit picks up the objects at a receiving position, it must subsequently perform a horizontal path, in particular quasi from front to back, and a vertical path, in particular quasi from bottom to top, for storage. Thus, the respective energy expenditures add up for each. Although energy can be gained by moving vertically downwards, the horizontal movement also requires energy. However, in the horizontal direction sufficiently short shelf storage, but a net energy gain is made possible, so that energy can be fed back into the grid.

When storing, the shelf storage is filled as possible from the front to the back, to reduce the horizontal effort.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the above-described method according to the invention is carried out only if there is no time-critical condition of the shelf storage. In this case, such a state is deemed to be the case if the number of objects pending for emplacement in an incipient time interval, in particular 30 minutes, is greater than the number of objects which can be stored by the storage and retrieval device in this time interval in the rack warehouse. In this case the fastest possible storage is carried out. In particular, the bearing is filled from front to back and from bottom to top, so without taking into account the current price.

In the 1 the method is illustrated by a flowchart. After receipt of an order for storage or retrieval, it is first checked whether the state of the system is time-critical or not. In the case of the time-critical state, the standard procedure shown last is used. In the other case, the price is first determined and depending on the storage of the respective object executed in the upper or lower half of the shelf storage or the removal from the upper or lower half. Alternatively, according to the energy value assigned to each storage bin, the storage into the storage bin with the highest energy value is carried out at low prices and, at high prices, the storage into the storage bin with the lowest energy value. Accordingly, the outsourcing of objects from low storage bins at high prices is preferred and the outsourcing of objects from high bins at low prices. Preferably, this prioritization takes place in accordance with the energy value assigned to each storage bin.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the time profile of the price is additionally estimated on the basis of a weather forecast, in particular by using a neural network. In this way, the storages and removals can be prioritized prioritized.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• RU

  Electricity supply companies

  NT

  Low price, low price

  HT

  High price, high price

Claims (14)

Storage system, in particular rack storage, with load handling equipment, in particular storage and retrieval unit, for storage or retrieval of objects, the objects from the load receiving means in storage bins of the storage system are storable or can be stored from there, storage locations are arranged at different heights, the load receiving means is connected to a controller in particular so that the load-receiving means is controllable by the controller, wherein the load-receiving means has at least one lifting drive which can be supplied from an AC power supply, wherein energy generated during regenerative operation of the lifting drive is at least partially rückspeisbar in the AC mains, characterized in that the control over a price information can be supplied to a data transmission channel, in particular by a computer of the system or enterprise operating the alternating voltage network, wherein the controller has a storage location determining means such that a Depending on the price information, the storage bins for storing or retrieving the objects can be determined and / or the trajectories of the objects can be specified, in particular the height and / or relevant energy storage value for storage or retrieval is taken into account when selecting the respective storage bin. Storage system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the objects are similar, in particular so interchangeable. Storage system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage space determining means comprises a memory in which the occupied by each stored objects storage bins are noted. Storage system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data transmission channel is at least partially covered by the Internet. Storage system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting drive comprises a matrix converter or a regenerative converter. Method for operating a storage system, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, for the storage or removal of objects, where objects are stored in storage bins of the storage system or outsourced from there, where storage bins are arranged at different heights, wherein, when retrieving an object from a storage location which is higher than another storage location, potential energy is converted into electrical energy, which is at least partially fed back into an AC voltage network supplying the storage system, wherein during storage and retrieval a price information of the electrical energy is taken into account, by the respective storage space in which the object is to be stored or from which the object is to be outsourced is determined depending on the price information and the object is moved during storage or retrieval on according to the price information dependent trajectories. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each storage location is assigned an energy value, in particular wherein the energy value is the amount of energy required for the storage or is the energy-recoverable amount during retrieval. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at a price of electrical energy, which is below a critical value, preferably high storage bins are determined for storage, so in particular for storage of the respective labeled with the highest energy value storage space is determined, and low storage bins are determined during the removal, so in particular for the storage of each marked with the lowest energy value for storage storage space is determined. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that depending on the price, the height of the storage location is selected for removal from storage, whereby the amount of monton is increasingly selected with the price level, in particular in proportion to the price level, depending on the price, the height of the storage space is chosen low for storage, the height monton decreasing with the price level, in particular inversely proportional to the price level, is selected. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at a price of the electrical energy which is above a critical value, preferably low storage bins are determined for storage, that is to say in particular for storing the storage bin respectively marked with the lowest energy value for storage, and high storage bins are determined during the removal, In particular, therefore, for the outsourcing of each marked with the highest energy value for outsourcing storage space is determined. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the time-critical state of the storage system, the price information is not taken into account, so the fastest possible storage or outsourcing is performed. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the future expected price information is estimated and taken into account in the determination of future storage bins to be used, especially taking into account a solar forecast, wind forecast or weather forecast, in particular by means of a neural network. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that storage space is determined for storage, the energy difference value is proportional to the price difference between the current price and critical value, the energy difference value of the difference of the energy value of the storage bin to all occupied or unused storage bins of the storage system specific average value of energy values. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage bin is determined for removal whose energy difference value is proportional to the price difference between the critical value and the current price, wherein the energy difference value of the difference of the energy value of the storage location is determined for the average value of the energy values determined over all occupied or unoccupied storage bins of the storage system.

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