DE102019204998A1 - Storage system with switchable conveyor system for the optional tilting of a storage goods carrier in a loading and / or unloading station, as well as a method for this - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage system (2) with a loading and / or unloading station (10) having an access opening (44) for storing and / or retrieving storage goods (4), with at least one storage goods carrier, with one in the vertical direction Loading and / or removal station (10) reaching transport path (34) for the storage goods carrier (8, 8 ') and with a conveyor system (50) conveying the storage goods carrier (8, 8') along the transport path (34). In order to achieve a high stock turnover with a simultaneously low dynamic load and good ergonomics, the conveyor system (50) according to the invention can be switched between a first (33) and a second operating mode (55). In the first operating mode (33) of the conveyor system (50) the storage goods carrier (8, 8 ') is at least in the loading and / or removal station (10) in a first orientation tilted towards the access opening (44) and in the second operating mode ( 55) of the conveyor system (50) of the load carriers (8, 8 ') positioned at least in the loading and / or removal station (10) in a second orientation different from the first.

Description

The invention relates to a storage system with at least one loading and / or removal station, which has a particularly vertical access opening, for storing and / or retrieving storage goods, with at least one storage goods carrier, with a transport path for the storage goods carrier and extending into the loading and / or removal station with a conveyor system that promotes the load carrier along the transport route.

The invention also relates to a method for transporting storage goods carriers in a storage system, storage goods carriers being transported to a loading and / or removal station.

Storage systems, such as lifts, storage lifts, paternoster systems, carousel systems, storage racks with aisle conveyor or vertical buffer systems, have at least one loading and / or removal station through which the stored goods are stored and / or removed, for example by an operator. For this purpose, storage goods carriers on which the storage goods are located at least in the storage system are conveyed along the transport path into the loading and / or removal station. In the loading and / or removal station, the operator can then access the storage goods carriers and remove storage goods from the storage system or feed them to the storage system. In some designs of the generic storage systems, the storage goods carriers are trays on which the storage goods or containers receiving the storage goods, such as small load carriers or Euro standard boxes, are placed. Other designs of storage systems allow only or also the direct handling of small load carriers as storage goods carriers.

In order to allow the operator ergonomic access to the stored goods, the U.S. 6,854,815 move the storage goods carrier tipped into the loading and / or removal station. However, this solution allows only low rotational speeds. The noise development and the dynamic load on the supporting structure of the paternoster system are high with this solution.

The object of the invention is therefore to develop a solution which, with ergonomic handling, allows a high stock turnover with little noise and little dynamic loading of the storage system.

According to the invention, this object is achieved for the storage system mentioned at the outset in that the conveyor system is configured to be switchable between a first and a second operating mode, with the storage goods carrier in the first operating mode of the conveyor system at least in the loading and / or unloading station in a first towards the access opening tilted orientation and in the second mode of operation of the conveyor system the storage goods carrier is positioned at least in the loading and / or removal station in a second, different from the first orientation.

For the method mentioned at the beginning, this object is achieved according to the invention in that the storage goods carrier is optionally transported in at least two differently tilted positions in the loading and / or unloading station.

The solution according to the invention allows a significantly higher turnover of the stored goods with a lower dynamic load and less noise than the solution U.S. 6,854,815 . Due to the at least two different modes of operation of the conveyor system, it is possible to tilt only those storage goods carriers that have to be accessed in the loading and / or removal station. As long as such a storage goods carrier is not located in the loading and / or removal station, the storage goods carriers can pass through without being tipped, for example.

In the following, developments of the invention which are advantageous and independent of one another and which, moreover, can be combined with one another as desired, are explained in more detail.

The transport route can extend horizontally or vertically into the loading and unloading station. In the case of a carousel conveyor, for example, the transport path runs horizontally. In the case of an aisle conveyor, the transport path can extend vertically or horizontally into the loading and / or removal station, depending on the design, as is the case with a storage lift or a vertical buffer module. In the case of a paternoster system, the transport path can in particular extend vertically into the loading and / or removal station. The at least two modes of operation provided according to the invention, which differ from one another by the respective tilted position of the storage goods carrier, can be implemented independently of the orientation of the transport path. In this way, the transport path can also extend into the loading and / or removal station inclined to the horizontal or vertical. The transport path can extend on at least one side beyond the loading and / or removal station and thus reach through the loading and / or removal station.

The loading and / or unloading station is preferably that area of the storage system that is accessible from an operator viewed behind an access opening of the storage system and in which the access to the stored goods takes place in order to store and / or remove stored goods. The access opening is an opening through which the operator must reach. The access opening is often closed by an automatic door for security reasons. The loading and / or unloading station in particular provides sufficient space to enable the operator to access the stored goods. For example, with a vertically oriented access opening, the loading and unloading station extends in the horizontal direction in the shape of a shaft behind the access opening.

According to a further embodiment, the load carrier can always be conveyed in only one direction or in both directions along the transport path. The transport path can extend through the loading and / or removal station. Alternatively, the transport path can also end in an access position of the storage goods carrier in the loading and / or removal station. In a further embodiment, the transport path can end behind the loading and / or removal station. At least one end of the transport path is preferably connected to a storage room of the storage system, which is used for storing a large number of storage goods carriers.

In the first and / or second operating mode, the transport path has at least one access position in which the storage goods carrier is held stationary in order to enable access by an operator. This access position can be located at a lower end of the loading and / or unloading station.

According to a further embodiment, the transport path can have a transport direction, in particular vertically downwards, for transporting a storage goods carrier into the loading and / or removal station into the access position. The transport of the load carrier can also take place vertically upwards.

In order to keep the dynamic loads as low as possible during transport of the storage goods carrier in or through the loading and / or removal station and to achieve particularly high transport speeds, the alignment of the storage goods carrier in the second operating mode along the transport path, in particular at least in the loading and removal station, can be unchanged be. In the second operating mode, the orientation of the storage goods carrier can be constant during transport along the transport path.

A further embodiment can provide that the at least one storage goods carrier in the second operating mode is tilted horizontally, but at least less strongly than in the horizontal, either over the entire transport path located in the loading and / or removal station or only over at least a section of the same first operating mode.

In order to enable an ergonomic presentation of the storage goods carrier in the loading and / or removal station in the first operating mode, in the first operating mode the storage goods carrier can have successively differently tilted orientations along the transport path. For example, the storage goods carrier can be tilted more and more out of the horizontal in successive positions along the transport path into the loading and / or removal station.

The storage goods carrier can be tilted about a longitudinal axis in the loading and / or removal station, at least in the first operating mode. The longitudinal axis can extend parallel to an access opening of the loading and / or removal station. The access opening is, for example, a vertical, flat opening which limits the loading and / or removal station towards the operator.

In the tilted state, in particular, sections of the storage goods carrier that are further spaced from the access opening can be higher than the sections located closer to the access opening, in order to enable easy access.

The tilt angle can change when the load carrier is transported along the transport path, particularly in the first operating mode. For example, the tilt angle can become steeper the closer a storage goods carrier is to a lower end of the loading and / or removal station or to an access position.

In the access position, the tilt angle, in particular the tilt from the horizontal, along the transport path in the first operating mode can be maximum.

Of course, the invention is not restricted to the fact that there is only a single storage goods carrier in the loading and / or removal station. Several load carriers can also be transported simultaneously, for example one above the other and / or next to one another, along the transport path into the loading and / or removal station. The multiple load carriers can have different tilt angles or can be tilted independently of one another, at least in the second operating mode. For example, at least in the respective access position, but also along at least some positions of the transport route an upper load carrier may be tilted more from the horizontal than a lower load carrier. The multiple load carriers are preferably on the same transport route.

A further embodiment can provide that the tilt angle, in particular the maximum tilt angle and / or the tilt angle in the access position for different load carriers, is in particular dependent on the stored goods located on the load carrier. For this purpose, the conveyor system can have a tilting mechanism which is designed to hold storage goods carriers tilted to different degrees at the same position along the transport path. This configuration is useful, for example, when very different items are stored or removed from storage. A storage goods carrier with storage goods that are too heavy should not be or be tilted too much, otherwise the stored goods will start sliding.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the conveyor system can be converted into the first or second operating mode as a function of the position of at least one predetermined storage goods carrier. For example, a storage goods carrier can be tilted at various positions on the transport path at an angle that is in particular adjustable but predetermined. This is useful when different load carriers require different access positions and / or tilt angles in the loading and / or unloading station.

It is also advantageous if the transport route is divided or forks into at least two branches in front of, for example above or in the loading and / or removal station, the storage goods carrier being conveyed along one branch at least along some sections of the transport route Has tilted position than when conveying along the at least one other branch. The two branches can reunite in or after, for example below the loading and / or removal station. One branch is preferably assigned to the first operating mode and the other branch to the second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the load carrier is transported along one branch, and in the second operating mode along the other branch.

The opening or branching of the transport route can take place in that the storage system physically provides two or more guides, for example, which branch off from a common guide. Alternatively or cumulatively, the branching can be implemented in that one, in particular a single guide is present which is designed to be movable in two or more positions. The storage goods carrier can be guided in the guides along the transport path, in particular positively guided. The guides, the storage system can form a track-bound promotion for the storage goods carrier or carriers.

The guides can be designed, for example, as rails with which a storage goods carrier is in engagement at least in the loading and / or removal station, for example via rollers and / or sliding blocks.

The storage goods carrier can be in engagement with the guides directly or via an adapter. Guides are preferably located on two opposite sides of the storage goods carrier, it being possible for the guides to be arranged mirror-symmetrically.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one guide, in particular on each side of the loading and / or removal opening, can be designed to be pivotable in sections. For example, the storage system can have a pivotable rail for guiding the load carriers in the loading and / or removal opening. Different pivot positions of the guide or the rail can be assigned to different operating modes or tilt positions of the storage goods system. The tilt angle of the load carrier is particularly dependent on the pivot position of the pivotable guide or rail. This configuration implements the solution according to the invention with a low cost of materials. In addition, with this embodiment, a variable tilting of the storage goods carrier can be implemented in a structurally simple manner, for example depending on the storage goods of the storage goods carrier in the loading and / or removal opening.

For tilting, the storage system can have a motor drive which is connected in a signal-transmitting manner to a central control device of the storage system.

The pivotable guide or rail can in particular be pivotable while the load carrier is in engagement with it and / or while the load carrier is moved along the guide or rail.

The pivot axis, about which the pivotable guide or rail can pivot, can be located at its upper or lower end, in particular in the case of a vertically oriented transport path. The pivot axis can be located outside or inside of the loading and / or removal opening. At the point of the pivot axis, the pivotable guide or rail can be connected to a stationary guide or rail, in particular in a seamless manner.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the pivotable section of the guide or rail can extend over at least half the height of the loading and / or unloading station, in particular in the vertical direction.

If pivotable guides or rails are provided on the two opposite sides of the loading and / or removal openings, then these are preferably pivotable synchronously. The two pivotable guides on the opposite sides can be mechanically or electronically coupled to one another in order to ensure a synchronous pivoting process.

Two guides can be provided on each of the opposite sides of the loading and / or removal opening. One of these two guides can be stationary, one can be pivoted, or both guides can be pivoted.

In the second operating mode, the pivotable guide or rail can form a straight continuation of a fixed guide or rail. Due to the straight design, the loads acting on the guide during the transport of the storage goods carrier are kept low.

In the first operating mode, the transport path can extend in a straight line over the pivotable part of the guide into the loading and / or unloading opening. This enables high transport speeds even with heavy stored goods.

A further embodiment can provide that a guide guiding the storage goods carrier along the transport path is branched into two or more, in particular, fixed branches in the area of the loading and / or unloading station and that a switch is provided that can be switched between the branches depending on the operating mode, whereby in the first mode of operation of the load carriers along one branch and in the second mode of operation along the other branch. In this embodiment, the tilting position of the load carrier along the transport path is determined by the switch position. Since in this configuration the guides or rails of the branches served by the switch can be configured to be stationary, this configuration is particularly suitable for storage systems with heavy loads. In this embodiment, each branch is assigned different pivot positions of the pivotable guide.

Regardless of whether the branches of the transport path assigned to the operating modes are implemented by one or more fixed or pivotable guides or rails, in one embodiment the guide runs in one branch, in particular in the first operating mode, at least partially inclined to the vertical.

Regardless of whether the branches of the transport path assigned to the operating modes are implemented by one or more fixed or pivotable rails, in one embodiment the guidance in one branch, in particular in the second operating mode, runs at least partially vertically.

If two guides are provided on each side of the loading and / or removal opening, whereby only one of the two guides on one side can be branched, in particular the one branch of the branched guide assigned to the second operating mode can be aligned parallel to the other branch on this side be. This can be independent of whether a pivotable guide or a switch is provided to switch between the operating modes.

As mentioned above, with the storage system according to the invention, a high transport speed of storage goods carriers can be achieved in or through the loading and / or removal station. For example, the conveyor system can automatically be in the second operating mode or be switched to the second operating mode if a storage goods carrier other than one intended for storage and / or retrieval is located in the loading and / or unloading station. The conveyor system can in particular be automatically in the first operating mode or switched to the first operating mode when the predetermined storage goods carrier, for example intended for storage and / or retrieval, is located in the loading and / or removal station. Such a configuration appears to be sensible in storage systems such as circulation, in particular paternoster and carousel systems or lifts, in which the transport route leads all storage goods carriers through the loading and / or removal opening. In this embodiment, only those load carriers that need to be accessed are tilted.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the load carrier or the conveyor system can have a different conveying speed along the transport path in the first operating mode than in the second operating mode. Thus, the conveying speed can be dependent on the tilt angle of the load carrier, in particular it can be smaller with a larger tilt angle than with a small tilt angle. For example, in the first operating mode, the conveying speed of the tray in the loading and / or removal opening be smaller than in the second operating mode. This allows the dynamic loads due to the simultaneous (greater) tilting of the load carriers to be low and the conveying speeds to be kept high. Furthermore, the conveying speed can decrease with increasing tilting.

The storage system preferably has a central control device for controlling the conveyor system, in particular for switching the conveyor system between the first and the second operating mode. The central control device can have a memory which contains an electronic image with data representative of the position, the speed and / or the storage goods of the storage goods carriers of the storage system. In particular, a storage goods carrier in the image, which in particular is provided next for access in the loading and / or removal station, can be provided with a marking, for example a storage area set to a certain value. A switchover from the first to the second operating state can take place depending on the position of the storage goods carrier marked in the image relative to the loading and / or removal opening.

Finally, in a further embodiment, the storage system can have a sliding door, or a wing or a segment of a sliding door, which opens in particular in the vertical direction from top to bottom. This is particularly advantageous when the load carrier is moved downward in the vertical direction along the transport path. The sliding door or the wing or the segment preferably opens synchronously with the movement of the storage goods carrier. The distance in the vertical direction between the load carrier and the sliding door is preferably constant during the movement into the access position, in particular regardless of the tilt angle of the load carrier.

The speed of the storage goods carrier in the vertical direction towards the access position preferably corresponds to the opening speed of the sliding door. The sliding door preferably covers the area below the tray moved into the access position during the opening movement and / or preferably independently of the tilt angle of the storage goods carrier. The sliding door can be opened depending on whether the conveyor system is in the first or the second operating mode. All of these configurations have the advantage, independently of one another, that access to the storage goods carrier can already take place while the storage goods carrier is still moving into the access position. As a result, the speed of the storage and / or retrieval process can be increased significantly. By covering the area below the storage goods carrier, the risk of injury is significantly reduced.

The risk of injury can be reduced if the gap between the load carrier and the sliding door is less than 4 mm in every position of the sliding door. This ensures that an operator's limbs cannot be crushed or drawn in.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an access position in which the storage goods carrier is stopped in a tilted position, in particular in the first operating mode, can be variably predefined. Likewise, the position of the sliding door can be variably predefined as a function of the position of the storage goods carrier, or the position of the sliding door results automatically from the variably predetermined position of the storage goods carrier. In particular, the height of the storage goods carrier, for example the height of a front edge of the storage goods carrier, a rear edge of the storage goods carrier and / or a center of the storage goods carrier together with a tilting angle can be specified. In this way, for example, the storage system can be adapted to different regional body sizes.

The access position in which the storage goods carrier is stopped can depend on the height of the operator and / or the size of the storage goods. For example, the height of an operator can be stored. The operator can automatically communicate his body size to the storage system via a transponder on his body. Alternatively, in the case of an operator, the operator can also enter his body height manually.

The size of the stored goods can be automatically determined, for example, when the stored goods are put into storage. At this point in time, height-dependent storage can take place through height detection, which optimally uses the available storage space.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail by way of example using various embodiments with reference to the drawings. The individual exemplary embodiments only show possibilities of implementing the inventive concept without restricting it to the combination of features shown in each case. In particular, in accordance with the above description of the further developing features, individual features of an exemplary embodiment can be omitted if the technical effect of these features in a specific application is not important. Conversely, also in accordance with the above description of the further developing features, individual features can be added to an exemplary embodiment, should the technical effect of these features be important in a specific application.

In the following, the same reference numerals are used in each case in the different drawings for elements that correspond to one another in terms of structure and / or function.

• 1 eine schematische Perspektivdarstellung eines Lagers mit mehreren unterschiedlichen Lagersystemen;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Lagersystems in einer ersten Betriebsart;
• 3 das Lagersystem der 2 in einer zweiten Betriebsart;
• 4 bis 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Details einer ersten Ausgestaltung eines Lagersystems zu unterschiedliche Zeitpunkten während des Betriebs;
• 7 bis 9 eine schematische Darstellung eines Details einer weiteren Ausgestaltung eines Lagersystems zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten während des Betriebs;
• 10 eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren Lagersystems.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic perspective view of a warehouse with several different storage systems;
• 2 a schematic representation of a storage system in a first operating mode;
• 3 the storage system of 2 in a second operating mode;
• 4th to 6th a schematic representation of a detail of a first embodiment of a storage system at different times during operation;
• 7th to 9 a schematic representation of a detail of a further embodiment of a storage system at different times during operation;
• 10 a schematic representation of another storage system.

1 shows an example of a warehouse 1 with different storage systems 2 . In the different storage systems 2 is stored goods 4th stored.

The storage system 2 is for example a warehouse lift 6th , in which a vertical conveyor between two opposite shelf columns storage goods carriers 8th between the shelf columns and a loading and / or removal station 10 promotes back and forth. At the warehouse goods carrier 8th it can be a tray or a standardized small load carrier.

At the loading and / or unloading station 10 of the storage system 2 is by means of an operator 12 the stored goods 4th stored and / or outsourced. The operator can be an operator 14th or a robot 16 act.

The storage system 2 can also be a horizontal carousel 18th be where the load carrier 8th revolve parallel to a horizontal plane. In 1 are three horizontal carousels arranged side by side 18th shown, their loading and / or removal stations 10 a workplace 20th surrounded on three sides.

The storage system 2 can also be an aisle conveyor storage system 22nd be at the storage bins 24 on both sides of a warehouse aisle 26th are arranged. In the Lagergasse 26th moves an aisle conveyor 28 the load carriers 8th both vertically and horizontally to a loading and / or unloading station 10 .

Finally, the storage system can 2 a paternoster system 30th be in which the stored goods rotate in a vertical plane. Horizontal carousel 18th and paternoster system 30th are examples of circulation systems in which the load carriers 8th circulate on closed tracks.

The term storage system encompasses all of these configurations and other configurations not described here.

The 2 and 3 show a schematic representation of a paternoster system 30th designed storage system 2 . The direction of transport of the load carriers 8th is by the arrows 32 shown. Transport can also take place in the opposite direction without any restrictions.

How 2 shows is in the illustrated first operating mode 33 the storage goods carrier intended for storage or retrieval or for access 8th' in the area of the loading and / or removal station 10 along its transport route 34 tilted.

In the 2 shown tilt position 36 of the storage goods carrier intended for storage and / or retrieval 8th' in the loading and / or unloading station 10 simultaneously provides an access position 37 an access position 37 is a position in which an operator 12 on a load carrier 8th' can access. The storage goods carrier does not necessarily have to stand still. A tilt angle 38 to which the load carrier 8th' is tilted, its maximum value along the transport path can be reached at the access position 34 to reach. The storage system 2 has at least one access position 32 in which the load carrier 8th' stands still.

The tilt position 36 in the loading and / or unloading station 10 differs in this operating mode from a tilt position 39 at another point on the transport route 34 , especially outside the loading and / or unloading station. Like the arrow 40 is symbolized, the tilting takes place 40 around a tilt axis 42 in particular parallel to an access opening 44 the loading and / or unloading station 10 can run.

The access opening 44 can for example form a flat, vertical plane and the loading and / or removal station 10 to an operator 12 ( 1 ) complete. A single or multi-leaf, also segmented sliding door 46 is in one by the double arrow 48 indicated direction of travel 48 movable so that they can Access opening 44 can close. The load carriers are preferred 8th in the vertical direction from top to bottom into the loading and / or unloading station 10 promoted. An in 2 only indicated funding system 50 to be available. The transport route 34 extends in, in 2 even through the loading and / or unloading station.

In the tilt position 36 is the load carrier 8th , 8` in the loading and / or unloading station 10 so tilted that its from the access opening 44 further spaced end 52 higher than that closer to the access opening 44 lying end 54 . This provides ergonomic access to the storage goods carrier intended for storage or retrieval 8th' by an operator 12 ( 1 ) allows.

The in 2 shown tilting 40 would with a fast transport 32 , especially in one cycle, the load carrier 8th high loads on the storage system 2 Act. In addition, the noise development would be considerable and so would the stored goods 4th on or in the storage goods carrier 8th could slip. To avoid this, the storage system 2 a second operating mode 55 on that in 3 is shown schematically. In the second operating mode there is a bearing bracket 8th in the loading and / or unloading station 10 in another tilt position 56 than in the first operating mode with the tilt position 36 in the loading and / or unloading station 10 . In particular, the tilt position 56 the tilt position 39 correspond. In the latter embodiment, the storage goods carriers 8th without tilting into the loading and / or removal station 10 , or through them. This allows faster transportation 32 the load carrier 8th than in the first operating mode 33 .

In 3 is the sliding door 46 shown closed only as an example. The sliding door 46 can be locked, if not intended for storage and / or retrieval 8th be transported to the loading and / or unloading station.

Alternatively, the sliding door 46 in the second operating mode 55 also be open. This is useful, for example, when a storage goods carrier intended for storage and retrieval 8th' should not be tipped due to its stored goods.

The conveying speed at which a load carrier 8th , 8` in the first operating mode 33 along the transport route 34 into the loading and / or unloading station 10 is conveyed, can differ from the conveying speed with which a load carrier 8th , 8th' in the second operating mode 55 into the loading and / or unloading station 10 is promoted.

In particular, due to the lower or nonexistent tilting 40 of the storage goods carrier 8th in the loading and / or unloading station 10 according to the second mode of operation 55 the conveying speed of the load carrier 8th in the loading and / or unloading station 10 in the first operating mode 33 be lower than in the second operating mode.

Additionally or alternatively, the conveying speed can also be dependent on the stored goods, in particular their weight. For example, in the case of heavy storage goods, the conveying speed of a storage goods carrier 8th' in the first operating mode 33 in the area of the loading and / or removal station 10 towards a warehouse goods carrier 8th' with lighter stored goods 4th be reduced.

The tilt 40 can be done in different ways, depending on whether the load carrier 8th along the transport route 34 forcibly guided or freely movable, for example by a conveyor system with a plurality of axles that can in particular be driven independently of one another, such as an automatic handling machine.

This is below with reference to the 4th to 10 explained.

How 4th shows shows the transport route 34 in the loading and / or unloading station 10 at least two branches 60 , 62 on, the one branch 60 the first operating mode 33 or the tilt position 36 and the second branch 62 the second operating mode 55 or the tilt position 56 assigned. The transport route 34 can for example be roughly the center of gravity or another point of a load carrier 8th along its travel path into the loading and / or removal station 10 or through them. Depending on the number of different tilt positions or the different operating modes of the conveyor system 50 can also have more than two branches 60 , 62 to be available. Each branch stands for a different tilted position, at least in the access position 37 . The splitting of the transport route 34 is independent of whether it is a positively guided or freely movably conveyed load carrier 8th is available.

In the embodiments of 4th to 9 instructs the storage system 2 guides 64 through which a load carrier 8th at least in the loading and / or unloading station 10 is positively driven. The tilt 40 is achieved through the forced guidance in the guides.

In the 4th to 9 are the guides 64 only one side of the loading and / or removal station 40 shown. The guides 64 on the other, not shown side be designed mirror-symmetrically. Furthermore, in the 4th to 9 two tours 64 shown on the illustrated side of the loading and / or removal station. In another embodiment, only one guide can be used 64 or more than two tours 64 be provided.

The one in the 4th to 6th illustrated embodiment is at least one section 66 at least one of the tours 64 around a pivot axis 68 pivotable, as indicated by the arrow 70 is indicated. The rest of the tours 64 can compared to the storage system 2 or the loading and / or removal station 10 be immobile.

In 4th is the pivotable section 66 in the second operating mode 55 shown. The load carrier 8th is in this case without changing the tilt position 38 in or through the loading and / or removal station 10 transported. The pivotable section 66 the one leadership 64 connects in a straight line and preferably seamlessly to the one in the direction of transport 32 upstream, stationary part of the guide. The load carrier 8th is in the second operating mode 55 along the branch 62 the transport route 34 promoted.

Approaching a storage goods carrier intended for the storage and / or removal of storage goods 8th' the loading and / or unloading station 10 so will the funding system 50 in the first operating mode 33 transferred, as in 5 is shown. This transfer can depend on the stored goods on the storage goods carrier intended for access 8th' be. For example, a storage goods carrier 8th' are not or only slightly tilted with particularly heavy stored goods. In the first operating mode 33 becomes the pivotable section 66 the leadership 64 around the pivot axis 68 pivoted. The pivot axis 68 runs parallel to the tilt axis 42 ( 2 ). In the first operating mode 33 becomes the transport route 34 on the branch 60 knocked down. On the branch 60 then becomes the load carrier 8th' into the tilt position 36 convicted.

The storage system 2 can have a tilt mechanism 74 exhibit. The tilt mechanism can be from the guides 64 , 66 be led. The guides 64 , 66 can for example be designed in the shape of a rail and the tilting mechanism 74 can have guide elements, such as sliding blocks or rollers, which are supported by the rails 76 guided, in particular positively driven. The pivotable section 66 is simply a pivotable rail in this embodiment 77 . The rails 76 , 77 enable track-based funding.

According to a development of the invention, the pivot angle 78 ( 5 ) to which the section 66 is pivotable, stepless or adjustable in more than two different stages. This allows, for example, a change in the tilt angle 38 ( 2 ) depending on the respective storage goods carrier 8th' and / or the goods stored or to be stored thereon, for example their weight. The conveying speed of the load carrier 8th' can include the swivel angle 78 depend. The greater the swivel angle 78 and thus the tilt angle 38 is, the lower the conveying speed of the load carrier 8th' in the loading and / or unloading station 10 be.

Instead of or in addition to a pivotable section 66 of the tours 64 can be a switch 80 be provided which, depending on the switch position, the storage goods carrier intended for storage and / or retrieval 8th' in one of the two branches 60 , 62 the transport route 34 convicted. To the switch 80 two functionally parallel sections join 82 , 84 of guides 64 on. The section 82 is the first mode of operation 33 assigned and leads to a tilted position 36 . The second section 84 is the second mode of operation 55 assigned and leads to a tilted position 56 of a storage goods carrier 8th , 8th' in the loading and / or unloading station 10 . Through the switch 80 becomes the load carrier 8th , especially its tilting mechanism 74 either along one of the guides 82 or along the other guide 84 emotional. The guides can again be designed as rails.

In addition, the sequence of movements corresponds to a storage goods carrier 8th , 8th' the in the 4th to 6th illustrated sequence of movements. Due to the forced guidance of the tilting mechanism 74 in the guides 64 or rails 76 Tilting takes place here again 40 .

The transport route continues 34 in transport direction 32 beyond the loading and / or removal station 10 away, so become the load carriers 8th , 8th' in only one direction into the loading and / or unloading station 10 and transported out of this again, so should the branches 60 , 62 or the tours 82 , 84 and reunite the associated rails. This is done, for example, in that in the 4th to 6th the pivoting section 66 after reaching the access position 37 When the storage and / or retrieval is completed, it is swiveled back again so that it is in the transport direction 32 convenient end 90 ( 5 ) in the fixed guide 64 continues. In the course of this pivoting back, the tilt angle is reduced 38 until the tilt position 39 is reached. Then the carrier can 8th , 8th' be transported further.

However, the transport route ends 34 in the access position 37 , the carrier can 8th , 8th' just go back in the opposite direction from the Loading and / or removal station 10 be promoted.

When designing the 7th to 9 the two tours come together 82 , 84 back to leadership 64 on or beyond one in the direction of transport 32 located end of the loading and / or removal station 10 . A load carrier 8th' in leadership 82 is thus pivoted back again in the further course of its return movement and continues its movement. A load carrier 8th in the second operating mode 55 also sets its path, but then along the guide 84 beyond the loading and / or removal station 10 away.

Can carrier 8th , 8th' in a storage system 2 with switch 80 in two opposite directions through the loading and / or unloading station 10 can be moved, the two guides 82 , 84 in transport direction 32 be designed symmetrically so that the same course of the tilt angle results from both sides. Alternatively or cumulatively, a switch 80 be provided at the two branches, that is, once in front of and once behind the loading and / or removal opening in the transport direction.

The sliding door moves preferentially 46 down, like the direction of travel 48 in the 6th and 9 shows. This is the movement of the sliding door 46 preferably with the movement of the load carrier 8th' synchronized or coupled. One top edge 92 the sliding door 46 preferably always has the same distance from an upper front edge facing the sliding door 94 of the storage goods carrier 8th' on. The leading edge 94 and the top edge 92 curses preferred. Along the transport route 34 in the loading and / or unloading station 10 Deviations of ± 15% of the distance are still considered a constant distance or an alignment. By opening the sliding door 46 during the transport of the load carrier 8th' in the loading and / or unloading station there is early access to the storage goods carrier 8th' possible.

The movement of the sliding door can with the tilting 40 of the storage goods carrier 8th' be synchronized because the leading edge 94 of the storage goods carrier 8th' moves at a different speed than, for example, the center of gravity of the load carrier due to the tipping process 8th' . The speed of the sliding door 46 can have a control device 96 being controlled. The control device 96 can be used in addition to or instead of controlling the sliding door 48 also the conveying speed of the load carriers 8th , 8th' in transport direction 32 Taxes. In particular, the control device 96 the control device of the conveyor system 50 be.

The control device 96 can also pivot the section 66 of the tours 64 Taxes. To control the movements of these components, the control device 96 with the respective drives 98 via control lines 100 be connected ( 6th ).

The control device 96 has an electronic memory 102 in which an image 104 is filed. The electronic image 104 contains data that is representative of the position, the conveying speed and / or the storage goods of the storage goods carriers 8th , 8th' of the storage system 2 are representative. The next for access in the loading and / or unloading station 10 intended storage goods carriers 8th' can be provided with a marking in the image, for example a memory area set to a certain value. A for the tilt angle can also be used in the image 38 in the access position 37 or a representative value can be stored at several positions along the transport path. The control device 96 can in particular be designed, a storage goods and / or position-dependent conveying speed of the storage goods carrier or carriers 8th , 8th' to calculate, for example with the help of lookup tables. The control device can be combined with other computing systems, for example order-picking or dispatching systems of the warehouse 1 ( 1 ), be connected.

The control device 96 can be designed as software, as hardware or as a combination of software and hardware. The control device 96 may comprise a computer and / or an electronic circuit such as an ASIC. The control device 96 can be present regardless of how the tilting process takes place in detail.

The at least one access position 37 , in which the load carrier 8th' stands still, can preferably be specified variably. For example, the height of the front top edge 94 of the storage goods carrier in the loading and / or removal station 10 above the floor in front of the storage system 2 predetermined and as a digital value in the control device 96 be deposited. By adjusting the access position 37 , in which the load carrier 8th' stands still, an ergonomic removal of the stored goods 4th by an operator 14th be ensured. The access position 37 , in which the load carrier 8th' stands still, for example, automatically from a to the control device 96 entered body height of the operator 14th can be calculated.

Alternatively or additionally, the access position 37 , in which the load carrier 8th' stands still, on the size of the load carrier 8th' stored goods 4th depend. The size of the stored item, especially its height above the Storage goods carrier 8th' , is preferably in the control device 96 filed. It can be used automatically when storing the stored goods 4th can be determined when the stored goods pass a light barrier of the loading and / or removal station 10 happens. Such a light barrier is often used to monitor the stored goods 4th to be stored depending on the height and thus to optimally use the storage space available in the storage system.

The position of the sliding door 46 can preferably also be specified variably. The simplest way, however, is to automatically determine it from the variably predeterminable access position 37 , in which the load carrier 8th' stands still. So the opening movement of the sliding door 46 in the direction of travel 48 that the load carrier 8th' , especially its upper edge 92 follows, can simply be stopped automatically, even if the load carrier 8th' is stopped.

In the 2 to 9 The embodiments shown can also be used in a storage lift or a lift for storage goods carriers.

In 10 is after all a storage system 2 shown that no funding system 50 with forced guidance, but a conveyor system 50 with a handling machine that can move freely in certain directions 106 , for example an aisle conveyor 28 having. The funding system 50 is designed, a storage goods carrier intended for access 8th from a bin 108 to the loading and / or removal station 10 and back to promote. Furthermore, the conveyor system 50 in the first operating mode 33 a tilt 40 of the storage goods carrier 8th' in the loading and / or unloading station 10 carry out. The transport route 34 does not have to go into the loading and / or removal station in the vertical direction 10 but can, as in 10 is shown, also horizontally or at an angle in the loading and / or removal station 10 be directed.

How 10 also shows can the sliding door 46 be divided. The lower part of the sliding door can, as described above, be the front edge 94 of the storage goods carrier 8th' follow in constant so that the space below the load carrier 8th' is always covered and at the same time already has access to the storage goods carrier 8th' is possible before giving the access position 37 has reached. The upper part of the sliding door 46 can open completely upwards.

The gap between the sliding door is preferred 46 and the load carrier 8th' at no point larger than 4 mm in order to avoid drawing in limbs.

In addition, for the design of the 10 the same versions as in the other configurations.

List of reference symbols

1

warehouse

2

Storage system

4th

Stored goods

6th

Storage elevator

8th

Storage goods carrier

8th'

for storage and / or retrieval or for access to certain storage goods carriers

10

Loading and / or removal station

12

operator

14th

Operator

16

robot

18th

Horizontal carousel

20th

Workplace

22nd

Aisle conveyor storage system

24

Storage bins

26th

Warehouse alley

28

Aisle conveyor

30th

Paternoster system

32

Transport direction

33

first operating mode

34

Transport route

36

Tilting position of the storage goods carrier intended for access in the loading and / or removal station

37

Access position

38

Tilt angle

39

Tilting position of the storage goods carriers outside of the loading and / or removal station

40

Tilt

42

Tilt axis

44

Access opening

46

sliding door

48

Direction of travel of the sliding door

50

Conveyor system

52

further spaced from the access opening end of a storage goods carrier in the Loading and / or removal station

54

The end of the storage goods carrier in the loading and / or removal station that is closer to the access opening

55

second operating mode

56

Tilt position in the second operating mode

60

Branch of the transport route

62

Branch of the transport route

64

guide

66

pivoting section of the guide

68

Swivel axis

70

Swivel movement

74

Tilt mechanism

76

rail

77

swiveling rail

78

Swivel angle

80

Soft

82

Management of one branch of the transport route

84

Management of the other branch of the transport route

90

End of the pivotable section of the guide

92

Upper edge of the sliding door

94

front upper edge of the storage goods carrier in the loading and / or removal station

96

Control device

98

drive

100

Control line

102

Storage

104

image

106

Handling machine

108

Storage place

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 6854815 [0004, 0008]

Claims (15)

Storage system (2) with a loading and / or unloading station (10) having an access opening (44) for storing and / or retrieving storage goods (4), with at least one storage goods carrier (8, 8 '), with one in the vertical direction in the loading and / or removal station (10) reaching transport path (34) for the storage goods carrier (8, 8 ') and with a conveyor system (50) conveying the storage goods carrier along the transport path , characterized in that the conveyor system (50) between a first and a second operating mode (33, 55) is designed to be switchable, wherein in the first operating mode (33) of the conveyor system (50) the storage goods carriers (8, 8 ') at least in the loading and / or removal station (10) in a first to the access opening (44) tilted orientation (36) and in the second operating mode (55) of the conveyor system (50) the storage goods carriers (8, 8 ') at least in the loading and / or removal station (10) in a second, from the first different alignment htung (56) is positioned. Storage system (2) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the alignment (56) of the storage goods carrier (8, 8 ') in the second operating mode (55) along the transport path (34) is unchanged. Storage system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that in the first operating mode (33) the storage goods carrier (8, 8 ') is successively tilted differently along the transport path (34). Storage system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the transport path (34) is divided into at least two branches (60, 62) in front of the loading and / or removal station (10), the storage goods carrier (8, 8 ') being conveyed along the one branch ( 60) has a different tilting position (36) at least along some sections of the transport path (34) than when conveying along the at least one other branch (62). Storage system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the conveyor system (50) has guides (64) in which the storage goods carrier (8, 8 ') is guided along the transport path (34). Storage system (2) after Claim 5 , characterized in that at least one guide (64, 66) can be pivoted in sections. Storage system (2) after Claim 6 , characterized in that in the second operating mode (55) a pivotable section (66) of the guide (64) forms a straight continuation of a fixed guide. Storage system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized in that a guide (64) guiding the load carrier (8, 8 ') along the transport path (34) in the area of the loading and / or removal station (10) is branched into two branches (82, 84) and a switch (8) is provided for switching the transport path (34) between the branches (82, 84), and that in the first operating mode (33) the storage goods carrier (8, 8 ') along one branch (80) and in the second operating mode (55) is passed along the other branch (82). Storage system (2) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the conveyor system (50) is converted into the first or second operating mode (33, 55) depending on the position of at least one storage goods carrier (8 ') intended for storage and retrieval. Storage system (2) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the conveyor system (50) is in the second operating mode (55) when there is a storage goods carrier (8 ') other than one intended for storage and / or retrieval in the loading and / or removal station (10) is located, and is in the first operating mode (33) when the storage goods carrier predetermined for storage and / or retrieval is in the loading and / or removal station (10). Storage goods system according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that the tilt angle (38) by which the storage goods carrier (8 ') is tilted in the first operating mode (33) is variably adjustable. Storage goods system according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the load carrier (8, 8 ') in the first operating mode (33) of the conveyor system (50) has a different conveying speed than in the second operating mode (55). Method for the transport of storage goods carriers (8, 8 ') in a storage system (2), wherein storage goods carriers (8, 8') are transported to a loading and / or removal station (10), characterized in that the storage goods carriers (8, 8 ') are optionally transported in at least two differently tilted positions (36, 56) in the loading and / or unloading station (10). Procedure according to Claim 13 , characterized in that in at least one of the at least two differently tilted positions (36, 56) the storage goods carrier (8 ') is stopped in a variably predeterminable access position (37) within the loading and / or removal station (10). Procedure according to Claim 13 or 14th , characterized in that an access position (37) in which the storage goods carrier (8 ') is automatically stopped in at least one of the at least two differently tilted positions (36, 56) by the input of a body size of an operator (12) and / or the storage goods (4) on the storage goods carrier (8 ') depends.

Images