DE102020203221A1 - Vehicle for a storage system and charging station for the vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle (1) for a storage system, in particular a storage and removal system, the vehicle (1) being designed to transport a storage item or a container for a storage item in the storage system, into or out of the storage system, and wherein the vehicle (1) has an energy store for storing energy for driving the vehicle (1), is designed and developed in a storage system in such a way that the energy store for storing energy has a capacitor. Furthermore, a corresponding charging station and a method for operating a system comprising a vehicle (1) and a charging station are specified.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle for a storage system, in particular a storage and removal system, the vehicle being designed to transport a storage item or a container for a storage item in the storage system, into or out of the storage system, and wherein the vehicle is an energy storage device Having storage of energy for driving the vehicle.

The present invention also relates to a charging station for a vehicle for a storage system, the charging station being designed to charge an energy store for storing energy for driving the vehicle.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising such a vehicle and such a charging station and a method for operating such a system.

Vehicles of the type mentioned exist in different embodiments and for different storage systems. Such vehicles have energy stores in the form of electrochemically operating accumulators, which store the energy for driving the vehicle and can release it when required. These are energy stores that supply the energy for the vehicle to move. Such energy stores are also referred to as traction batteries. In this respect, the known vehicles usually have suitable electric motors for driving, for example, wheels, belts or chains of the vehicle. Robot systems for block storage, for example, are known as generic vehicles.

These conventional energy stores, designed as batteries, are either permanently installed in the vehicle or can be exchanged during operation using an automatic exchange system. Batteries permanently installed in the vehicle have the fundamental disadvantage that the vehicle is withdrawn from storage operations after a certain period of operation in order to recharge the batteries at appropriate charging stations. A battery changing system has the disadvantage that it often requires an additional work step and is mechanically complex and prone to failure due to the mechanics.

Furthermore, in the case of lithium-ion batteries, there is a not inconsiderable risk of fire. The compact design of block storage systems, for example, increases the risk of fire in the plastic containers usually used.

From the WO 2015/104263 A1 a system for changing exchangeable batteries is known in order to then charge these batteries in a stationary and separate manner, a corresponding vehicle being able to continue to work with an exchanged, charged battery in the time required for charging.

From the WO 2017/220627 A1 a charging station for a large number of exchangeable batteries is known. When stopped, the vehicle can release an empty battery and directly take in a new, well-charged battery. In a previous version, the vehicle would have had to drive to a second charging station using a second high-performance battery.

From the WO 2019/092029 A1 a particularly fast battery change is known.

the WO 2019 / 238702A1 discloses a charging station without changing batteries with two contacts that are integrated into a grid space or space in the storage system. Contact is made via a hub that is already present when changing a wheel.

From the WO 2017/14939 A1 the handling of the problem of reloading in the event of a malfunction is known. A service vehicle drives on a grid and has the following options: plug connection for recharging, maintenance, cleaning or inspection with a camera.

Finally from the WO 2019/215221 A1 known a mechanical solution to close a charging contact. This forms an alternative to the height offset by changing the wheel according to FIG WO 2019/238702 A1 . A lowerable charging unit with inclined profiles and a contact unit on a robot is arranged in such a way that when the charging station is approached, the passive charging unit is automatically lowered mechanically and the charging contact is closed.

The present invention is based on the object of specifying a vehicle, a charging station, a system comprising a vehicle and a charging station, and a method for operating such a system, according to which a high, uninterrupted performance of the vehicle in a storage system in a safe manner and with structurally simple means is made possible.

According to the invention, the above object is achieved by a vehicle with the features of claim 1, a charging station with the features of claim 11, a system with the features of claim 15 and a method for operating such a system with the features of claim 16.

Accordingly, the vehicle according to claim 1 and the charging station according to claim 11 are designed and developed in such a way that the energy store has a capacitor for storing energy, and a method according to claim 16 is specified, wherein a charging process for the vehicle by means of the charging station at least takes place at a position in a storage system at which a vehicle usually or process-related makes an intermediate stop according to a specified storage and / or removal process to fulfill the storage and / or removal process, ie does not stop specifically for the loading process.

In the manner according to the invention, it has been recognized that the above object is achieved in a surprisingly simple manner by cleverly designing the energy store. According to this, the energy store has a capacitor in a further manner according to the invention. It is emphasized once again that this capacitor is designed to provide the energy for driving the vehicle - in the sense of a traction battery. Such capacitors are particularly advantageously characterized by short charging times and high cycle stability. This enables a specified storage and / or removal process in a storage system to be impaired or slowed down as little or not at all by loading processes. According to the invention, a charging process for the vehicle by means of the charging station can take place in at least one position or positions in a storage system at which a vehicle is usually or process-related anyway according to a predetermined storage and / or removal process to fulfill the storage and / or removal process makes a stopover, d. H. does not stop especially for the charging process. As a result, a specified storage and / or removal process is not impaired or slowed down at all by the loading process. For this purpose, one or more charging stations can be arranged in a suitable manner in the storage system.

Capacitors can release stored amounts of energy much faster and also absorb amounts of energy much faster than conventional batteries. Complex electrochemical processes are avoided here. As a result, the energy store according to the invention results in very short charging times and a high degree of flexibility in the storage system. Charging-related interruptions in the use of vehicles can largely be avoided or at least significantly reduced. A possible lower capacity of the capacitors compared to conventional electrochemical accumulators and thus a possible shorter range of the vehicles can be compensated or even overcompensated by intelligent positioning of charging stations in the storage system and more frequent charging.

In addition, the risk of fire with the capacitors according to the invention is significantly lower than with conventional batteries. This results in a particularly safe vehicle and storage system, as well as a vehicle and charging station system.

Consequently, the teaching according to the invention provides a vehicle, a charging station, a system comprising a vehicle and a charging station and a method for operating such a system, according to which a high, uninterrupted performance of the vehicle in a storage system is made possible in a safe manner and with structurally simple means .

With regard to a particularly high performance and flexibility of the vehicle, the capacitor can be a supercapacitor. Such supercapacitors, also called ultracapacitors, are electrochemical capacitors and as such are a further development of the double-layer capacitors. Compared to batteries of the same weight, supercapacitors only have about 10% of their energy density, but their power density is about 10 to 100 times as high. Supercapacitors can therefore be charged and discharged much faster. They also survive a lot more switching cycles than accumulators.

With regard to a particularly flexible and safe mode of operation in the storage system, the vehicle can have a controller for monitoring and / or evaluating operating data of the capacitor, for example the state of charge, of sensor data and / or of data from a voltage divider assigned to the capacitor. A wide variety of parameters can be monitored and / or evaluated with such a control in order to ensure a highly efficient mode of operation. For example, these parameters can advantageously relate to the drive, the energy store and systems for receiving and releasing stored goods or containers for the stored goods. To further optimize the flexible and safe operation of the vehicle, the controller can be designed to transmit operating data, sensor data and / or data from the voltage divider to a superimposed system controller, which is provided, for example, for order allocation and charge planning of the capacitor. The control or system control can be designed in a further advantageous manner for communication with at least one charging station for the vehicle. In this respect, communication and coordination between the charging station and the vehicle can take place, for example in order to ensure that the storage system is operated as efficiently as possible to realize as little or no obstructive charging process as possible.

Furthermore, with a view to a particularly safe and efficient mode of operation of the vehicle, the vehicle can have a sensor system for determining the position of the vehicle, preferably relative to a charging station for the capacitor. As a result, the position of the vehicle can be monitored and controlled by means of the system control via suitable communication between the vehicle and a system control of the storage system. In particular with regard to a safe and fast charging process, this monitoring and control can be particularly advantageous, since the position of the vehicle relative to a charging station can be monitored and controlled.

With a view to particularly comfortable and safe operation of the vehicle, the vehicle can have several electrical systems of different voltages, with at least one electrical system preferably being able to have a voltage converter for adapting a voltage provided by the capacitor for, for example, the drive, the sensors and / or the controller. Different voltages can be provided for different components of the vehicle by means of several vehicle electrical systems. The different components can advantageously each be operated with the voltage that is particularly favorable for an individual component, for example particularly energy-efficient or consumption-efficient.

With regard to particularly safe operation, a device for preventing a current flow from the capacitor back into a charging station can be assigned to the capacitor, wherein the device can have at least one diode. Such a device advantageously prevents damage to the charging station by a backflow of the current from the capacitor and prevents a possible occurrence of an electric arc during charging. In this respect, protection is achieved, for example, for a technician during maintenance or troubleshooting.

Furthermore, with a view to particularly safe operation of the vehicle and a storage system, the capacitor can be assigned a fuse or a solid state relay to prevent a short circuit for a cable from a charging contact to the capacitor and / or a cable from the capacitor to one or more voltage converters.

In a particularly convenient way and to ensure a fast charging process, the vehicle can have a charging socket for direct charging of the capacitor. Lossy voltage conversions during the charging process can be avoided here. A plurality of such charging sockets can also be implemented at different positions on the vehicle in order to enable charging processes from different sides of the vehicle or when the vehicle is oriented differently relative to a charging station.

Also with a view to a particularly safe and flexible charging process, the vehicle can have at least one charging contact, preferably several charging contacts arranged at different positions on the vehicle, for contact with a charging station and charging of the capacitor at the charging station. This also enables charging processes from different sides of the vehicle or when there are different orientations or positions of the vehicle relative to a charging station. Another advantage is that the contacts on the vehicle usually do not have to be live, so touching the contacts directly with the hand or indirectly with a tool cannot lead to an electric shock or an electric arc.

With regard to particularly flexible operation in a storage system and thus with regard to a particularly high throughput, the vehicle can drive on a storage system or grid with crossing rails, preferably over stacked containers or stacked storage goods, or be designed for this and also a lowerable Have gripping device for containers or stored goods. A lowerable gripping device enables particularly quick and flexible access to containers and storage goods that are or are stacked or stored underneath the vehicle.

With regard to particularly flexible, effective and safe operation, the charging station can also have a control device for evaluating signals from light barriers and / or a sensor system for a position of the vehicle in the area of the charging station and / or for controlling a charging current and / or a charging voltage and / or for preferably motorized movement have at least one charging contact for guiding and / or docking this charging contact to a charging contact of the vehicle. With such a control device, not only a comprehensive evaluation but, within the scope of a particularly preferred embodiment, alternatively or additionally a monitoring of signals from light barriers arranged in the storage system or assigned to the charging station or the vehicle and / or a sensor system for a position of the vehicle in the area of the Charging station. As an alternative or in addition, such an evaluation and / or monitoring can take place with regard to the control of a charging current and / or a charging voltage. As an alternative or in addition, such an evaluation and / or monitoring can take place in a further advantageous manner for moving at least one charging contact for guiding and / or docking this charging contact to a charging contact of the vehicle. A preferably motorized introduction and / or docking of such a charging contact can make a charging process safe and fast.

With regard to a particularly safe and effective mode of operation, the control device can be designed for communication with at least one vehicle. The communication can take place in a further advantageous manner with a superimposed or superordinate system control of the storage system. This enables a particularly coordinated and effective operation of the storage system and thus also of the components vehicle and charging station, which is coordinated among the components vehicle, charging station and storage system.

Within the scope of a particularly preferred embodiment, a plurality of charging stations can be arranged in a storage system at positions that are preferably coordinated with the usual operating modes of the storage system. By coordinating the positions, it is possible, for example, to ensure that vehicles are charged at times at which the vehicles - due to orders or operations - would make an intermediate stop anyway. This means that no additional time or no interruption in the operation of vehicles has to be spent or tolerated for the charging process. In such a situation with several charging stations, a charging station or several charging stations can have a switching device in order to control a current flow in a targeted manner to one or more further assigned charging stations. Here, an effective and inexpensive master & slave arrangement could be implemented in which several charging stations can share power supplies in a simple and inexpensive manner. A switching device, preferably a solid state relay, could be implemented in order to control a current flow to the individual charging stations.

In a further manner according to the invention, a system of a vehicle as described above and a charging station as described above can be implemented in addition to a vehicle as described above and in addition to a charging station as described above. With such a system, a particularly effective, comfortable and safe operation of a storage system can be implemented in a simple and inexpensive manner.

With such a system, a method for operating this system comprising a vehicle and a charging station can be implemented in an advantageous manner, a charging process for the vehicle being carried out by means of the charging station at at least one position in a storage system at which a vehicle can be stored according to a specified storage and / or storage system. or the removal process to fulfill the storage and / or removal process usually or due to the process carries out an intermediate stop, d. H. does not stop especially for the charging process.

• • einen oder mehrere Kondensatoren, um die für den Antrieb und gegebenenfalls weitere Komponenten erforderliche Energie zu speichern. Dabei können mehrere Kondensatoren parallel geschaltet werden, um die Kapazität zu erhöhen.
• • Steuerung für:
  • ◯ Auswertung der Sensorik bzw. von einzelnen Positionssensoren
  • o Auswertung von Daten des Kondensators oder der Kondensatoren
  • o Auswertung eines oder mehrerer Spannungsteiler
• • einen oder mehrere Spannungsteiler, um beispielsweise 48 V in 10 V zum Verhältnis zu setzen, damit eine Analogkarte der Steuerung einen Ladezustand erfassen kann. Ein Ladezustand des Fahrzeugs kann verschiedene Aktionen im Betrieb des Lagersystems auslösen:
  • - Auftragszuteilung
  • - Ladeplanung
• • eine Sensorik, um zu erkennen, ob das Fahrzeug an einer Ladestation für einen Ladevorgang relativ zur Ladestation korrekt positioniert ist, wobei hier eine Abstimmung mit Komponenten der Ladestation erfolgen kann, beispielsweise kann eine gemeinsame Steuerung der Sensorik für einerseits das Fahrzeug und andererseits die Ladestation erfolgen, um die sichere Positionierung des Fahrzeugs relativ zur Ladestation für oder während eines Ladevorgangs zu gewährleisten
• • einen oder mehrere Spannungswandler, beispielsweise einen Spannungswandler für ein 24 V-Netz und einen Spannungswandler für ein 48 V-Netz
• • eine oder mehrere Einrichtungen, vorzugsweise Dioden, zur Verhinderung eines Stromflusses vom Fahrzeug zurück in Kondensatoren eines Netzteils in der Ladestation, um beispielsweise einen Lichtbogen beim Laden zu verhindern
• • Not-Aus-Schalter mit zugehörigen Komponenten zur Auswertung und vorzugsweise automatischen Betätigung des Not-Aus-Schalters
• • Sicherungen,
  • - um das Kabel vom Ladekontakt zum Kondensator vor einem Kurzschluss zu sichern
  • - um ein Kabel vom Kondensator zu Spannungswandler vor einem Kurzschluss zu sichern
• • mindestens eine Ladebuchse, die direkt mit dem Kondensator in Verbindung ist
• • mindestens 2 Bordnetze

In summary, advantageous embodiments of the vehicle according to the invention have the following important components:

• • One or more capacitors to store the energy required for the drive and, if necessary, other components. Several capacitors can be connected in parallel to increase the capacitance.
• • Control for:
  • ◯ Evaluation of the sensors or of individual position sensors
  • o Evaluation of data from the capacitor or capacitors
  • o Evaluation of one or more voltage dividers
• • One or more voltage dividers, for example to set the ratio between 48 V and 10 V, so that an analog card of the control system can detect a state of charge. A charge level of the vehicle can trigger various actions in the operation of the storage system:
  • - Assignment of orders
  • - Loading planning
• • a sensor system to recognize whether the vehicle is correctly positioned at a charging station for a charging process relative to the charging station, whereby a coordination with components of the charging station can take place, for example a common control of the sensors for the vehicle on the one hand and the charging station on the other hand take place in order to ensure the safe positioning of the vehicle relative to the charging station for or during a charging process
• • one or more voltage converters, for example one voltage converter for a 24 V network and one voltage converter for a 48 V network
• • one or more devices, preferably diodes, to prevent a current flow from the vehicle back into the capacitors of a power supply in the charging station, for example to prevent an electric arc during charging
• • Emergency stop switch with associated components for evaluation and preferably automatic actuation of the emergency stop switch
• • fuses,
  • - To protect the cable from the charging contact to the capacitor from a short circuit
  • - To protect a cable from the capacitor to the voltage converter from a short circuit
• • at least one charging socket that is directly connected to the capacitor
• • at least 2 electrical systems

• ■ ein oder mehrere Netzteile, um die notwendige Spannung/Strom bereitzustellen, gesteuert von einer Steuereinrichtung
• ■ Steuereinrichtung, vorzugsweise eine sichere Steuereinrichtung für
  • ◯ Überwachung und/oder Auswertung von Signalen von Lichtschranken
  • ◯ Überwachung und/oder Auswertung und/oder Steuerung von Ladestrom und Ladespannung (Netzteil)
  • ◯ vorzugsweise Ansteuerung von aktiven Ladekontakten, die mit Motoren an das Fahrzeug angedockt werden können
• ■ Not-Aus-Schalter einschließlich entsprechender Schaltschrankkomponenten
• ■ Sensorik, um zu erkennen, dass ein Fahrzeug an der Ladestation an der für den Ladevorgang geeigneten Position steht, und um den Ladevorgang zu steuern
  • ◯ eine oder mehrere Sender-/Empfänger-Lichtschranken, vorzugsweise entgegengesetzt eingebaut
  • ◯ Signalisierungseinrichtung von Fahrzeug an Ladestation, um eine Ladung anzufordern
  • ◯ Signalisierungseinrichtung von Ladestation an Fahrzeug, um mitzuteilen, dass der Ladevorgang abgeschlossen ist
• ■ Kontakte oder Ladekontakte, um den Stromfluss zwischen Fahrzeug und Ladestation herzustellen
• ■ Steuereinrichtung, vorzugsweise Solidstate Relais bei Master & Slave Ladestationen, um einen Stromfluss gezielt auf eine Station, entweder auf Master oder auf Slave, zu erreichen

• ◯ Master-Ladestationen weisen ein Netzteil auf, Slave-Ladestationen weisen nur Ladekontakte auf

In summary, advantageous embodiments of the charging station according to the invention have the following important components:

• ■ one or more power supply units to provide the necessary voltage / current, controlled by a control device
• ■ Control device, preferably a safe control device for
  • ◯ Monitoring and / or evaluation of signals from light barriers
  • ◯ Monitoring and / or evaluation and / or control of charging current and charging voltage (power supply unit)
  • ◯ Preferably control of active charging contacts that can be docked to the vehicle with motors
• ■ Emergency stop switch including the corresponding control cabinet components
• ■ Sensors to recognize that a vehicle is at the charging station in a suitable position for the charging process and to control the charging process
  • ◯ one or more transmitter / receiver light barriers, preferably installed in opposite directions
  • ◯ Signaling device from the vehicle to the charging station to request a charge
  • ◯ Signaling device from the charging station to the vehicle to notify that the charging process has been completed
• ■ Contacts or charging contacts to establish the flow of current between the vehicle and the charging station
• ■ Control device, preferably solid state relay for master & slave charging stations, in order to achieve a targeted current flow to a station, either on the master or on the slave

• ◯ Master charging stations have a power supply unit, slave charging stations only have charging contacts

In this document, the term “sensor system” or “sensors” encompasses all types of suitable sensors, it being possible, for example, to advantageously use optical, electrical or inductive sensors.

• 1 in einer Draufsicht, in einer Seitenansicht und in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs sowie in zwei weiteren perspektivischen Ansichten jeweils ein Paar aus einer Abdeckplatte eines Fahrzeugs sowie einer Kontakte aufweisenden Kunststoffplatte eines Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Ladestation und
• 2 in weiteren perspektivischen Darstellungen und relativen Anordnungen zueinander die Abdeckplatte sowie die Kunststoffplatte aus 1.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, reference is to be made, on the one hand, to the subordinate claims and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred exemplary embodiments of the teaching according to the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, generally preferred configurations and developments of the teaching are also explained. Show in the drawing

• 1 in a top view, in a side view and in a perspective view an embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention and in two further perspective views each a pair of a cover plate of a vehicle and a plastic plate having contacts of an embodiment of the charging station according to the invention and
• 2 in further perspective representations and relative arrangements to one another, the cover plate and the plastic plate 1 .

1 shows in the upper area of the 1 in a top view, in a side view and in a perspective view an embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention 1 for a storage system. The vehicle 1 is for driving on rails 2 designed and has an energy storage device for storing energy for a drive of the vehicle via wheels. The energy store has a particularly flexible and powerful use of the vehicle 1 a capacitor, preferably a super capacitor. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, this capacitor is in the upper area of the vehicle 1 below a charging contact 4th and 5 having cover plate 11 of the vehicle. The charging contact designed as a negative pole 4th is in the middle of the cover plate 11 arranged, whereas the charging contact designed as a positive pole 5 between the center and one corner of the cover plate 11 is arranged.

In the upper area of the vehicle 1 is also next to the cover plate 11 a sensor 3 designed to recognize a charging station, not shown here.

In the lower area of the 1 are two pairs of cover plate in perspective views 11 and a plastic plate 10 a charging station shown. The cover plate 11 is with their charging contacts 4th and 5 shown in different orientations rotated by about 180 °. The plastic plate 10 assigns contacts 6th and 7th for contacting the charging contacts 4th and 5 of the vehicle 1 on, with the plastic plate 10 is shown in each case essentially in the same orientation.

In the plastic plate 10 is a contact designed as a negative pole in the middle 6th and are each in the direction of opposite corners of the plastic plate 10 contacts designed as positive poles 7th arranged. This redundant design of the contacts designed as a positive pole 7th enables the vehicle to be charged 1 in different relative positions of the vehicle 1 to the charging station, namely in positions rotated by 180 °. This simplifies the charging process as the vehicle 1 can be charged in two different relative positions relative to the charging station by the charging station.

The contacts 6th and 7th each have a spring 8th and a connector 9 , here copper connection.

2 shows the plastic plate in further perspective views 10 and the cover plate 11 in relative positions to each other. In the upper area is the 2 the cover plate 11 so on the plastic plate 10 that introduced two connectors 9 the charging station or the plastic plate 10 with charging contacts 4th and 5 the cover plate 11 are in contact. The in 2 connection shown on the right 9 or contact 7th the plastic plate 10 gets here with the surface of the cover plate 11 in contact, which is usually formed from a non-conductive or plastic material. Alternatively, the cover plate 11 around one on the cover plate 11 erected normal be pivoted by 180 °. In this case the middle contact would be 6th and the right contact 7th or connection 9 perform the charging of the capacitor. The charging contacts 4th and 5 point on the underside of the cover plate 11 Coupling elements, for example screw-on elements 12th , for cables to the capacitor.

Capacitors, voltage converters, power supplies and sensors are in the upper area of the vehicle 1 underneath a cover 13th arranged.

• Ein Fahrzeug 1 kann auf einem Grid eines Lagersystems fahren, wobei das Fahrzeug 1 mindestens ein Paket an Kondensatoren als einzige und dauerhafte Energiequelle für seinen Bewegungsantrieb, d. h. als „Traktionsbatterie“ aufweist. Das Fahrzeug 1 kann insbesondere für den Ein- und Auslagerbetrieb genutzt werden. Diese Konstruktion steht im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen Fahrzeugen, bei denen Kondensatoren als Überbrückungselement verwendet werden, um eine Zeit für einen Batteriewechsel zu überbrücken.

Essential structural elements of exemplary embodiments of vehicles and charging stations according to the invention and thus also systems comprising the vehicle and charging station are explained again below:

• A vehicle 1 can drive on a grid of a storage system, with the vehicle 1 has at least one package of capacitors as the only and permanent energy source for its motion drive, ie as a "traction battery". The vehicle 1 can be used in particular for storage and retrieval operations. This construction is in contrast to conventional vehicles, in which capacitors are used as a bridging element to bridge a time for a battery change.

A controller can be connected to the capacitor in order to evaluate it and to control the charging process. The controller can communicate with a control device of the charging station, for example via light barriers, in particular one-way light barriers, and control the charging process. A sensor system in the vehicle 1 ensures the process reliability of the charging process.

There can be two electrical systems with different voltages in the vehicle 1 be realized, which are directly connected to the capacitor and can have voltage converters, voltage converters could be dispensed with if electric motors are used with a high bandwidth of the voltage. A voltage converter can be used to keep a decreasing capacitor voltage at, for example, 48 V for the drives. Another voltage converter can provide 24 V, for example, in order to supply the sensors and the control system with energy.

Furthermore, one or more charging sockets can be implemented on the vehicle, with which the capacitor can be charged directly, without converters or power supply units being involved. The charging current goes directly into the capacitor, whereby the correct charging voltage can be generated externally via a charging station or a maintenance trolley. With a maintenance trolley of this type, a user can advantageously access the vehicle 1 drive manually. In the event of maintenance, this can be done with an external power supply unit.

At the vehicle 1 can contacts 4th and 5 be provided to contact the charging station. A special arrangement has been chosen so that the vehicle can be 1 can enter the charging station from different directions. In a particularly advantageous manner, the charging station can be located above the vehicle 1 be arranged, with the contacts 4th and 5 at the vehicle 1 are arranged above. Light barriers on top of the vehicle can be used for this purpose 1 be realized to the positioning of the Vehicle 1 to be monitored and guaranteed relative to the charging station. This allows charging in almost all situations in which the vehicle 1 has a dwell time in the storage system. The vehicle 1 no longer has to be moved out of the storage system so that it can be loaded. A strategically advantageous arrangement of charging stations in the storage system is particularly advantageous here.

Suitable charging stations can have power supplies that generate the right voltage for vehicles 1 to charge with capacitors, the only capacitors as a power source for the motion drive and possibly the entire electrical system of the vehicle 1 to use. These charging stations can have a control or control device that communicates with the control of the vehicles. This enables a decentralized control of the storage system to be implemented. The control device or control device of the charging station can evaluate signals from one-way light barriers or other light barriers which can detect a position of the vehicle relative to the charging station. Furthermore, a power supply unit of the charging station can be controlled in order to generate a suitable voltage and / or a suitable current.

A sensor system at the charging station can generally have a one-way light barrier, with a position of the vehicle 1 is then correct for a charging process relative to the charging station if there is a connection between the transmitter and the receiver of the light barrier. As soon as a predeterminable scope of a charging process has been completed, a signal can be sent to the vehicle 1 be sent.

The charging station or stations can be positioned where the vehicle is 1 lingers or pauses briefly due to the process. So can the downtime of the vehicle 1 that is already generated in the storage process can be used for reloading. Such a downtime can occur, for example, when handing over containers to workplaces, to lifters, to transfer shafts or to conveyor technology under the storage system or grid and wherever a container or storage item with any periphery is exchanged.

Above the vehicles 1 arranged charging stations enable bidirectional entry into a charging station. Charging stations can be used anywhere to carry out the charging of a vehicle 1 suitable positions in the storage system.

In order to save space in the vehicle, the necessary power supply units for generating the charging voltage and the charging current can be accommodated in the charging station. This allows vehicles 1 be made as small and light as possible.

There can be direction-independent charging contacts 4th and 5 at the vehicle 1 be realized, wherein a negative pole is centered and two or more positive poles can be attached off-center. A vehicle 1 with two different wheelsets, for example, you can drive in two different orientations - for example 0 ° and 180 ° - in the storage system or grid. The negative pole is then always independent of the orientation 4th correctly connected. Furthermore, one positive pole of the charging station is connected to the positive pole of the vehicle, while the other positive pole of the charging station is connected to the cover plate 11 or cover or hood of the vehicle 1 rests and does not contribute to the charging process. The cover plate 11 , Cover or hood is formed from a non-conductive or plastic material.

In a particularly advantageous manner, one or more light barriers can detect which positive pole of the charging station is contacted, so that only this positive pole of the charging station is energized or energized.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the teaching according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims in order to avoid repetition.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described above only serve to explain the teaching claimed, but do not restrict them to the exemplary embodiments.

List of reference symbols

1

vehicle

2

Runway

3rd

sensor

4th

Charging contact negative pole

5

Charging contact positive pole

6th

Contact negative pole

7th

Contact positive pole

8th

feather

9

connection

10

Plastic plate of the charging station

11

Cover plate of the vehicle

12th

Screw-on element

13th

Cover hood

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

• WO 2015/104263 A1 [0007]
• WO 2017/220627 A1 [0008]
• WO 2019/092029 A1 [0009]
• WO 2019/238702 A1 [0010, 0012]
• WO 2017/14939 A1 [0011]
• WO 2019/215221 A1 [0012]

Claims (16)

Vehicle (1) for a storage system, in particular a storage and removal system, the vehicle (1) being designed to transport a storage item or a container for a storage item in the storage system, into or out of the storage system, and wherein the vehicle ( 1) has an energy store for storing energy for driving the vehicle (1), characterized in that the energy store has a capacitor for storing energy. Vehicle (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the capacitor is a super capacitor. Vehicle (1) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the vehicle (1) has a controller for monitoring and / or evaluating operating data of the capacitor, for example the state of charge, sensor data and / or data from a voltage divider assigned to the capacitor, wherein preferably the controller for transmitting operating data, Sensor data and / or data from the voltage divider to a superimposed system control - provided for example for the assignment of orders and charge planning of the capacitor. Vehicle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the vehicle (1) has a sensor system for determining the position of the vehicle (1), preferably relative to a charging station for the capacitor. Vehicle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that the vehicle (1) has several electrical systems of different voltages, at least one electrical system preferably having a voltage converter for adapting a voltage provided by the capacitor for, for example, the drive, the sensors and / or the controller. Vehicle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that a device for preventing a current flow from the capacitor back into a charging station is assigned to the capacitor, the device having at least one diode. Vehicle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6th , characterized in that the capacitor is assigned a fuse or a solid state relay to prevent a short circuit for a cable from a charging contact to the capacitor and / or a cable from the capacitor to one or more voltage converters. Vehicle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th , characterized in that the vehicle (1) has a charging socket for direct charging of the capacitor. Vehicle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the vehicle (1) has at least one charging contact, preferably several charging contacts arranged at different positions on the vehicle (1), for contact with a charging station and charging of the capacitor at the charging station. Vehicle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the vehicle (1) drives or can drive on a storage system or grid with crossing rails, preferably over stacked containers or stacked storage goods, and has a lowerable gripping device for containers or storage goods. Charging station for a vehicle (1) for a storage system, in particular for a vehicle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , the charging station being designed to charge an energy store for storing energy for driving the vehicle (1), characterized in that the energy store has a capacitor for storing energy. Charging station after Claim 11 , characterized in that the charging station has a control device for evaluating signals from light barriers and / or a sensor system for a position of the vehicle (1) in the area of the charging station and / or for controlling a charging current and / or a charging voltage and / or for preferably motorized Has movement of at least one charging contact for guiding and / or docking this charging contact to a charging contact of the vehicle (1). Charging station after Claim 12 , characterized in that the control device is designed for communication with at least one vehicle (1). Charging station according to one of the Claims 11 until 13th , characterized in that the charging station has a switching device in order to control a current flow in a targeted manner to a further assigned charging station. System from vehicle (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 and charging station according to one of the Claims 11 until 14th . Method for operating a system comprising a vehicle (1) and a charging station Claim 15 , wherein a charging process for the vehicle (1) by means of the Charging station takes place at at least one position in a storage system at which a vehicle (1) usually or due to the process carries out an intermediate stop according to a specified storage and / or removal process to fulfill the storage and / or removal process, ie does not stop specifically for the loading process.

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