DE102023127773A1 - Storage facility for material plates - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage facility for material plates (2) with a) at least one rail-bound base travel path (3) with at least one pair of rails (3.1, 3.2) and at least one rail-bound transfer path (4) leading to plate depositing points (7) with at least two pairs of rails (4.1, 4.2), wherein the pair of rails of a base travel path (3) and the pairs of rails of a transfer path (4) meet one another essentially at right angles, b) at least one transport device (5) consisting of two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) with their own drive (19, 20), which can be synchronized to one another at a constant distance (A1, A2) during transport and which are able to jointly pick up the material plates (2) to be transported, and c) a lifting device (25) which can also be synchronized and is present on both carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2), by means of which lifting device material plates (2) can be picked up and deposited on the plate depositing points (7) in the storage facility. In order to improve the storage facility compared to the prior art, it is provided that the transport device (5) can be moved by a wheel alignment device (10) both on a base travel path (3) and on a transfer path (4), in such a way that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) can be moved on the base travel path (3) one behind the other at a constant distance (A1) and on the transfer paths (4) at a constant distance (A2) parallel to one another at the same height. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a storage facility.

Description

1. a) wenigstens einem schienengebundenen Basisfahrweg mit mindestens einem Schienenpaar und mindestens einem zu Plattenablegestellen führenden schienengebundenen Transferweg mit mindestens zwei Schienenpaaren, wobei das Schienenpaar eines Basisfahrwegs und die Schienenpaare eines Transferwegs im Wesentlichen rechtwinklig aufeinandertreffen,
2. b) wenigstens einer Transporteinrichtung bestehend aus zwei Trägerfahrzeugen mit eigenem Antrieb, die beim Transport auf gleichbleibenden Abstand zueinander synchronisierbar sind und die in der Lage sind, gemeinsam die zu transportierenden Werkstoffplatten aufzunehmen, und
3. c) jeweils einer an beiden Trägerfahrzeugen vorhandenen ebenfalls synchronisierbaren Hubvorrichtung, mittels derer Werkstoffplatten aufnehmbar und auf den Plattenablegestellen in der Lagereinrichtung ablegbar sind.

The invention relates to a storage device for material plates with

1. a) at least one rail-bound base track with at least one pair of rails and at least one rail-bound transfer track with at least two pairs of rails leading to panel deposition points, the pair of rails of a base track and the pairs of rails of a transfer track meeting essentially at right angles,
2. b) at least one transport device consisting of two carrier vehicles with their own drive, which can be synchronised at a constant distance from each other during transport and which are able to jointly pick up the material plates to be transported, and
3. c) a lifting device, which can also be synchronised, on each of the two carrier vehicles, by means of which material plates can be picked up and placed on the plate placement stations in the storage facility.

• - eine Lagereinrichtung beschreibt die ganze Anlage und Fläche zur Aufnahme und Ablage von Werkstoffplatten oder Werkstoffplattenstapeln mittels wenigstens einer Transporteinrichtung und verschiedenen Plattenablegestellen, die in der Regel auf einer definierten Höhe angeordnet sind,
• - ein schienengebundener Transferweg ist der Schienenweg, der durch die Lagerreihen unmittelbar an den Plattenablegestellen vorbeiführt,
• - ein schienengebundener Basisfahrweg ist ein in der Regel rechtwinklig zum Transferweg verlaufender Schienenweg, der entfernt von der Plattenablegestellen durch das Lager oder seitlich daran vorbeiführt,
• - bei den hier angesprochenen Schienen(paaren) handelt es sich in erster Linie, aber nicht einschränkend, um die von der Anmelderin vertriebenen Schienen gemäß der DE 4318383 C1 oder der WO 2014/032699 A1 . Diese Art von sogenannten Rundschienen hat sich in der Praxis bestens bewährt, weil sie einfach aufgebaut und somit leicht herstellbar sind. Ein Vorteil für Fabrikationshallen besteht darin, dass die Schiene nahezu bündig mit dem Fußboden verlegt werden kann, so dass andere Fahrzeuge in ihrer Bewegungsfreiheit nicht eingeschränkt sind. Im Gegensatz zu rinnenförmigen Schienen, in denen die Räder der Flurförderer laufen, ist die Verschmutzungsgefahr der Schienen deutlich verringert,
• - die Trägerfahrzeuge besitzen dann entsprechend konkav ausgekehlte Räder im Bereich des Umfangs, so dass die Schienen mit einem konvexen Oberflächenabschnitt bei Kontakt zumindest teilweise in den ausgekehlten Bereich der Räder eintauchen.
• - Unter Schienenpaar werden in der Regel zwei parallele Schienen verstanden. Falls die Trägerfahrzeuge eine gewisse Breite überschreiten, kann allerdings zur Abstützung eine dritte, ggf. auch vierte Schiene parallel verlegt werden müssen, um die Trägerfahrzeuge zu tragen. Diese Anordnung soll in äquivalenter Weise unter dem Begriff Schienenpaar subsummiert sein. In diesem Fall sind für eine Fahrtrichtung mindestens sechs, ggf. auch mindestens acht Räder bzw. Radkassetten notwendig.
• - die Plattenablegestellen sind bevorzugt lange parallele Trägerreihen, auf denen einzelne Werkstoffplatten oder Werkstoffplattenstapel in der Regel auf einer definierten Höhe abgelegt werden können, wobei die Trägerfahrzeuge auf dem Transferweg zwischen der Plattenablegestellen hindurchfahren und die durch Hubvorrichtung angehobenen Werkstoffplatten an gewünschter Plattenablegestelle ablassen können.

To define the terms used, please find more details:

• - a storage facility describes the entire system and area for receiving and storing material plates or stacks of material plates by means of at least one transport device and various plate storage points, which are usually arranged at a defined height,
• - a rail-based transfer route is the rail route that runs through the storage rows directly past the plate storage points,
• - a rail-bound base track is a rail track that usually runs at right angles to the transfer path and runs through the storage area or past it at the side, away from the plate storage area,
• - the rails (pairs) referred to here are primarily, but not limited to, the rails sold by the applicant in accordance with DE 4318383 C1 or the WO 2014/032699 A1 This type of so-called round rails has proven itself in practice because they are simple in design and therefore easy to manufacture. One advantage for production halls is that the rail can be laid almost flush with the floor, so that other vehicles are not restricted in their freedom of movement. In contrast to channel-shaped rails in which the wheels of the floor conveyors run, the risk of soiling the rails is significantly reduced,
• - the carrier vehicles then have correspondingly concavely grooved wheels in the area of the circumference, so that the rails with a convex surface section immerse at least partially into the grooved area of the wheels upon contact.
• - A pair of rails is generally understood to mean two parallel rails. If the carrier vehicles exceed a certain width, however, a third or even fourth rail may have to be laid parallel to support the carrier vehicles. This arrangement should be subsumed in an equivalent manner under the term pair of rails. In this case, at least six, or at least eight wheels or wheel cassettes are required for one direction of travel.
• - the plate laying stations are preferably long parallel rows of supports on which individual material plates or material plate stacks can usually be laid down at a defined height, whereby the carrier vehicles can drive through the plate laying stations on the transfer path and lower the material plates raised by the lifting device to the desired plate laying station.

Such storage facilities for material panels, such as chipboard, OSB or insulation panels, which have a surface area of more than 1.5 m ² , are already known. In fact, they are constructed in a similar way everywhere. A large base carriage, which usually carries two satellite vehicles, moves along the base track. These two satellite vehicles, as carrier vehicles, in turn carry stacks of material panels and can leave the base vehicle on transfer paths arranged at right angles to the base track with their own drives. In the state of the art, a transport facility therefore essentially consists of a base vehicle and two satellite or carrier vehicles. The storage unit commonly used today consists of three parallel panel storage locations. The two satellite vehicles can move into the two spaces between them while they jointly carry material panels. The material panels are lifted using lifting devices so that they can be moved above the panel storage location. At a suitable point, the material panels are then lowered and placed on the three panel storage locations. There are numerous patent applications that describe this situation and the associated state of the art. The following are mentioned here: WO 2021/240009 A1 , the WO 2021/240010 A2 , the WO 2021/240011 A2 and which was not yet published at the time of registration DE102022000571.9 called.

All documents concern at least one base vehicle that can be moved on rails and several transfer paths leading to plate depositing points and at least one satellite vehicle that can be moved thereon and is able to move at least one material plate, wherein there is a resting place on the base vehicle for at least one satellite vehicle, wherein the base vehicle has an electrical power supply, for example via a sliding contact, and a drive with a base vehicle electric motor and wherein the satellite vehicle also has a drive with a satellite vehicle motor.

There are various approaches to supplying the "piggyback satellites" with energy so that they can move independently of the base vehicle and operate their lifting devices. So far, none of these have been really satisfactory. Sliding contacts are vulnerable, cables are cumbersome and charging stations for batteries are complex. In particular, the control of base vehicles in conjunction with the satellite vehicles is often not easy to implement, as radio and WLAN transmissions in the warehouses are often impaired.

Furthermore, the satellite vehicles depend on being picked up by the base vehicle in order to reach another transfer route via the base route.

The object of the invention is to develop a storage device for material plates in which the described problems with regard to the base car-satellite car control can be avoided.

The object is achieved according to the features of claim 1 and in particular in that the transport device can be moved by a wheel alignment device both on a base track and on a transfer path, in such a way that the carrier vehicles can be moved on the base track at a constant distance one behind the other and on the transfer paths at a constant distance and parallel to one another at the same height. During transport, the distances, which are referred to below as A1 (on the base track) and A2 (on the transfer path), should be the same.

With the wheel alignment device, the active wheels, i.e. those that move the transport device on rails, can be aligned either in the rail direction of the base track or in the direction of the transfer path that branches off at a roughly right angle. These do not necessarily have to be individual wheels. In many cases, two or more wheels are mounted one behind the other in a so-called cassette. In this case, the cassette may be rotated 90° around a vertical axis. When we talk about the rotation of the wheels in the further course, this also includes the rotation of a cassette. But it can also be different sets of wheels that roll on the rails of the base track or the rails of the transfer path.

The solution according to the invention is much more flexible than conventional solutions with a base vehicle and satellite vehicles, since the transport device allows and carries out both the so-called transverse and longitudinal travel, i.e. on the base travel path and the transfer path. At the same time, several transport devices can be located in the base travel path and the transfer path without hindering each other or being dependent on each other.
It is even conceivable that oncoming transport facilities on the basic route avoid each other by one of the transport facilities entering a transfer route in order to let the other oncoming transport facility pass.

In order to be able to carry out these variants quickly, it is preferred if the constant distance between the two carrier vehicles on the base track coincides with the distance between the at least two transfer rail pairs in such a way that after activation of the wheel alignment device, the active wheels can be placed on the transfer rails.

With precise distance synchronization on the base track, the at least two carrier vehicles automatically arrive at the crossing transfer paths at the correct distance. As soon as the wheel alignment device has been activated and the wheels of the carrier vehicles have been switched from the base track direction to the transfer path direction, the carrier vehicles can turn right or left in parallel and continue driving on the transfer rails. It is particularly important to emphasize that the material panels to be transported retain their position on the two carrier vehicles and are not moved or shifted relative to the entire transport device.

It is advantageous to ensure that the wheel alignment device is connected to the chassis components of the carrier vehicles.

For example, means can be provided directly on the chassis of each carrier vehicle to change the orientation of the active wheels from the base travel direction to the transfer travel direction.

There are three alternative preferred possibilities for an effective wheel alignment device, which are briefly named in subclaims 4 to 6.

As a first possibility, it is advantageous if a rotating plate is provided at rail height in the crossing area of the rails and the wheels of the two carrier vehicles are mounted so that they can rotate about a vertical axis.

Then, by rotating a plate, a wheel standing on it can also be rotated to change the direction of travel of the carrier vehicle. It is irrelevant whether the rotary drive is provided on the wheel or on the plate. With sufficient weight and sufficient friction, the plate does not even need a rail or a groove for the wheel, but can have a completely smooth surface. As mentioned, wheels here also include cassettes with two or three wheels, as long as they fit on a turntable.

With this arrangement, it is imperative that all wheels of both carrier vehicles are on turntables so that the transport device can change from one direction of travel to the other. For this reason, it is essential that the two carrier vehicles are kept at a constant distance on the base track.

As a second possibility for creating an effective wheel alignment device, it is advantageous if the wheels of the carrier vehicles are mounted so that they can rotate about a vertical axis by a motor and they can be relieved of load, at least briefly, by at least one pressure piston that is suitable for lifting the carrier vehicle until the wheels are rotated by approximately 90°. The pressure piston can comprise an actuator, for example.

Such a pressure stamp makes it possible to relieve the load on each wheel or cassette in such a way that it can be rotated relative to the carrier vehicle with little effort. The pressure stamp acts against an area of the rail crossing and relieves the wheels by exerting counterpressure so that they no longer bear the load of the carrier vehicle and the material plates to be transported. Instead, this load is now taken over by the pressure stamp. This enables all components required for changing direction to be integrated in the industrial truck element and accordingly simplifies their control and the design of the rail system.

By lifting the wheels and the carrier vehicle from the rail, the end of the pressure piston facing the rail projects downwards over the running surface of at least one wheel, so that no part of the wheel is in contact with any part of the rail system. This allows the wheels or cassette to rotate freely and without resistance relative to the carrier vehicle.

As a third possibility for creating a wheel alignment device, it is advantageous to have a lifting device which is suitable for lifting the wheels of the carrier vehicles which are standing on the rails of the base track, while lowering other wheels onto the rails of the transfer track or vice versa.

This third possibility will be explained in more detail in the later description of the embodiments, because it has already been tested in the test field.

In this design, the chassis has two sets of wheels. The first set is aligned in the direction of the base track, the second in the direction of the transfer track. All wheels are coupled to at least one lifting device, with one of the sets in contact with the rails while the other set is lifted off the rails. The sets that are in contact with the rails are changed in the intersection area of the base track and the transfer track. Here, too, these processes must be able to be carried out in a synchronized manner for both carrier vehicles.

In this third embodiment, it is particularly preferred if a first chassis with the wheels for the rails of the base track and a second chassis with the wheels for the rails of the transfer track can be displaced relative to one another by the lifting device.

The lifting device can lower the first chassis while raising the second chassis, or vice versa. This means that either the wheels of the first chassis or the wheels of the second chassis come into engagement or contact with the associated rails. A particularly effective and advantageous design is when the first chassis is placed over the second. A lifting device between these chassis then allows the first chassis to be lowered so far that its wheels touch the rails. At the same time or afterwards, the second chassis and its wheels can be lifted off its rails. The reverse process can also take place when changing direction.

In a preferred design, the first chassis is designed as a cuboid that is open at the bottom, i.e. with four side walls and a cover surface. On top, the cover surface becomes the support surface for the material plates. At least four wheels are attached to the lower edges of the cuboid, which run on the rails of the base track, for example. The second chassis is inserted from below into the opening of the first chassis, which also has at least four wheels that can be placed on the rails of the transfer track, for example. The lifting device between the two chassis ensures that the direction of travel can be changed by placing either the first or the second chassis on the assigned rails.

This ensures, with particular advantage, that both the lifting device and the lifting mechanism comprise the same actuators.
At this point, please note again the terminology used, according to which a lifting device serves to raise and lower the material plates to be transported, while a lifting device determines the active wheels on the rails of the base track or those of the transfer track.

If in this case the support surface of the carrier vehicle is firmly connected to the first chassis, the same actuators, preferably even the same actuators, can be used for the lifting device and the lifting mechanism. If, for example, the first chassis (preferably the one placed over the second chassis) is lowered with the support surface so that the wheels are in contact with the rails, the lower edge of the material plates is also in the lowest possible transport position. However, this state is very suitable for transport on the base track. If the first chassis is then raised and the second lowered in order to switch to the transfer track, the lower edge of the material plates is in a slightly higher position, which has a positive effect on the storage on the plate storage points. This results in a corresponding advantage if at least one height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails of the base track and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails of the transfer track.

However, it is also advantageous if each lifting device is suitable for moving to several height positions for the support surface of the carrier vehicle and thus the lower edge of the material panels to be transported.

In this way, it is particularly easy to move the material plates above the plate storage locations into their storage position and then to place them on the plate storage location by lowering the lifting device to a second, lower height position in which the lower edge of the material plate would theoretically be below the plate storage location.

Preferably, one height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails of the base track and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails of the transfer track.

It is thus preferred that at least two height positions for the support surface of the carrier vehicle can be set during transport on the transfer path, one in which the support surface and thus the lower edge of the material plates to be transported is above and one in which the lower edge of the material plates to be transported is below the plate depositing point in the storage facility.

The preferred means of supplying energy to the carrier vehicles are induction loops that generate a magnetic field and are housed in the hall floor, for example, parallel to the rails. The vehicles accordingly have a receiver unit in the form of at least one further coil through which the generated magnetic field flows. The generated electricity is preferably stored in accumulators or power storage units on the carrier vehicles. In this invention, this also includes, by definition, capacitors. This means that there is always enough energy available for the travel drives, the lifting device and the lifting mechanism. The lifting device and the lifting mechanism can work hydraulically, for example, via electrically operated pumps or directly via electrical spindle drives.
Separate charging stations or charging points can also be provided for efficient charging of the batteries.
However, this preferred power circuit does not necessarily have to be present if the basic principle of the invention is fulfilled. For example, a conventional power supply, for example via cables with winding drums, should also be covered by the invention. Preferably, the carrier vehicles are mechanically decoupled from each other, at least when unloaded. This means that no structural connection is provided between the carrier vehicles. In this case, a synchronous movement of the carrier vehicles at a constant distance behind one another or next to one another is not achieved by mechanical or structural coupling means that fulfill the function of a fixed drawbar, but in another way, for example, by means of a suitable synchronous control of the respective driving movements, so that both carrier vehicles behave like a single vehicle. A transported material plate is then not moved relative to either carrier vehicle during the journey.

The terms "coupling" and "decoupling" here refer to the carrier vehicles themselves and their movement. A common load carried by both vehicles, such as the material plate mentioned, is therefore not to be understood as a coupling means, even if it rests on the carrier vehicles in a non-slip manner. Rather, mechanical decoupling ensures that the carrier vehicles can move independently of one another on the base path and on the transfer path, at least when unloaded (subject to the synchronization described above by a common control system). In addition, there is no provision for coupling two carrier vehicles by a common base vehicle on which the carrier vehicles are transported at a constant distance. This base vehicle would ultimately be part of the entire transport facility. In fact, the material plates to be transported are not moved relative to the entire transport facility because the entire transport facility consists only of the carrier vehicles. The rail tracks on which the carrier vehicles rest do not represent coupling means in this context either, since the respective carrier vehicles can basically move freely on them.

The storage device according to the invention preferably comprises a control system for maintaining the distance between two carrier vehicles in order to ensure that the distances between the two carrier vehicles on the base travel path are constant one behind the other and on the transfer paths are constant and parallel to one another at the same height. It is advantageous if a control system receives the actual data of the carrier vehicle via rotary encoders on at least one of the wheels.

This precise current location determination makes it possible to control the drives of the carrier vehicles.

It can also be useful to use transponders to record the exact position of the wheels, particularly at the intersections between the rails of the base track and the rails of the transfer track. This can ensure that the wheels are placed or rotated around a vertical axis when changing the direction of travel at a rail crossing.

Preferably, there are at least two parallel base travel routes in the storage facility. This allows the uncomplicated use of several transport devices consisting of two carrier vehicles. If two transport devices are coming towards each other, one can easily switch to the second base travel route via a transfer path. In addition, two base travel routes allow the transport device to approach the plate storage locations from two sides, which also makes it considerably easier to pick up and drop off the material plates in the storage facility.

The carrier vehicles can be designed identically. This means that the carrier vehicles can have the same technical structure and be controlled and operated in the same way.

1. a) wenigstens einen schienengebundenen Basisfahrweg mit mindestens einem Schienenpaar und mindestens einem zu Plattenablegestellen führenden schienengebundenen Transferweg mit mindestens zwei Schienenpaaren, wobei das Schienenpaar eines Basisfahrwegs und die Schienenpaare eines Transferwegs im Wesentlichen rechtwinklig aufeinandertreffen,
2. b) wenigstens eine Transporteinrichtung, bestehend aus zwei Trägerfahrzeugen mit eigenem Antrieb, die beim Transport auf gleichbleibenden Abstand zueinander synchronisierbar sind und die in der Lage sind, gemeinsam die zu transportierenden Werkstoffplatten aufzunehmen, und
3. c) jeweils eine an beiden Trägerfahrzeugen vorhandene ebenfalls synchronisierbare Hubvorrichtung, mittels derer Werkstoffplatten aufnehmbar und auf den Plattenablegestellen in der Lagereinrichtung ablegbar sind,

wobei die Transporteinrichtung durch eine Räderausrichtungseinrichtung sowohl auf einem Basisfahrweg als auch auf einem Transferweg verfahren wird, und zwar dergestalt, dass die Trägerfahrzeuge auf dem Basisfahrweg in gleichbleibendem Abstand hintereinander und auf den Transferwegen in gleichförmigen Abstand auf gleicher Höhe parallel nebeneinander verfahren werden, wobei die zu transportierenden Werkstoffplatten dabei ihre Lage auf den beiden Trägerfahrzeugen beibehalten und relativ zu der gesamten Transporteinrichtung nicht bewegt oder verschoben werden.The invention further comprises a method for operating a storage facility for material plates, which storage facility comprises:

1. a) at least one rail-bound base track with at least one pair of rails and at least one rail-bound transfer track with at least two pairs of rails leading to plate deposition points, the pair of rails of a base track and the pairs of rails of a transfer track meeting essentially at right angles,
2. b) at least one transport device consisting of two carrier vehicles with their own drive, which can be synchronised at a constant distance from each other during transport and which are able to jointly pick up the material plates to be transported, and
3. c) a lifting device, which can also be synchronised, on each of the two carrier vehicles, by means of which material plates can be picked up and placed on the plate depositing stations in the storage facility,

wherein the transport device is moved by a wheel alignment device both on a base travel path and on a transfer path, in such a way that the carrier vehicles are moved on the base travel path at a constant distance one behind the other and on the transfer paths at a uniform distance at the same height and parallel to one another, wherein the material plates to be transported retain their position on the two carrier vehicles and are not moved or shifted relative to the entire transport device.

Preferably, the constant distance between the two carrier vehicles on the base track coincides with the distance between the at least two Pairs of rails on the transfer path such that after activation of the wheel alignment device, the active wheels can be moved on the transfer rails.

Preferably, the wheel alignment device is connected to the chassis components of the carrier vehicles.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wheels of the carrier vehicles are rotated about a vertical axis to change the direction of travel.

This rotation of the wheels preferably takes place while they rest on rotating plates in the crossing area of the rails.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the wheels of the carrier vehicles are motor-mounted so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis and are relieved of load, at least briefly, during rotation by at least one pressure piston which lifts the carrier vehicle until they are rotated by approximately 90°.

According to a further preferred embodiment, in order to change the direction of travel, a lifting device lifts the wheels of the carrier vehicles which are on the rails of the base track, while lowering other wheels onto the rails of the transfer track, or vice versa.

Preferably, to change the direction of travel, a first chassis with the wheels for the rails of the base track and a second chassis with the wheels for the rails of the transfer track are moved towards each other by the lifting device.

Preferably, both the lifting device and the lifting mechanism are driven by the same actuators.

Further preferably, the lifting device moves to several height positions for the wing of the carrier vehicle.

Preferably, at least one height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails of the base track and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails of the transfer track.

Preferably, the support surface of the material plates to be transported is located above the plate depositing station in the storage facility when transporting a material plate on the transfer path and is lowered to a height position below the plate depositing station in order to deposit a material plate on the plate depositing station.

Preferably, the carrier vehicles are supplied with energy via induction loops.

Furthermore, electrical energy is preferably stored in accumulators on the carrier vehicles.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the carrier vehicles are mechanically decoupled from one another, at least when unloaded.

Preferably, the distance between two carrier vehicles is maintained by joint control of the carrier vehicles.

Preferably, the control system moves the carrier vehicles in a synchronized manner when loaded and, when unloaded, either in a synchronized manner or independently of one another. The term "synchronized manner" here refers to the movement of the two carrier vehicles, as already described, while maintaining their distances, i.e. on the base travel path at a constant distance one behind the other and on the transfer paths at a constant distance at the same height and parallel to one another. In the unloaded state, the same movement is possible, but the carrier vehicles can also be moved independently of one another if necessary. The decision as to which of these movement modes is selected can be made based on the current operating situation, for example by evaluating corresponding sensor data and/or on the basis of pre-programmed processes.

In this case, the controller preferentially receives its data from rotary encoders on at least one wheel.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the exact position on a rail crossing is ensured by at least one transponder for the rail pair of a base track and/or the rail pairs of a transfer track.

• 1 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Lagereinrichtung,
• 2 eine dreidimensionale Ansicht einer Transporteinrichtung für Werkstoffplatten mit Basisfahrweg und Transferweg zu den Plattenablegestellen,
• 3a und 3b Trägerfahrzeuge zwischen den Plattenablegestellen mit unterschiedlichen Höhenpositionen der Tragflächen,
• 4 ein erstes Fahrwerk in dreidimensionaler Ansicht mit aufnehmbarer Hubvorrichtung,
• 5 ein erstes Fahrwerk in dreidimensionaler Ansicht von unten mit einführbarem zweitem Fahrwerk,
• 6 ein dem zweiten Fahrwerk übergestülptes erstes Fahrwerk in dreidimensionaler Ansicht von unten,
• 7a und 7b eine alternative Räderausrichtungseinrichtung mit Stempel zum Abheben und Drehen der Räder und
• 8 eine weitere alternative Räderausrichtungseinrichtung mit Drehtellern im Kreuzungspunkt der Schienen mittels derer die Räder gedreht werden können.

The invention is explained below with reference to the illustrative drawings. They show

• 1 a schematic plan view of a storage device according to the invention,
• 2 a three-dimensional view of a transport device for material plates with base travel path and transfer path to the plate depositing points,
• 3a and 3b Carrier vehicles between the plate laying stations with different height positions of the wings,
• 4 a first chassis in three-dimensional view with removable lifting device,
• 5 a first landing gear in three-dimensional view from below with insertable second landing gear,
• 6 a first landing gear placed over the second landing gear in a three-dimensional view from below,
• 7a and 7b an alternative wheel alignment device with stamp for lifting and turning the wheels and
• 8th another alternative wheel alignment device with turntables at the intersection point of the rails by means of which the wheels can be rotated.

The schematic representation in 1 is essentially a top view of the storage facility 1 for material plates (stacks) 2, with base travel paths 3, which have rails 3.1, 3.2, and transfer paths 4, which have rails 4.1, 4.2. When we talk about pairs of rails, each pair of rails involves either one rail 3.1 and one rail 3.2 on the base travel path or one rail 4.1 and one rail 4.2 on the transfer path. Transport devices 5 that are suitable for carrying the material plates (stacks) 2 can travel on both paths 3, 4. Material plates and material plate stacks are hereinafter referred to only as material plates 2. Each transport device 5 consists of two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 with their own drive, with a control system 21 ensuring that carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 travel on the base travel path 3 one behind the other at a constant distance A1 and on the transfer path 4 at a uniform distance A2 at the same height and parallel to one another. In order for the carrier vehicles to be able to travel on both the base track 3 and the transfer track 4, a wheel alignment device 10 is provided, which is shown and explained in several alternatives in the further course of the description and figures.

The two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 can travel on the transfer paths 4 and at the plate receiving location 8 exactly between three beam-shaped plate storage locations 7 for the material plates 2. The support surface 24 of the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 can be raised and lowered in a synchronized manner using a lifting device 25, which will be explained in more detail later. When the storage locations are being fed, material plates are raised using lifting devices 25 so that they can be moved above the plate storage location 7. The material plates 2 are then lowered at a suitable location and placed on the three plate storage locations 7. The carrier vehicles can therefore move freely underneath the material plates. The process is correspondingly reversed when picking up and unloading material plates 2, not only from the plate storage locations 7 but also at the plate receiving location 8.

To ensure clarity in 1 In order to maintain safety, the rails 3.1, 3.2 of the base track 3 are shown in dashed lines, the rails 4.1, 4.2 of the transfer path 4 by thin lines, the plate storage points 7 by thick black lines and induction loops 9 for the energy supply are shown in grey.

In 2 a short section of the base track 3 and the transfer track 4 is drawn three-dimensionally. Two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2, which form the transport device 5, can be seen on the rails 3.1., 3.2 of the base track 3. They jointly carry material plates 2. The reference symbol A1 indicates that the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 always maintain the same distance. By means of the wheel alignment device 10 (which is shown in the 5 to 8 explained in more detail), the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 are able to turn right, so to speak, and continue on the rails 4.1, 4.2 of the transfer path 4. For each carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2, one such pair of rails 4.1, 4.2 is provided, whereby the pairs of rails run exactly parallel, each between two plate depositing points 7.

The 3a and 3b illustrate how the two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 can travel between three plate storage locations 7. The reference symbol A2 indicates that the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 always maintain the same distance, ie that they always travel parallel at the same height. During transport, the distances A1 and A2 are the same.

3a shows how the carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2 transport material plates 2 a little way above the plate laying stations 7. The support surface 24 of the transport device 5 is therefore slightly higher than the support on the plate laying stations 7. The support surface 24 is in this case raised by a lifting device 25 (not shown here). In contrast, the support surface 24 in 3b lowered again so that the material plates are placed on the plate depositing stations 7.

4 is a kind of exploded view showing the first chassis 11 of a carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2 with a cavity and the lifting device 25 that can be accommodated therein as well as the accumulators 18 for storing the electricity on a carrier 28. In this embodiment, the accumulators 18 are fed via an inductive receiver unit 27. The stored electricity can be used to In addition to the drives for the carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2 (not shown), the lifting device 25 can be operated. In this embodiment, the lifting device 25 comprises an electric motor 29 and two coupled actuators 13, which can raise and lower the first chassis 11 in the installed state and thus also the supporting surface 24 for the material plates 2.
Furthermore, 4 a transponder 23 is indicated which, by means of a signal transmitter (not shown), can transmit the exact position of the carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2 (in particular in the crossing area of the rails) to the external control 21 or one located in the control box 30 so that the constant distance A1 can be synchronized.

In 5 The installation option of the second chassis 12 into the first chassis 11 is also shown in an exploded manner, this time in a view from below. 6 finally shows, in a similar manner, the first chassis 11 placed over the second chassis 12. The wheels 14 of the chassis 11, 12 can be seen. In this embodiment, the first chassis 11 is provided for the base track 3 and accordingly the drives for the base track 3 bear the reference numeral 19. The second chassis 12 is provided for the transfer path 4 and accordingly the drives for the transfer path 4 bear the reference numeral 20. In order to make the exact position of the carrier vehicle 6.1, 6.2 determinable, a rotary encoder 22 is indicated.

Depending on how far the actuator 13 is extended within the lifting device 25, not only is it decided how high the support surface 24 with the material plates 2 is lifted. Rather, the actuator 13 simultaneously forms a lifting device 26, which determines whether the wheels 14 of the drives 19 for the base travel path 3 or the wheels 14 of the drives 20 for the transfer path 4 are placed on the corresponding rails. At this point, the terminology should be mentioned again, according to which a lifting device 25 is used to raise and lower the material plates 2 to be transported, while a lifting device 26 defines the active wheels 14 on the rails of the base travel path 3 or those of the transfer path 4. At the intersection points of the rails 3.1, 3.2 or 4.1, 4.2, when the actuator 13 is retracted, the wheels 14 of the drives 19 for the base travel path 3 will be on the rails, while when the actuator is extended, the wheels 14 of the drives 20 for the transfer path 4 will be on the rails. In the structurally preferred embodiment, the first chassis 11 is designed as a cuboid that is open at the bottom, i.e. with four side walls and a cover surface. On top, the cover surface becomes the supporting surface 24 for the material plates 2. At least four wheels 14 are attached to the lower edges of the first chassis 11, which run, for example, on the rails 3.1, 3.2 of the base travel path 3. The second chassis 12, which also has at least four wheels 14 that can be placed, for example, on the rails 4.1, 4.2 of the transfer path 4, is introduced from below into the opening of the first chassis 11. The lifting device 26 between the two bogies 11, 12 ensures that the direction of travel can be changed by placing either the first or the second bogie on the associated rails.

This preferred switching of a wheel alignment device 10 of the direction of travel is particularly simple. However, there are also two alternative possibilities that are also intended to be covered by the invention and are described in the 7 and 8th be explained.

In both cases, only one chassis 11 is required. As in the previous embodiment, the wheels 14 run on the round rails 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2.

According to the 7a and 7b There are two wheels 14 in a wheel cassette. An extendable piston 16 is arranged between the wheels. When this extends exactly at the intersection point of two rails, the rotatably mounted wheel cassette lifted off the rails can be rotated by a motor through 90° about a vertical axis that corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the piston 16. When the piston 16 retracts again, the wheels 14 are automatically on the crossing rails. This process of the wheel alignment device 10 must be initiated simultaneously for all wheels or wheel cassettes 14 of the two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2.

8th shows an alternative embodiment of a wheel alignment device 10, which is arranged on at least four turntables 17 in the crossing area of rails 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2. If the axis of rotation 15 of the turntables 17 coincides with the vertical axes of rotation of the wheels or wheel cassettes 14, the wheels can be rotated by 90°.

The rotary drive (not shown) can be carried out both via the wheel 14 and via the turntable 17. As in the previous embodiments, the wheel alignment device 10 must always be activated simultaneously on all wheels 14 of the two carrier vehicles 6.1, 6.2.

List of reference symbols

1

Storage facility

2

Material plates (stacks)

3

Basic route

3.1, 3.2

Rails basic track

4

Transfer route

4.1, 4.2

Rail transfer route

5

Transport facility

6.1, 6.2

Carrier vehicle

7

Plate storage rack

8th

Record location

9

Induction loop

10

Wheel alignment device

11

First chassis

12

Second chassis

13

Actuator

14

Rotating wheel or wheel cassette

15

Rotation axis

16

Rubber stamp

17

Turntable

18

accumulator, power storage, capacitor

19

Drive basic track

20

Drive transfer path

21

steering

22

Encoder

23

Transponder

24

Wing

25

Lifting device

26

Lifting device

27

Receiver unit

28

carrier

29

Electric motor

30

Switch box

A1, A2

Distance

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 4318383 C1 [0002]
• WO 2014032699 A1 [0002]
• WO 2021240009 A1 [0003]
• WO 2021240010 A2 [0003]
• WO 2021240011 A2 [0003]
• EN 1020220005719 [0003]

Claims (37)

Storage facility for material plates (2) with a) at least one rail-bound base track (3) with at least one pair of rails (3.1, 3.2) and at least one rail-bound transfer path (4) leading to plate depositing points (7) with at least two pairs of rails (4.1, 4.2), wherein the pair of rails of a base track (3) and the pairs of rails of a transfer path (4) meet essentially at right angles, b) at least one transport device (5) consisting of two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) with their own drive (19, 20), which can be synchronized to one another at a constant distance (A1, A2) during transport and which are able to jointly pick up the material plates (2) to be transported, and c) a lifting device (25) which is also synchronizable and is present on both carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2), by means of which material plates (2) can be picked up and deposited on the plate depositing points (7) in the storage facility, characterized in that that the transport device (5) can be moved by a wheel alignment device (10) both on a base travel path (3) and on a transfer path (4), in such a way that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) can be moved on the base travel path (3) one behind the other at a constant distance (A1) and on the transfer paths (4) at a uniform distance (A2) and parallel to one another at the same height. Storage facility according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the constant distance (A1) of the two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) on the base track (3) coincides with the distance of the at least two pairs of rails (4.1, 4.2 respectively) on the transfer path (4) such that after activation of the wheel alignment device (10) the active wheels (14) can be moved on the transfer rails. Storage facility according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the wheel alignment device (10) is connected to the chassis components (11, 12) of the carrier vehicles. Storage facility in accordance with one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that in the crossing area of the rails (3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2) a rotatable plate (17) is provided at rail height and the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are mounted so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. Storage facility in accordance with one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are motor-mounted so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis and they can be relieved of load, at least for a short time, by at least one pressure stamp (16) which is suitable for lifting the carrier vehicle (6.1, 6.2), until the wheels (14) are rotated by approximately 90°. Storage facility in accordance with one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that a lifting device (26) is present which is suitable for lifting the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) which are on the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the base track (3), while lowering other wheels (14) onto the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4) or vice versa. Storage facility according to Claim 6 , characterized in that a first chassis (11) with the wheels for the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the base track (3) and a second chassis (12) with the wheels for the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer path (4) can be displaced relative to one another by the lifting device (26). Storage facility in accordance with one of the Claims 6 until 7 , characterized in that both the lifting device (25) and the lifting means (26) comprise the same actuators (13). Storage facility in accordance with one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that each lifting device (25) is suitable for moving to several height positions for the supporting surface (24) of the carrier vehicle (6.1, 6.2). Storage facility according to Claim 9 , characterized in that at least one height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the base track (3) and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4). Storage facility according to Claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that at least two height positions can be set during transport on the transfer path (4), one in which the supporting surface (24) of the material plates (2) to be transported is above and one in which the supporting surface (24) of the material plates (2) to be transported is below the plate depositing point (7) in the storage device. Storage facility according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , characterized in that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) can be supplied with energy via induction loops (9). Storage facility according to Claim 12 , characterized in that electrical energy can be stored in accumulators (18) on the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2). Storage facility in accordance with one of the Claims 1 until 13 , characterized in that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are mechanically decoupled from one another at least in the unloaded state. Storage facility in accordance with one of the Claims 1 until 14 , characterized by a control (21) for maintaining a distance between two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2). Storage facility according to Claim 15 , characterized in that the controller (21) receives its data from rotary encoders (22) on at least one wheel (14). Storage facility in accordance with one of the Claims 1 until 16 , characterized in that at least one transponder (23) is present for the rail pair (3.1, 3.2) of a base track (3) and/or the rail pairs (4.1, 4.2 respectively) of a transfer path (4) in order to ensure an exact position at a rail crossing. Storage facility according to one of the Claims 1 until 17 , characterized in that at least two parallel base travel paths (3) are present in the storage facility (1). Method for operating a storage facility for material plates (2), which storage facility comprises the following: a) at least one rail-bound base track (3) with at least one pair of rails (3.1, 3.2) and at least one rail-bound transfer path (4) leading to plate depositing points (7) with at least two pairs of rails (4.1, 4.2), wherein the pair of rails of a base track (3) and the pairs of rails of a transfer path (4) meet essentially at right angles, b) at least one transport device (5), consisting of two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) with their own drive (19, 20), which can be synchronized to one another at a constant distance (A1, A2) during transport and which are able to jointly pick up the material plates (2) to be transported, and c) a lifting device (25) which is also synchronizable and is present on both carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2), by means of which material plates (2) can be picked up and placed on the plate depositing points (7) in the Storage facility, which method is characterized in that the transport device (5) is moved by a wheel alignment device (10) both on a base travel path (3) and on a transfer path (4), namely in such a way that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are moved on the base travel path (3) at a constant distance (A1) one behind the other and on the transfer paths (4) at a uniform distance (A2) at the same height and parallel next to each other, wherein the material plates to be transported retain their position on the two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) and are not moved or shifted relative to the entire transport device (5). Procedure according to Claim 19 , characterized in that the constant distance (A1) of the two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) on the base track (3) coincides with the distance of the at least two pairs of rails (4.1, 4.2 respectively) on the transfer path (4) such that after activation of the wheel alignment device (10) the active wheels (14) can be moved on the transfer rails. Procedure according to Claim 19 or 20 , characterized in that the wheel alignment device (10) is connected to the chassis components (11, 12) of the carrier vehicles. Procedure according to one of the Claims 19 until 21 , characterized in that the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are rotated about a vertical axis to change the direction of travel. Procedure according to Claim 22 , characterized in that the wheels (14) are rotated while resting on rotatable plates (17) in the crossing area of the rails (3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2). Procedure according to Claim 22 , characterized in that the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are motor-mounted so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis and during rotation they are at least briefly relieved of load by at least one pressure piston (16) which lifts the carrier vehicle (6.1, 6.2) until they are rotated by approximately 90°. Procedure according to one of the Claims 19 until 21 , characterized in that, in order to change the direction of travel, a lifting device (26) lifts the wheels (14) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) which are on the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the base track (3), while lowering other wheels (14) onto the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4) or vice versa. Procedure according to Claim 25 , characterized in that for changing the direction of travel a first chassis (11) with the wheels for the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the base track (3) and a second chassis (12) with the wheels for the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer path (4) are moved towards each other by the lifting device (26). Procedure according to one of the Claims 25 until 26 , characterized in that both the lifting device (25) and the lifting means (26) are driven by the same actuators (13). Procedure according to one of the Claims 19 until 27 , characterized in that the lifting device (25) moves to several height positions for the supporting surface (24) of the carrier vehicle (6.1, 6.2). Procedure according to Claim 28 , characterized in that at least one height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails (3.1, 3.2) of the base track (3) and at least one other height position is coupled with lowered and thus contacting wheels on the rails (4.1, 4.2) of the transfer track (4). Procedure according to Claim 28 or 29 , characterized in that the supporting surface (24) of the material plates (2) to be transported lies above the plate depositing station (7) in the storage device when transporting a material plate (2) on the transfer path (4) and is lowered to a height position below the plate depositing station (7) for depositing a material plate (2) on the plate depositing station (7). Method according to one of the Claims 19 until 30 , characterized in that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are supplied with energy via induction loops (9). Procedure according to Claim 31 , characterized in that electrical energy is stored in accumulators (18) on the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2). Procedure according to one of the Claims 19 until 30 , characterized in that the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) are mechanically decoupled from one another at least in the unloaded state. Procedure according to one of the Claims 19 until 33 , characterized in that the distance between two carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) is maintained by a common control (21) of the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2). Procedure according to Claim 34 , characterized in that the control (21) moves the carrier vehicles (6.1, 6.2) in a synchronized manner in the loaded state and in an unloaded state they are moved optionally in a synchronized manner or independently of one another. Procedure according to Claim 34 or 35 , characterized in that the controller (21) receives its data from rotary encoders (22) on at least one wheel (14). Procedure according to one of the Claims 19 until 36 , characterized in that the exact position on a rail crossing is ensured by at least one transponder (23) for the rail pair (3.1, 3.2) of a base track (3) and/or the rail pairs (4.1, 4.2 respectively) of a transfer path (4).