DE9218776U1 - Storage device for the storage of products or objects - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a storage device for storing products or objects.

Products or objects such as boxes, cans/paper etc. have previously been stored in different ways.

For paper or light weight objects, such as pharmaceutical containers etc., it is known to use a device consisting of a plurality of plates spaced apart from one another by a constant amount and connected to a motor-driven chain by means of a pivot pin. The plates are further equipped with an arm, the free end of which is provided with a roller which is guided in a guide rail to ensure that the plates remain in a substantially horizontal plane.

To remove an object from a specific plate, all plates must be moved upwards until the specific plate is in front of a work table. This means that the motor power must be oversized to ensure the movement of all plates, even if only a few adjacent plates are loaded with objects.

The loss of space with such a device is considerable.

Due to the fact that the distance or space between two adjacent plates is limited, direct access to objects arranged on a plate is not possible. For this reason, boxes or containers with the objects to be stored must be placed on the plate. To remove an object,

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[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

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Therefore, the entire box must be removed from the plate. This means that the surface of the work table must be at least substantially equal to the surface or footprint of the plate. The loss of space is due to the fact that the plates cannot be moved above or below the work table.

In addition, with such a device the distance between two adjacent plates cannot be changed.

For objects with higher weight, it is known that

on pallets and to manipulate these pallets using an industrial truck, such as a forklift truck. However, such a forklift truck requires a considerable amount of working space for its movement.

In order to save some space, it is common to use high-bay warehouses, where the individual storage floors have a constant distance from each other.

The driver of a forklift truck cannot be sure that the height of the pallet to be placed on a shelf is less than the distance between two adjacent storage floors. If this is not the case, there is a risk of accidents. To prevent such accidents, the distance between two shelves is always made higher than absolutely necessary, which in turn results in a large loss of space.

The present invention, on the other hand, has set itself the task of avoiding these disadvantages, that is, of designing a device for storing objects in such a way that the loss of space or room is minimal.

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995
Philippe d'Heygere

The present invention generally provides a device for storing products or objects in a frame-like rack and for removing the products or objects stored in the frame-like rack, wherein provisions are made such that the loss of space during storage is minimal and thus the storage capacity is optimally utilized.

More specifically, the present invention solves the problem underlying it by the features specified in claim 1.

According to the invention, a storage device is created for storing products or objects arranged on carrier plates within a frame, wherein the device has:

a frame having a number of support members, the support members being adapted to receive support plates carrying loads of different heights; a support plate receiving and transfer platform disposed immediately adjacent to the frame and movable along the frame by a drive mechanism to position the platform for loading a support plate into the frame or for unloading a support plate from the frame; and a computer having means for changing the arrangement of one support plate relative to another.

Advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

The computer preferably has a computer-aided control device with which, depending on signals from a measuring device for detecting the dimensions of the objects to be stored, the vertical distance between adjacent storage units equipped with the carrier plates to be stored

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

Support elements can be changed to optimize storage volume.

Furthermore, a circuit is preferably provided for supplying energy to a system of the platform for moving a carrier plate relative to the platform and/or to a system for moving the platform and/or the carrier elements in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the carrier elements extend; and a sensor for detecting a dimension of the carrier plate with an object to be stored thereon, the sensor actuating the switch in the circuit to store the carrier plate when the distance between the carrier elements on which the carrier plate is to be arranged and the adjacent carrier elements is greater than the dimension detected by the sensor.

The device according to the invention is further preferably characterized by a control device for actuating a relative movement between the carrier elements for the carrier plate to be stored and adjacent carrier elements when the dimension measured by the sensor is greater than the distance separating the carrier elements for the carrier plate to be stored and the adjacent carrier elements for another carrier plate or for actuating at least one movement parallel to the carrier elements for the storage of a carrier plate when the dimension measured by the sensor is smaller than the distance separating the carrier elements for the carrier plate to be loaded and the carrier elements for another carrier plate.

Preferably, the platform used in the device according to the invention has at least the following components: a device for picking up a carrier plate from the frame; a device for transferring a carrier plate from the platform into the frame; a device for gripping a carrier plate from a work

[Fiie:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

platform; and means for transferring a carrier plate from the platform to the work platform.

The device for gripping and transferring a carrier plate can preferably comprise at least one gearwheel which can be driven by a motor and whose teeth interact with a rack which is attached to the carrier plate.

Furthermore, the device for gripping and transferring a carrier plate can have at least one gear which can be driven by a motor and whose teeth interact with a rack which is attached to the carrier plate, the motor being controlled by a circuit which has a switch actuated by a sensor, the sensor actuating the switch when it reports the end of the gripping process so that the motor no longer drives the gear. Likewise, the sensor can actuate the switch when it reports the end of the transfer process so that the motor no longer drives the gear.

The platform preferably carries a sensor which can actuate a switch which is arranged in the circuit for supplying energy to the system for moving the platform so that the platform is moved upwards to a certain point.

The sensor can open the circuit so that no more power is supplied to the system when the sensor has detected a specific carrier element for a carrier plate.

To remove a carrier plate from the frame, the sensor can open the circuit if it has detected the presence of a specific carrier plate, while to store a carrier plate in the frame, the sensor

[Fiie:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995
Philippe d'Heygere

Circuit opens when it does not detect a carrier plate in a particular carrier element.

Particularly preferably, in the device according to the invention, the support elements are connected or coupled to one another via a system with which the distance between the support elements for one support plate and support elements for an adjacent support plate can be changed.

Here, the support elements are formed by two rails, the rails being connected to one another on one side by means of two pairs of sliding links or supports, each pair of supports being arranged in such a _way that one end of the links is articulated to the rail in question, while the other ends of the links are articulated to one another via a system with which the distance between the articulated connection of the links of the second pair can be varied.

In this case, the system preferably has a nut on a handlebar of a first pair and a spindle on the output shaft of a motor which is arranged on a handlebar of the second pair, the spindle engaging with a threaded recess of the nut so that by rotating the spindle due to rotating the motor, the distance between the articulation points and thus between the two adjacent support elements can be changed.

The sensor, which determines the dimensions of the carrier plate together with the object to be stored, advantageously controls the system for changing the distance between the support elements for the carrier plate to be stored and the adjacent support elements in such a way that the distance is essentially adapted to said dimension.

[FileANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

The handlebars of the first pair of handlebars and the handlebars of the second pair of handlebars are preferably connected to each other via a swivel joint.

The frame preferably consists of a first part for storing the support plates and a second part for the movement of the platform, the first part having at least two pairs of vertical uprights, cross beams between the uprights and pairs of rails, of which a first rail runs between two uprights of one side, while the other rail of the same rail pair extends between the uprights of the other side in a direction which is substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the first rail; the second part having vertical beams and cross beams.

The rails of a rail pair preferably extend in a substantially horizontal plane.

The system for moving the platform preferably consists of two pairs of gears each arranged on a shaft connected to a plate arranged on a support, a chain extending between the gears of each pair, a link of a part of the chain extending in a substantially vertical direction being connected to the platform to be moved, for each pair of gears a motor driving a shaft to move the platform in a substantially vertical direction.

In this case, the platform advantageously has a sensor which actuates a switch in the circuit with which energy is supplied to the motor of the system, so that the platform can be moved to a certain height corresponding essentially to the height of a horizontal plane in which two rails run.

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The load and/or slack side of the chain between the upper and lower sprockets is best guided through a guide.

The guide of the chain can be formed by a plastic block that has a shape that encloses the chain on three sides. Furthermore, the guide can preferably be attached to horizontal bracing plates between two adjacent stands.

Tensioning or chain tension securing elements are also preferably provided for the chains.

The platform preferably carries a sensor for detecting

a dimension of the carrier plate with the object to be stored and/or a sensor for measuring the distance between the carrier elements on which the carrier plate is to be arranged and the adjacent carrier elements.

In this case, a control device is preferably provided for actuating a relative movement between the support elements for the support plate to be stored and adjacent support elements in order to ensure that, when the support plate is transferred from the platform to the support elements, the distance between the support elements for the support plate to be stored and adjacent support elements is at least greater than the dimension of the support plate which is measured by the sensor.

Furthermore, the control device for actuating a relative movement between the carrier elements for a carrier plate and adjacent carrier elements for another carrier plate can operate in such a way that the distance between the carrier elements of a carrier plate and adjacent carrier elements essentially corresponds to the dimension of one carrier plate measured by the sensor and/or that, after removal of a carrier plate from its carrier elements, the distance between the carrier elements

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d 'Heygere

for the removed carrier plate and adjacent carrier elements corresponds to a minimum dimension, in particular the dimension of the carrier plate without an object on it.

Preferably, the possibility is also created that the device for changing the arrangement of the carrier plates controls the platform for unloading a carrier plate from the frame and for loading it into it, then controls the platform for unloading another carrier plate from the frame and for loading it into it at another location on the frame, and finally controls the platform for unloading the first carrier plate from the work table and for loading it into the frame, so that the carrier plate with a lower weight is arranged in the upper part of the frame and the carrier plate with a higher weight is arranged in the lower part of the frame.

Further details, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawing.

It shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematically simplified perspective representation of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 a detailed view of the device of

Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view along line

III-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 to 6 partial views of the detail from Fig. 2 during different steps for gripping or transferring a carrier plate;

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

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Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view along line VII-VII of Fig. 2 during the transfer of a carrier plate;

Fig. 8 shows a further detail of the

Device from Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 shows a view of a detail from Fig. 8 during the movement of a carrier element with respect to another carrier element;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a further detail of the device from Fig. 1 in a slightly modified embodiment;

Fig. 11 is a section along line XI-XI in Fig.

10;

Fig. 12 is a section along line XII-XII in Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 of another embodiment of the device according to the invention.

In the drawing, identical or corresponding parts of the device according to the invention are designated by identical reference symbols.

Fig. 1 shows a simplified schematic of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for storing or stocking objects which are arranged on carrier plates 1.

The device essentially comprises a frame 2 with horizontal support elements 3, which are used to support the support plates 1 for the products or counter-

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d 'Heygere

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stands; a work platform or a work table 4 on which a carrier plate 1 which has been removed from the frame 2 or is to be stored in the frame 2 can be arranged; a platform 5 for removing a carrier plate from the frame, for transferring the carrier plate to the work table 4 and for storing a carrier plate in the frame; a control circuit 6 for supplying energy to a system 15 with which the platform 5 can be moved in the vertical direction; and a sensor 7 for detecting the height of the carrier plate with the object to be stored and for detecting whether this height is greater than a certain height or not.

The sensor 7 actuates a switch 501 in the circuit 6 to allow the movement or displacement of a carrier plate 1 on the work platform 4 when the height detected by the sensor 7 is below a distance D existing between the carrier elements 3 on which the carrier plate 1 is to be arranged and the adjacent carrier elements 3 above them.

The frame 2 consists of eight stands 8, which are connected to one another by means of cross beams 9. The frame 2 is divided into three parts according to Fig. 1, namely a first part 10 for receiving the support plates, a second part 11 for moving the platform 5 and a third part 12 for receiving support plates 1, whereby the third part 12 also carries the work platform 4.

Pairs of rails 13 and 14 are arranged between the uprights 8 of the first part 10 and the third part 12. The rails 13 and 14 of a pair run in a horizontal plane and are parallel to each other.

The drive for the vertical movement of the platform 5 is carried out via a chain drive with four chains that engage in the area of the corners of the platform and move in the

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

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Levels 111 extend on the narrow side of the second part of the storage system.

Parts of the drive mechanism or system are shown in Figures 1 and 10.

The system 15 for moving the platform 5 between the uprights 8 of the second part 11 of the frame 2 essentially comprises four pairs of gears 16 and 17, the upper gears 17 being arranged on separate shafts which are mounted on a plate 18 which in turn is fastened to the cross members 9, while the lower gears 16 have two first gears mounted on a first shaft 19 and the other two gears on a second shaft 20. Two further gears 24 and 25 are attached to the first shaft 19, one of which is connected to the output shaft of a motor 23 via a chain 21 and a gear 22, while the second gear 25 is connected to a further gear 27 which is attached to the second shaft 20 via chains 26 and a reversing gear 30. A chain 28 runs between each pair of upper gear 17 and lower gear 16. The platform 5 has four arms 29, the ends of which are each coupled to a link of a chain 28.

In this way, due to the rotation R of the shaft of the motor 23, the platform becomes movable in the vertical direction. Since the arms on the platform 5 are connected to a part of a chain which is arranged in front of another part of a chain to which an arm 29 is attached, it is necessary to use a reversing gear 30 between the gears 25 and 27.

Fig. 10 shows a modification of the system from Fig. 1. Between a pair of lower gears 16 and a pair of upper gears 17 run two chains 28, which are attached to a chain link and a bolt or the like on the plate.

[Fiie:ANM\DHG104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

form 5. The connection between a chain 28 and the platform 5 consists of a pin 281 of the chain 28 and a screw nut 282. The pin 281 is provided with an extension 283, the end of which is provided with a thread. This extension 283 is introduced into an opening 284 of a wall 291 of the arm 29, so that the free end of the extension 283 is adjacent to the side of the wall 291 opposite the side of the wall adjacent to the chain 28. By screwing the nut 282 onto the thread of the pin 281, the chain 28 is connected to the platform 5. Advantageously, the extension 283 carries a ring 284 which contacts a side 292 of the wall 291 when the nut is screwed onto the pin.

The shaft 232 of the motor 23 carries two gears 221 and 222. By means of a chain 211, the gear 25 and the reversing gear 30, the motor 23 drives the shaft 19 on which the gears 16 are mounted. When the shaft 232 of the motor rotates clockwise R, the shaft 19 rotates anticlockwise R1.

By means of a chain 212 which runs between the gear 222 on the shaft 232 and the gear 27 on the shaft 20, the motor 23 drives the shaft 20 and therefore the gears 16 which are mounted on the shaft 20. When the shaft 232 of the motor 23 rotates clockwise R, the shaft 20 also rotates clockwise R2.

Preferably, a chain 213 extends between a gear 251 on the shaft 252 of the gear 25 and a gear 271 on the shaft 20. Preferably, the gears 221, 222, 251, 25, 27 and 271 are identical. Such an additional chain 213 represents a safety factor in the event of a break or tear of the chain 211 or 212. If the chain 211 breaks, the shaft 19 is still driven by the motor 23 via the chains 212 and 213.

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

and if the chain 212 breaks, the shaft 20 is still driven by the motor 23 through the chains 211 and 213. By means of such an additional chain or auxiliary chain 213 it is possible to avoid an uncontrolled movement of the platform 5, for example tipping or the like, which could lead to damage or destruction of other chains, for example the chain 28.

Between the gears 16 and 17 of each chain, at least one guide device for the chain is provided. Such a guide device 130 runs vertically from the vicinity of the gear 16 up to the neighborhood of the upper gear 17. The guide device is only partially shown in Fig. 10. The guide device is preferably provided for both the loaded chain strand 288 and the unloaded chain strand 289, the loaded chain strand being the part of the chain 28 that runs between an upper gear and a lower gear and is attached to the platform 5. The guide device 130 is carried by a plate 131 which is welded to the uprights 8, for example.

The guide device 130 consists of a rod or bar or a block with a longitudinal recess and is attached to the plate 131 by means of a clamp or a quick-fastening system 132. The quick-fastening system 132 consists of a central plate 133 with two legs 134 and 135 which are parallel to each other. The free ends of each leg 134 and 135 are provided with a projection 136, the projection 136 on the leg 134 pointing in the direction of the projection 136 on the leg 135. The guide device projects into the space defined between the two parallel legs 134 and 135 so as to fix the plate 131. The central plate of the quick-

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[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

fastening system is, for example, welded to plate 131.

Such quick fastening systems are arranged between the upper gear 17 and the lower gear 16 in order to hold the guide device 130 of the chain 28 at several points between the gears 16 and 17.

When the guide device 130 is pushed into the space between the two legs 134 and 135, the legs are deformed to increase the distance between the free ends of the other leg 135, thus establishing a fastening force of the legs to the guide devices.
15

The guide device 130 has a recess/the opening of which is arranged on a side opposite the side adjacent to the central plate 133, i.e. the opening is located between the free ends of the legs 134 and 135. The guide device has a U-shape in cross section, whereby the chain is held.

The guide device 130 advantageously comprises three sides of the chain 28.
25

Preferably, each chain 28 is provided with a system for controlling the tension thereof or for ensuring a minimum tension thereof.

In order to obtain an even better guidance of the platform 5, to ensure that the upper surface of the platform 5 always remains in a horizontal plane when the platform 5 is moved in a vertical direction, the platform 5 carries a rubber roller 150 at each of its corners. The rollers 150 are held on a shaft 151 which is supported by an arm 152 of the platform 5. The rollers 150 are designed to run in a guide and

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

to roll here, with the guide being formed by the corner of the L-shaped posts 8.

The rollers 150 are substantially cylindrical and have a plane perpendicular to the axis of their shafts, which extends in a direction forming an angle of, for example, 45° with the adjacent edges of the platform 5. Such rollers facilitate the vertical movement of the platform 5, while avoiding undesirable transverse movements in the horizontal direction of the platform 5.

An embodiment not shown in the drawing has rollers each having a central plane of symmetry, wherein the plane of symmetry of a first roller corresponds to the plane of symmetry of a roller arranged at the corner opposite the corner where the first roller is arranged.

The platform 5 further comprises four gears 31, 32, 33 and 34, which serve as means for gripping a carrier plate 1 from the frame or from the working platform 4 and as means for transferring a carrier plate 1 into the frame or onto the working platform 4.

The platform 5 further comprises, according to Fig. 2: a first plate 35 with two pairs of openings 36 and 37, whereby the openings 36 of the first pair are near a first edge 38 of the plate and the openings 37 of the other pair are near an edge 39 opposite the first edge 38; a second plate 40 which is attached to the first plate 35; the four gears 31 to 34, a part of which extends through the openings 36 and 37; shafts 41 and 42 on which the gears 31 to 34 are attached, the shafts being operated by a motor 43 which is mounted on the second plate 40; a third plate 46 with support elements 44 for the arrangement of the first and second plates and in connection with the

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

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Arrangement by means of a lifting cylinder 45 so that the arrangement can be moved in a substantially horizontal direction; and a fourth plate 47 which is attached to the third plate 46 by means of four lifting cylinders 48 so that the third plate 46 is movable in a substantially vertical direction.

The term "lifting cylinder" refers to a connecting element

which enables and permits a linear movement of two parts connected to one another; such a connecting element can also be understood in the broadest sense as a linear guide.

Each arm 29 of the platform 5 carries a sensor 49 which controls a switch 50 provided in the circuit 6 to supply energy to the motor 23 in order to move the platform 5 upwards to a certain position, for example, to move it upwards until the moment when the platform 5 is arranged in front of a support element 3 in which a support plate 1 is arranged or is to be arranged.

To remove a carrier plate 1 from the frame 2, the sensor 49 opens the circuit 6 when it detects the carrier element on which the carrier plate to be removed is guided, while to store a carrier plate in the frame 2, the sensor 49 opens the circuit 6 when it detects a carrier element on which no carrier plate has yet been arranged.

The support elements 3 are L-beams 13 with a coating 52 made of plastic such as Ertalon® or another product with which the frictional resistance of the support plate 1 can be reduced. The support elements 3 can be clamped to the uprights 8. However, the L-beams advantageously slide in U-beams which form the uprights 8. A first L-beam 13 is connected to an adjacent L-

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

Beams 13 are connected by means of a gear or drive system with which the distance D between these two L-beams can be varied. More precisely, the connection of these two L-beams is made by means of two pairs of rods or links 53 and 54. One end of the rods of a pair is hinged to an L-beam or a support element / while the other ends of the rods are connected to each other. The system 55 for changing the distance D between two L-beams essentially comprises a nut 56 at the junction of a first pair of rods and a motor 57 at the junction of the second pair of rods, the output shaft of the motor carrying a screw or threaded rod 58 which is in threaded functional engagement with the nut 56.

By operating the motor 57, the threaded rod 58 rotates so that the distance between the L-beams 13 can be changed. The length of the rods 53 and 54 is less than half the length of the L-beams 13. A similar system 55 connects two other adjacent L-beams 14.

The sensor 7 advantageously actuates a switch 59 in a circuit 71 for supplying energy to the motor. If the sensor 7 detects that the height of the carrier plate carrying a product to be stored is greater than the distance D between the supports 13 and 14 on which the carrier plate 1 is to be arranged and the supports 13 and 14 above this, the switch 59 is actuated so that the motor 57 rotates the rack 58 and thus the distance D is changed accordingly, i.e. optimally adapted to the prevailing circumstances.

Preferably, the sensor 7 actuates the switch 59 such that the distance or spacing D substantially corresponds to the height of the carrier plate 1 to be stored, i.e. the spacing D is reduced or increased accordingly if the said height is below or above the initial distance D.

[Fi!eANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

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If, for example, the distance or spacing D is greater than the height of the carrier plate with the product to be stored, the upper rail 13b is moved towards the lower rail 13a so that the spacing D corresponds to the height (Fig. 9).

To move the upper rail 13b toward the lower rail 13a, the motor 57 is operated so that the nut 56 is moved toward the motor 57 and the rods 53 and 54 rotate about their connection point 70 (arrow W in Fig. 9). The power supplied to the motor 57 is passed through the circuit 71 in which the switch 59 actuated by the sensor 7 is arranged. In a similar manner, the upper rail 13b is moved toward the lower rail 13a.

According to Figs. 8 and 9, the rails are advantageously provided with a strip-like projection 72 running in the longitudinal direction, while the carrier plate 1 advantageously has a recess 73 adapted thereto. When the carrier plate 1 comes to rest on the rails 13, the projection 72 engages with the recess 73 in order to ensure correct alignment of the carrier plate 1 on the rails.

The device according to the invention is advantageously computer-controlled in order to ensure a flawless workflow of the different steps for storing or removing a carrier plate 1.

The operation of the device according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

1. Removing a carrier plate 1 from the frame 2:

[Fi!e:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

The platform 5 is moved upwards by the chain 28 via the motor 23 until the sensor 49 detects the support elements 3 (rails 13) on which the carrier plate 1 to be removed rests.
5

When the sensor 49 has made this detection, the switch 50 is actuated to stop the motor 23.

At this point in time, the upper regions of the gears 31 to 34 are essentially at a height L corresponding to the horizontal plane in which the racks 60 and 61 run on the carrier plate 1.

To transfer the carrier plate 1 to the platform 5, the following steps are necessary, as shown in the drawing:

The lifting cylinders 48 are actuated to move the third plate 46 towards the fourth plate 47, that is to say to move it so that the upper part of the gear wheels 31 to 34 comes to lie at a height L^ which is below the height corresponding to the horizontal plane L where the racks 60 and 61 run (arrow A in Fig. 4).

Subsequently, the lifting cylinder 45 is actuated to move the first and second plates and thus the gears 31 to 34 relative to the third plate 46. In this way, the gears are arranged under the racks 60 and 61 (arrow B in Fig. 5).

By actuating the lifting cylinders 48, the third plate 46 is spaced from the fourth plate 47 (arrow C in Fig. 6) so that the teeth of the gears engage with the teeth of the racks 60 and 61.

The motor 43 is then operated (direction of rotation of the output shaft in the direction of arrow P in Fig. 2) to

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

Carrier plate 1 to move onto platform 5 (arrow E in Fig. 7).

At the end of the gripping process of a carrier plate 1 from the frame 2, a sensor 62 for detecting the carrier plate 1 actuates a switch 63 in a circuit 64 for supplying energy to the motor 43 in order to interrupt the rotation of the output shaft of the motor 30, that is, to interrupt rotation of the gears 31 to 34.

Finally, the lifting cylinder 45 is actuated to move the first and second plates 35 and 40 back to their starting positions relative to the fourth plate 47.

The motor 23 then drives the chains 28 to move the platform 5 in front of the work platform 4.

When the platform 5 comes to rest in front of the work platform 4, the motor 43 drives the gears 31 to 34 in such a way that the carrier plate 1 is moved in the direction of the work platform 4. At the end of the transfer process, a sensor 65 will no longer detect the presence of the carrier plate 1 and actuate a switch 66 to stop the motor 43 and the lifting cylinder 45 in order to move the first and second plates of the transfer element 5 in the direction of the work platform 4.

Thereafter, the third plate 46 is moved towards the fourth plate 47 due to the lifting cylinders 48 so that the teeth of the gears are no longer in engagement with the racks 60 and 61 and the first and second plates 35 and 40 are moved back to their starting positions with the lifting cylinder 45 and finally the lifting cylinders 48 separate the third plate 46 from the fourth plate 47 so that the platform 5 is again in its starting position or initial position.

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IFile:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

The platform 5 is further equipped with sensors 671 and 672 for detecting the end of the gripping process of a carrier plate 1 from the work platform 4 and for detecting the end of a transfer of a carrier plate 1 into the frame 2. There are two sensors for detecting the end of the transfer of a carrier plate 1 into the frame 2, a first sensor 671 being present to detect the end of the transfer of a carrier plate 1 into the part 10 of the frame 2, whereas a further sensor 672 being present to detect the end of the transfer of a carrier plate 1 into the part 12 of the frame 2.

2. Inserting a carrier plate 1 into the frame 2

To insert a carrier plate 1 into the frame 2, various work steps take place in the device according to the invention:

A carrier plate 1 is arranged on the working platform 4.

- The gears 33 and 34 transfer the carrier plate to the platform.

The sensor 7 detects the height of the carrier plate 1 together with the object to be stored on it.

- When the support plate 1 is to be arranged on support elements (rails 13) where the distance between these support elements and adjacent support elements above cannot be changed, the sensor 7 actuates the switch 8 to interrupt the circuit 6 and thus prevent movement of the platform 5.

If the distance between the support elements 13 and the adjacent support elements above them can be changed by the system 55, the sensor 7 actuates the system 55 to adapt the distance to the maximum height detected by the sensor in order to minimize space and room losses.

: .*·. .· ,'SSrte-22-

[Fi!e:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

If the distance between the support elements on which the support plate 1 is to be arranged and the adjacent upper support elements is greater than the maximum height of the guide plate plus the object located thereon, the platform 5 is raised in the part 11 of the frame 2 until the platform 5 reaches the support elements on which the support plate is to be arranged and the support plate 1 is then pushed into the frame 2 by the gears.

During operation of the device according to the invention, in order to store an object in the frame 2, said object is first arranged on a carrier plate 1. The dimensions of the carrier plate 1 together with the object to be stored are detected by the sensor 7 and compared with a distance or a distance which is between the rails 13 and 14 on which the carrier plate 1 is to be arranged and the adjacent rails 13, 14 above them. If the dimension is smaller than the said distance, the switch 501 is activated in order to move the platform 5 accordingly for storing the carrier plate 1 in the frame 2. On the other hand, if the dimensions of the carrier plate 1 together with the object or objects to be stored thereon are greater than the distance between two vertically adjacent rails, the system 55 is activated to modify or change the distance between the two pairs of rails in the vertical direction in such a way that the carrier plate and objects stored thereon can be inserted into the corresponding guide rails or frame.

This fact is detected by a comparator

and as soon as the distance between the two pairs of rails is large enough, the switch 501 is activated to position the platform 5 relative to the corresponding pair of rails

to move.

(File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

It is understood that numerous modifications of the device according to the invention are possible.

For example, instead of moving the carrier plate 1 in front of the sensor 7 to determine the height of the carrier plate together with the object to be stored, it is possible to move the sensor 7 along an edge of the work platform 4 to determine this height.

Instead of determining the height, it is possible to determine whether the height of the support plate together with the object is greater than a maximum value or not. Such an option is advantageously chosen when the distance between adjacent support elements is to remain constant.

To ensure that the platform 5 remains in a substantially horizontal plane, the arms 29 can be equipped with lateral rollers which roll on rails or the like.

Instead of using the lifting cylinders to move the plates in the platform 5, it is also possible to use other mechanical systems, for example rack and pinion gears or the like.

If a computer controls the movements of the platform 5, the movement of the platform 5 can be delayed if the platform 5 is in the vicinity of the work platform 4 or the support elements 13 and 14 on which the carrier plate 1 is to be arranged or in which the carrier plate 1 to be removed is located.

For example, photoelectric cells can be used as sensors 7, 62, 65, 66 and 49.

: .". .· .*S61f9-24-

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

Of course, the side walls of the stands 8 shown free or open in Fig. 1 can be covered in order to obtain a closed box-shaped construction in which an opening is present near the work platform 4.

Instead of arranging the sensors 49 on the arms 29 of the platform 5, these sensors can also be provided on the support elements 13.

When a computer controls the operation of the device, the platform 5 is advantageously moved from the bottom surface to the top of the second part 11 of the frame 2 in order to be able to store the positions of the various support elements or rails 13 and 14 in the computer.

The device shown in Fig. 1 can also be understood as a module of an overall arrangement of several storage devices. The height of an embodiment of a device according to the invention is, for example, seven meters in practice.

The device can be provided with a door with which the opening in the area of the work platform 4 can be closed, so that the interior of the entire device can be air-conditioned, for example.

If air conditioning is to be provided, for example to cool the interior of the device, the platform 5 can be arranged in a housing with doors to enable the transfer of a carrier plate, or the upper carrier element adjacent to the carrier element on which the carrier plate 1 to be removed is located, is provided with a door. Another possibility would be that the carrier plate 1 itself is a box-shaped container in which the object to be stored is arranged.

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[File;ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

By using the device according to the invention and in particular by using the device with the mechanism for changing the distances between two adjacent support elements or rails, it is possible to optimize the storage volume, that is to say to use it in the most efficient way.

The device according to the invention also allows a quick removal or retrieval of the desired object from the frame in comparison to the time that is or was necessary for retrieval from known devices.

The device according to the invention is thus characterized in summary by the following aspects and advantages, among others:

By using the device according to the invention and, in particular, by using the device with the system for varying the distances between two adjacent support elements, it is possible to optimize the storage volume, that is to say to use it in the most efficient way, by adapting the device to the given volume of the object or objects to be stored.

The device according to the invention also allows a quick removal or retrieval of the desired object from the frame in comparison to the time that is or was necessary for retrieval from known devices.

The storage system according to the invention is modular and can be optimally adapted to the respective area of application by linking the most suitable number of modules.

Another advantage of the warehouse is that it is flexible with regard to the preferably computer-aided

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[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d 'Heygere

·

Depending on the type of control, the warehouse can be operated either with a fixed, specified number of storage tables or with an open-ended number, which is an advantage, for example, if - for example during the production process - some storage tables are always outside the warehouse.

The computer used to control the warehouse can also be used to identify the stored items, so that the control effort is kept as low as possible. The warehouse computer can also be connected to the process computer of the company in question, so that its storage and computing capacity can be fully utilized.

Finally, it is also possible to network several computers from different storage modules. Storage space optimization routines can be used using suitable software, which then use the space available in the storage module as fully as possible and/or with the lowest energy consumption and/or with the greatest storage and retrieval speed. In the version with the highest level of automation, the operator only has to operate a control panel and, in dialogue with the computer, give the command to store or retrieve a specific object. The control system then selects the most favorable method of processing the commands in terms of space requirements and/or power consumption of the motors and/or speed and/or weight of the objects to be stored.

An apparatus with such a controller or computer is shown in Fig. 13. The apparatus is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that the sensor 7 is carried on the platform 5 and the apparatus is equipped with the computer.

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[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

The sensor 7 detects the height of the carrier plate 1 and the objects to be loaded onto it and sends a corresponding signal to the control device or the computer 100. The computer 100 is connected to a control keyboard 101, which is operated by a person in charge of the control, and to switches 501 and 59 for moving the platform 5 or for increasing or decreasing the distance between adjacent rails 13 and 14.

When the computer receives the signal from the sensor 7, it compares the signal with the maximum height of the support plate and the product on it that can be stored or just about stored. If the signal (height of the support plate - product to be stored) is greater than the maximum height, the computer sends an error signal to the control keyboard. If the signal is less than the maximum height, the computer selects the rails on which the support plate is to be placed, for example in relation to the weight of the product to be stored and/or the rails that are still free and operates the switches 501 and 59 to align the platform 5 in front of the rails and to set the distance D between the rails 13 and 14 on which the support plate with the product is to be placed and the adjacent rails 13 and 14 above. Once the movement of the platform 5 and the adjustment of the rails is completed, the computer 100 actuates a switch 102 to enable a power supply to the platform 5 for transferring the carrier plate to the rails.

The computer also has a memory 103 to keep track of which rails are currently in use, what type of items are stored on which rail, etc. Therefore, a control person only has to use the keyboard to enter the product or item to be removed from the frame 2.

: *: *..· .· .-gejte-28-

[File:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

·

since the computer then immediately controls the movement of the platform 5 so that the platform 5 is positioned in front of the carrier plate with the product or object to be removed.
5

The computer is also preferably equipped with software or a program with which the arrangement of one carrier plate with respect to another can be modified or changed. For example, a carrier plate with a heavy product in the upper part of the device is removed and placed on the work table 4. Then the platform 5 moves in front of a carrier plate with a lighter product in the lower part of the device to transfer it to the platform 5. After moving the platform 5 to the upper part of the device, the carrier plate with the lighter product is transferred to take the place of the carrier plate with the heavier product, while the latter is brought by means of the platform 5 onto the rails of the preceding carrier plate with the lighter product.

The cross beams 3 or plates 131 between the vertical uprights 8 can be used as auxiliary ladders in an emergency in order to be able to reach any point within the device for maintenance or repair work.

The additional chain hoist 213 as described with reference to

Fig. 10, further ensures synchronization of the rotary movement between the shafts 19 and 20, so that the platform 5 can be moved particularly precisely

can.

The position of the guide rollers 150 (Fig. 10) relative to the platform 5 is advantageously adjustable so that the position of the platform relative to the stands 8 is adjustable.

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[Fi!e:ANM\DH0104B4.DOC] 12.04.1995 Philippe d'Heygere

•♦ · *

The motor 23 advantageously has a downstream brake 123 (Fig. 10) which automatically engages whenever the motor 23 is switched off.

In the previous description, the term "support plate" is understood to mean a plate-shaped component of any design. The "support plate" can be a suitably stiffened metal plate, a pallet, a grid floor, etc.

Claims (28)

Protection claims 1. A storage device for storing products or objects arranged on carrier plates, within a frame, the device comprising: a frame (2) with a number of support elements (3), the support elements being designed to accommodate support plates (1) which carry loads of different heights, a receiving and transfer platform (5) for the carrier plates (1), which is arranged immediately adjacent to the frame (2) and is movable along the frame by a drive mechanism in order to position the platform for loading a carrier plate (1) into the frame or for unloading a carrier plate (1) from the frame, and a computer with devices for changing the arrangement of one carrier plate (1) relative to another. 20 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer has a computer-aided control device with which, depending on signals from a measuring device for detecting the dimensions of the objects to be stored, the vertical distance between adjacent carrier elements (3) equipped with the carrier plates (1) to be stored can be changed in order to optimize the storage volume. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a circuit (6, 64, 71) for supplying energy to a system (43) of the platform (5) for moving a carrier plate (1) relative to the platform (5) and/or to a system (15, 55) for moving the platform (5) and/or the carrier elements (3) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the carrier elements (3) extend; and [FiIe:ANM\DH0104A4.doc] Claims, 12.04.95 Philippe D'heygere (e) a sensor for detecting a dimension of the carrier plate (1) with an object to be stored thereon, wherein the sensor (7) actuates the switch in the circuit (6, 64, 71) to store the carrier plate when the distance between the carrier elements (3) on which the carrier plate (1) is to be arranged and the adjacent carrier elements (3) is greater than the dimension detected by the sensor (7). 4. Device according to claim 1, further characterized by a control device for actuating a relative movement between the carrier elements (3) for the carrier plate to be stored and adjacent carrier elements if the dimension measured by the sensor is greater than the distance separating the carrier elements for the carrier plate to be stored and the adjacent carrier elements for another carrier plate or for actuating at least one movement parallel to the carrier elements (3) for the storage of a carrier plate (1) if the dimension measured by the sensor (7) measured dimension is smaller than the distance separating the support elements for the support plate to be loaded and the support elements for another support plate. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the platform comprises: (a) a device for picking up a carrier plate (1) from the frame (2); (b) means for transferring a carrier plate (1) from the platform (5) into the frame (2); (C) a device for gripping a carrier plate (1) from a work platform (4); and (d) a device for transferring a carrier plate (1) from the platform (5) to the working platform (4). 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the device for gripping and transferring a carrier plate (1) comprises at least one gear (31, 32, 33, 34) [RIe:ANM\DH0104A4.doc] Claims, 12.04.95 Philippe D'heygere which can be driven by a motor (43) and whose teeth interact with a rack (60, 61) which is fastened to the carrier plate (1). 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the device for gripping and transferring a carrier plate (1) has at least one gear (31, 32, 33, 34) which can be driven by a motor (43) and whose teeth interact with a rack (60, 61) which is attached to the carrier plate (1), the motor being controlled by a circuit (64) which has a switch (63) actuated by a sensor (62), the sensor (62) actuating the switch (63) when the end of the picking process is reported, so that the motor (43) no longer drives the gear. 8. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the device for gripping and transferring a support plate (1) has at least one gear (31, 32, 33, 34) which can be driven by a motor (43) and the teeth of which interact with a rack (60, 61) which is fastened to the support plate (1), the motor being controlled by a circuit (64) which has a switch (63) actuated by a sensor (62), the sensor (62) actuating the switch (63) when the end of the transfer process is reported, so that the motor (43) no longer drives the gear. 9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the platform carries a sensor (49) by which a switch (50) is operable, which is arranged in the circuit (6) for supplying energy to the system for moving the platform, so that the platform is moved upwards to a certain point.
35 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor (4) opens the circuit (6) so that \. . ^: !-&ngr;.*;^; 3eite-3- [Fi!e:ANM\DH0104A4.doc] Claims, 12.04.95 Philippe D'heygere no more power is supplied to the system/ when the sensor has detected a specific carrier element (3) for a carrier plate (1). 11. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that for removing a carrier plate (1) from the frame (2) the sensor (4) opens the circuit (6) when it has detected the presence of a specific carrier plate (1), while for storing a carrier plate (1) in the frame the sensor (4) opens the circuit (6) when it does not detect a carrier plate (1) in a specific carrier element. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the carrier elements (3) are connected or coupled to one another via a system (55) with which the distance between the carrier elements for one carrier plate and carrier elements for an adjacent carrier plate can be changed. 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the support elements are formed by two rails, wherein the rails are connected to one another on one side by means of two pairs of push rods or supports (53, 54), each pair of supports being arranged so that one end of the links is articulated to the relevant rail, while the other ends of the links are articulated to one another via a system (55) with which the distance between the articulated connection of the links of the second pair can be varied. 14. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the support elements are formed by two rails, wherein the rails are connected to one another on one side by means of two pairs of push rods or supports (53, 54), where each pair of supports is arranged so that the one end of the rods is on the relevant [FiIe:ANM\DH0104A4.doc] Claims, 12.04.95 Philippe D'heygere are articulated to the rail, while the other ends of the links are articulated to one another via a system (55) with which the distance between the articulated connection of the links of the second pair can be changed, the system comprising a nut (56) on a link of a first pair and a spindle (58) on the output shaft of a motor (57) which is arranged on a link of the second pair, the spindle being in engagement with a threaded recess in the nut, so that by rotating the spindle due to rotating the motor the distance between the articulation points and thus between the two adjacent support elements can be changed. 15. Device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the sensor which determines the dimensions of the carrier plate (1) together with the object to be stored controls the system (55) for changing the distance (D) between the carrier elements (3) for the carrier plate (1) to be stored and the adjacent carrier elements in such a way that the distance is essentially adapted to said dimension. 16. Device according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the handlebars of the first handlebar pair and the handlebars of the second handlebar pair are each connected to one another via a pivot joint. 17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the frame (2) consists of a first part (10) for storing the support plates (1) and a second part (11) for moving the platform (5), the first part (10) having at least two pairs of vertical uprights (8), cross beams (9) between the uprights (8) and pairs of rails (13, 14), of which a first rail runs between two uprights on one side, while the other rail of the same pair of rails extends between the uprights on the other side [File:ANM\DH0104A4.doc] Claims, 12.04.95 Philippe D'heygere JIS in a direction which is substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the first rail; and that the second part (11) comprises vertical supports and cross supports.
5 18· Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the rails (13, 14) of a pair of rails extend in a substantially horizontal plane. 19. Device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the system (15) for moving the platform (5) consists of two pairs of gears, each arranged on a shaft connected to a plate arranged on a support, a chain extending between the gears of each pair, a link of a part of the chain extending in a substantially vertical direction being connected to the platform to be moved, for each pair of gears a motor driving a shaft to move the platform in a substantially vertical direction. 20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the platform (5) has a sensor (49) which operates a switch (50) in the circuit (6) with which energy is supplied to the motor (23) of the system, so that the platform can be moved to a certain height position corresponding essentially to the height position of a horizontal plane in which two rails (13, 14) run. 21. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the load and/or slack side of the chain runs between the upper (17) and lower (16) gear wheel through a guide (130). 22. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the guide (130) of the chain (28) is made of a plastic -6- [File:ANM\DH0104A4.doc] Claims, 12.04.95 Philippe D'heygere fabric block is formed which has a shape that encloses the chain on three sides. 23. Device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the guide is attached to horizontal bracing plates (133) between two adjacent uprights (134, 135). 24. Device according to claim 19, characterized by tensioning or chain tension securing elements for the Chains. 25. Device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the platform (5) has a sensor (7) carries a sensor for detecting a dimension of the carrier plate (1) with the object to be stored and/or a sensor for measuring the distance (D) between the carrier elements (-3)/ on which the carrier plate (1) is to be arranged and the adjacent carrier elements. 26. Device according to claim 1 or 25, characterized by a control device for actuating a relative movement between the support elements (3) for the support plate (1) to be stored and adjacent support elements in order to ensure that when the support plate (1) is transferred from the platform (5) to the support elements (3), the distance (D) between the support elements for the support plate (1) to be stored and adjacent support elements is at least greater than the dimension of the support plate (1) measured by the sensor (7). 27. Device according to claim 1 or 25, characterized by a control device for actuating a relative movement between the carrier elements (3) for a carrier plate (1) and adjacent carrier elements for another carrier plate (1) in order to ensure that the distance between the carrier elements of a carrier plate and adjacent .* .string-7- [File:ANM\DH0104A4.doc] Claims, 12.04.95 Philippe D'heygere bearded carrier elements substantially corresponds to the dimension of the one carrier plate which is measured by the sensor (7) and/or that, after removal of a carrier plate (1) from its carrier elements (3), the distance (D) between the carrier elements for the removed carrier plate (1) and adjacent carrier elements corresponds to a minimum dimension, in particular the dimension of the carrier plate without an object on it. 28. Device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that a work platform (4) is arranged in the frame and the device for changing the arrangement of the carrier plates controls the platform (5) for unloading a carrier plate from the frame and for loading it therein, then controls the platform for unloading another carrier plate from the frame and for loading it therein at another location of the frame and finally controls the platform for unloading the first carrier plate from the work table and for loading it thereinto the frame, so that the carrier plate with lower weight is arranged in the upper part of the frame and the carrier plate with higher weight is arranged in the lower part of the frame. ·*: .* : : : : rSqjte:- 8 -