EP1745446B1 - Storage machine for objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage machine (1) for objects, comprising an arrangement (4) of compartments with a number of compartments (3) and at least one locking device (7), which may be positioned relative to a central access opening (6) in the machine housing (2). An actuation force provided by the actuator for the locking device (7) is of such a magnitude or is adjustable and/or a drivetrain or a movement transmission path between the actuator and locking device (7) comprises a force- or torque-limiting device, such that the maximum force or torque transmission values acting on the locking device (7) may be fixed or adjusted such that, on automatic locking movements of the locking device (7), no serious injury to a user can occur and, furthermore, a manual holding or pressing on the locking device (7) is possible despite an active actuator. The locking device (7) or actuator is provided with at least one controllably-activated or deactivated, or controllably-positioned stop device, embodied for mechanical limitation of a maximum permitted opening width (12) for the locking device (7). An increased level of personal and access security for the storage machine can thus both be achieved.

Description

The invention relates to a storage machine for articles, as described in claim 1.

From the EP 0 749 101 A2 is a generic storage machine for objects, in particular a provided for sale goods intended self-service machine, known. This storage machine has a drum-like round magazine with several shelf levels and with several, in each level sector-shaped compartments on. Each level is assigned a slide, which can be opened and closed by a drive motor. Different opening widths of the slides, which are adapted to the underlying compartment widths, are taken into account via the travel of the drive motor. In particular, the opening movement is controlled by a sensory pulse detection on a Lochschlitz- or time slice on the drive motor. After this controlled by control technology and control technology limited opening of the slide over the drive motor, the slide can be automatically closed again via the drive motor. The closing movement is in turn monitored by means of the revolutions or signals of the pulse disc and the motor stopped when it reaches the closed position of the slide. During the closing movement of the slide, the closing resistance is also sensed. If an increased closing resistance is detected, for example via the motor current or due to fluctuations in the signals of the encoder disk, the direction of rotation of the motor is reversed and the slider is opened again to subsequently start a new closing attempt after a certain time has elapsed. Such a storage machine with only drive technology or controlled via the drive motor variable opening width is unsatisfactory, especially in some security concerns.

The US 2001/0034665 A1 describes a system with which a delivery of packages to the respective recipients can be partially automated and thus simplified for deliverer and recipient. This system comprises a plurality of data-technically interconnected storage machines, in which can be stored by a deliverer parcel shipments and removed from the authorized recipient. Such a storage machine comprises a plurality of storage compartments for the respective parcels. The access to the respective receiving compartment is regulated by a plurality of shutters which controls by means of adjusting drives in horizontal and vertical direction controlled to be moved. Before such a specialized access is granted, an identity or authorization check is performed. If the respective user is recognized as having access authorization, the corresponding adjustment drives for the shutter panels are activated in order to make the corresponding compartment accessible to the respective user. The storage machine described may also include an automated ejection device for the complete ejection of packages from the compartments. As a result, robust boundary walls can be constructed for and in front of the machine and thus direct access by the operator to the receiving compartments of the machine can be avoided. Further, baffles or chutes or a conveyor may be disposed between the tray assembly and the perimeter wall to facilitate further transport of a package ejected from a tray down to a pick-up area accessible by the recipient. This can increase the security against fraudulent manipulation of the machine. This ejection device and the adjoining conveyor or chute is mechanically complex and requires an increased space or space. In addition, depending on the respective mass, such transported packages may require relatively high transport energy or release high impact energy in the case of gravity conveying. In-depth measures to increase the safety of the operator of the machine are not to be found in this document.

The EP 0 703 334 A1 describes a vending machine with a plurality of subjects in different levels each. The individual storage levels are each associated with a slide-type door whose maximum possible opening width regulates the maximum access width to the compartment arrangement behind it. A variably presettable door stop device determines the maximum opening width of the respective sliding door. The door stop device comprises a hinge arrangement with at least one hinge. Each hinge has a mounting plate for mounting on the machine and at least one stop plate which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis of the hinge. To preset the limitation of the opening width of the sliding door of an authorized service man or operator of the machine to fold the desired opening width of the sliding door corresponding stop plate, in particular to fold in the active position, so that the sliding door can not be pushed over the position of the stop plate away. This stop limit can be relatively inexpensive to Regulate access rights to different subject areas. However, measures to increase the personal safety of a machine serving this machine are not to be found in this document.

The US 4,828,095 A describes a mechanical overload clutch to limit the torque values provided at the output of the overload clutch. This overload clutch or torque limiting device comprises a plurality of mechanical components which, when appropriately integrated into a drive train, can avoid mechanical fractures or overloads. Such overload clutches are due to their complexity and their volume or due to the consequent, relatively high cost hardly suitable to be implemented in the drive train of the drive systems for the doors of storage machines.

The present invention has for its object to provide a storage machine for objects, which on the one hand increased personal safety, i. provides high protection against injury to untrained users and at the same time meets high requirements for burglary or manipulation security.

This object of the invention is achieved by a storage machine according to claim 1. It is advantageous that the functional or structural decoupling of a controllable opening limit for the closure device from the automatically controllable drive device for the closure device high personal protection and high injury security is achieved because of the drive means no high closing and holding forces to ward off certain manipulation attempts must be applied. The high security against unauthorized access, break-in attempts or other manipulations of authorized specialist access is achieved by the controllable opening limitation in the form of a stop device. In particular, serious injuries, for example bruising, of a normally untrained user can be virtually ruled out by virtue of the force or torque-limited movement coupling between the automatically controllable drive device and the mechanical closure device. By means of the stop device, which can be independently activated or deactivated independently of the drive device or independently positionable by the drive device, a control-technically controlled access or one through the various, is automated verifiable access rights affected, secure limitation of the size of the access opening achieved. In particular, a limitation of the maximum permissible access dimensions is reliably achieved and unauthorized extensions of the access opening via the controlled positionable or activatable stop device are reliably prevented. The storage machine according to the invention is safe for operators even with a comparatively high total bearing weight or at a high maximum loading weight, which makes high-drive transport drives necessary.

The embodiment according to claim 2 advantageously ensures that overstressing or excessive wear on the force or torque-limiting device is avoided if the closure device can not be automatically opened or closed automatically.

The embodiment according to claim 3 ensures a self-service machine automatically regulates the access options to the machine compartments depending on the user, use case and different access rights or the proper professional accesses.

The further development according to claim 4 ensures that manual adjustments of an unlocked closure device are possible both when the drive device is inactive and when it is active. In particular, a manual adjustment of an unlocked closure device or a control-technically unlocked slide between the almost closed position and defined by the stop device, variably predetermined stop position with manual effort is possible at any time or is an automatic adjustment stopped at any time. As a result, injuries can be avoided and independent exemptions against self-closing or opening closure devices or sliders are reliably possible.

The measures according to claim 5 ensure that the automatically verifiable access rights of the respective user can not be extended or changed unauthorized, so burglary or theft attempts usually fail or such manipulation attempts sufficient resistance is opposite.

The opening limitation according to claim 6 enables automatic, the respective widths and the respective access permissions of various users corresponding mechanical limitation of the maximum opening width of the closure device, the closure device after unlocking, starting from the fully closed position - apart from relatively low frictional forces in the rigid coupled parts of the respective drive system and in the various bearing points - not blocked, not braked or otherwise held.

By means of the measures according to claim 7, a plurality of different compartment sizes can be locked and closed reliably and securely via only one closure device and be released in a controlled manner in accordance with the respective access rights.

As a result of the embodiment according to claim 8, a plurality of defined stop positions which can be actuated in a controlled manner and / or defined, adjustable, maximum opening widths are realized for each closing device.

The embodiment according to claim 9 achieves a high level of security against abusive manipulation attempts with regard to the specialist access rights. In particular, it is ensured that the maximum access dimensions are already defined or predefined prior to the release or unlocking of the closure device and only then an automated and / or manual adjustment of the closure device is made possible.

The embodiment according to claim 10 ensures that, despite an at least automated closure and an optionally automated opening closure device serious injury to a user, whether child or adult, can be prevented with minimal remaining residual risk.

A variation or adjustment of the drive power is possible by the embodiment according to claim 11 in a simple manner.

Of particular advantage is a development according to claim 12, since by means of the controllable power actuator an increased force or torque requirement at the start of the movement can be taken into account and after the start of the movement of the closure device the driving force can be lowered in a simple manner control technology again. Alternatively or in combination with this, an adaptation of the respectively required drive torque to differently sized or heavy and thus differently sluggish closure devices can be carried out in a simple manner.

A reliable, robust and structurally simple or economical force or torque limitation can be achieved by the embodiment according to claim 13 and / or 14.

An inexpensive and control technology simple automation can be achieved by the embodiment of claim 15.

The embodiment of claim 16 allows a variety of controlled variable or quasi-continuously variable stop positions, with a variety of different sizes sizes can be easily taken into account without the structural complexity increases with increasing number of different sizes.

A safe and effective even in energy-free machine or actuator, and structurally reliable Verstellwegbegrenzung for the closure device to the respective required stop positions is achieved by the embodiment according to claim 17. By the measures according to claim 18 different, if necessary, activatable and deactivatable stop positions can be realized in a simple manner by means of several stop devices.

By the measures according to claim 19, the number of control technology to be considered actuators can be reduced and yet a plurality of stop positions are available.

The adjustment reliable determination of the stop device and thus a reliable determination of the opening limit can be achieved by the embodiment according to claim 20 and / or 21.

Of particular advantage is also the embodiment according to claim 22, as a result of criminal manipulation of the power supply or to the control of the machine Only an opening to the first stop device is possible if previously the guard of the closure device has been disabled or suspended under the use of criminal force or for a regular professional access.

Another advantage is an embodiment according to claim 23, as this can be taken without electrical power supply two different, stable adjusting positions, to maintain them a constant supply of energy is not required.

By the measures according to claim 24 it is achieved that the closure device is securely locked in the closed position, so that unauthorized opening attempts by unauthorized persons fail. By assigning a tumbler to any existing closure device, moreover, a corresponding closure device can be selectively released starting from the control device, and the other tumblers can continue to remain active or the other closure devices remain securely closed unchanged.

By virtue of the embodiment according to claim 25, an automated, access-safe sequence of the various machine functions can be achieved.

By the measures according to claim 26 and / or 27, a significantly increased failure safety or fault detection with respect to the functional sequences, in particular the control processes of the machine relevant to personal safety can be achieved. Safety-relevant conditions and conditions are thus not only brought about in a controlled manner, but their actual presence is actively checked.

Due to the configuration according to claim 28 it is ensured that in case of long-term power failure and also after expiry of any bridging time by an integrated, uninterruptible power supply or even in wanton interruption of the power supply of the machine, the closure device is locked or locked.

A reliable and inexpensive control device for monitoring a plurality of closure devices is specified in claim 29 and / or 30.

Due to the configuration according to claim 31 additional sensors or detection means for control-technical verification of the locking state of the tumbler can be made unnecessary in an advantageous manner. In addition, there are additional options for checking for possible manipulation or damage to the tumblers.

An advantageous variant of the stop device is characterized in claim 32 and / or 33. As a result, controlled opening limits can also be realized in a simple manner.

The training according to claim 34 eliminates the need to attach separate stop elements, so that the structural complexity can be further reduced.

According to the embodiment according to claim 35 and / or 36, a simple but functionally safe design of a stop device is used.

The embodiment according to claim 37 describes a tamper-proof, energy-failure-proof and easily integrated into the control stop device.

The embodiment according to claim 38 ensures that a plurality of compartments of a compartment arrangement can be selectively positioned or control-technically predetermined in the vicinity of the closure device and thus can be conveniently reached by a user.

By the development according to claim 39, on the one hand, the performance of the machine can be increased and at the same time the security against manipulation and personal safety are increased after Verstellversuche the tray assembly fail during an open closure device sure.

A compartment arrangement which allows the formation of a plurality of compartments and in which the relative adjustment of the compartments with respect to the closure device can be implemented in a simple and robust manner is specified in claim 40.

Due to the embodiment according to claim 41 control technology can be prevented secured be unlocked the locking devices for the locking devices before the secure standstill of the compartment assembly and thus potentially dangerous parts of the automata become accessible. Injuries can be almost ruled out.

An independent of the programmable control guaranteed personal safety against a risk from the transport device when opening the closure devices can be achieved by the embodiment according to claim 42. In particular, access to the compartment arrangement or the intended compartment should only be made possible when no danger can arise from stationary parts, in particular from a braced compartment arrangement.

An independently of the programmable control guaranteed personal safety against hazards by the transport device with open closure devices is achieved by the embodiment of claim 43.

Another advantage is an embodiment according to claim 44, as this can be simplified or accelerated for particularly dangerous persons, especially for professional deliverers and service technicians, a storage process of items in the storage machines or any repair and inspection without the operator impermissible hazard arises.

An embodiment according to claim 45 is advantageous because the intuitive operability of the enabling button enables rapid and reliable initiation of safety-relevant measures, in particular of stopping measures of the transport device for the compartment arrangement.

Another advantage is an embodiment according to claim 46, since a two-hand control is created in which to release a drive, in particular the drive, two buttons must be pressed simultaneously, the buttons are arranged so that both hands are required for simultaneous operation , It is ideal if, during this time, no other body parts can reach into the danger area, in particular into the area of the access opening or compartment arrangement. This can be done by sufficiently distant from the danger area button.

Finally, an increase in the safety of the operator or the general safety of persons can be achieved by the measures according to claim 47.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Aufbewahrungsautomaten in perspektivischer, schematischer Frontansicht;

Fig. 2

den Aufbewahrungsautomaten nach Fig. 1, geschnitten gemäß den Linien II-II in Fig. 1 in vereinfachter, schematischer Darstellung;

Fig. 3

eine andere Ausgestaltung des Aufbewahrungautomaten in vereinfachter Querschnittsdarstellung;

Fig. 4

eine vorteilhafte Ausbildung des automatisiert steuerbaren Zugriffsmechanismus für den Aufbewahrungsautomaten in vereinfachter, auszugsweiser Darstellung gemäß den Linien IV-IV in Fig. 5;

Fig. 5

einen vereinfachten Querschnitt des Zugriffsmechanismus und des Aufbewahrungsautomaten nach Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 bis 13

weitere vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen des steuerbaren Zugriffsmechanismus für den Aufbewahrungsautomaten in vereinfachter, schematischer Darstellung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of the storage machine according to the invention in a perspective, schematic front view;

Fig. 2

to the storage machines Fig. 1 , cut according to the lines II-II in Fig. 1 in a simplified, schematic representation;

Fig. 3

another embodiment of the storage machine in a simplified cross-sectional view;

Fig. 4

an advantageous embodiment of the automatically controllable access mechanism for the storage machine in a simplified, abstract illustration according to the lines IV-IV in Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 5

a simplified cross section of the access mechanism and the storage machine according to Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 6 to 13

further advantageous embodiments of the controllable access mechanism for the storage machine in a simplified, schematic representation.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals or component names. Also, the location selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc. are based on the immediately described and illustrated figure and should be transferred to the new situation in the event of a change of position.

In the Fig. 1 and 2 is a possible embodiment of a storage machine according to the invention schematically illustrated. Such an electromechanical storage machine 1 for various items or goods preferably finds use as a parcel deposit or as a parcel dispenser for the postal service or delivery service. Optionally, such a storage machine 1 can also be designed as a vending machine for goods or as a luggage storage device at railway stations or airports. Such a storage machine 1 can also be used for renting or for lending different types of objects, such as tools, or adapted as a transfer station for various services, such as clothes cleaning, photographic work, repairs and the like. Serve. However, it can also be used as a clothes storage device, eg in swimming pools or fitness centers.

In particular, with such a storage machine 1 a temporary, secure Safekeeping of objects or a transfer of objects between different persons, in whose temporally decoupled presence at the transfer location, ie the corresponding storage machine 1, allows. At most, can be accomplished with such a storage machine and a delivery or sale of items without the direct participation of sales personnel is required.

The storage machine 1 has a relative to unauthorized access or against vandalism sufficiently stable machine housing 2, which essentially represents the outer boundary of the machine. The particular access or burglar-proof machine housing 2 thus represents a mechanical access protection on the stored inside the machine items. Parts of the machine housing 2 can also be formed by other boundary, for example by a masonry or the like., And so the respective objects protect against unauthorized access.

The machine housing 2 encloses, at least in sections, a plurality of compartments 3, which are provided for the temporary deposit of a plurality of articles or goods. The compartments 3 can be arranged in a field or matrix manner or can also be structured in a carousel or magazine shape. In other words, within the machine housing 2, a matrix-shaped or field-shaped or round magazine-like compartment arrangement 4 with a plurality of individual compartments 3 open on one side can be formed. The compartments 3 of the compartment arrangement 4 are preferably designed in at least two different sizes in order to be able to better cope with the storage of packages of different sizes or objects. In the illustrated embodiment, three shed sizes are provided. In particular, large trays A, medium-sized trays B and small trays C are formed.

The individual compartments 3 with preferably different sizes, in particular different width dimensions, may optionally have special devices for the storage of certain objects, such as holding devices, receiving cups, compartment partitions or the like. However, the compartments 3 may also include devices for achieving certain storage conditions, such as heaters, coolers, humidity controls, lighting units, movement devices, devices for producing a protective atmosphere or to ensure freedom from sterility and the like. Be connected or connected to such devices.

In order to be able to automatically regulate the access to individual or specific compartments 3 of the compartment arrangement 4, the automatic storage unit 1 also comprises at least one access mechanism 5. In particular, at least one selectively releasable and lockable access opening 6 is formed on compartments 3 of the compartment arrangement 4 in the machine housing 2. These in their size, in particular in their width and height dimensions, predefined access opening 6 in the machine housing 2 or in the other boundary of the machine is preferably formed at a central position of the machine housing 2. This access opening 6 in the machine housing 2 is at least partially or partially releasable by means of at least one relative to the access opening 6 or relative to the machine housing 2 adjustable closure device 7 or completely blockable or lockable against access. By an interaction between the machine housing 2 formed in their dimensions predefined access opening 6 and the closure device 7 thus access to a particular single compartment 3 or to a specific subject group can be specifically released or prevented. A maximum width 8 of the access opening 6 essentially corresponds to a compartment width 9 of the largest compartment 3A of the compartment arrangement 4. A height 10 of the largest possible access opening 6 defined in the machine housing 2 substantially corresponds to the overall height of the compartment arrangement 4 behind it. the vertical dimension of the access opening 6 or of the access aperture fixed in the maximum size in the machine housing 2 substantially corresponds to the greatest height of the compartment arrangement 4. In particular, in the preferred embodiment of a carousel-shaped or round magazine-like compartment arrangement 4, the access opening 6 extends over all, one above the other arranged functional levels.

It follows that a free cross section or a breakthrough size of the formed in the machine housing 2 access opening 6 is preferably sized larger than the cross-sectional area of the largest underlying tray 3A at its open, the closure device 7 facing front. In particular, the central access opening 6 in the machine housing 2 extends in height at least over a level of the compartment system preferably having several shelves and widthwise at least over the compartment width 9 of the widest compartment 3A in the respective level. Preferably, a single access opening 6 extends in height over all levels of the Fachfachen existing tray assembly 4. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide for each level separate access openings 6 in the machine housing 2, the widths 8 each the width of the widest compartment 3A are adapted in the respective compartment level.

Likewise, it is conceivable to provide a central access opening 6, which is divided only by narrow webs, which coincide with the shelves or compartment separating planes of the tray assembly 4.

The automatically controllable access mechanism 5 or the closure device 7 comprises one or preferably a plurality of slides 11 or it consists of one or more doors which allow or prevent access to trays 3 located behind it within the boundary of the access opening 6.

Preferably, depending closure level is provided in each case a closure device 7, which is formed by at least one, preferably a single, guided in the horizontal direction or adjustable in the horizontal direction slide 11, depending on a required opening width 12, which essentially the width of a 9 behind it lying compartment 3A, 3B, or 3C, the access to the specific user for the specific subject 3 or regulated to the specific user for each subject group.

Optionally, in addition to a compartment 3 with a certain height and several compartments 3 smaller height can be arranged in a particular height grid. The vertical dimensions of the closure devices 7 and their positions correspond to the intended height grid.

For automatic or automatic adjustment of the closure device 7 or at least one slide 11, at least one drive device 13 is formed. Preferably, a reversible drive device 13 is provided for each slide 11 of the closure device 7. Alternatively, it is also possible to assign a drive device 13 via selectively activatable and deactivatable coupling devices a plurality of slides 11. This at least one drive device 13 for the closure device 7 is designed for the controlled positioning of the closure device 7 or the respective slides 11 as a function of the respective size, in particular the compartment width 9, of a compartment 3A, 3B or 3C provided for access by an authorized user , In particular, the

Opening width 12 of the closure device 7 or the individual slide 11 so variable that the opening width 12 either the width of the compartment A, the width of the compartment B or the width of the compartment C corresponds, so that only the access to the particular, intended for the user Tray 3 or on a shared compartment group and all other compartments 3 behind the closure device 7 and the sliders 11 and the machine housing 2 continue to remain protected from access. A subject group is to be understood as meaning a specific group of adjacent subjects 3.

The height of the individually displaceable, superimposed slide 11 is adjusted approximately to the height of the underlying level behind or to the height of the compartments 3 in this floor of the compartment assembly 4. Within a compartment level, a plurality of compartments of different compartment width 9 can then be designed, as is best of all Fig. 2 is apparent.

The individual slides 11 or, alternatively, a plurality of doors of the closure device 7 are preferably drivable or displaceable via at least one respective assigned drive device 13, which can be controlled by an electronic control device 14 of the machine. The sum of the compartments 3 in the preferred embodiment of the automatic storage machine 1 is greater than the sum of the individual sliders 11 or doors in front of the differently sized compartments 3. The closure device 7 can thereby have a defined single access opening 15 in at least one or in two dimensions create variable size, as can be seen from the synopsis of Fig. 1 and 2 is clearly removable.

By means of the embodiment shown above with vertically stacked slides 11 per level so a controlled single access to a lying behind section of the compartment assembly 4 of the machine within the machine housing 2 formed, relatively larger access opening 6 is possible. In particular, an introduction of an object or a removal of an object via the respective shared access section or via a closure device 7 in its size and in its position relative to the machine housing 2 or relative to the maximum possible access opening 6 defined individual access opening 15 are made possible. All other, unchanged closed slide 11 continue to deny unauthorized access to adjacent compartments 3 and on their subject matter in a reliable manner.

The preferred embodiment of the machine further comprises a transport device 16, with which a controllable relative adjustment of the compartments 3 or the entire compartment assembly 4 or individual storage levels relative to the housing side predefined, maximum access opening 6 in the machine housing 2 is possible. The transport device 16 in this case comprises at least one drive unit 17 for the movably mounted compartment arrangement 4. The compartment arrangement 4 is preferably formed by a round magazine 19 rotatable about a vertical axis 18, to which a rotary drive 20 is assigned. This rotary drive 20 may be formed by any known from the prior art rotary actuators, in particular by a gear drive, a belt drive, a chain drive or a Seilautrieb. The round magazine 19 is preferably mounted constant in height, i. its shelf levels remain permanently in the respective predefined plane and are rotatable about the vertical axis 18.

In order to run the respective functions of the storage machine 1 at least partially automated, the storage machine 1 is associated with at least one electrical or electronic control device 14 or integrated in this. As is known per se, such an electrical control device 14 comprises at least one software-controlled processor or microcontroller for controlling, monitoring or regulating at least the internal processes and / or the device functions. The control device 14 has for this purpose a plurality of electrical or optical interfaces to corresponding actuators and / or sensors of the storage machine 1. The control device 14 includes, inter alia, a commercially available computing unit for general purposes, in particular a standard PC or industrial PC.

Furthermore, the control device 14 forms a user-side interface, in particular a so-called human-machine interface or an operator interface 21. This user interface 21 is embodied in the manner of a terminal 6 integrated in the storage machine 1, but can of course also be designed independently and arranged somewhat distanced to the actual storage machine 1 with the various compartments 3. The operator interface 21 or the terminal 22 has input and / or output means 23 known from the prior art for influencing the operating functions or sequences of at least the automatic storage machine 1. These input and / or output means 23, for example, by buttons, switches, displays and / or by combined Input and / or output means, such as be formed by a touch-sensitive screen in the manner of a so-called touch screen. The storage machine 1 preferably also includes a document scanner, barcode scanner and receipt printer.

As input and / or output means 24, any identification and / or authorization checking means 24 known from the prior art is preferably also formed. Such an electronic unit for checking persons or authorization can be formed for example by a card reader for identification cards or for credit or payment cards (EC cards) and / or by input means for user name and possibly for passwords or PIN codes. However, the user identification may also be provided by barcode sections, by biometric identification means, e.g. Fingerprint sensors, by voice recognition modules and / or by mechanical keys or transponders or by a combination of several such means are accomplished.

Optoelectronic scanners 25, magnetic card or chip card readers, electromagnetic transmitting and / or receiving devices and the like can also be integrated into the automatic storage machine 1 or connected to the control device 14 as input and / or output means 23 for data or information and commands.

The implemented in the storage machine 1 scope of electrical or electrical components depends essentially on the required functionality of the same, with a number of stages or special functionalities for the storage machine 1 are conceivable, as will be explained in more detail below. The electrotechnical input and / or output means 23 of the machine in particular also enable a data communication with decentralized agencies, in particular with a control center for several, installed at different locations storage machines 1. The input and / or output means 23 but also allow communication with the respective users or operators of the storage machine 1.

The transport device 16 makes it possible to position at least one selected compartment 3, contained in the machine, of a preferably altogether movable compartment arrangement 4 in the access area behind the access mechanism 5. Preferred for this purpose is the schematically illustrated construction with round or drum-type and rotatable magazines or used with paternoster-like, linearly movable or belt-like revolving tray arrangements. But even machines with stationary shelving arrangements 4 or magazines can have automatically driven locking devices 7 and correspond to the inventive concept.

A significant advantage of the generic storage machine is the relatively flexible possibility of dividing the entire compartment volume on compartments 3 of different sizes, whose combination meets the intended conditions of use, i. the advent of storage objects of different sizes, can be adjusted. Preferably, the distribution of the magazine volume is made possible even after the commissioning of the storage machine 1. Such a conversion or adaptation of the compartment sizes would be e.g. in box-type storage machines or lockers, in which a size-matched door is provided for each compartment, difficult to achieve.

The closure device 7 or the individual slides 11 are preferably moved automatically starting from the control device 14. In particular, an automatic movement of the closure device 7 by means of the drive device 13 in the opening direction - arrow 26 - possible. The respective opening width 12 of the closure device 7 is dependent on the size of the compartment 3 positioned behind or dependent on the access rights of the respective user previously determined via the electronic input and / or output means 23.

Preferably, starting from the control device 14, an automated closing operation of the closure device 7 via the drive device 13 that is a previously provided for a specialized access single access opening 15 with a certain opening width in the respective level is after the storage of an article or after removal of an object or after a defined period of time or after a manual closing command by the user again completely closed or transferred to the closed position. For this purpose, the same drive device 13 is preferably used, which is also provided for the opening movement of the closure device 7. Closing forces or the maximum force or torque values for the adjustment movement of the closure device 7 or the individual slides 11 are dimensioned in this case, ie, predefined or adjustable in such a way that by automated adjustment movements the closure device 7 or individual slide 11 no serious or not caused by the adjustment, serious injury to a user may occur when this with the hand, fingers or arms in the closing region of the closure device 7, in particular between a limiting or Closing edge of the closure device 7 and a boundary edge of the access opening 6 and the machine housing 2 passes. The limitation of the force or torque transmission values between the drive device 13 and the closure device 7 or its linear guide or pivot bearing is effected by a force or torque limiting device 27 between the drive device 13 and the closure device 7 and / or by such a low-dimensioned or set drive power of the drive device 13 that medically treated injury to a user or other health damage thereof can be almost excluded. Preferably, the driving force of the drive device 13 and / or the maximum force or torque transmission value of the force or torque limiting device 27 is selected such that an in the closing direction - arrow 28 - moving closure device 7 against the closing force in the opening direction - arrow 26th - can be pressed or pushed back. This adjusting movement of the closure device 7 or of the slide 11 in the opening direction - arrow 26 - can thus take place despite a drive device 13 which is activated per se for a closing operation. This deliberate, forced opening movement of the closure device 7 against the driving force of the active drive device 13 or against the closing force of the closure device 7 can be accomplished manually. In particular, the closing force is dimensioned so low that a manual pressing of the closure device 7 or the slide 11 is made possible, although an automated closing process was initiated by the control device 14 via the drive device 13. Preferably, even if the closure device 7 is not locked or not blocked motion and the drive device 13 is inactive, is a manual adjustment of a partially open closure device 7 and a partially opened slide 11 in the opening direction - as indicated by arrow 26 - to one through a Opening limit 29 defined position possible. Permanent jamming or jamming or sticking of limbs, in particular the hand of a machine operator in an automatically closed single access opening 15 of the storage machine 1 can be prevented. This although automated closing closure devices 7 and slide 11 are executed.

In spite of such a manual enforceability of a partially opened, i. Unlocked locking device 7 to prevent unauthorized access to not specific to the user compartments 3 and minimize injury hazards, the non-self-locking, manually adjustable movement drive or the drive device 13 for the closure device 7 in combination with the previously described opening limit 29 for the closure device 7 and The slides 11 are provided. This opening limit 29 thus prevents unauthorized access to compartments 3, which are arranged adjacent to the intended compartment 3. That that those compartments 3, which must remain hidden from a partially opened closure device 7 or a partially adjustable slide 11, are reliably protected against unauthorized access by means of the opening delimitation 29, in particular remain concealed. This is although the drive device 13 is not designed to be self-locking or the closure device 7 is mechanically blocked from taking an open position or from the unlocking of a tumbler 30 for the closure device 7 and also manually moved or moved. In particular, this embodiment makes possible manual adjustability of the closure device 7 between a closed, unlocked position and the position defined by the opening delimitation 29. In particular, a manual adjustment of the closure device 7 or the slide 11 is made possible if its locking device (s) or tumbler (s) 30 is / are deactivated. In the activated or active state of the tumbler 30 and in the fully closed position of the closure device 7 and the slider 11, the closure device 7 and the slide 11 are locked or immovably blocked, so that a manual opening of the same is excluded or only by significant use of force or with criminal intent.

The opening delimitation 29 comprises at least one stop device 31 for the closure device 7 or slide 11 and / or for the drive device 13 thereof. Such a stop device 31 can be placed on a storage device 32 of the closure device 7, in particular on a guide device 33 for the closure device 7, directly on the Closing device 7 and / or act on the electromotive, hydraulic or pneumatic drive device 13 for the closure device 7.

The opening limitation 29 or stop device 31 serves in any case for the controlled or automated definition or limitation of a maximum possible opening width 12 of the closure device 7 as a function of the size of a compartment 3 behind it, in particular as a function of the respective compartment width 9 of the compartments 3A, 3B or 3C. The stop device 31 is thereby correspondingly positioned or activated in dependence on the size of the compartment 3 provided for access, ie the stop device 31 is activated from a plurality of stop devices 31, which limit the maximum permissible opening width 12 for the closure device 7 or for the respective slide 11 is positioned accordingly or structurally independently provided or placed.

The stop device 31 or the plurality of stop devices 31 is accordingly positioned or activated starting from the control device 14. In any case, at least one controlled by means of the control device 14 positionable or activatable and deactivatable stop device 31 is formed in order to automatically accomplish the respectively required opening limit 29 for the closure device 7 and the respective slide 11.

The maximum force or torque values, which act on the closure device 7 starting from a control-technology-activated or an inactive or stationary drive device 13 or via the force-limiting or torque-limiting device 27, can be overcome relatively easily or reliably by hand. In particular, even if the hand of a user is e.g. in the region of the wrist of the front closing edge of the closure device 7 is urged against the machine housing 2 or against a lateral boundary edge of the access opening 6, an exemption of the hand will be possible only by the user concerned, after this automatically initiated closing movement and then stopped Movement of the closure device 7 and the slide 11 can even reverse and the closure device 7 and the slider 11 can push up to the position defined by the opening limit 29 up to the active stop device 31 or back. As a result, an object or a body part of the user can be easily freed from the individual access opening 15, which is unexpectedly or automatically reduced as a result of a closing operation.

In contrast to the manually surmountable closing force of the drive or the drive device 13 for the closure device 7, the blocking or blocking forces of the stop device 31 for the respective slide 11 and the closure device 7 with bare hands at least not be overcome. In particular, burglary-like, considerable force would be required using auxiliary tools to adjust the closure device 7 and the slide 11 on the respective active or valid stop device 31 addition and thus force beyond the control technology provided, permissible opening width 12 extended away opening.

The opening delimitation 29 or stop device 31 defines at least one stop position 34, which lies between a maximum possible or structurally predefined, maximum achievable opening width of the closure device 7 and the fully closed position of the closure device 7, so that partial or partial open positions of the closure device 7 or the slider 11 defined defined or allowed. This at least one intermediate stop position 34 is then occupied by the stop device 31 and then activated by the opening limit 29 when the access is to be permitted only over a section of the maximum possible opening width or the maximum width 8 of the access opening 6. This is the case if the compartment size of the intended compartment 3 is smaller than the theoretically possible or structurally conceived, largest possible opening path of the closure device 7.

According to a preferred embodiment, the opening delimitation 29 or the stop device 31 defines at least two stop positions 34 that are distanced from one another, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 was illustrated. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 the various stop positions 34 are formed by step-like gradations 35. These gradations 35 may be formed directly on the closure device 7 or preferably on a separate from the outside or on a non-accessible by the user separate element which is rigidly connected to the closure device 7 and with the respective slide 11. Instead of an element with step-like gradations 35, it is also possible to form extensions of different lengths or depressions of different depths.

As previously described, the closure device 7 or each of the slides 11 is associated with a tumbler 30, which in the active state, an opening of the closure device 7 and the individual slide 11 from the fully closed Reliably prevents position and thereby well withstand external acts of violence. Before the closure device 7 or a corresponding slide 11 can be transferred to the corresponding open position or open position or is transferred automatically, the respectively associated tumbler 30, which may be formed by a bolt or a ratchet, must be disabled become. The deactivation of the tumbler 30 takes place automatically via a control command, which is output by the control device 14. Preferably, before the corresponding tumbler 30 is deactivated, the stop device 31 corresponding to the respective access rights is activated or positioned such that only the maximum permissible opening width 12 can be achieved. That is, the opening limit 29 is activated or automatically brought into that position, which allows an opening of the closure device 7 according to the legitimate opening width 12, before the tumbler 30 is deactivated or the slide lock is released. Thus, the stop device 31 is already activated or positioned accordingly before the tumbler 30 is deactivated or unlocked, so that the user can open the closure device 7 or the respective slide 11 only up to the predetermined by the stopper 31, intended position or the closure device 7 automatically opens up to this controlled variable or to the corresponding, controlled activatable and deactivatable stop device 31. This variable and automatically defined stop position 31 or opening width for the closure device 7 corresponds in each case to the permissible size for the individual access opening 15. In any case, the closure device 7 or the slide 11 can not via the mechanical stop device 31 or not through the opening limit 29th defined, active stop position 34 move away.

Im in Fig. 2 illustrated state of the opening delimitation 29 and the stopper 31, the closure device 7 and the slider 11 can open a maximum of about a setting width C as soon as the tumbler 30 has been deactivated via the control device 14. In this case, the right compartment 3C can then be accessed from the partially cleared compartment group placed in front of the access opening 6 in order to carry out storage or retrieval of objects.

When adjusting the opening limit 29 or its variable stop device 31 in a lying between a rest and a maximum active position intermediate position, would the further stop position 34 come into effect and thus a tray 3 with the size B are accessible. In the illustrated position of the compartment assembly 4, for example, two compartments 3 in size C would be accessible.

In the third position of the opening delimitation 29, the opening delimitation 29 is deactivated or in this case no stop position 34 is predetermined by the opening delimitation 29, so that the closure device 7 or the slide 11 can be opened with maximum width or is opened automatically. In this state, a tray 3 of size A becomes accessible. The positioning of the respective compartment size or the designated compartment 3 from the plurality of compartments 3 behind the housing-side access opening 6 is carried out automatically via the transport device 16, which is also driven by the control device 14 accordingly. With unchanged position of the movable, in particular the rotatable compartment assembly 4 would be according to the exemplary illustration in Fig. 2 three compartments 3 of size C within the illustrated level accessible.

The opening delimitation 29 or stop device 31 may comprise an electromagnetically actuated stop element 36 which has at least two defined adjustment positions. Such a stop element 36 may be formed, for example, by a tie rod magnet, which assumes a first adjustment position in the deactivated state and can assume at least one second, in addition distanced, adjustment position in the activated or energy-stressed state. In the energized or de-energized state of the orifice restriction 29, the orifice restriction 29 is preferably mechanically active, i. that either no opening of the closure device 7 is possible or that of the closure device 7 only the smallest adjustment path, i. the smallest or narrowest compartment 3 corresponding opening path or only the smallest opening width 12C is zurücklegbar. However, the variably positionable opening delimitation 29 can also include an electrically controlled stepper motor with a downstream limiting or blocking mechanism for limiting the position of the closure device 7.

In Fig. 3 a further embodiment variant of the storage machine 1 is illustrated, wherein the same reference numerals have been used for previously described parts, so that the foregoing descriptions are mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals.

In this case, each closing device 7 or each slide 11 a plurality of stop devices 31 are formed. In particular, the opening delimitation 29 comprises a plurality of selectively controllable stop devices 31. These stop devices 31 can be selectively activated or deactivated starting from the control device 14 or its control commands. These stop devices 31, which can thus be activated or deactivated, for different stop positions 34 or different, legitimate opening widths 12 are each connected to a control output of the control device 14. Is this a first or the top of the in Fig. 3 stop devices 31 shown activated by preferably their power supply is disabled, so the closure device 7 can open a maximum of size C, so that a tray 3 in the size C is accessible when the tumbler 30 is inactive. If, however, a second or the lowest of in Fig. 3 Stop devices 31 shown activated by preferably their power is turned off or stopped, the shutter 7 or the slider 11 can be adjusted maximally according to the distance B and behind a positioned or aligned aligned tray 3 with the size B or emptied - provided the tumbler 30 is deactivated. If neither of the two stop devices 31 is active, then the closure device 7 can be opened with maximum width and thus access to the compartment 3 in the size A behind it, if the tumbler 30 was previously deactivated by control technology.

The opening of the closure device 7 is preferably via the drive device 13, but it can also be done manually. In particular, the closing movements for the closure device 7 are carried out automatically via the drive device 13.

In the Ausfühnmgsform shown forms the first stop device 31 with a correspondingly provided stop position 34 and with an associated stop bar a pair of functions. Furthermore, the further or second stop device 31, in conjunction with the correspondingly designed stop strip embodied elsewhere, defines a further functional pair for implementing the second stop position 34 for compartments 3 of size B.

Optionally, it is also possible to provide only one stop device 31, which is suitable for realizing a plurality of stop positions 34. This is especially possible if the stop device 31 or opening limit 29 of a time and / or subject to position-dependent control by the control device 14. In particular, the stop device 31 could be switched or switched at certain times or at certain relative positions relative to the moving closure device 7, so that a variably controlled setting of the closure device 7 at the maximum permissible opening position or at the intended opening width 12 is ensured.

If appropriate, the function of the tumbler 30 can also be taken over by a stop device 31 which can be activated and deactivated in time or position-dependent on the respective instantaneous position of the closure device 7, as can be seen from FIG Fig. 3 is easily derivable. This means that a stop device 31 can also be provided for locking the closure device 7 in its fully closed position and is thus designed to be multifunctional. However, an independent tumbler 30 is preferably provided for the locking of the closure device 7 or the slide 11 in the fully closed position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the guide device 33 for the closure device 7 comprises a plurality of rollers which displaceably support the closure device 7 along an arcuately curved guide track. The guide device 33 for the closure device 7 or the slider 11 is designed such that a smooth, in particular a manual adjustment of the slide 11 is made possible, even if relatively high, vertically aligned to the adjustment forces are exerted on the closure device 7. This ensures that even when an operator exerts increased forces, which act essentially perpendicular to the automatically initiated adjustment movement of the closure device 7, a smooth adjustability of the closure device 7 or the slide 11 is given. This ensures that, in the event of an emergency, an automated opening or an automated reversal of movement of the closure device 7 or an automatic liberation of the user with respect to a closing individual access opening 15 is easily possible.

In the illustrated embodiment according to Fig. 3 is in the machine housing 2 of the storage machine 1 automatically closed by the closure device 7 closed and controlled releasable access opening 6 and also one without access check or formed without access control insurmountable access breakthrough. The unlocked access breakthrough is located in a protected area 39 to which only authorized persons have access, whereas the first access opening 6 is associated with a quasi public area 40 and an access is regulated by the closure device 7 is formed which allows only the respective authorized users access to the respective compartment 3 or on the respective object. In this context, it is noted that preferably no fixed predefined assignment of subjects to particular persons takes place, but a need-based or free subject assignment takes place starting from the control device 14. That is to say, the compartments 3 are not allocated to a permanently predefined, limited group of persons or not pre-reserved, but rather that the respective compartments 3 are authorized or registered by a person, in particular a delivery person, via the local control device 14 and / or an external or central controller can be assigned flexibly as needed. In particular, deliverers and / or collectors of objects apply as registered or authorized persons.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 Furthermore, a command input means 37 is executed, with which a closing command initiated or the control device 14, a release or readiness for a closing operation of the closure device 7 can be announced or signaled. This command input means 37 is preferably constituted by a so-called enabling button 38, which upon manual operation by the user of the control device 14 signals or issues a readiness or command to close the closure device 7 or the respective slider 11. This enabling switch 38 is preferably designed independently of the other input and / or output means 23 or separately from the other user-relevant command input means of the terminal 22. Preferably, this enabling switch 38 is designed in highly reliable or safe construction, in particular electrically multi-circuit. It is further expedient to arrange the enabling button 38 in child-safe height on the machine housing 2, in particular to place at a height of more than about 1m above the ground level.

Is detected on this preferably manually adjustable command input means 37 or via an actuated enabling button 38 of the control device 14 that the operator Closing command has been initiated or is required user-conscious, so only then the drive device 13 is driven such that the closure device 7 of the slider 11 in the closing direction - is moved - according to arrow 28.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 is further shown that a first portion of the storage machine 1 is disposed in a public or generally accessible portion 40, while another portion of the storage machine 1, in particular the rear portion thereof, lies in a secured portion 39, to which only entitled or authorized persons have access. The separation between the public or generally accessible section 40 and the access-secured section 39 can be implemented inter alia by a partition wall, a building wall or by some other delineation.

In Fig. 4 and 5 is an advantageous embodiment of an automated or controllable access mechanism 5 for a storage machine 1 as in the Fig. 1 to 3 is shown schematically. This automatically controllable or controllable access mechanism 5 comprises the closure device 7 with a plurality of vertically superimposed, individually and selectively adjustable slides 11. Each of the slides 11 via a respective associated storage device 32, in particular via a linear guide device 33 in the horizontal direction adjustable stored to opening movements, according to arrow 26, and closing movements, according to arrow 28, to perform. The guide device 33 comprises a plurality of rollers 41, which on the one hand to ensure a support of the slider 11 in the vertical direction and on the other hand, a holder of the slider 11 in a horizontal direction transverse to the direction of displacement. The leadership of the slider 11 along an arcuately curved path thus takes place by means of a smooth roller guide. The rollers 41 may be embodied in the form of track rollers, which can roll on an arcuately curved guide rail 42. Such guide rollers fix the slides to a single remaining degree of freedom, so that a stable storage of the slide 11 is possible. Preferably, further support rollers 43 are executed, whose axes are perpendicular to the axes of the rollers 41 and cause a support or guidance of the slider 11 and which prevent impermissible deviations in the vertical direction on an outer or flat side 44 of the slider 11. About the rollers 41 and the perpendicularly oriented support rollers 43 of the guide device 33 of the slide 11 ensures that even with external force on the slide 11, which runs substantially perpendicular to the adjustment direction, a smoothest possible or jam-free adjustment of the slide 11 is ensured.

The closure device 7 and the slide 11 are curved arcuately, in particular at least approximately adapted to the outer contour or the radius of the round magazine 19.

Each of the slide 11 is associated with an electric motor drive device 13. These drive devices 13 are line-connected to the control device 14 and reversible starting from the control device 14 in their directions of rotation, so that both an automated or automatic closing operation, according to arrow 28, as well as an automated or automatic opening operation, according to 26, can be performed. The motion transmission between the drive device 13 and the closure device 7 and the respective slides 11 via a respective motion transmission means 45 between the slides 11 and the respective associated drive device 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the motion transmission means 45 is formed by a rack 46, which on the one hand the respective slider 11 is connected and in which rack 46, a drive pinion 47 of the electric motor drive device 13 engages. On the one hand, the maximum driving force of the drive devices 13 may be below an injury-critical or dangerous limit value and / or the force-limiting or torque-limiting device 27 may be in the drive train or in the motion transmission path between the drive device 13 and the closure device 7 or the respective slide 11 implemented as in Fig. 4 is schematically visible. For example, the force or torque-limiting device 27 is formed by a slip clutch in the region of the output of the drive device 13. Regardless of or in combination with this, however, an electrotechnical power actuator 48 may be provided with which the driving force of the drive device 13 is reduced or can be reduced in a controlled manner. This electrotechnical power actuator 48 may include a pulse width modulator, a frequency converter or other energy or motor current limiting device. The power actuator 48 may be assigned to the control device 14 or be integrated into this or else be executed directly on the drive device 13.

In any case, the drive mechanism for the slides 11 is not self-locking, so that when the drive device 13 is inactive or when there are certain mechanical defects, a manual adjustment or an adjustment of the slide 11 upon application of force in the adjustment direction, according to arrow 26 and / or arrow 28, is possible. But even with active drive device 13 stopping or reversing the drive movement is possible after the closing or opening force of the slider 11 is dimensioned so low that it can be applied by hand or overcome to stop or reverse the allow automatic movement of the slider 11. The limitation of the movement or driving force of the slide 11 can, as already explained above, on the one hand be done by dimensioning the drive device 13 and / or by installing force or torque limiting devices 27 in the transmission path or drive train between the drive device 13 and the movement-coupled slide 11 take place. In particular, a defined in the power transmission limited motion coupling between the drive device 13 and thus to be driven slide 11 is provided.

The opening limit 29 for the variable limitation of the maximum opening width 12 of the slide 11 in this case comprises a comb-like bar with several gradations 35. These gradations 35 in the comb-like bar thereby form the different stop positions 34, which are used to selectively limit the maximum opening width 12. The stopper 31 is variably positionable in this embodiment. In particular, its stop element 36, which determines 35 different stop positions 34 in cooperation with a gradation, rotatably mounted or pivotally mounted. In particular, the stop element 36 can be pivoted about an axis 49, so that different pivot angle positions can be adjusted with reference to a horizontal plane. In particular, by increasing or decreasing a pivoting angle 50 between the pivotable stop member 36 and a holder 51 for the stopper member 36 one of several possible stop positions 34 can be selectively activated. That that a selection of each stop position to be activated 34 is made by taking different swivel angle of the stop element 36 and the stop device 31.

For example, starting from the embodiment in FIG Fig. 5 the swivel angle 50 reduced, so the slider 11 can be opened maximally corresponding to a compartment size C. If the swivel angle 50 is reduced again, then the further stop position 34 comes into effect and the slider 11 can be adjusted according to the width of a compartment 3 of size A. In the in Fig. 5 illustrated position of the stop device 31 and the stop element 36 is a displacement of the slider 11 is prevented, so that in this position, the stop device 31 is basically given a tumbler or latch for the slide 11, which displacement movements, in particular opening movements completely prevented.

How best Fig. 4 it can be seen, an opening restriction 29 is provided for each slide 11. The individual stop devices 31 for the individual slides 11 are coupled to one another in terms of movement, ie, that all stop devices 31 for the individual slides 11 are always in the same position or position. In the illustrated embodiment, the individual stop devices 31 are arranged on a common carrier shaft 52 which is mounted rotatably about the axis 49. All abutment devices 31 is associated with a common actuator 53, with which the different, defined pivot angle 50 of the stop elements 36 can be taken so that they are activated the respective required stop position 34 or can come into effect when the slider 11 in the opening direction - as indicated by arrow 26 - is adjusted.

The previously described, controlled positionable stop device 31 may include a self-locking gear 54 to manually impose the different stop positions 34 by hand. Alternatively or in combination with this, the stop device 31 can also have a braking or blocking device 55 which can be automatically activated in dependence on the maximum permissible opening width 12 or setting width for the closure device 7 or the slides 11, which comprises an adjustment of the actuator 53 or the stop device 31 Reliably prevented after taking the intended parking position. In particular, the braking or holding force of the actuator 53 or its braking or blocking device 55 is dimensioned such that it can not be overcome by hand and thus impermissible extensions of the individual access opening 15 are denied.

Preferably, the tumbler 30 is also formed in this case, which causes in the activated state blocking or locking the slide 11 against all displacement movements. In the illustrated embodiment, the tumbler 30 is formed by an electromagnetically adjustable actuator 56, which control technology in or out of positive engagement with respect to the slider 11 and against a fastener 11 on the slider coupling element 57 can be added. In the in the Fig. 4 and 5 shown active position passes through the actuator 56, the coupling element 57, so that any adjustments of the slider 11 along the arrow 26 or along the arrow 28 are prevented. In the active state of the tumbler 30 this is preferably de-energized or the tumbler 30 no external energy is supplied. If the tumbler 30 are deactivated due to an intended adjustment of the respective slide 11, the tumbler 30, in particular the tie rod magnet is subjected to electrical energy, so that the actuating member 56 disengages from the coupling member 57 on the slider 11 and then an adjustment of the slider eleventh is allowed to the corresponding, predefined stop position 34. It should be noted in this context that starting from the control device 14 only that tumbler 30 is selectively deactivated, to which an adjustment in the opening direction - according to arrow 26 - is required. All other tumblers 30 for the non-openable slide 11 remain activated unchanged, ie unchanged in their powerless or de-energized rest position, as in Fig. 5 was illustrated.

Furthermore, in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 and 5 a control device 58 is carried out, with which an open or closed state of the closure device 7 or each individual slide 11 can be detected. In the illustrated embodiment, the control device 58 comprises at least one electromechanical switch 59, which signals the fully closed position of the closure device 7 and the respective slide 11. Preferably, the switch 59 comprises at least one control contact 60, which is able to detect a fully closed and locked on the tumbler 30 and a partially opened or unlocked slide 11. The control contact 60 can be designed as an electrical make or break contact, wherein one of the switching states of the control device 14 signals a completely closed, preferably locked via the tumbler 30 position of the respective associated slider 11. Preferably, the control device 58 is designed with two circuits or two channels in order to ensure single-fault safety. That is, that in the case of discordant signals of the two-circuited Control device 58, the control device 14 detects an invalid operating state or an error and then signals a fault or prompt for state control. The control device 58 can for this purpose have a further structurally independent switch 59 or have another sensory detection device 61 according to another physical design or mode of action. In particular, the detection device 61 of the dual-circuit control device 58 may be formed by an inductive sensor 62, which detects the relative position of the slider 11 relative to the access opening 6. Preferably, this detection device 61 or the switch 59 is arranged such that when the slider 11 is in the fully closed position, the inductive sensor 62 is not a detectable, metallic element in its detection range. The signals of the second control device 58 or of the detection device 61 are preferably evaluated by an independent evaluation device 63 or by a controller independent of the control device 14. In the event that the detection signals of the first and second control device 58 are consistent, a basic requirement for the commissioning of the transport device 16 is met. Especially when the evaluation device 63 signals to the control device 14 that a completely closed closure device 7 could be detected via the second control device 58 and, on the condition that a matching detection result was known by the first control device 58, can proceed from the control device 14 the drive unit 17 are activated, if this is necessary for the further operation of the storage machine 1. If, on the other hand, one of the two control devices 58 indicates that one of the slides 11 is not in the fully closed position, the transport device 16 or the drive unit 17 is in no way automatically activated. This ensures that the tray assembly 4 is only then moved or displaced, in particular rotated, when access to the tray assembly 4 is impossible by all the slides 11 are in the fully closed position, so that access to a suddenly in Movement-setting tray assembly 4 can be safely excluded. Injuries of the operator of the storage machine 1 due to automatically moving parts can thus be almost eliminated. The dual-circuit detection and preferably independent evaluation of the signals of the two control devices 58 for detecting or monitoring the closed position of the slide 11 thereby increases the safety or reliability of the automatic storage machine 1 to a particular extent. Ie that the control device 58 or the parallel or dual-circuit running control device 58 only when fully closed closure device 7, in particular only when all the slides 11 are completely closed and additionally the closure device 7 and the slide 11 are present in a mechanically locked state, an enable signal which signals to the control device 14 that, if necessary, the transport device 16 for the shed assembly 4 can be activated without the risk of injury to a user after the access mechanism 5 blocks any access to the shed assembly 4.

Preferably, the control device 58 or the parallel executed control device 58 in addition to and independent of the control device 14, the energy supply to the drive of the transport device 16 is in positive control result free.

It is also preferably checked via the dual-channel control device 58 whether the tumbler 30 is active for a completely closed closure device 7 or for the slides 11. The tumbler 30 is designed in such a way that it is preferably in energy-less, i. in the electrically unencumbered state, a locking or fixing of the respective slide 11 is present.

It is also advantageous if an active state or locked state of the tumblers 30 is made by means of an opening attempt of the closure device 7 or slider 11 via the respective drive device 13. It is thereby attempted by the control device 14, the closure device 7 or slider 11 to be adjusted by means of the drive device 13 by a few millimeters. If the tumbler 30 is in the locked position or is active, this attempted adjustment movement fails by a few millimeters. If the control device 58 continues to detect a closed closure device 7 or closed slide 11 after such a minimal adjustment attempt, the control device 14 assumes that the tumblers 30 are active and similar manual adjustment attempts are mechanically prevented. Optionally, 30 can be drawn from the control device 14 via a response signal or a step signal from the drive devices 13 to an active or inactive tumbler 30 conclusion.

Optionally, the control device 58 by at least one light barrier arrangement 64 formed as illustrated by dashed lines. Such a control device 58 is suitable in a simple manner for monitoring or detecting the position or position of a plurality of closure devices 7 or slide 11 in their closed state. In particular, when one of the sliders 11 is slightly opened, an interruption of the light beam of the light barrier assembly 64 is caused, whereby the control device 58 is not released for activation of the transport device 16. In particular, the light barrier arrangement 64 is interrupted in the not completely closed state of one of the closure devices 7, ie a light beam of the light barrier arrangement 64 can not overcome the transmission path between transmitter and receiver. The light barrier arrangement 64 can operate according to the reflection principle, wherein the transmitter and receiver unit for the light beam are arranged directly next to one another, or can be designed according to the barrier principle, in which the section lying between the transmitting and receiving unit forms the detection zone.

Again Fig. 5 can be removed, the storage machine 1 may also include a standstill monitoring device 65. This standstill monitoring device 65 is used to detect whether the tray assembly 4 or at least one of the compartments 3 is in motion or is stationary. The standstill monitoring device 65 includes at least one sensor or sensor 66, with which a movement or a standstill of the compartment assembly 4 can be detected and evaluated electrotechnically. This sensor 66 may be placed in the area of the compartment assembly 4 and / or the transport device 16 or the drive unit 17 may be assigned to the compartment assembly 4, as in Fig. 5 was shown with dashed lines. In particular, the sensor 66 of the standstill monitoring device 65 may be designed as an encoder for rotational movements of the drive unit 17, or else be assigned to the motion transmission element, for example a drive chain, a sprocket or the like.

The at least one sensor 66 is connected to an input of at least one electronic evaluation circuit. In particular, the sensor 66 is conductively connected to at least the control device 14. Alternatively or in combination, the sensor 66 of the standstill monitoring device 65 may be connected to a separate, independently operating evaluation device 63 in order to ensure the highest possible evaluation reliability of the sensor signals to achieve. If the evaluation device 63 or control device 14 recognizes via the implemented standstill monitoring device 65 that at least the drive device 17, but preferably the compartment arrangement 4 itself is stationary, a first prerequisite for an opening operation of the closure device 7 or of at least one of the slides 11 is given. If, on the other hand, it is detected via the standstill monitoring device 65 that the compartment arrangement 4 is in motion, the closure device 7 is basically not opened or the closure device 7 or a slide 11 can not be opened manually. The evaluation of the sensor signals preferably takes place independently of the control device 14 for the drive unit 17, and the standstill monitoring device 65 is preferably designed to be dual-circuit or fault-proof. That is, the standstill monitoring device 65 is preferably designed independently and independently of the local, actual control device 14 of the automatic storage device 1 or independently for the control of the transport device 16.

Preferably, the control device 58 for monitoring or determining the closed state of the closure device 7 is formed independently or independently of the actual control device 14 of the storage machine 1.

According to an advantageous development, a bridging device 67 for the functional bridging or temporary inactive switching of the control device 58 may be formed. In particular, with conscious or user-active activation of the lock-up device 67, a movement of the compartment arrangement 4 can take place even when the closure device 7 is open or partially open. Activation of the lock-up device 67 is only possible by authorized persons who have been properly instructed in driving, such as commercial deliverers or service technicians. The lock-up device 67 preferably comprises an enabling button 68, which is then to be actively operated by an operator of the automatic storage machine 1 and held in the operating position if the control device 58 is to be deactivated temporarily. The bridging device 67 or the enabling button 68 has a key switching function, ie the bridging of the functionality of the control device 58 is active only as long as the enabling button 68 is actuated in a predetermined manner by the operator of the automatic storage machine 1.

Preferably, the enabling button 68 is designed as a two-stage, optionally also as a three-stage button. In a predefined actuation position, the control device 14 is signaled the approval for putting into operation or for operating the transport device 16 or for adjusting the compartment assembly 4, although the closure device 7 or at least one of the slide 11 is opened or partially opened. In the unactuated position of the enabling button 68 and also in an optional third switching stage of the enabling button 68 is given no approval for a movement of the tray assembly 4 with open closure device 7 and then a movement of the tray assembly 4 is excluded with high security or avoided. The possibly existing, third switching stage of the enabling button 68 corresponds to a so-called panic position of the enabling button 68, in which the transport device 16 and the tray assembly 4 brought to a standstill, optionally transferred directly by activation of a braking or locking device to a standstill. The panic position is taken in particular by pressing the enabling button 68 in the third switching stage. The second or third switching stage is initiated by impulsive or panic-like pressure increase to the enabling switch 68.

However, the bridging device 67 can also be formed by two mutually spaced buttons, as shown in FIG Fig. 5 illustrated in dashed lines. In particular, the placement of these buttons is such that for simultaneous operation of the button both hands of the user are required and a reaching into the danger zone or an entry of other limbs in the danger area or in the open access opening 6 can be excluded.

Preferably, the transport device 16 is operated with activated lock-up device 67 at a reduced speed, so that injury to an operator due to the moving compartment assembly 4 and the at least partially or completely open closure device 7, less likely or the operator and the drives involved in the event of danger something longer reaction time can be granted. Activation of the lock-up device 67 is preferably only allowed or permitted by specially trained, driven-instructed operating personnel, in particular a deliverer or mass deliverer of objects. The advantage of this bridging device 67 is inter alia that a plurality of objects in the various compartments 3 in simple manner and can be stored relatively quickly, since a continuous opening and closing of the closure device 7 and the respective slide 11 is unnecessary for storing objects.

In the Fig. 6 to 10 Further, possible embodiments for the variable, controllable opening limit 29 and for the movement drive of the closure device 7 and the slide 11 are shown. The preceding descriptions are mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals transferable.

The force-limited or torque-limited drive device 13 for the closure device 7 in this case comprises a band-shaped, flexible, but largely compressive and tensile motion transfer means 69 between the drive device 13 and the closure device 7 and the associated slider 11. The motion transfer means 69, e.g. in the manner of a finite wedge or toothed belt, is at its two ends 70, 71 with the slider 11 movement connected or attached thereto. The intermediate portion of the tape-like movement transmission means 69 is guided around a drive pulley 72, wherein via at least one deflection pulley 73 for the belt-like motion transmission means 69, a sufficient angle of wrap on the drive pulley 72 is ensured. In the case of the preferred embodiment of a drive device 13 which is reversibly controlled in the direction of rotation, automated opening movements are possible, as indicated by arrow 26, and closing movements, as indicated by arrow 28.

Preferably, a controlled activatable and deactivatable tumbler 30 is provided, which in the active position and fully closed slide 11 an opening thereof reliably and with high stability prevented.

The opening delimitation 29 for automatically limiting or setting different, maximum permissible opening positions of the closure device 7 or slide 11 depending on the size of the intended compartment 3A, 3B or 3C in this case comprises several, in particular two controlled activatable or deactivatable stop devices 31 to create different Stop positions 34 and opening widths 12B, 12C. The electrically controllable stop devices 31 can in a simple way and Be formed by so-called Zugankermagnete whose stop elements 36 controlled in and out of engagement with a groove or slot-like limiting member 74, 75 can be added. In particular, two longitudinal slot-like or slot-like limiting members 74, 75 of different lengths are designed to implement two possible, different stop positions 34. If in this case the first stop device 31 is active, ie its stop element 36 is inserted inside the limiting member 74, a displacement of the slider 11 or an opening thereof at a distance C is possible, so that a compartment 3 with the size C can be accessed. If, on the other hand, the first stop device 31 is deactivated by being preferably supplied with electrical energy, then the further stop device 31, which remains unchanged, comes into play, so that the slide 11 can be displaced or opened maximally in accordance with the distance B and a compartment 3 in FIG Size B is accessible or on a tray 3 with the size B can be accessed.

On the other hand, if both stop devices 31 are inactive by their stop elements 36 are moved out of the longitudinal slot-like limiting members 74, 75, the slider 11 can be moved approximately corresponding to the distance A and thus the maximum opening width 12 is achieved, so that a tray 3 according to Size A, so the largest or widest compartment 3 is accessible, if such starting from the control device 14 - see, for example Fig. 5 - Was positioned via the transport device 16 behind the access opening 6. The positioning of differently sized compartments 3 or the intended compartments 3, ie those compartments 3 which have been determined for control access purposes or have been selected from a plurality of compartments 3 of the compartment arrangement 4, thus takes place via the controllable transport device 16.

Preferably, the stop devices 31 are active in the energized or de-energized state, i. that their stop elements 36 are positioned so that they can interact with the respective associated stop position 34 in active interaction.

The mechanical force or torque-limiting device 27 is in this case implemented by a friction drive, ie, the force is limited by a defined frictional engagement between the drive pulley 72 and the band-shaped motion transmission means 69. Alternatively, or in combination, but also the maximum power of Drive device 13, in particular of the drive motor be dimensioned such that the applicable to the slide 11 driving force or drive power is below a injury critical or dangerous limit. Preferably possible wear-free or long-term maintenance-free torque limits or slip clutches are formed.

In Fig. 7 another embodiment of an opening restriction 29 is illustrated. Here, a controlled or variably positionable stop device 31 is formed, the bolt-shaped stop element 36 is controlled in different positions adjustable. At the respectively assumed adjustment positions, the stop element 36 is rigidly fixed or positioned immovably. This stop element 36 is also associated with at least one limiting member 74. In particular, the limiting member 74 is movement-coupled to the slider 11 or attached thereto and with reference to the direction of movement of the slider 11- as indicated by arrow 26 or arrow 28 - wedge-shaped or oblique. An inclined surface 76 of the wedge-shaped limiting member 74 is the controlled positionable or position-variable stop member 36 facing. The association between the limiting member 74 and the controlled adjustable stop device 31 is such that when opening the slider 11- as shown by arrow 26 - a clear distance between the inclined surface 76 and the stop member 36 is reduced until finally the inclined surface 76 abuts the stop member 36 and a further slide movement in the opening direction - according to arrow 26 - is limited stop limited. The taking of the various parking positions A, B, C, which then correspond to the individual opening widths 12A, 12B, 12C, are the Fig. 7 clearly removable.

Optionally, the stop device 31 also assume the function of the tumbler 30 described above. In this case, the stop member 36 prevents opening of the slider 11, starting from the in Fig. 7 illustrated, fully closed position. As is further shown, the stop element 36 of this stop device 31 can also be used to limit the maximum opening width 12A, ie that a further stop or a stop device 31 is provided which terminates the adjusting movement of the slide 11 at its maximum open position or . limited.

According to the embodiment in FIG Fig. 8 the stop device 31 comprises a so-called cam disk or eccentric disk 77 as a variably positionable stop element. This eccentric disk is movably mounted about an axis of rotation and, with reference to this axis of rotation, has a region increasing or variable in radius. Depending on the angular position of the eccentric disc 77 can thus be changed a clear distance between an inclined surface 76 of a tapered limiting member 74 and the eccentric disc 77. As a result, in turn, the maximum available opening travel of the slide or 11 can be limited, as is the case Fig. 8 is clearly evident. With a correspondingly dimensioned curve gradient or adequate gradient ratios between the control cams of the eccentric disk 77 and the limiting member 74, the blocking effect can have a self-reinforcing or self-locking effect. Optionally, the lock of adjustments between limiting member 74 and eccentric 77 can be further reinforced by means of a toothing on the inclined surface 76 and / or the eccentric disk 77, so locked to be suppressed adjustment movements.

Here, too, the function of the tumbler 30 can optionally be taken over by the stop device 31 or the eccentric disk 77. Preferably, however, an independent tumbler 30 is provided, which ensures a highly secure locking or burglar-proof fixing of the slide 11 in the fully closed position.

In Fig. 9 Another possible embodiment of an opening limiter 29 for controlled variable limitation of the maximum opening width 12A, 12B, 12C of a closure device 7 or of a linearly movable slide 11 is illustrated. The stop device 31 of this opening delimitation 29 in this case comprises a controllably positionable threaded spindle arrangement 79. The respectively required stop positions 34 for limiting the opening widths 12A, 12B, 12C are here accomplished by different setting positions of the threaded spindle assembly 79. In particular, a threaded spindle 80 is automatically adjustable relative to a fixedly mounted spindle bearing 81. For relative adjustment of the threaded spindle 80 relative to the spindle bearing 81, a controllable, electric motor drive 82 is provided. Via the number of revolutions of the threaded spindle 80 or of the drive 82 relative to the spindle bearing 81, its setting position can be varied or varied in a controlled manner as a function of the required or maximum permissible opening width 12A, 12B, 12C. A front end 83 of the threaded spindle 80th or an end-side attachment part can then interact with a stop surface 84 on the slide 11 in order to determine the various stop positions 34.

The drive device 13 for relative adjustment of the closure device 7 or of the slide 11 relative to the housing-side or housing-fixed access opening 6 is in this case formed by a piston-cylinder arrangement 85. The achievable actuating force or power of this piston-cylinder arrangement 85 is decisively influenced by the working or operating pressure of the supplied liquid or gaseous drive medium, for example oil or air. This piston-cylinder assembly 85 is associated with a not-shown pumping device or pressure accumulator device for applying the limited working pressure. To limit the working pressure or the driving force of the piston-cylinder assembly 85 but also pressure relief valves or throttles may be provided to provide the force or torque limiting device 27. Also, this drive device 13, in particular the power or driving force of the piston-cylinder assembly 85 is thus selected such that serious injury to a user due to displacement movements of the slider 11 or due to other adjustment movements of a closure device 7 can be almost excluded.

Furthermore, it is off Fig. 9 it can be seen that the slides 11 can be guided robustly and wear-free by means of a straight-line or arcuately curved guide rail 42, which is assigned to the upper and / or lower edge of the individual slides 11. These guide rails 42 preferably coincide with the shelves or the individual shelf levels, so that in terms of accessibility to the compartments 3 with open slide 11 there are almost no restrictions. However, a sufficiently stable mounting of the slide 11 is also possible if the guide rails 42 do not extend into the region of the access opening 6 and run only in the interior of the machine housing 2, so that they are inaccessible to a general machine operator.

Fig. 10 shows further embodiments of an opening delimitation 29 and a force-limited drive device 13 for the closure device 7 and the at least one slide 11 of the storage machine. 1

The opening limitation 29 is in this case by a so-called traveling nut arrangement 86 educated. This traveling nut arrangement 86 comprises a threaded spindle 87, which can be put into rotary motion by a controllable drive 88 about its longitudinal axis. On this with respect to their direction of rotation and the number of revolutions controllable threaded spindle 87 at least one threaded nut 89 is mounted or screwed. Upon rotation of the threaded spindle 87 by means of the drive 88, the threaded nut 89 assumes different relative positions relative to the longitudinal direction of the threaded spindle 87 or relative to the drive 88. The threaded nut 89 or an element fastened thereto constitutes the variably positionable stop element 36 for a stop surface 84 on the slide 11 or on the closure device 7. As shown schematically, the threaded nut 89 may also be associated with a sliding guide device 90 in order to rotate the threaded nut 89 to prevent and longitudinal adjustments thereof along the threaded spindle 87 to ensure.

By appropriate selection of the thread pitch, in particular by the formation of relatively flat thread pitches, the traveling nut arrangement 86 can act or be self-locking, i. that this remains positionally stable or against rotation even at high forces occurring parallel to the longitudinal axis of the threaded spindle 87.

The driving force of the drive device 13 is in this case limited by means of a mechanical, force or torque-limiting device 27, which comprises a friction drive 91, for example a drive wheel drive or frictional-acting belt drive. This ensures that only a limited or defined force is provided for the movement of the automatically adjustable slide 11, wherein this force is dimensioned such that serious injury to a user can be excluded. The force or torque-limiting device 27 may also be constructed according to any known from the prior art, electrical or mechanical throttling devices or limiting devices. In particular, a centrifugal clutch for the motion coupling between the drive device 13 and closure device 7 may be formed, which ensures complete decoupling or a low force or torque transmission at standstill or at low speed of the drive device 13. Another advantage of this mechanically non-rigid movement coupling via a centrifugal clutch is the gentle, gentle start of the adjustment movements of the closure devices 7.

It is likewise possible for the force or torque-limiting device 27 to be formed by a clutch which breaks the drive connection when a limit value is reached. Such overload clutch, for example, have spring-biased driving pins or coupling pins or be constructed according to the principle of friction between a driving and a driven functional element.

As slip clutch or torque limiting device also spring-biased balls or ball sections can be designed which form a torque-limited connection between two non-positively coupled motion transmission parts in the drive train between the automatically controlled drive device 13 and the closure device 7 or at least one of the slide 11.

Optionally, a coupling device may also be implemented which, in the event of overload, e.g. due to a blockade of the adjustment movement of the closure device 7 by objects or limbs of the user, the drive connection completely interrupts. A clutch connection preliminarily released due to overload may e.g. by manual pushing up to or near the stop limit and / or by manual displacement in the closing direction - arrow 28 - consciously and in a simple manner be restored or built. In particular, such overload clutch is reversible, so that in the case of triggering a simple recovery of the coupling connection, preferably by a general, non-trained machine operator can be made.

In Fig. 11 a further embodiment of an opening limit 29, a drive device 13 and a transport device 16 for a storage machine 1 is illustrated.

The opening delimitation 29 for the closure device 7 or at least one of the slides 11 is in this case formed by at least one controllably activatable and deactivatable stop device 31, which is arranged directly on or on the relatively adjustable closure device 7 or respectively on existing slides 11. Parts or partial sections of the at least one stop device 31 are integrated in the body of the closure device 7 or of the slide 11. The at least one stop element 36 of the stop device 31 is controlled relative to the inside of the closure device 7 and the slider 11 adjustable. In particular, the stop element 36 can be extended or retracted or retracted or pivoted in relation to the inside and / or an end face of the closure device 7.

The at least one stop element 31 is for this purpose with the control device 14 in operative connection, in particular in line connection. In the transition area between the storage device 32 or the guide device 33 and the closure device 7, at least one sliding contact arrangement 92 can be formed for energy or signal transmission to the controllable stop device 31. Via this sliding contact arrangement 92, drive energy and / or control signals can be transmitted between the control device 14 and the at least one stop device 31. This transfer can also take place when the closure device 7 or slide 11 are in relative movement relative to the housing-fixed access opening 6. Instead of such a sliding contact arrangement 92, it is also possible to form non-contact, in particular inductive signal or energy transmission devices between the stop device 31 and a stationary, associated transmitting and / or receiving unit for electrical energy and / or signals. Likewise, it is conceivable to provide a tow cable arrangement for the energy or signal transmission between the slide-side stop devices 31 and the control device 14 controlling or acting on them.

The at least one stop device 31 interacts here with the compartment arrangement 4. In particular, the stop device 31 is controlled in terms of the slide path limitation or the opening width with respect to the required access dimension of the compartment 3 to be released in and out of engagement with a mechanical component the tray assembly 4 displaceable. As a mechanical stop member of the tray assembly 4 can be a compartment partition 93 and / or a shelf 94 of the tray assembly 4 act. In particular, stop surfaces 84 may be formed on the tray assembly 4 by recesses 95 in the shelf 94 and / or projections 96 shown in dotted lines on the shelf 94 or at least one compartment partition 93 and / or by the compartment partition wall 93 itself. The compartment assembly 4 is via the transport device 16 itself and / or via an independent or additional brake and / or locking device 97 at the respective standstill position or at the respective Relative position relative to the machine housing 2 and the access opening 6 fixed or immovable. By a mechanical, stop-limited interaction between the tray assembly 4 and at least one slide-side stopper 31 thus the respectively required, legitimized opening width or access dimension is controlled limited or regulated. This is done by selectively activating or deactivating the stop elements 36 via the control device 14 at the respective relative positions relative to the compartment arrangement 4. That is, the maximum permissible opening width is limited by the stop device 31 is activated at the respective time or at the respective relative position relative to the compartment assembly 4 via the control device 14, so that further pushing or opening of the slider 11 at the respective stop positions 34 which correspond to the various sizes, is prevented.

On the one hand, the transport device 16, in particular the drive unit 17, an integrated braking and / or locking device 97, for example, a rotor brake or tapered rotor brake to secure the tray assembly 4 at a standstill safely and with high holding power. The braking and / or locking device 97 is designed in the manner of a cone brake on a spring-loaded in the axial direction runners of electric motors, preferably on the drive unit 17, as indicated schematically. The braking and / or locking device 97 can also be associated with the compartment assembly 4 itself or its mechanical components and be formed for example by a controllable bolt or latch lock, as in Fig. 11 was further shown schematically. This brake and / or locking device 97 for the compartment assembly 4 is preferably electrically controllable, in particular without external power supply active and deactivated by controlled energization. The braking and / or locking device 97 serves for the rapid termination and / or reliable blocking of movements.

Alternatively, the transport device 16 which can be controlled by the control device 14 may also comprise a self-locking gear, for example a so-called worm gear. Likewise, a braking device can act on the outer circumference of the compartment arrangement 4, in particular on a circumferential wall surface or braking surface on the round magazine 19. Instead of a chain connection or a chain drive between the transport device 16 and the relative to the machine housing 2 to be moved tray assembly 4, a gear coupling or a gear transmission may be formed, as in Fig. 11 apparent is. In particular, in the peripheral region of the round magazine 19, a sprocket may be formed, which is motion-coupled with a pinion 98 of the automatically controlled transport device 16. It is advantageous if the drive unit 17 of the transport device 16 is formed by a motor with an integrated brake, for example by a previously described conical rotor motor, in particular a conical rotor asynchronous motor.

Again Fig. 11 It can also be seen that the drive device 13 for the closure device 7 can also be arranged or fastened directly on the closure device 7 or directly on each of the slides 11. In particular, such a drive device 13 is preferably mounted in one of the front end regions or narrow sides of the slider 11, wherein the output of the drive device 13 cooperates with a housing-side, stationary element. If the drive device 13, as shown schematically, has a drive pinion, then the housing-side or fastened in the region of the guide device 33 element is formed by a rack 99. Instead of a positive drive connection, however, it is also possible, as explained above, to form a frictional connection between the drive device 13 and an associated or effect-coupled element. When the drive device 13 is activated via the control device 14, then the drive device 13, in particular the drive motor, moves simultaneously with the slider 11 according to the arrows 26 and 28. In particular, the drive device 13 moves together with the slider 11 along the guide device 33 predefined adjustment range at least unidirectionally, preferably bidirectionally in an automatically controlled manner.

For transmitting electrical energy and / or signals between the control device 14 and the drive device 13, a tow cable arrangement 100 may be formed at least in sections. In order to transmit drive energy and / or control commands between the control device 14 and the position-varying drive device 13, however, as described above, a further sliding contact arrangement may also be provided.

The illustrated storage machine 1 also has the standstill monitoring device 65 for the compartment assembly 4, in particular for the carousel-like round magazine 19. The standstill monitoring device 65 is independent and independent to formed local primary control device 14 of the storage machine 1 and can prevent unlocking and / or opening of the locking devices 7, regardless of control commands or evaluation results of the control device 14.

Furthermore, the storage machine 1 shown, the control device 58 for the closed state of the closure device 7 and the slide 11 on. This is formed independently and in addition to the actual control device 14 of the storage machine 1 and can prevent movement of the transport device 16 independently of control commands or evaluation results of the control device 14.

The tumbler 30 for the closure device 7 or the slide 11, which is either designed independently or implemented by one of the stop devices 31, is activated as a function of the automatically checked access rights of the respective user, depending on the completion of setting or positioning processes of the compartment arrangement 4 and in dependence the completion of setting or positioning operations of the stop device 31 is automatically unlocked. This is preferably not done exclusively by the control device 14, but additionally by the standstill monitoring 65 and / or by the control device 58 a release signal or an energy release is required.

By the standalone or separately evaluating standstill monitoring device 65 and control device 65, a high reliability of the storage machine 1 is achieved without a costly, costly or maintenance or change problematic control software for the central or primary control device 14 of the storage machine is required. This high reliability for the automation of the storage machine 1 contributes to increased personal and access security, since critical or hazardous operating conditions of the storage machine 1 are excluded with high probability. In particular, a single error in the sequence control or in the control device 14 does not yet cause a critical operating state of the machine. Above all, with regard to the closure state detection for the closure device 7 and / or with regard to the standstill detection for the compartment arrangement 4, increased failsafety, in particular single-fault security, is provided.

In the Fig. 12 and 13 a further embodiment is shown in which the at least one stop device 31 is mounted on or in the closure device 7 or on or in the respective slide 11 or mounted. This at least one stop device 31 cooperates with one or more abutment surfaces 84 spaced apart in the adjustment direction of the closure device 7 or of the slide 11 on projections 96 or alternatively on recesses 95 on the compartment arrangement 4. Especially in the training according to Fig. 12 For example, the stop device 31 can act on the compartment dividing walls 93 or on any other compartment boundary of the respective compartments 3 in a movement-limiting or opening-limiting manner.

The embodiment according to Fig. 12 shows a controlled activatable or deactivatable stop device 31, which comprises at least one controlled activatable pawl 101. The pawl 101 is mounted pivotably about a vertically extending pivot axis 102 in an end edge region or on the inside or in the interior of the closure device 7 or of the pusher 11. When adjusting movements of the closure device 7 and the slider 11 in the closing direction, according to arrow 28, the stop device 31 is inactive. On the other hand, the stop device 31, in particular its pawl 101, upon adjustment of the closure device 7 and the slide 11 in the opening direction, according to arrow 26, active or activatable when the pawl 101 on one of the stop surfaces 84, in particular at one of the stop positions 34th comes to the plant. That is, the opening limit 29 in this case comes into effect when the pawl 101 on a stop surface 84, in particular on a projection 96, comes to rest or runs on it. An even further opening or further movement of the slider 11 in the opening direction, as indicated by arrow 26, is thus limited by the fixed compartment arrangement 4 or its stop surfaces 84. The various stop surfaces 84 are positioned in such a way that essentially only the intended, authorized compartment 3 of the corresponding size A, B or C can be accessed.

According to the illustrated arrow 103, the pawl 101 can be pivoted on the one hand in the direction of the inside of the closure device 7 so that the pawl 103 approaches the closure device 7 or the slider 11. When pivoting the pawl 101 in the opposite direction to the arrow 103, this moves away from the inside of the closure device 7 and the slide 11 and finally comes to a defined, swung-out position to the plant. This maximum Ausschwenkstellung, for example, as shown in Fig. 12 is preferably limited via corresponding abutment surfaces on the pawl 101 and on the closure element 7 or slider 11.

It can already be seen from the above that the round magazine 19 can be set in motion, in particular in rotary motion, via the transport device 16 (not shown) according to arrow 104 and easily overcomes the individual stop positions 34 after the stop device 31 is inactive, in particular its pawl 101 is inoperative , That it is a unidirectional rotation of the round magazine 19 possible, although the pawl 101 is present in the relation to the closure device 7 swung or issued position. On the other hand, a rotational movement of the round magazine 19 against the arrow 104 is possible only within the distance or distance between two stop positions 34, between which the pawl 101 or the stop device 31 is positioned.

In the in the Fig. 12 . 13 illustrated embodiment, it is thus possible in a simple manner to perform a unidirectional rotational movement of the round magazine 19 according to arrow 104 and thus to position the intended tray 3 behind the access opening 6 accordingly. Subsequently, the tumbler 30, not shown, is deactivated and then the drive device 13 can be controlled or activated automatically or the closure device 7 can then be opened manually up to the stop position 34 defined by the stop device 31 and the stop surfaces 84. An automatic opening movement is force-limited, in particular by a non-self-locking drive or by a force-limiting device 27 in the power transmission line between the drive device 13 and the closure device 7. An extended, manual opening beyond the stop position 34 addition, is due to the blocking effect of the pawl 101 certainly denied. An automated closing of the closure device 7 in the direction of the arrow 28 also takes place only with a defined limited driving force. Optionally, a manual closing operation, in particular a manual sliding of the slider 11 executable because the power coupling or movement coupling between the drive device 13 and the sliders 11 and the closure device 7 force or torque limited or not self-locking, but largely freewheeling executed is.

Instead of training an automated, such as electromagnetic, reversible Pawl 101, it is also possible to perform a resiliently biased pawl 101 on or in the respective slides 11. In particular, a biasing or spring means 105 may be performed, which the pawl 101 steadily in the pivoted position, eg approximately as shown in FIG Fig. 13 urges. The spring means 105 may be formed by an elastomeric material or component, by mechanical spring elements, by gas pressure accumulator, oil pressure accumulator or the like .. In the case of relative adjustment of the compartment arrangement 4 according to arrow 104 with respect to the closure device 7 or with respect to the stop device 31, the pawl 101 is inactive after it can sweep over the stop surfaces 84 or over the stop positions 34. Upon execution of an adjusting movement of the closure device 7 or of the slider 11 in the opening direction, as indicated by arrow 26, the stop device 31 comes into effect when the pawl 101 comes to rest against the stop size 34 or stop surface 84 corresponding to the size of the compartment. By means of the non-rotating secured tray assembly 4 unauthorized sliding the closure device 7 over the defined between the pawl 101 and a stop surface 84 stop position 34 away, safely prevented.

An advantage of the embodiment according to Fig. 13 is that electromagnetic drives or energy and / or signal transmission between the sliders 11 and a housing-fixed element or section can be eliminated. Also in the embodiment according to Fig. 13 or the movement drive is self-locking or braked executed so that when taking a defined position of the compartment assembly 4 and after the standstill a high-strength, manually unchangeable position of the compartment assembly 4 is specified.

Instead of a fold-out pawl 101, a kind of bolt or hook could also be ejected from the closure device 7 and thus limit the maximum opening travel of the closure device 7 or the respectively formed slide 11 in the same way as the pawl 101.

How out Fig. 12 it can be seen, the movement coupling between the drive device 13 and the sliders 11 can also be accomplished by a band or cable arrangement 106. In particular, one end of a rope is connected to a first end face of the slider 11 and the other end of the rope to the opposite end face of the slider 11 connected. Alternatively, it is also possible to form an endlessly executed rope or band and to fix this at one point, preferably on the inside, on the slide 11. The tape or rope of the cable assembly 106 is stirred about a drive pulley 107 of the drive device 13. In addition, at least one deflection pulley 108 is formed, through which the belt or rope is guided or guided around the drive pulley 107 with a corresponding wrap angle. By controlled reversible rotational movements of the drive device 13, in particular the drive pulley 107, then opening and closing movements of the slider 11 according to arrow 26 and arrow 28 in a simple manner possible. The tape or rope can be guided in the outer peripheral region of the housing 2. In particular, a circular guidance of the rope around the round magazine 19 is advantageous. Alternatively, a loop-like cable guide with close to each other tensile and slack side is possible.

Guide elements 109, for example, guide pins or guide rollers, thereby prevent a concern or strip of the band-shaped tension element, in particular of the rope or a corresponding chain, on the compartment assembly 4 and on the inner sides of the machine housing. 2

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure of the automatic storage machine 1, this or its components have been shown partially unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

storage machine

2

breaker boxes

3

subject

4

array

5

access mechanism

6

access opening

7

closure device

8th

width

9

compartment width

10

height

11

pusher

12

opening width

13

driving device

14

control device

15

Individual access orifice

16

transport means

17

drive unit

18

axis

19

round magazine

20

rotary drive

21

Operator Interface

22

terminal

23

Input and / or output device

24

Identification and / or authorization checking means

25

scanner

26

arrow

27

Facility

28

arrow

29

Cushioned limit

30

tumbler

31

stop device

32

storage device

33

guiding device

34

stop position

35

gradation

36

stop element

37

Command input means

38

Acknowledge button

39

section

40

section

41

role

42

guide rail

43

supporting role

44

flat side

45

Motion transmission means

46

rack

47

pinion

48

Power actuator

49

axis

50

swivel angle

51

bracket

52

carrier wave

53

actuator

54

transmission

55

Braking and / or locking device

56

adjusting part

57

coupling element

58

control device

59

switch

60

Contact control

61

detection device

62

sensor

63

evaluation

64

Light barrier arrangement

65

Motion monitoring system

66

sensor

67

bridging device

68

Acknowledge button

69

Motion transmission means

70

The End

71

The End

72

sheave

73

deflection plate

74

restriction means

75

restriction means

76

sloping surface

77

eccentric

78

axis of rotation

79

Screw device

80

screw

81

spindle bearing

82

drive

83

front end

84

stop surface

85

Piston-cylinder arrangement

86

Traveling nut arrangement

87

screw

88

drive

89

threaded nut

90

sliding guide

91

friction

92

Sliding contact arrangement

93

fold partition

94

Fold bottom

95

recess

96

head Start

97

Braking and / or locking device

98

pinion

99

rack

100

Trailing cable arrangement

101

pawl

102

swivel axis

103

arrow

104

arrow

105

spring means

106

cable arrangement

107

sheave

108

deflection plate

109

guide element

Claims (47)

1. Machine (1) for storing objects, comprising a compartment system (4) with a plurality of compartments (3), which are at least partially enclosed by a machine housing (2) or some other surround and with at least one closure mechanism (7) which can be moved relative to a central, predefined access orifice (6) in the machine housing (2) to permit or prevent access to a specific, individual compartment (3) or to a specific group of adjacent compartments, and having at least one drive system (13) for the closure mechanism (7) to permit a controlled movement of the closure mechanism (7), and an opening width (12) of the closure mechanism (7) depends on the respective size (A, B, C), in particular a width, of a compartment (3) which a user is authorized to access, characterised in that a driving force of the drive system (13) is dimensioned or can be adjusted, and/or a drive train or a motion transmitting distance between the drive system (13) and closure mechanism (7) has a force or torque limiting device (27) such that maximum force or torque transmission values acting on the closure mechanism (7) can be fixed or adjusted so that automatic movements of the closure mechanism (7) cannot cause serious injuries to a user, and the closure mechanism (7) can be manually stopped or pushed in spite of the active drive system (13), and the closure mechanism (7) or drive system (13) is provided with at least one stop mechanism (31) which can be activated and positioned in a controlled manner and/or deactivated and positioned in a controlled manner, and which is designed so that it mechanically restricts a maximum permissible opening width (12) of the closure mechanism (7) depending on the size (A, B, C) of the compartment (3) for which access is released by the control system or for a compartment group for which access is released by the control system.
2. Storage machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the drive system (13) is deactivated by the control system after a predefined period has elapsed or if a desired position of the closure mechanism (7) is not reached.
3. Storage machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a control system (14) of the storage machine (1) is provided as a means of automatically positioning or activating the co-operating stop mechanism (31) depending on the size (A, B, C) of the compartment (3) to be accessed.
4. Storage machine as claimed in on or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the maximum closing forces transmitted to the closure mechanism (7) by the drive system (13) or force or torque limiting device (27) can be overcome by hand.
5. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that blocking or locking forces of the stop mechanism (31) can be overcome by mere manual force.
6. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that an opening restriction (29) for the closure mechanism (7) is provided, which can be automatically moved and which can be configured by the control system in terms of maximum opening width depending on the respective access rights of a user.
7. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) or a controllable, mechanical opening restriction (29) for the closure mechanism (7) sets positions of stop positions (34) which can be variably positioned or defines at least two stop positions (34) spaced apart from one another in the opening direction (26) of the closure mechanism (7).
8. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that every closure mechanism (7) is provided with several stop mechanisms (31) which can be activated and deactivated in a controlled manner for different opening widths (12).
9. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) for limiting a maximum permissible opening width (12) of the closure mechanism (7) is respectively positioned or set on a timed basis prior to an opening movement of the drive system (13) and/or on a timed basis prior to the controlled release of a tumbler (30) for the co-operating closure mechanism (7) on an automatic basis.
10. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a maximum driving or closing force which can be generated by the drive system (13) lies below a fixed threshold value critical to injury or risk.
11. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a driving force of the drive system (13) is limited by an electrically acting current or torque restriction.
12. Storage machine as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the electrically acting current or torque restriction comprises a controllable power adjusting element (48), in particular a pulse width modulator or a variable-frequency inverter and the driving force for the drive system (13) is influenced by such a power adjusting element (48).
13. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a closing force which can be transmitted by the drive system (13) to the closure mechanism (7) can be limited by means of a mechanical force or torque limiting device (27) and restricted in a controlled manner.
14. Storage machine as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the force or torque limiting device (27) is provided in the form of a slip clutch, a friction drive (91), in particular wheel friction drive, a centrifugal coupling or a coupling which reversibly breaks the drive connection in the event of overload or when a threshold value is exceeded.
15. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) comprises a stop element (36) which can be electromagnetically positioned or activated.
16. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) comprises a threaded spindle arrangement (79) or moving nut arrangement (86) which can be positioned in a controlled manner.
17. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) which can be positioned in a controlled manner comprises a gear system (54) acting on the basis of friction.
18. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that every stop mechanism (31) has an individually actuatable actuator drive (53), e.g. in the form of an electromagnet, a linear motor or an actuator motor.
19. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a single actuator drive (53) is provided as a means of selectively activating and deactivating a stop mechanism (31) or a stop element (36) out of a plurality of co-operating mutually spaced stop mechanisms (31) or stop elements (36).
20. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) is fixed at the respective appropriate position by means of an automatically activated brake or blocking device (55) depending on the permissible opening width (12) of the closure mechanism (7).
21. Storage machine as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that the braking or blocking device (55) applies a braking or blocking force to the closure mechanism (7) which cannot be overcome by manual force.
22. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) is active in the powerless or current-free state.
23. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) is of a mechanically bistable design and assumes one of two mechanically defined positions without being supplied with electric power, in particular has an active position permanently producing a restriction in the powerless first state and an inactive position permanently producing a restriction in the powerless second state.
24. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) and/or a separate tumbler (30) is provided as a means of locking the closure mechanism (7) in its fully closed position.
25. Storage machine as claimed in claim 24, characterised in that the tumbler (30) can be released by the control system depending on the existence of automatically verified access rights of a user.
26. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a sensor-based control device (58), for example a control contact (60), is provided, which actively switches a release signal when the closure mechanism (7) is in the fully closed position.
27. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a control device (58) signals the state of the fully closed closure mechanisms (7) and the state of closure mechanisms (7) mechanically locked by tumblers (30).
28. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that an electromechanically releasable tumbler (30) is locked in the powerless state so that a closed closure mechanism (7) cannot be accessed.
29. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a control device (58) is provided for monitoring or detecting several closure mechanisms (7) for sensing their closed state by means of a photoelectric barrier system (64).
30. Storage machine as claimed in claim 29, characterised in that the photoelectric barrier system (64) is interrupted if at least one of the closure mechanisms (7) is not in the fully closed state.
31. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the effect of a locked tumbler (30) on the closure mechanism (7) is checked due to an attempt to open the closure mechanism (7) by means of the drive system (13) in conjunction with the signal of a control device (58) for the closed state of the closure mechanism (7).
32. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one stop mechanism (31) which can be activated and deactivated on a controlled basis is disposed on or in the closure mechanism (7) which is displaceable relative to the access orifice (6).
33. Storage machine as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) for co-operating with one of several stop elements (36) or stop surfaces (84) disposed in the direction in which the closure mechanism (7) is moved is disposed in the interior of the machine housing (2).
34. Storage machine as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) which can be activated and deactivated on a controlled basis is designed to abut mechanically with a compartment boundary, in particular a compartment dividing wall (93).
35. Storage machine as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that the stop mechanism (31) comprises a pawl (101) which prevents relative movements between the closure mechanism (7) and the compartment system (4) beyond a maximum permissible opening width (12) in the active or projecting position.
36. Storage machine as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that the pawl (101) is mounted so as to be pivotable and is constantly forced into a projecting or outwardly pivoted position by means of a spring means (105).
37. Storage machine as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that the pawl (101) can be moved in a controlled manner and is in the projecting or active position in the state when it is not supplied with power and is in the retracted or deactivated position in the state when it is supplied with power.
38. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compartment system (4) co-operates with a controllable transport mechanism (16) in order to move the compartments (3) or compartment system (4) relative to the access orifice (6) in the machine housing (2).
39. Storage machine as claimed in claim 38, characterised in that the transport mechanism (16) or compartment system (4) co-operates with a braking and/or locking device (97) for rapidly terminating and/or reliably blocking movements.
40. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compartment system (4) is provided in the form of a round magazine (19) which is rotatable about a vertical axis (18) with a co-operating, controllable rotary drive (20).
41. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the compartment system (4), in particular a carousel-type round magazine (19), co-operates with a motion monitoring system (65).
42. Storage machine as claimed in claim 41, characterised in that the motion monitoring system (65) is independent of and separate from a local, primary control system (14) of the storage machine (1) and is able to release and/or open the closure mechanisms (7) independently of control commands or evaluation results of the control system (14).
43. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a control device (58) is provided for the closed state of the closure mechanism (7) independently of and in addition to the actual control system (14) of the storage machine (1) and is able to prevent a movement of the transport mechanism (16) independently of control commands or evaluation results of the control system (14).
44. Storage machine as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that a control device (58) for monitoring the closed state of the closure mechanism (7) can be temporarily and deliberately bridged by a user by means of a bridging device (67).
45. Storage machine as claimed in claim 44, characterised in that the bridging device (67) operates on the basis of failsafe technology, in particular has three-stage OK buttons (68), and a transport mechanism (16) for the compartment system (4) can be immediately brought to a halt in a panic position both when the OK button (68) is released and when the OK button (68) is depressed.
46. Storage machine as claimed in claim 44, characterised in that the bridging device (67) is provided in the form of two such buttons, in particular two such buttons spaced apart from one another so that the user has to use both hands in order to operate the buttons simultaneously.
47. Storage machine as claimed in claim 44, characterised in that when the bridging device (67) is activated, a transport mechanism (16) for the compartment system (4) is operated at a reduced speed.

Images