EP3353101A1 - Conveyor chain for a goods transfer device of an automatic goods warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor chain (601) for a goods transfer device of an automatic goods warehouse, which conveyor chain is suitable in particular for receiving individual goods from a handling device and transferring said goods to at least one transfer channel (701) of the goods transfer device, said transfer channel having a suitable channel bottom (703). Said conveyor chain comprises a traction means device (603) having at least one drivable, circulating traction means; a plurality of transport compartments, each having a transport bottom for accommodating an individual good, wherein the transport compartments are attached to the traction means and are supported thereon in such a way that the transport compartments can be tipped; and a slotted guide for the transport compartments, which slotted guide is arranged on the traction means device (603), wherein each transport compartment can be tipped by means of the slotted guide from a goods-holding position into a goods-transferring position, in which the inclination of the transport bottom is adapted to the inclination of the channel bottom (703) of the at least one transfer channel (701) of the goods transfer device, and wherein, in a goods transfer segment of the traction means device (603), a good can be transferred from a transport compartment that is in the goods-transferring position into the at least one transfer channel (701).

Description

 Conveyor chain for a goods transfer device of an automatic conveyor

 warehouse

The present invention relates to a conveyor chain for a goods transfer device of an automatic warehouse, as well as a goods transfer device of an automatic warehouse and an automatic warehouse.

It is known that storage areas, such as channel storage with storage channels, are filled via a manipulator. In this case, the input end of the bearing surface is approached by the manipulator and the objects are transferred to the storage bins. Such bearings are often used for goods, such as medicines in pharmacies. Particularly suitable for so-called fast-moving goods are inclined shelf shelves, in which the individual goods in channels, which are separated by lateral boundary, on a bearing surface which is inclined relative to a horizontal are included. When a lower object is removed, the remaining objects slip. As a rule, similar objects are contained in each channel. The objects have, for example, parallelepipedic packings, packages of the same format being introduced in a channel whose channel width is matched to the pack size. On such storage areas but also goods of different shapes, eg. Cylinder, and different format stored within the same channel. Typically, the manipulators fill the storage bins as soon as a predetermined number of goods has been removed from a storage channel. For this purpose, a manipulator is filled with several of the items to be refilled and the manipulator moves to the input end of the corresponding storage area to transfer the items.

In order to ensure the refilling of the storage areas in a reliable manner, it must be ensured that the manipulators are ordered filled with the items to be stored. Since known manipulators are moved at a very high speed within a warehouse, a manual loading of the manipulators is associated with a high security risk. Therefore, transfer devices are used, in which the objects are inserted manually or automatically. The manipulators take over the objects to be stored from the transfer device in order then to drive to the specified storage location.

In practice, a very fast filling of a bearing is often required. Therefore, mostly similar objects are transported by the manipulator at the same time. In order to enable rapid filling of the manipulator, therefore, the objects to be transported by a manipulator are stored in a transfer device for a short period of time.

The Applicant has therefore developed various goods transfer devices, for example, under the file number DE 10 2013 218 538 or DE 10 2014 208 405 patent pending. These goods transfer devices are operated manually, whereby care must be taken in the main that in a transfer channel similar goods are inserted. Due to the manual operation, a user must always be present on site in the case of the previously known goods transfer devices, with this depending on the storage capacity of the transfer channels and type of inserted Goods were sometimes several minutes free time until goods must be filled in a transfer channel again. However, when a filling of the transfer channels must be made again, is difficult to predict, so that the user should stay at the transfer device. The known transfer devices are arranged directly on the warehouses. However, the goods are usually delivered to a different position from the warehouse, so that the goods must be brought before storage by another person to the transfer device.

DE 10 2014 208 405 provides a loading device, which is arranged in the form of stacking channels on the goods transfer device. Here, however, the items must be entered as a stack relatively ordered.

For larger warehouses with a high throughput of goods, it is often necessary to move goods at a high speed, e.g. in the form of product packages of several packages within a short time, z. B. 20 packs and more per minute to enter. With such bearings, manual entry is often difficult.

Basically, in devices for handling goods, the difficulty when the goods are disorderly example, as dumps. It is a particular challenge to make portions of goods, so that recording volume of individual devices is not exceeded, in addition, the position of the goods to arrange so that they can be handled advantageously for devices and finally singulated to handover to the Simplify manipulator. Furthermore, it is often necessary to identify the goods to ensure correct storage in the warehouse.

For the transfer of goods to a manipulator, the known from the prior art parallel transfer channels have been particularly suitable exposed. These have an input page for entering goods and an output page for transferring the goods to the manipulator. Known transfer channels each have a channel bottom, on which the goods are transported by gravity from the input side to the output side. For this purpose, it is provided that the channel bottom is inclined in the direction of the output side with respect to a horizontal surface. Further, each transfer channel has a lateral guide surface, wherein the transport surface is inclined in the direction of the lateral guide surface with an inclination angle relative to the horizontal surface. In an automatic transfer of goods that are in disorder as a bed to a manipulator by means of the known transfer channels thus there is the difficulty to sort the goods after aligning and singulating in the transfer channels, in particular, since the transfer channels are arranged inclined in two spatial directions.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a handling device for a goods transfer device of an automatic warehouse, with a filling of transfer channels for the transfer of goods to a manipulator of an automatic warehouse is simplified.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide a goods transfer device of an automatic warehouse, can be passed in the disorderly present goods in a simple manner and very quickly to a manipulator.

The problem underlying the invention is achieved by a conveyor chain according to the invention, which is defined by the features of claim 1. The goods transfer device according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 21.

The warehouse according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 23.

The conveyor chain according to the invention for a goods transfer device of an automatic warehouse for the acquisition of individual goods from a handling device and the transfer to at least one transfer channel of the goods transfer device, wherein the transfer channel has a sloping channel bottom, has a Zugmittelvorrichtung with at least one drivable, circulating traction means and several Transport compartments, each with a transport tray for receiving each a single product. The transport compartments are attached to the traction means and tilted. At the Zugmittelvorrichtung a slotted guide for the transport compartments is arranged, each transport compartment via the slotted guide from a goods receiving position into a goods transfer position, in which the inclination of the transport tray is adapted to the inclination of the channel bottom of the at least one transfer channel of the goods transfer device, and tiltable in one Goods transfer section of Zugmittelvorrichtung a product from a located in the goods transfer position transport box in the at least one transfer channel can be transferred.

Preferably, the link guide holds each transport compartment in the goods transfer section of the traction device in the

Goods transfer position.

The conveyor chain according to the invention thus enables the separated goods can be transferred in an advantageous manner in the transfer channel. For this purpose, the transport compartments are formed rocker-like, so that the transport compartments can accommodate goods in the goods receiving position, in the transport compartments are adapted, for example, to the handling device, and in a different from the goods receiving position goods transfer position are tilted. Thus, by means of the conveyor chain goods can be taken over at a position from one direction and goods are transferred to the transfer channel at a different position and in a different direction. As a result, a particularly flexible arrangement of the transfer channel with respect to the handling device is possible. The at least one traction means may be formed, for example, as a chain.

In the goods transfer position, the inclination of the transport tray is adapted to the inclination of the channel bottom of at least one transfer channel of the goods transfer device, so that goods that are received on the transport floor, for example, by gravity due to gravity from the transport floor can slide on the channel floor without a Obstacle arises. The inclination of the transport floor must not be directly identical to the inclination of the channel bottom. It is sufficient that the inclination of the transport tray and the channel bottom are in such a similar angular range that the goods can be handed over easily.

It is preferably provided that each transport compartment is inclined in the goods receiving position relative to the horizontal in a direction away from the transfer channel direction. In this way, a goods reception of the conveyor chain from the side facing away from the transfer channel side of the Zugmittelvorrichtung from. Thus, a transport of the goods takes place on the one hand by a propulsion of the traction means and on the other hand by the tilting of the transport compartments from the goods receiving position to the goods transfer position. The conveyor chain according to the invention is particularly suitable for a transfer of the goods to the at least one transfer channel in a direction transverse to the direction of advance of the traction means. In other words, the transfer channel can be arranged on a longitudinal side of the traction mechanism device and extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the traction mechanism device.

Preferably, it is provided that the slotted guide has a first link section, which is arranged in a goods receiving portion of the traction device, wherein the first link section moves the transport compartments from a return position in the goods receiving position.

It has been found that in a circulating traction means a return of the transport compartments in a return position, in which the transport compartments are arranged, for example, with the transport tray in a horizontal position, is particularly advantageous. In such a return position, the transport compartments occupy only a small space in a vertical direction, so that a compact configuration of the traction device is possible.

Preferably, it is provided that the slotted guide has a second link section, which holds the transport compartments in the goods receiving portion of the traction device in the goods receiving position.

In a propulsion of the traction means thus a transport compartment is held for a predetermined distance in the goods receiving position. This ensures that when stopping the traction means at a time at which a transport compartment is in the second gate section, this is for receiving the goods in the correct goods receiving position and also Running the traction means does not cause the transport compartment to move out of the goods receiving position.

Preferably, it is provided that the slotted guide has a third link section, which is arranged between the goods receiving portion and the goods transfer section of the traction device and moves the transport compartments from the goods receiving position to the goods transfer position.

The invention provides in an advantageous manner that a fourth gate section of the guide slot holds the transport compartments in the goods transfer section of the traction device in the goods transfer position. This ensures that the transport compartments are arranged in the goods transfer section in the correct goods transfer position.

In one embodiment of the invention, in which a plurality of transfer channels are arranged in parallel, for example, be ensured by means of the fourth gate section, that all transport compartments are arranged independently of the approaching transfer channel in the goods transfer position.

In principle, there is also the possibility that the slotted guide is also designed such that in a plurality of parallel transfer channels a transport compartment is moved only in the region of a certain transfer channel in the goods transfer position. For this purpose, the slotted guide may have changeable sections. The provision of a slotted guide, which has transferred all transport compartments in the goods transfer position before the goods transfer section, has the advantage that the burden of Zugmittelvorrichtung in the goods transfer section is not suddenly changed by a single tilting a transport compartment. Even with a stop the Zugmittelvorrichtung to pass a product from the transport compartment in the goods transfer channel, the previous folding of all transport compartments from the goods receiving position to the goods transfer position is advantageous.

In the goods transfer section, the traction mechanism can have a guide wall, the goods of the transport compartments, which have already been tilted into the goods transfer position, on the guide wall side facing the Zugmittelvorrichtung leads. In the region of the transfer channel or the transfer channels, the guide wall may be interrupted or have openings.

It is preferably provided that the slotted guide is formed by at least one guide surface, which rests in each case on the underside of the transport shelves of the transport compartments. By means of the guide surface, the slide guide thus pushes the transport floor in the appropriate position. Such a design also has the advantage that the slide guide can be arranged on the side of the traction means and engages the transport floor, which is the side to which the transport trays are inclined in the corresponding position opposite. In the goods transfer position thus, for example, the slotted guide is located on the side facing away from the transfer channel side of the at least one traction means, so that the slide guide does not hinder, for example, a goods transfer to the transfer channel.

In principle, there is also the possibility that the slide guide engages from above on the transport compartments. There is also the possibility that the transport compartments have a spring device which forces the transport compartments into one of the goods transfer positions or goods receiving positions. By means of the slotted guide then the corresponding transport tray can be pressed in the corresponding other position against the spring force. It is also possible that an actuating device, for example, at the bottom of the transport tray, is mounted, which is guided by the slotted guide and causes the tilting movement of the transport compartment.

In the variant in which the slotted guide is formed by the at least one guide surface, which rests against the underside of the transport trays of the transport compartments, it can be provided that the second slotted section forms a first guide surface and on the at least one transfer channel side facing the at least one traction means is arranged.

It can also be provided that the fourth link section forms a second guide surface and is arranged on the side facing away from the at least one transfer channel side of the at least one traction means.

Preferably, it is provided that the third link section forms a third and a fourth guide surface, wherein the third guide surface on the side remote from the at least one transfer channel side of the at least one traction means and the fourth guide surface on the at least one transfer channel side facing the at least a traction means is arranged. In the third gate section, in which the slotted guide moves the transport compartments out of the goods receiving position into the goods transfer position, opposing guide surfaces are thus arranged on both sides of the at least one traction means. This ensures that the compartments that are loaded with goods in this section can not tip over uncontrollably to one side or the other.

It can be provided that the first guide surface and the fourth guide surface and / or the third guide surface in the second guide surface pass. By such an arrangement a gentle guidance of the transport compartments is possible because no gaps are contained in the guide surfaces.

Preferably, it is provided that the slotted guide has a fifth link section, which moves the transport compartments from the goods transfer position to the return position and holds in a return section of the traction device in the return position. By means of the fifth link section, the transport compartments can thus be brought in an advantageous manner for the return to the return position.

It can be provided that the fifth link section forms a fifth guide surface and a sixth guide surface, wherein the fifth guide surface on the side facing away from the at least one transfer channel side of the at least one traction means and the sixth guide surface on the at least one transfer channel side facing the at least one traction means is arranged. By providing the fifth and sixth guide surfaces on both sides of the at least one traction means, it is ensured that, when the transport compartments are returned to the return position, they remain in the return position and do not tilt back and forth in an uncontrolled manner.

It can be provided that the second guide surface merges into the fifth guide surface and / or the sixth guide surface merges into the first guide surface. This has the advantage that a gentle guidance of the transport compartments takes place, since no gaps are created between the guide surfaces.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the Zugmittelvorrichtung has two parallel traction means, wherein the transport compartments are each connected via a holder with two traction means. It can be provided that the holder has two connecting body, wherein in each case a connecting body is attached to one side of the traction means. Preferably, it is provided that the connecting bodies are respectively attached to the outer side of the traction means, that is, attached to the side facing away from the other traction means side.

Preferably, it is provided that each connecting body is connected via two spaced, fixed to the side of the traction means pin with the pulling means, wherein a pin engages in a round hole in the connecting body and the other pin in a slot. Since the bending of the traction means is changed during a deflection of the traction means, the distance between the spaced pins on the side of the traction means changes. By providing a slot, this difference in distance can be compensated.

In one embodiment of the traction means as a chain, the pins may be arranged for example on two different links of the chain.

In one embodiment of the traction means as a chain can also be provided that the two pins are arranged on a link of the chain. In this case, it is not necessary that the connecting body has a slot, since in this embodiment, no change in the distance of the pin takes place.

Preferably, it is provided that each transport compartment is mounted on at least one hinge, wherein the axis of rotation formed by the at least one hinge arranged at an acute angle φ to the horizontal and at an acute angle ω to a running in the running direction of the traction means vertical plane is. Such a design of the transport compartments has been found to be particularly advantageous. The channel bottom of a transfer channel is often inclined not only in one direction. A sewer floor can be used, for example, in a channel longitudinal direction and further in a direction transverse to the channel longitudinal direction towards a guide surface laterally of the channel bottom. This is provided in order to obtain an advantageous guidance of goods in the transfer channel, in which they rest laterally against the guide surface. In the goods transfer position, therefore, the transport floor should also have a tilt in two directions. By providing at least one rotary joint having an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation relative to the horizontal and a vertical plane in the running direction of the traction means each having an acute angle, alignment of the transport tray relative to the channel bottom in the goods transfer position can be achieved.

In the goods transfer position, the transport floor may have the following angle of inclination to the horizontal: opposite to the running direction of the traction means an inclination angle with an angular amount of ω and in a direction orthogonal to the running direction of the traction means an inclination angle with the angular amount of co. The channel bottom can also have in the goods input position of the transfer channel an inclination with the angular amount of ω in these two directions.

In the goods receiving position, the transport floor may have the following angle of inclination to the horizontal: contrary to running direction of the traction means an inclination angle with an angular amount of φ and in a direction orthogonal to the running direction of the traction means an inclination angle with the angular amount of co. The inclination of the goods receiving position in the direction orthogonal to the transporting direction in an angular amount of ω has the advantage that a handling device can deposit goods in a tilted state at that angle on the transporting tray. If a product is picked up from a preceding surface having the same inclination, there is no need to tilt the product by the handling device, such as a gripping device, but the goods can also be pivoted in a simple manner. It is preferably provided that: φ <ω. φ can be between 10 ° and 20 °, preferably 15 °, ω can be between 25 ° and 40 °, preferably 28 °, large. The angle ω may in particular correspond to the angle α of a guide surface of a guide device of the goods transfer device described below.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that at the goods transfer section of the Zugmittelvorrichtung on the at least one transfer channel side facing at least one Warenübergabeschott is arranged, which closes the transfer channel on the Zugmittelvorrichtung facing side. Thus, the transfer channel can remain closed until a corresponding transport compartment is in its goods transfer position and in alignment with the transfer channel. This prevents the goods from slipping prematurely out of the transport compartment in the goods transfer position and possibly tilting them.

The at least one goods transfer bulkhead may be part of a guide wall, on which the goods slide in the goods transfer position of the transport compartments along.

In the case of a plurality of transfer channels arranged in parallel, a separate goods transfer log can be provided for each transfer channel. The several goods transfer clots can be operated separately. If a product to be delivered to a rear transfer channel in the direction of the at least one traction means, the front transfer channels in the running direction of the at least one traction means can be closed by means of the respective Warenübergabeschotts so that the goods can slide along them until the corresponding transport tray on the correct transfer channel is arranged. The traction device stops to this Moment and the corresponding goods handover can be opened so that the goods get into the transfer channel.

The transport compartments may have a lateral fan wall at the end remote from the transfer channel end of the transport tray and at the rear end of the transport tray in the direction of transport a rear fan wall. The goods can thus slip in the goods receiving position against the fan walls and is held by them. In the goods transfer position, the goods slip to the free end of the transport floor and against the guide wall or one of the goods transfer block or slides along it. Further, a plate may be arranged on the holders of the transport compartments, which projects in the goods transfer position of a transport compartment on the side fan wall, so that when a start of the conveyor chain goods that are located on a arranged in the goods transfer position transport compartment, do not fall on the side fan wall can.

It is preferably provided that the at least one goods transfer screed is retractable. This has the advantage that when the goods transfer item is closed, an incorrectly delivered item is lifted with the goods transfer item and either falls back into the transport box or into the transfer channel. Furthermore, it is prevented that goods can be trapped and damaged by the goods transfer bulkhead.

It is preferably provided that the at least one goods transfer bulkhead is guided by means of guide rails, wherein the guide rail is arranged in the vertical direction below an input side of the channel bottom of the at least one transfer channel. The entire management of at least one Warenübergabeschotts is thus below the Channel bottom arranged so that no protruding edges can arise through the guide, where the goods can get stuck.

When providing a plurality of transfer channels and thus a plurality of goods transfer block can be provided that the Warenübergabeschotts are arranged overlapping, wherein a front in the direction of the at least one traction device goods transfer gate overlaps a subsequent rear goods transfer bulkhead. This prevents that protruding edges arise at the Warenübergabeschotts, against which the goods could get stuck during transport by means of the transport compartments.

Under the direction of the at least one traction means is understood in the context of the invention, the advancing direction of the traction means, in which the transport compartments are moved in the transport of the goods receiving portion to the goods transfer section.

In the conveyor chain according to the invention can be provided that a propulsion of the at least one traction means takes place in a predetermined timing. For example, it can be provided that every 2.5-3 seconds a transport compartment is filled with a product. It can be provided that the traction means stops when reaching a transport compartment in the goods receiving position. In particular, it can be provided that at this time another transport compartment in the goods transfer position with the channel bottom of the at least one transfer channel is arranged in alignment. At the time of loading a transport compartment, a transfer of a product from the further transport compartment to the transfer channel can therefore also take place. When providing a plurality of parallel transfer channels can be provided that a transport compartment is arranged in each case at a transfer channel in the goods transfer position when another transport compartment is arranged in the goods receiving position for the acquisition of a product. The transport compartments located in the area of the transfer channels thus become one in each movement cycle Transfer channel moved to the next. By means of the several goods transfer scrap it is possible to control into which transfer channel a product is transferred.

The provision of multiple transfer channels has the advantage that the goods can be sorted. For example, if different goods are entered into successive transport compartments, they can be transferred into different transfer channels, so that a sorting arises. The distance between the transport compartments to each other can be adapted to the distance of the transfer channels to each other.

The goods transfer device according to the invention provides a conveyor chain according to the invention. The goods transfer device has at least one transfer channel with a sloping channel bottom. Preferably, the goods transfer device according to the invention provides a plurality of transfer channels, which are arranged in parallel, preferably four to eight transfer channels.

The goods transfer device according to the invention, for example, accept goods from a loading device and pass them, for example, to a manipulator of the warehouse. The invention according to goods transfer device thus has an acceptance and transfer function, which can be done automatically in particular. Typical warehouses are pharmacy warehouses in which medicines and other pharmacy products are stored in boxes packed as goods. The goods transfer device according to the invention may, for example, have a sorting function, so that goods, for example the product packages, are handled unsorted by the goods transfer device. The at least one transfer channel is particularly advantageous for the transfer to a manipulator. The provision of multiple transfer channels is particularly advantageous for the desired sorting function.

Preferably, the goods transfer device has a plurality of transfer channels in the form described in DE 10 2013 218 538 AI. The transfer channels may thus have an input side for introducing the goods from the conveyor chain and an output side for transferring the goods to the manipulator. The transfer channel may have a support surface forming the channel bottom for receiving goods, wherein the channel has a guide surface arranged laterally on the support surface and the support surface is inclined in the direction of the discharge side and thus in the longitudinal direction of the channel relative to the horizontal. Further, the support surface is inclined in the direction of the guide surface at an inclination angle relative to the horizontal, wherein the support surface is pivotable from a goods input position to a goods issue position, wherein the inclination angle of the support surface in the goods input position is greater than in the goods issue position. In the goods input position, the inclination angle may be the angular amount of ω.

Preferably, the goods transfer device to a loading device that receives goods as a pile and transfers to a conveyor of the goods transfer device, the conveyor moves the goods to a goods lift, a Warenzzelvorrichtung from which the goods are taken from the goods lift and the goods sporadically, a conveyor that carries out a further separation of the goods, a position correction of the goods and / or a goods recognition and a handling device that receives the goods in a predetermined timing and transfers to the conveyor chain. [0063] The loading device of the invention

Goods transfer device of an automatic warehouse is suitable for receiving goods, in particular product packaging, such as medication packages, as bulk material and transfer to the goods transfer device. It consists of at least one container with several compartments in which the goods are receivable, the compartments each having a loading opening for entering the goods and a discharge opening for dispensing the goods.

Each discharge opening is formed on the underside of the container and each closable with at least one retaining flap, wherein the retaining flaps form at least partially the bottom of the container. Each retaining flap is separate for opening, i. individual, controllable. The retaining flaps are thus operable in any order.

The loading device according to the invention has the advantage that goods are received as bulk material by being entered into the loading opening of a compartment. By providing a multi-compartment container, a large number of goods can be picked up simultaneously. The retaining flaps ensure that the goods received in the compartments remain in the compartments and are only selectively transferred by a control of the retaining flaps to the goods transfer device. As a result, the goods received in the loading device can be handed over to the goods transfer device over a long period of time by successively opening the individual compartments. By dividing the container into compartments, a suitable portioning of goods for transfer to the goods transfer device can be achieved. The volume of a compartment of the container may for example be adapted to the receiving volume of a subsequent goods processing device of the goods transfer device, for example to the receiving volume of a lift cage of a goods lift. Due to the design of the loading device according to the invention with unloading openings formed on the underside, the goods received in the compartments can easily fall out of the compartments after opening the retaining flaps. This ensures that when opening a retaining flap all goods arranged in the compartment from the compartment to the goods transfer device. Such a design of the loading device also has the advantage that the loading device can be arranged in a simple manner, for example on a conveyor belt of the goods transfer device and thus a transfer of goods from the loading device to the goods transfer device can be realized in a simple manner. By means of the corresponding capacity of the compartments, goods can also be transferred by means of the goods transfer device to an automatic warehouse by means of the loading device according to the invention, without a user having to refill goods. The user can now devote himself to other tasks, so that working time can be saved. Through the loading of the compartments, the loading device is suitable for receiving bulk material, so that the goods can be filled very quickly in the loading device.

In a preferred embodiment of the loading device according to the invention can be provided that the loading openings are formed on the top of the container. As a result, the subjects can be filled in a simple manner from above.

Alternatively it can be provided that the loading openings are arranged in a first side wall of the container. In this way, the loading device can be loaded from one side in an advantageous manner. The loading openings may be formed, for example, as a chute. The chutes can be folded, for example. By means of such pouring the goods can be filled in an advantageous manner as bulk material in the subjects. Preferably, it is provided that the container is designed as a mobile container. Thus, the loading device according to the invention can be loaded at a location remote from the goods transfer device and brought as a mobile container to the goods transfer device. It can be provided, for example, that a plurality of loading devices according to the invention are present and the loading devices are arranged exchangeably on the goods transfer device. While a loading device delivers goods to the goods transfer device, at a remote from the goods transfer device location, such as a space for receiving goods, another loading device can be filled with goods and then transported to the goods transfer device.

In such an embodiment of the loading device, the container may for example have the shape of a carrying case.

It can also be provided that the container has rollers on a lower side. In this way, the container can be transported in an advantageous manner by means of the rollers.

Preferably, it is provided that a locking device holds the retaining flaps in a closed position, wherein the locking device engages with at least one latch on one of the retaining flaps and wherein one of the retaining flaps is gravity-related apparent by the operation of one of the latch. By means of such a locking device, a separate control of the retaining flaps can be realized in a simple manner by the bars of the locking device are individually controllable. By a single operation of a bolt can thus open the retaining flap of a compartment, while the remaining compartments remain closed. As a result, the loading device according to the invention can be unloaded stepwise in a simple manner. The locking device can part be the loading device. Alternatively, embodiments are possible in which the locking device is part of the goods transfer device and attack the individual latches on the retaining flaps when the loading device is arranged on the goods transfer device. In this case, separate restraints can be provided for the retaining flaps, which act during the transport of the loading device, so that the retaining flaps are not opened unintentionally.

The locking device may be mechanically or electrically driven. For example, it can be provided that the individual latches of the locking device are opened mechanically, for example via a manually operated lever. There is also the possibility that the locking device is electrically driven, so that the retaining flaps are opened by the actuation of a control by the user or via an automatic control. For example, it may be provided that the locking device is controlled by the control of the goods transfer device, so that, when required, the goods transfer device, the retaining flaps are opened to deliver goods to the goods transfer device.

Preferably, it is provided that a safety device locks the retaining flaps against unintentional opening. Such a safety device prevents, for example, during the transport of the loading device, the retaining flaps are opened unintentionally. In embodiments in which, for example, the locking device is arranged on the loading device, it is therefore possible to prevent a retaining flap from being opened in the event of a malfunction of a bolt or by an inadvertent striking of a bolt. In an embodiment of the loading device in which no locking device is provided or a locking device is arranged on the goods transfer device, can by ensure the safety device that the retaining flaps are closed during transport.

Preferably, it is provided that the safety device has an engaging element for actuating the blocking function of the retaining flaps. By means of the engaging element, the safety device can thus be actuated. Of course, the engaging element can also serve to unlock the retaining flaps. The engaging element can for example be operated manually when the loading device is arranged on the transfer device. It is also possible for the engaging element to be actuatable by the goods transfer device, that is to say that a triggering device for actuating the engagement element is arranged on the goods transfer device. In one embodiment of the invention can be provided that the engaging element is formed in two parts, wherein a first part for locking the locking device is actuated and a second part for unlocking.

In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the retaining flaps are closable via an actuation of the securing device. In other words, with an open position of the retaining flaps, the retaining flaps can be closed by an actuation of the securing device into its blocking position. In the loading device according to the invention, such a function can basically be used for closing the retaining flaps. There is also the possibility that a separate device is provided for closing the retaining flaps, which is arranged for example on the goods transfer device and is only ensured by operating the safety device that the retention flaps are still closed in case of failure of this device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the securing device comprises at least one push rod, which is guided by means of bolts in a slotted guide, wherein in the locking position the Bolt to the retaining flaps. Such a security device has been found to be particularly advantageous because the retaining flaps can be locked in a structurally simple manner. By providing a push rod, the bolts, which hold the retaining flaps in the locked position, can move in a simple manner and together to an unlocking position. By means of the slotted guide, the bolts can lead away in an advantageous manner when unlocking the retaining flaps, so that the retaining flaps can fold away freely down with each operation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the securing device comprises two push rods, which are arranged on opposite sides of the container and abut each with a bolt on each side of a retaining flap. In this way it is prevented that the retaining flaps threaten to bend due to the weight recorded in the subjects and thus unwanted goods can fall out of the subjects.

Preferably, it is provided that in the locking position of the securing device a spring element bears against the engaging element and holds the securing device in the blocking position. This ensures that the securing device is moved unintentionally, for example during transport of the container from the locked position to the unlocked position. The fact that the spring element rests against the engaging element, the spring element can be actuated simultaneously when attacking the engaging element for unlocking the securing device.

The loading device according to the invention may comprise a metal frame, in which the securing device is arranged. As a result, the securing device during transport of the loading device against mechanical action from the outside, such as shocks protected. By doing Metal frame openings are arranged through which the push rod or the push rods can protrude outward or can be intervened by the outside to operate the attacking element.

The goods transfer device according to the invention comprises the conveying device, which is arranged below the discharge openings of the loading device or can be arranged, and which takes over the goods from the loading device. The goods falling out of the unloading openings of the loading device can be transported by means of the conveying device advantageously into the interior of the goods transfer device and to a transfer point of the goods transfer device to the automatic warehouse.

The conveyor device may be, for example, a conveyor belt. The conveyor device can be arranged permanently below the unloading openings of the loading device or below the point at which the loading devices can be arranged, or there is the possibility that the conveyor device is arranged only temporarily for unloading from the loading device. The conveyor belt may have lateral, obliquely arranged to the belt surface walls over which goods can slide on the conveyor belt. The walls thus form a kind of funnel which leads to the conveyor belt. This ensures that goods falling from the compartments of the loading device reach the conveyor belt.

The goods transfer device preferably has a recess for receiving the loading device. In this way, the loading device can be advantageously arranged on the goods transfer device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention is a triggering device for actuating the securing device of Loading device provided which engages the engaging element of the securing device. By means of the goods transfer device can thus actuate the securing device and move, for example, from a blocking position to an unlocked position. This ensures that the loading device can be actuated in the position arranged on the goods transfer device, so that the retaining flaps open as required. The triggering device can also perform the operation of the securing device for locking the loading device, for example when the loading device according to the invention is removed from the goods transfer device. This can ensure that when removing the loading device of the goods transfer device, the retaining flaps are locked or closed and locked.

Preferably, it is provided that the triggering device has an unlocking device which presses against the spring element during the unlocking of the securing device. The spring element may for example be formed as a leaf spring, wherein the unlocking device is formed by an inclined surface which elastically bends the leaf spring to release the securing device.

The triggering device may comprise a stop element which presses against the securing device during a removal operation of the loading device and moves it into the blocking position. This ensures that the retaining flaps of the loading device are locked after removal of the loading device from the goods transfer device by means of the securing device. It is thus prevented that the loading device can be removed from the goods transfer device without the retaining flaps are locked.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the goods transfer device according to the invention, this has a locking device, each with attacks at least one latch on a retaining flap of the loading device. By means of such a locking device, the opening of the retaining flaps of a loading device arranged on the goods transfer device can be controlled in an advantageous manner via the goods transfer device. It can be provided that the locking device has a separate drive for each bolt. The separate drive may, for example, each be realized as a separate drive motor, for example as an electrically operated rotary magnet. In this way, the latch for separately opening the retaining flaps can be controlled in an advantageous manner. The retaining flaps can thus be opened selectively, ie in any order and individually.

In a preferred embodiment of the goods transfer device according to the invention an actuating device for closing the retaining flaps is provided. By means of the actuating device, the retaining flaps can be closed in an advantageous manner, for example when removing the loading device. The closed retaining flaps can then be blocked, for example by the securing device against accidental opening.

Preferably, it is provided that the actuating device has a strip plate with a flexible upper portion, wherein the strip plate closes the retaining flaps during a movement of the loading device via the actuating device. Such a design of the actuator allows in a structurally simple manner a closing mechanism for the retaining flaps by the retaining flaps are pressed upwards by a simple movement of the loading device on the actuator in its closed position.

It is preferably provided that at least one drawer for receiving the loading device is arranged in the recess. By means of Drawer can be advantageously arrange a loading device according to the invention, for example, has a box shape, on the goods transfer device. By means of the drawer can be ensured that the loading device can be inserted into the goods transfer device and is in the correct position for a transfer of the goods to the goods transfer device. Furthermore, it can be prevented by means of the drawer that during the unloading of the loading device this is taken out of the goods transfer device.

It can be provided that the drawer has a frame member which engages around the securing device in the unlocked position. This ensures that the loading device can not be lifted out of the drawer in a state in which the safety device is in the unlocked position. Only when the securing device is in its locking position and thus the retaining flaps are secured, the loading device can be removed from the drawer.

Preferably, it is provided that the stop element of the triggering device is movably coupled to the drawer and a retaining device fixes the stop element when opening the drawer from a predetermined opening width of the drawer relative to the drawer. As a result, the stop element only cooperates with the engaging element from the predetermined opening width of the drawer so that the securing device is moved into the blocking position only from this state. This ensures on the one hand that the safety device is only actuated when the retaining flaps are already closed by the actuator and on the other hand it is ensured that only when the drawer has a predetermined opening width, the loading device can be lifted out of the drawer. Also, the part of the triggering device that the Locking device unlocked when inserting the drawer, can be arranged on the drawer and is thus carried along with the drawer. Only from a certain insertion depth of the drawer, a movement of this part of the triggering device relative to the drawer, whereby the unlocking occurs. The movement of this part of the triggering device relative to the drawer can be triggered for example by a stop on the guide of the drawer. The unlock function can thus be carried out in a similar manner as the lock function. The arrangement of the parts of the triggering device, which actuate the securing device, on the drawer has the advantage that these parts are thus aligned precisely with the loading device in the inserted into the drawer and thus to the securing device.

It may also be provided that the operation of the securing device for locking or unlocking and the closing of the retaining flaps by a movement of the drawer takes place. In other words, when inserting the loading device and / or inserting the drawer into the goods transfer device, for example, the securing device for unlocking the retaining flaps can be actuated. When opening the drawer to subsequently remove the loading device, for example, the actuator can close the retaining flaps and it can be done actuation of the securing device for locking the retaining flaps.

It is preferably provided that on the underside of each retaining flap, a projection element is arranged, on each of which a bolt engages, wherein the projection element has an inclined surface which presses against the bolt during the closing operation of the retaining flap. By means of the projection element is thus ensured that the retaining flap can also be closed when the bolt is in the closed position by the latch during the closing of the retaining flap by means of Oblique surface is pressed to the side and then snaps back to rest the latch on the underside of the projection element.

The goods lift of the goods transfer device according to the invention of an automatic warehouse for receiving goods from the conveying device of the goods transfer device and transfer to the preferably above the conveyor arranged Warenvereinzelungsvorrichtung the goods transfer device has a car with a car floor to transport the goods and a car guide on. The goods lift is characterized in that a slide is arranged at an opening in the car guide, via which goods arranged on the conveying device are slidable in the car positioned in a first end position.

By means of the slider are thus in a simple manner goods that are arranged on the conveyor, through the opening in the car guide in the car conveyed. The goods on the conveyor are actively moved by means of the slider, so that it can be controlled at which time goods are loaded into the car.

Preferably, it is provided that the slide at least partially closes the opening in the car guide in a closed position of the slider. This can ensure that in the closed position of the slide no other goods can get from the conveyor into the car. Furthermore, it can be ensured by the slide that all goods located in a subregion of the conveying device are reliably pushed into the car, so that tilting of goods during operation of the car can be largely avoided.

The goods lift preferably has a locking device, which prevents a conveying movement of the car in the open position of the slider or limited. This reduces the risk of injury to the user during maintenance or repair. The locking device may for example be formed by hinges of the slide, which protrude in the open position of the slider on the car floor.

In a preferred embodiment of the goods lift according to the invention, provision can be made for the slide, in an open position of the slide, to form a guide wall of goods conveyed by the conveying device. In other words, goods that are conveyed by means of the conveying device are guided by the slider in the open position through the opening in the car guide into the car. For example, after a predetermined time or a predetermined amount of goods then the slide can be moved from the open position to the closed position, the remaining goods located in a section of the conveyor goods are pushed by means of the slide in the car.

Preferably, it is provided that, in a closed position of the slide, the slide forms a stop for the goods conveyed by the conveying device. The conveying device can thus continue to be operated in the closed position of the slide and any goods conveyed by the conveying device are stopped by the stop formed by the slide. In a subsequent opening of the slide they can then be transported in the car.

In the goods transfer device with the goods lift according to the invention can be provided in principle that the conveyor for a given period only transported a quantity of goods that can be picked up by the car, so that during transport of the car, the conveyor does not transport goods. By the stop, which is formed by the slider in the closed position, However, it can be ensured that even with a malfunction, the conveyor device can continue to operate without it can lead to tilting of goods.

The stopper can also perform a guiding function, so that goods that are conveyed by the conveyor device with the slide closed, can be directed from the stop into a goods bypass, via which the goods can be returned, for example, to the conveyor device.

In the goods lift according to the invention can be provided that the car guide has an elevator shaft which is formed by at least two opposite first walls, wherein the opening between the first walls is formed. Such a car guide has been found to be particularly advantageous because lateral access to the car can be prevented by the first walls. Furthermore, the desired opening through which the goods are supplied to the car, can be formed in a simple manner. Further, the opposite side of the first opening is also open, so that access can be made for maintenance purposes, for example, in a simple manner.

Alternatively, it may be provided that the car guide has an elevator shaft which is formed by two opposite first walls and a second wall connecting the first walls, wherein the opening is arranged in the second wall. The opening is thus formed like a window in the second wall. Such a car guide also has the aforementioned advantages. Furthermore, a guiding function for goods received in the car can be exercised by the first walls and the second wall, so as to ensure that no goods can fall out of the car during operation of the car. Preferably, it is provided that the slide has a plate which at least partially closes the opening in the car guide in the closed position of the slide. Such a design of the slide allows in a structurally simple way that on the one hand the goods can be moved in an advantageous manner by means of the slide and on the other hand, the opening in the car guide can be closed in an advantageous manner.

It can be provided that in the closed position of the slide, the plate is aligned with the second wall, wherein the plate at its upper side edge a first fold in the direction of the interior of the elevator shaft and / or at its lower side edge a second fold in Has facing away from the interior of the elevator shaft direction. The plate is aligned with its main surface with the second wall so that goods transported in the car can be guided by the second wall and the plate. The first fold towards the interior of the hoistway at the upper side edge of the plate causes goods which grind along the plate during the movement of the elevator cage to be pushed inwards and thus at the upper opening edge of the opening located above the upper side edge of the plate be passed without the risk that the goods hang on the upper edge of the opening and tilt. The second fold on the lower edge of the plate ensures that no edge is formed by the plate on which the goods can get stuck, because by means of the second fold of the lower side edge of the plate is located further outside the interior than the lower opening edge of the opening , The first and second folds thus ensure that obstacles to which the goods can knock during transport by means of the car, which could cause tilting of the goods, are avoided. As an alternative to the first and / or second fold, the plate may also have an oblique arrangement, so that the Plate in the vertical direction slightly obliquely into the interior of the elevator shaft protrudes.

It is preferably provided that the slide can be driven by a drive. For example, the slider can be driven by means of a piston drive. In the piston drive, a position sensor can be arranged, via which the position of the slider is detectable. By the drive, the slider can be operated automatically. For example, after a signal that goods are transported on the conveying device, the slider can be moved to the closed position after a predetermined period of time. It can then be determined via the position sensor that the slider is arranged in a closed position, so that a signal can be generated that operation of the car is possible.

In a particularly preferred embodiment it is provided that the car has a side wall, wherein the side wall is arranged on the side facing away from the opening of the car guide side of the car floor. The car can thus be L-shaped. Such a car is particularly inexpensive to produce. In particular, in connection with an elevator shaft with two first walls and a second wall, such a car has been found to be particularly advantageous because the first walls and the second wall of the elevator shaft can exercise a guiding function for the arranged on the car floor of the car goods. The side wall of the car is located on the side of the elevator shaft, which is open for maintenance purposes. This ensures that no goods loaded in the car can fall out of the car during transport. The provision of only one side wall of the car also allows an advantageous discharge of the car, since three sides of the car are openly accessible. Above the slide, a collecting tray can be arranged, in the goods in the closed position of the slider goods can be filled. Goods of, for example, a handling device arranged above the conveying device and the slide, for example the conveying device of the goods transfer device, can be transferred into the collecting tray. This may be, for example, goods that do not have the correct position after the position correction of the conveyor. The bottom of the collecting tray can be formed by the arranged on the slider bottom plate slide bottom slide. When opening the slide, the goods located in the collection tray are transported from the collection tray to the located in front of the slide part of the conveyor by the bottom of the collection tray is opened or removed by the slider. In the open position of the slide, the goods are transported directly to the located in front of the slide part of the conveyor. The collection tray may also have a separate bottom plate which is operable independently of the slider. In this embodiment, goods can be filled regardless of the position of the slide in the collecting tray. This has the advantage that not every time the slide goods are transported from the collection tray in the front of the slider part of the conveyor, but the appropriate time is selectable.

The collection tray may be part of a goods bypass. Above the collecting tray, a pivot plate can be arranged, which is fastened, for example, to the elevator shaft. The swivel plate can form a diverter, the goods either in the collection tray or on the located in front of the slide part of the conveyor headed or in a commodity committee. In the commodity committee goods are passed, for example, are not recognized by a goods detection or damaged goods.

Preferably, it is provided that the goods lift according to the invention has a second slide, via which in a second end position of Car goods for transfer to the handling device are pushed. Such an embodiment of the goods lift allows a particularly advantageous discharge of the car, since in the second end position of the car, the goods can be pushed by the second slider in a simple manner from the car floor.

[Ol l i] Thus, a complete draining of the car is ensured by means of the second slide.

A goods lift with a second slider, over which in a second end position of the car goods for transfer to the handling device are pushed, also has independent inventive significance. Thus, a goods lift for a goods transfer device of an automatic warehouse for receiving goods from a conveying device of the goods transfer device for transfer to a preferably arranged above the conveying device handling device of

Goods transfer device provided with a car with a car floor for transporting the goods with a car guide, in which goods via a slider in a second end position of the car for transfer to the handling device are pushed. Such a configuration of goods lift is particularly useful with an L-shaped car floor.

The second slider may be continuously operated at a predetermined speed or in stages. Through a continuous movement of the sliding plate, a coarse separation of the goods can be achieved in the transfer to the handling device. By a stepwise movement of the sliding plate, a portioning of the goods can be achieved. [0114] It is preferably provided that the second slider has a sliding plate movable over the car floor. The sliding plate may for example be formed by a side wall of the car, an additional side wall of the car or separately. The separate design of the slider with sliding plate has the advantage that thus the moving parts of the sliding plate does not have to be carried along with the car, resulting in a weight saving of the car. A slide plate entrained with the car floor has the advantage that it can not lead to jamming with the car floor when the car is not completely moved to its second end position.

A Warenvereinzungsvorrichtung of goods transfer device of an automatic warehouse according to the invention, which takes over the goods from the goods lift in disordered form and transfers to the conveyor, has a relation to the horizontal at an acute angle ß inclined rotary drum. The rotary drum is rotatably driven, with goods in an unordered form in the rotary drum can be filled. The goods are discharged in a transporting direction at a lower end of the rotary drum.

By arranging the rotary drum at an acute angle relative to the horizontal, the goods adhere to the inner wall of the rotary drum or slip only very slowly through the rotary drum. Due to the rotating drive, the goods located in the rotary drum perform the rotational movement of the rotary drum partly with. As a result, the tendency of the inner wall of the rotary drum changes so that the goods carried on the inner wall during the rotational movement in the transport direction and in one direction in the lower circumferential region of the drum slip or slide faster. As a result, a separation of the goods takes place. The rotary drum is preferably filled by an upper opening in the transport direction. The rotary drum may for example have a length between 900mm and 1100mm. Preferably, the rotary drum is 1000mm long. The inner diameter of the rotary drum can be between 250mm and 350mm. Preferably, the inner diameter is 290mm. Preferably, the rotary drum has a length to diameter ratio between 2.5 and 4, preferably between 2.8 and 3.

The rotary drum further ensures that the disordered goods at least partially arrange in a row towards the lower end of the rotary drum in the transport direction. Previously superimposed goods are separated, since a product lying on another goods when entrained by the rotational movement of the rotary drum tends more quickly to fall in a circumferentially lower portion of the drum than the goods directly adjacent to the inner wall.

Preferably, the angle β is less than 30 °. Particularly preferably, the angle β is between 7 ° and 15 °, particularly preferably the angle β is equal to 10 °.

In a preferred embodiment of the goods separating apparatus according to the invention, the latter has a goods portioner which fills a portion of goods with a predetermined maximum volume into the rotary drum. Thus, it is ensured that the goods in disordered form, which are filled in the rotary drum, do not exceed a maximum volume, so that the separation of the goods can be done in a reliable manner. The goods portioner can be designed separately or even a part of the goods lift. There is also the possibility that the goods portioner consists of two parts, wherein a first part of the goods portioner is formed by the goods lift, for example in the form of the second slide, the goods step by step, and a second part immediately before Rotating drum. In principle, the goods portioner can also be formed solely by the second slider of the goods lift.

The goods portioner may be formed in a transport channel, which opens into the rotary drum. The transport channel may be formed, for example, as a slide. In this way, a goods portioner can be realized in a simple manner, since the goods are transported by the slope of the chute due to gravity. The goods portioner can thus carry out a portioning, for example by stopping the goods.

It can be provided that the Warenportionierer has a first and a second bulkhead, which are arranged transversely to the transport channel and alternately apparent. The second bulkhead is located in the transport direction behind the first bulkhead. Goods that are transported in the transport channel slip with the first bulkhead open to the second bulkhead. After closing the first bulkhead, the space formed between the first and second bulkheads is the predetermined maximum volume that is filled into the rotary drum. It is preferably provided that the first and / or second bulkhead exit from below from the transport channel, so that jamming of goods when closing the bulkhead is prevented.

It can be provided that a bottom emerging from the transport channel second bulkhead in the closed position has a lower height than the first bulkhead in the closed position. This has the consequence that when opening the first bulkhead, in which the second bulkhead is in the closed position, goods that lie one above the other slip from above a predetermined height by the second Schott on the second bulkhead over and get into the rotary drum , These goods are thus already in the rotary drum before the product portion is filled with a predetermined maximum volume in the rotary drum by the Warenportionierer by the second bulkhead is opened after closing the first bulkhead. As a result, prior to the filling of the goods portion a separation of the amount of goods beyond the goods portion, which slips in the direction of the second bulkhead after opening the first bulkhead, can take place.

Preferably, it is provided that the first and the second bulkhead are coupled together. As a result, the alternating opening and closing movement can be coupled by a single drive and it is ensured that when the second bulkhead is opened, the first is closed and vice versa.

The first and the second bulkheads can thus have a common drive.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the common drive is formed by a rotary drive of the rotary drum. This ensures that the coupled movement of the first and the second bulkhead takes place as a function of the rotational speed of the rotary drum. It has been found that by increasing the rotational speed of the rotary drum, the goods loaded in the rotary drum are conveyed faster through the rotary drum. Thereby, the clock in which goods portions are input to the rotary drum can be increased. By the common drive of rotary drum and the first and the second bulkhead is thus achieved that with an increase in the speed of the rotary drum and the time intervals between the filling of individual product portions are increased.

By the common drive of rotary drum and the first and the second bulkhead is also achieved that in case of stopping the rotary drum and the Warenportionierer is stopped and thus no further goods are transported into the rotary drum. It is preferably provided that in the transport direction behind the rotary drum, a curved sloping track is arranged for transfer to the conveyor and connected to the rotary drum. By means of the curved sloping web, the goods arranged in a row behind the rotary drum for the most part can advantageously be led away from the rotary drum.

It is preferably provided that the curved path is formed as a spiral chute. A spiral chute has proved to be particularly advantageous for the transport of isolated goods, in particular cuboid goods, since the goods entered into the spiral chute in a row are brought into a suitable orientation. In the spiral chute, the goods are pressed against the peripheral surface, where they rest with one longitudinal side. The longitudinal side of a product is understood to mean a surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the article. If a commodity passes transversely on the spiral chute, it is at the end, which faces a vertical longitudinal axis of the spiral chute, accelerated because of the larger slope there amplified downwards, so that the product undergoes a rotation and then with one of its longitudinal sides against the peripheral wall of the spiral chute sets. Furthermore, the spiral chute has the effect that goods preferably lie with their broad long side on the bottom of the spiral chute and these do not go upright. Thus, the goods after passing through the spiral chute often already desired for further handling alignment.

Spiral chutes also have the advantage that when two goods arrive side by side on the spiral chute simultaneously, for example, if an alignment of the goods in a row is not done correctly, the internal goods is accelerated more than the outer goods, making them the outer Goods overhauled and then applies to the peripheral wall. The spiral chute thus causes the goods advantageously in one Row can be arranged. Furthermore, the spiral chute can be used as an intermediate buffer by storing goods in the spiral chute in a row until they are transferred to the conveyor.

Preferably, it is provided that the curved track has a curvature to the right, wherein the rotary drum is drivable in a clockwise direction, or has a curvature to the left, wherein the rotary drum is driven in a counterclockwise direction. The clockwise rotation of the rotary drum means that the rotating drum rotates clockwise when viewed in the direction of transport.

Such a drive direction adapted to the curvature of the web has the advantage that goods leaving the rotary drum at the lower end of the rotary drum move in the direction of the curvature outside of the curved path and thus, for example in the case of the curved path, as a helical slide against the latter Circumferential wall are pressed. As a result, a removal of the goods on the spiral chute is possible in an advantageous manner.

[0133] It is preferably provided that at least one strip-shaped insert is arranged on an inner wall of the rotary drum, via which individual goods located in the rotary drum are temporarily retained or accelerated. By means of the insert thus individual goods can be accelerated or decelerated and thus a separation of the goods will be achieved.

It is preferably provided that a first strip-shaped insert is arranged in a first portion of the rotary drum, wherein the first strip-shaped insert extends by a maximum of 270 °, preferably by a maximum of 180 °, around the inner circumference. By the extension of the first strip-shaped insert by a maximum of 270 ° around the inner circumference of Rotary drum forms this a first passage. Goods can slip through this passage unhindered due to the rotational movement of the drum. Upon further rotation of the rotary drum goods that have not yet slid through the first passage, retained by the first strip-shaped insert. This ensures that a portion of goods does not slip as a whole through the rotary drum, but a subdivision into intermediate portions occurs. The first section can be, for example, in the transport direction of the rotary drum, the uppermost section, and have a length of one quarter of the length of the rotary drum in the transport direction.

The first strip-shaped insert may be inclined, for example, against the direction of rotation of the rotary drum. This means that goods that are detected by the first strip-shaped insert, are pressed against the transport direction when rotating the rotary drum upwards. The first strip-shaped insert may for example have an angle γ to the central axis, where: 90 ° <γ <100 °. Such an arrangement has been found to be particularly advantageous because the first strip-shaped insert holds back a portion of the goods and pushes up to a small extent, thereby preventing that by slipping the goods portion too much pressure is exerted on the goods, so that these are pressed, for example, over the first strip-shaped insert. The first strip-shaped insert is thus snugly on the inner wall and has in the transport direction down a slope greater than zero to 10 °, preferably 5 °.

[0136] It is preferably provided that the first strip-shaped insert is in an open position when the second bulkhead of the goods portioner is in an open position. In other words, the strip-shaped insert is in the circumferential direction in an upper position and the first passage in a lower position. Goods which are filled through the opened second bulkhead in the rotary drum, thus can continue to slide without obstruction of the first strip-shaped insert. This can be comparable Way, when the second slider of the goods lift forms the Warenportionierer, so that at least during a first stage in which the second slide advances the goods, the first strip-shaped insert is in an open position. Upon further rotation of the rotary drum, the last goods of a filled in the rotary drum portion of goods are detected and retained by the first strip-shaped insert. Such an arrangement has been found to be particularly advantageous for under-portioning the goods.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that a second strip-shaped insert is arranged in a second portion of the rotary drum, wherein the second strip-shaped insert extends at least 180 ° and a maximum of 270 ° around the inner circumference.

The second passage formed by the second strip-shaped insert thus passes through a smaller part of goods than the first passage, so that a further separation of the goods takes place.

It can be provided that the second passage is arranged partially overlapping with the first passage, i. the second passage is arranged circumferentially partially offset from the first passage. Goods which slip through the first passage immediately after opening the second bulkhead may initially also pass unhindered through the second passage before a part of the goods is retained by the second strip-shaped insert. As a result, a further separation of the goods portion takes place.

The second strip-shaped insert may be inclined against the direction of rotation of the rotary drum, ie, the second strip-shaped insert presses against the transport direction in the rotation of the rotary drum goods upwards. The second strip-shaped insert forms an angle γ to the central axis of the Rotary drum, where: 90 ° <γ <100 °. The first and the second strip-shaped insert can be arranged at the same or different angle to the central axis. The second strip-shaped insert is thus snugly on the inner wall and has in the transport direction down a slope greater than zero to 10 °, preferably 5 °.

[0141] Preferably, in the inventive

Warenvereinzungsvorrichtung device provided that a third strip-shaped insert is disposed in a third portion of the rotary drum, wherein the third strip-shaped insert extends at least 180 ° and a maximum of 270 ° around the inner circumference. Similar to the second strip-shaped insert, the third strip-shaped insert can initially restrain goods in order to allow separation. The third strip-shaped insert can be arranged in the circumferential direction completely offset from the second strip-shaped insert, ie, a third passage formed by the third strip-shaped insert is arranged in the circumferential direction completely offset from the second passage. Goods that initially slide unhindered through the first and the second passage, thus encounter against the third strip-shaped insert. As a result, a goods jam arise, so that goods are in the range of the first and second strip-shaped insert. Upon rotation of the drum these are detected and moved in the transport direction upwards. It can be provided that the third strip-shaped insert is inclined with the direction of rotation. As a result, goods that collide against the third strip-shaped insert, accelerated during rotation of the rotary drum and thus transported against the slipping goods faster in the transport direction. In a further rotation of the rotary drum, the second passage before the first passage in a circumferentially lower position, so that the retained by the second strip-shaped insert goods can slip in the direction of the third strip-shaped insert. At this time, the first strip-shaped insert still holds back goods. At the time when the first passage in a circumferentially lower position passes, the retained by the first strip-shaped deposit goods can slide in the transport direction. Up to this point in time, the third strip-shaped insert has also transported the goods, which in the meantime have been slipping from the second strip-shaped insert, downwards, so that the goods released from the first strip-shaped insert can slide into the region of the third strip-shaped insert and continue. As a result, the goods portion is distributed over the length of the rotary drum and there is a separation of the goods.

The third strip-shaped insert may have an angle δ to the central axis, where: 80 ° <δ <90 °. The third strip-shaped insert is thus helical on the inner wall and has in the transport direction down a slope less than zero to -10 °, preferably -5 °.

The first, second and / or third insert can have a height H, where: 3 mm <H <6 mm. Preferably, the height H is 4mm. Such a height of the strip-shaped deposits has been found to be particularly advantageous because on the one hand goods can be retained in the desired manner by the strip-shaped deposits, on the other hand, however, at excessive pressure of the goods from above a product can be pressed over the strip-shaped insert and thus a Stowage of goods in the upper part of the rotary drum can be avoided.

Preferably, it is provided that a plurality of fourth strip-shaped inserts are arranged in a fourth section of the rotary drum, wherein the fourth strip-shaped inserts are preferably distributed uniformly around the inner circumference of the rotary drum. The fourth strip-shaped deposits ensure that goods leaving the rotary drum as possible individually slip out of the rotary drum and are also directed in a desired direction. The fourth strip-shaped inserts can be inclined with the direction of rotation, so that an acceleration the goods takes place. Goods may have an angle ε to the central axis, where: 25 ° <ε <35 °. Preferably, ε = 30 °. It can be provided that four fourth strip-shaped inserts are arranged in the fourth section of the rotary drum. By the fourth strip-shaped deposits, the goods that reach the end of the rotary drum, accelerated very quickly and thus leave the rotary drum faster than the slightly higher up goods in the rotary drum, whereby an advantageous separation takes place. The second, third and fourth sections may be arranged along the rotary drum in the predetermined order and each have, for example, a length of one quarter of the length of the rotary drum.

Preferably, it is provided that the fourth strip-shaped inserts each have a first strip portion with a height H and a second strip portion with a height 2- H, where: 3mm <H <6mm. The second strip section is located in the transport direction behind the first strip section. Such a configuration of the fourth strip-shaped inserts ensures that a product located in the region of the second strip sections of the fourth strip-like inserts is entrained thereby and thus accelerated, whereas an underlying product located in the first strip section of the fourth strip-shaped inserts falls over this strip section and Thus, compared to the previously accelerated goods has a slower in the transport direction speed. The slower in the transport direction of goods is pushed from one of the next vortexed fourth strip-shaped insert from the rotary drum. As a result, the goods can be dispensed isolated from the rotary drum in an advantageous manner. The second strip portion may occupy between 25% and 75% of the length of a fourth strip-shaped insert. Preferably, the first and second strip portions have the same length. In principle, the fourth strip-shaped inserts can each also have a constant height H, where: 3 mm <H <6 mm. For the given angle values for the angles γ, δ and ε formed between the strip-shaped inserts and the central axis, it is true that in a clockwise direction of rotation the angle is measured in a mathematically positive sense starting from the respective strip-shaped insert and in a direction of rotation Rotary drum counterclockwise starting from the strip-shaped insert in the mathematically negative sense.

The strip-shaped inserts may consist of a foam material or a felt material. On the one hand, such materials are robust enough for the desired application, and on the other hand, they do not damage the goods during separation.

The conveying device of the automatic goods storage goods transfer device according to the invention conveys the goods from the goods separating device to the handling device of the goods transfer device and has a conveying surface driven in a conveying direction and a conveying wall arranged in the conveying direction. The conveying surface is inclined at an acute angle α to the horizontal in the direction of the guide wall. The invention is characterized in that a position detecting device detects goods layers of goods conveyed on the conveying surface, and that a position correcting device is arranged on the guide wall which selectively exerts a shock on a product conveyed on the conveying surface depending on the goods position and / or an obstacle for the goods. The guide wall can for example form an angle between 90 ° and 95 ° with the conveyor surface.

The invention thus advantageously provides that a position correction of the goods takes place on a conveying device and thus during the transport of goods separating device to another Handling device can be made. Thus, the flow of goods is not interrupted and a quick handling of the goods can be done.

The guide wall guides the goods that are transported on the conveying surface so that they are arranged in a row. In this case, the conveyor surface inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal in the direction of the guide wall ensures that the goods slide in the direction of the guide wall and rest against the guide wall.

By means of the location detection device it is detected in which goods position the goods are located. For example, in the case of a product which is in the form of an elongated flat cuboid, it can thus be determined whether the product rests on the conveying surface with its narrow or broad side and, for example, whether the longitudinal direction of the article is in the conveying direction.

Depending on the material situation, the position correcting device can selectively influence the goods to obtain a desired product position, for a cuboid elongated product, for example, lying with the wide surface on the conveying surface and an arrangement in which the longitudinal direction of the goods located in the conveying direction. If, for example, the detection of the material condition shows that the product lies on the conveyor surface with the narrow side, it can be rotated about an axis of rotation in the conveying direction by means of an impact against the product. If it is determined that the longitudinal direction of the product is not in the conveying direction, but transversely thereto, can be achieved via an obstacle, which is formed by the position correcting means that the goods rotate and is moved with its longitudinal direction in the conveying direction. After this turning process is ensured by the inclined conveyor surface that the goods slips against the guide wall. Of course, the position correcting device can also provide for certain product layers that Both an obstacle to the goods is formed and a shock is applied to the goods. The shock-carrying part is preferably formed in the conveying direction behind the obstacle forming part.

The angle α is preferably between 20 ° and 40 °. Particularly preferably, the angle α is 28 °. It has been found that in the usual conveying surfaces at an angle of 28 ° ensures that a product, such as a drug package, reliably slips against the guide wall.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the position detection device comprises electronic sensors. Preferably, the electronic sensors are designed as ultrasonic rangefinders. The electronic sensors are preferably oriented to measure the distance orthogonal to the conveying surface and orthogonal to the guiding wall. In this way, the position of the goods can be detected in a particularly advantageous manner, by different goods sizes are taught in advance a control system of the goods transfer device.

In a preferred embodiment of the conveying device according to the invention it is provided that the conveying surface is formed by a first conveying surface of a first conveyor belt and a second conveying surface of a second conveyor belt, wherein the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt are independently controllable. In this way, a separation of the goods in a particularly advantageous manner possible by the first and the second conveyor belt are operated, for example, at different speeds.

It is preferably provided that the first conveying surface of the first conveyor belt in the direction of the surface normal to the conveying surface with an offset to the second conveying surface of the second conveyor belt is arranged. For example, it may be provided that the first conveyor belt is arranged slightly higher than the second conveyor belt, for example between 1 mm and 2 mm higher, preferably 1 mm. This allows goods to be detected only by the second conveyor belt when they have been transported with their center of gravity on the end of the first conveying surface and tilt on the second conveying surface. As a result, the time at which the second conveyor belt transports a product can be accurately determined. For example, a product can be stopped by means of the first conveyor belt when the product is at the end of the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt. Even a slight running after the first conveyor belt when stopping the first conveyor belt does not cause the second conveyor belt takes over the goods. For example, it can be provided that the second conveyor belt runs continuously, while on the first conveyor belt by stopping and starting a separation of the goods takes place.

For this purpose, for example, be provided that at the end of the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt, a sensor is arranged, which detects the goods when it is at the end of the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt.

In the conveying direction in front of the sensor, for example, a further sensor can be arranged, via which the supply of goods to the conveyor can be controlled.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the obstacle is formed by an extendable pin. By an extendable pin an obstacle can be formed in an advantageous manner against which the goods collide. By moving on the conveying surface, for example of the second conveyor belt, the goods are guided around the pin and thus rotated. For this purpose, it is preferably provided that the pin has a rounded tip. This way, the goods will be in advantageously passed around the pen, thereby avoiding that the product is damaged by the pin. It is preferably provided that the pin can be extended a distance of at most half of the maximum dimension of a product in its direction of movement. In this way it is ensured that each of the abutting against the pen product is rotated around the pin and does not get stuck on this. Preferably, the pin extends only a few millimeters, for example between 3 mm and 10 mm.

In a preferred embodiment of the conveying device according to the invention it is provided that the position correcting device performs the impact by means of a pusher device, wherein the pusher device has a plate arranged as a plunger parallel to the conveying surface. This can ensure that the impact exerted by the impact device on the product is distributed over an elongated surface and the goods about an axis of rotation which is parallel to the conveying surface and in the conveying direction, is rotated.

In the context of the invention, a plate is understood to mean a flat, thin body with a substantially smaller extent in one direction than in the other directions. In the present case, in the case of a plate arranged parallel to the conveying surface, this extends in the direction of the surface normal to the conveying surface less than in the other directions. For example, the plate may have a sickle shape. Preferably, the plunger is at most half of the minimum extension of a product in one direction, preferably between 1mm and 3mm, located above the conveying surface. In this way, it is ensured that the impact occurs at a plurality of goods below the center of gravity, so that the desired rotation about a parallel to the conveying surface and in the conveying direction extending axis of rotation takes place. It can be provided that the impact device has a first holding device which exerts pressure on a product conveyed on the conveying surface in the direction of the conveying surface. By means of the first holding device, the goods can be initially held in position during the impact, so that it is reliably ensured that the product is rotated about the desired axis of rotation by means of the impact.

The first holding device may have, for example, at least two first holding bodies made of a flexible material. Depending on the size of the goods, both holding bodies can rest on the goods and thus exert a pressure on the goods, or a first holding body rests on the goods and a second is applied laterally to the goods. The two first holding bodies may consist of strands of flexible material, which are arranged parallel to each other. In this case, the two first holding body may be pivotally mounted, so that when a bumping of the goods against one or both of the first holding body they are pivoted. At the joint of the first holding body, for example, an adjustable weight can be arranged, the weight of which is transmitted to the goods via the first holding body, so that the desired pressure is applied to the goods.

The strand-shaped two first holding body may be parallel and have a curved shape. For example, the holding bodies may extend from their joint in a direction orthogonal to the conveying surface and have a bend in the direction of the conveying direction. If goods abut against the first holding body, the holding body are thus pivoted and sweep the goods, wherein a deflection of the joint of the holding body takes place. Furthermore, it is ensured that the first holding bodies pivot and are not bent too much by the goods. The distances of the first holding body may be selected so that in a plurality of goods, only one of the holding body rests on the goods, whereas the second side of the product is applied, whereby a particularly advantageous holding function of the goods during the impact can be done by means of the jar.

Preferably, it is provided that the impact device has a second holding device, which is arranged in the conveying direction behind the first holding device and in a direction transverse to the conveying direction away from the guide wall offset from the first holding device. This holding device, on the one hand, causes an additional holding function to be carried out for very large items. For smaller goods, the second holding device can identify an abutment function, so that goods jetted by the pushing device can bounce against the second holding device and thus prevent the shock from pushing the goods off the conveying surface. Therefore, the second holding device is arranged in the conveying direction behind the holding device.

It can be provided that the second holding device has at least two second holding body made of a flexible material. Basically, the two second holding bodies may be formed in the same shape as the two first holding bodies, i. as strands which are bent for example in the conveying direction and which are mounted pivotably. Also, the second holding device may have an adjustable weight on the hinge of the holding body.

The conveyor according to the invention may further provide that the position correcting device has one or more sensors that checks the position of the goods. For example, a sensor can be arranged after the extendable pin, which checks whether the desired change in position has taken place. Also, a sensor may be arranged after the pusher device, which checks whether the desired change of position by means of the pusher device has taken place. [0168] It is preferably provided that a goods identification device is arranged in the conveying direction behind the position correcting device. This can consist of a housing arranged above the conveying surface into which a camera looks or in which a camera is arranged. In the housing, at least one light source can be arranged, which illuminates the goods to provide sufficient light for a camera recording. The goods recognition device can also have a second position detection device which detects the position of the goods so that they can be checked.

The goods recognition device can have a sensor which senses a product, the camera being triggered via the sensor. The sensor can detect, for example, the position of a product, so that it can also be controlled when another product is to be transferred from the first conveying surface to the second conveying surface.

On the conveying surface sensors can be arranged at various positions, which detect the position of the goods, whereby an advantageous separation can be achieved by controlling the first and / or second conveyor belt.

At the end of the conveying surface of the conveyor, a stop may be provided which stops the goods, so that they can be received, for example, by a gripper of the handling device of the goods transfer device. The gripper can pick up and pass on goods only in a predetermined speed. Therefore, the conveyor according to the invention is particularly suitable because with this the distance of the individual goods can be controlled in an advantageous manner by the goods are transferred from the first conveyor surface to the second conveyor surface with an appropriate distance. The stop formed at the end of the conveying surface can be opened so that goods can be conveyed to the goods by-pass or to the goods committee. If, for example, the second position detection device determines that the position correction has not been carried out correctly, the goods can be conveyed into the goods bypass in order to be fed again to the conveyor device according to the invention.

For example, if the merchandise detection device detects an unknown commodity, it may be transported to the merchandise committee.

[0174] The handling device of the invention

Goods transfer device of an automatic warehouse cooperates with the conveyor of the goods transfer device and transfers goods from the conveyor of the goods transfer device to the conveyor chain. The handling device according to the invention has a stop device with a stop body arranged above the conveying surface of the conveyor, wherein the stop body forms a stop for goods carried on the conveying surface and wherein the position of the stop body in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor is adjustable. Furthermore, the handling device has a gripping device with a gripper, wherein the gripping device grips by means of the gripper against the stop body adjacent goods and receives from the conveyor surface. By the stop device goods that are transported on the conveying surface, retained, so that, for example, the conveying surface of the conveyor can be operated. The goods are located by the stop at a defined position and can be accommodated in an advantageous manner by means of the gripping device. As a result, the goods arranged in isolated fashion on the conveying surface can be picked up by the conveying device in a predetermined timing and, for example, transferred to the second handling device. Since the goods are received by means of the gripping device, the recording the goods on the one hand take place at a defined time and on the other hand, the goods can be handed over in any direction.

By the adjustable position of the stopper body in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, the stopper body can be adapted to a commodity size of the transported goods on the conveyor surface. Thus, it can be ensured, for example, that the product lying against the stop body is arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor device under the gripping position of the gripper of the gripping device. This has the advantage that the gripping device can always pick up the goods in the same position, so that the gripping device does not have to have any additional adjustment options in order to be able to pick up goods of different sizes. By the stopper body is ensured that the goods to be picked up by the gripper, is located at a suitable position for recording. For example, the position suitable for receiving by the gripper can be a position centrally below the gripper. Alternatively it can also be provided that by means of the stopper body a position of the product is set when abutting against the stop body, in which the center of gravity of the goods is arranged centrally below the gripper.

By adjusting the stopper body in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, the stopper body is moved in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor to a product to or from this. The setting of the stopper body can for example be done individually before each transported on the conveyor surface goods. If it is known that a plurality of similar goods are transported on the conveying surface, of course, the position adjustment of the stopper body can be made once for the group of similar goods.

Preferably, it is provided that the stop body is formed by a pin. This has the advantage that the stopper body is relatively narrow is formed and thus preferably does not hinder the gripper when picking up the goods.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the stopper body is spaced at a distance D from the conveying surface, wherein the distance D is smaller than a minimum extent of the goods. In cuboid goods, such as drug packages, the minimum extension of the goods is usually the height of the packaging. The handling device according to the invention can be used in particular with a variety of different goods, wherein the dimension of the goods is known. It can be provided that the distance D is smaller than the minimum extent of all goods. This ensures that no goods to be stopped by the stopper body can slip under the stopper body. For example, the distance D between 2mm and 4mm, preferably 3mm amount. Preferably, it is further provided that the distance D 'of the top of the stopper body to the conveying surface is smaller than the minimum extent of the goods or all goods. In other words, when a product is applied to the stopper body, the stopper body should not have an extension above the goods. This has the advantage that the stop body does not hinder the gripper when picking up the goods.

It can further be provided that the stop body has a transverse to the conveyor extending length L above the conveying surface, wherein L is greater than half of the second largest extent of the goods. For a cuboid product, this would be, for example, the width of the product. Usually goods are transported on the conveyor surface such that they are located with their length direction in the conveying direction. By providing a with the predetermined length L above the conveyor surface extending stop body ensures that after a striking of a product against the stopper body in a further operation the conveying surface does not tend to rotate around the stopper body. It has been found that when the stopper body extends over half of the extent of the goods transversely to the conveying surface, the risk of overcoming the stopper body due to further operation of the conveying surface is avoided. In the case of a large number of goods of previously known size, it can of course be provided that the length L is greater than half the second largest extent of the largest goods in this direction.

[0180] It is preferably provided that the stop body is extendable or foldable or retractable or foldable. In this way, a product can also be transported from the conveying surface over the position of the stopper body. This has the advantage that goods that are recognized as rejects, do not strike against the stopper body in its retracted or folded position, but are transported by means of the conveyor in the goods committee. In a conveyor with position correction, for example, can also be provided that, if it is determined that a product has not taken the correct position, is transported by retracting or folding away the stopper body, the goods by means of the conveying surface to the goods bypass, by means of which the goods, for example the conveyor can be fed again.

Extending or unfolding the stop body has been found to be particularly advantageous for a stop body, which is to act selectively.

Preferably, it is provided that the stop device has a first drive device which drives the stop body in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor. In this way, the stopper body is automatically driven for position adjustment. It can be provided that the stopper body on a

Guide rail is guided. By means of such storage is a

Adjustment of the position of the stopper body in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor in a structurally simple manner feasible.

It may be provided that the stopper body has a second drive device, via which the stopper body is extendable or foldable or retractable or foldable. Thus, this function is automatically executed.

It can be provided that the second drive device is carried along in the movement of the stopper body in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor. The first and the second drive device thus form a serial kinematics.

It is preferably provided that the first and / or the second drive device is a pneumatic linear drive. Pneumatic actuators have proven to be particularly advantageous because they are lightweight and compact and also very robust. Furthermore, these have the advantage that when using other pneumatic drives, a common energy source can be used.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the gripper is a vacuum suction gripper. By means of such a gripper, the goods can be used advantageously and very quickly, at the same time damage to the goods is prevented. Furthermore, by means of a vacuum suction gripper, a picked-up product can advantageously be deposited again by removing the vacuum of the suction gripper. It can be provided that the gripper has a gripper plate with at least one sucker. The sucker can be for example a bellows suction.

It can be provided that the gripper plate has two first suction device, which are actuated together, and a second suction device, which is arranged offset to the first suction cups and is separately operable. The suckers may for example have a triangular arrangement. Such an arrangement has the advantage that the two first suckers can be used with conventional goods sizes, while the second suckers remains unactuated in such goods. For very wide goods in which the two first suckers and the second suckers rest on the goods, the second suckers can be switched separately to the first suckers. In this way, even very large and heavy goods can be picked up by means of the vacuum suction gripper.

Preferably, it is provided that the gripper plate is mounted on at least one, attached to the gripper plate guide rod, wherein the at least one guide rod is guided linearly on a housing of the gripper. For this purpose, the housing of the gripper can, for example, have a sleeve through which the guide rod is guided. By storage by means of the guide rod, the gripper plate can yield. When placing the gripper plate on a product to accommodate this, thus the gripper plate can be moved linearly, whereby, for example, damage to the goods can be avoided and ensures that the gripper plate rests completely on the goods.

In this case, the invention preferably provides that a spring device is arranged on the at least one guide rod, which presses the gripper plate of a goods receiving position in the direction of the goods. In other words: The gripper plate is sprung over the guide rod and the spring device stored. When placing the gripper plate on a product, the gripper plate is against the spring force of the spring device after. This ensures that the gripper plate and thus arranged on the gripper plate suckers rest firmly on the goods, so that the suckers can hold the goods for recording. The sprung guide rod of the gripper plate also prevents damage to the goods. With similar goods, there are often deviations in their height. If the gripper plate is now moved to a predetermined position, it may thus happen that the goods are either too high or too low. The sprung mounting of the gripper plate can be compensated by deliberately moving the gripper plate to a lower position. This ensures that the goods can be received in a reliable manner.

[0192] It may further be provided that a sensor is arranged on the at least one guide rod, which detects a linear movement of the guide rod with respect to the housing. As a result, a movement of the guide rod and thus of the gripper plate can be detected by means of the sensor, whereby it can be determined that the gripper plate rests on a product. The sensor thus allows the movement of the gripper plate in the direction of the goods to be controlled.

Preferably, it is provided that the gripping device has a linear drive and a rotary drive about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotary drive drives a gripper arm relative to a base of the gripping device and the linear drive drives the gripper relative to the gripper arm. The gripping device thus has a serial kinematics by the linear drive is guided by the rotary drive. It has been found that by providing the position-variable stop for receiving goods from the conveyor, a gripping device with only two drives is sufficient. Such a gripping device is thus very inexpensive to produce. The linear drive and the rotary drive of the gripping device can be servomotors, for example. These can have an integrated transmission. Such drives are very compact and fast. Alternatively, pneumatic drives can also be provided.

The goods warehouse according to the invention comprises a goods transfer device according to the invention as well as a manipulator, which takes over goods from the at least one transfer channel.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0197] They show:

1 is a schematic perspective view of an automatic warehouse according to the invention with a goods transfer device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a detail of a drawer of the goods transfer device according to the invention for a loading device,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the loading device of the goods transfer device according to the invention,

4 shows a schematic perspective view of the drawer shown in FIG. 2 in another working position, FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of the drawer shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 shows a schematic detail of FIG

Securing device of the loading device,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic detail view of the locking device of the loading device,

8 shows a schematic perspective view of a goods lift with a conveying device of the goods transfer device according to the invention,

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of the goods elevator,

FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the goods lift with conveying device of the goods transfer device according to the invention arranged thereon,

11 is a schematic view of the upper portion of the goods elevator with elevator cage in an upper position,

FIG. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of a goods separating device of the invention

Goods transfer device,

FIG. 13 shows a schematic detail view of the goods portioner of the goods separating device,

FIG. 14 shows a schematic detail view of the rotary drum of the goods separating device,

FIG. 15 shows a schematic perspective view of a conveying device of the goods transfer device according to the invention, FIG. 16a shows a schematic view of the position correction device of the goods transfer device according to the invention,

FIG. 16b shows a schematic view of the position correction device on the rear side of the guide wall of the conveyor device,

FIG. 17 a schematic sectional view through the goods recognition device of the conveyor device,

FIG. 18 shows a schematic perspective view of a handling device of a goods transfer device according to the invention,

19 shows a schematic detail view of the stop device of the handling device shown in FIG. 18, FIG.

20 shows a schematic detail view of the gripper of the gripper device of the handling device according to the invention shown in FIG. 18, FIG.

20a is a schematic bottom view of the gripper plate of the gripper shown in FIG. 20, FIG.

Figure 21 is a schematic perspective view of the conveyor chain according to the invention of an inventive

Goods transfer device with transfer channels arranged thereon,

FIG. 22 a shows a schematic side view of the traction mechanism device of the conveyor chain according to the invention, FIG. 22b shows a further schematic side view of the traction mechanism device of the conveyor chain according to the invention,

FIG. 22c shows a schematic detail of FIG. 22a, FIG.

FIG. 22d shows a schematic detail of the traction mechanism device from a top view,

FIG. 23 shows a schematic representation of the goods transfer item closing the transfer channels,

[0226] FIG. 24a shows different views of a transport compartment of the conveyor chain according to the invention in the goods receiving position

[0227] FIG. 24b shows different representations of a transport compartment of the conveyor chain according to the invention in the goods transfer position and

[0228] FIG. 24c various representations of a transport compartment of the conveyor chain according to the invention for clarification of the position of the axis of rotation.

In Fig. 1, an inventive automatic warehouse 100 with a goods transfer device 110 according to the invention is shown schematically. In the goods transfer device 110 according to the invention goods can be entered, which are passed to a in Fig. 1 only indicated manipulator 120, the goods in unillustrated storage bins, such as storage channels, sort can. The automatic warehouse 100 may be, for example, a pharmacy warehouse into which medicines and other pharmacy products packaged in product packages such as boxes are stored. The goods transfer device 110 according to the invention takes on the goods automatically and passes them to the manipulator 120. The goods transfer device 110 can For example, sort entered goods and hold in an intermediate buffer for transfer to the manipulator 120.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the goods transfer device 110 is spatially limited compared to the warehouse 100. In order to be able to sort goods entered into the goods transfer device 110 and to separate them for transfer to the manipulator 120, the goods transfer device 110 has a plurality of handling devices. Due to the limited space of the goods transfer device 110 therefore different handling devices are provided in height at different levels.

The loading device 1 is described in detail in FIGS. 2-7. The goods input by means of the loading device 1 into the goods transfer device 110 according to the invention are conveyed by means of a conveying device 145 to a goods lift 201. The goods lift 201 is described in detail in FIGS. 8-11.

The goods are transferred from the goods lift to a goods singulator 301. The

Warenvereinzungsvorrichtung device is described in Figures 12-14 in detail.

The goods are then transferred to a conveyor 401 by the goods separating device 301. The conveyor 401 is described in Figures 15-17. From the conveyor 401, the goods are picked up by a handling device 501 and transferred to the conveyor chain 601 according to the invention. The handling device 501 is described in detail in FIGS. 18-20a. The goods separating device 301 is located above the conveying device 401, for example. The conveying device 401 is arranged above the conveying device 145, for example.

The conveyor chain 601 according to the invention is described in FIGS. 21-24c.

2, a drawer 130 of the goods transfer device 110 shown in FIG. 1 as well as a loading device 1 according to the invention, which is suitable for this goods transfer device, are shown schematically in a perspective illustration. In Fig. 2, the drawer 130 for clarity purposes detached from the body of the goods transfer device 110 is shown. The drawer 130 is used to hold the loading device according to the invention 1. The loading device 1 can be used for this purpose in the drawer 130, so that the loading device 1 can be inserted by means of the drawer 130 in the goods transfer device 110. Below the drawer 130, a conveyor 145 is arranged in the form of a conveyor belt, so that the goods can fall from the loading device 1 on the conveyor device 145 and can be transported away from this for further processing. Laterally of the conveyor belt inclined walls 146 are arranged, which form a kind of funnels for the conveyor belt, so that goods falling from the loading device 1, reach the conveyor belt in a reliable manner.

The loading device 1 according to the invention consists of a container 2 with several compartments 3, in which the goods can be filled as bulk material. Each compartment has a loading opening 5, which is arranged on the upper side of the container 2. Through the loading openings 5, the goods are entered into the compartments 3. As best seen in Fig. 3 can be seen, in which the loading device 1 of FIG. 2 is shown in a schematic side view, the compartments 3 on its underside a discharge opening 7, respectively can be closed by a retaining flap 9. The retaining flaps 9 are separately disclosed and in their closed position form the bottom of a compartment 3, respectively.

In Fig. 4, the drawer of Fig. 2 is shown in a different working position. The loading device 1 is inserted into the drawer 130. Above the drawer 130, a second drawer 150 is extendable having a plate 160. In the closed state of the drawer 130 and the second drawer 150, the plate covers the loading openings 5 of the compartments 3, so that prevents the unloading of the compartments 3 goods through the loading openings 5 jump out of the compartments 3. In the opened state of the drawer 130 150 individual compartments 3 can be filled by means of the second drawer. For this purpose, the drawer 150 has an opening 170 adapted to the loading opening 5. The second drawer 150 can be pulled out, so that the recess 170 is arranged above one of the loading openings 5. On the plate 160, the goods can now be placed and simply pushed in the direction of the recess 170 so that they fall through the loading opening 5 in the one compartment 3. The second drawer 150 thus serves to fill a loading device 1 arranged in the drawer 130. The second drawer 150 may have a latching device by means of which the second drawer 150 can be engaged in different latching positions, in which the recess 170 is located above a loading opening 5. The second drawer 150 is optional, and the drawer 130 is also basically feasible without the second drawer 150.

In principle, the loading device 1 according to the invention shown in the figures is provided as a mobile container, so that a filled loading device 1 is inserted into an empty drawer 130 or exchanged for a deflated loading device 1. Therefore, as can be seen from FIG. 1, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the transfer device 110 has four drawers 130, so that when replacing a loading device 1 in one of the drawers, the remaining three drawers 130 may still contain goods, so that the transfer device 110 can remain in operation when replacing a loading device 1. The transfer device 110 according to the invention can therefore transfer goods to the manipulator 120 over a very long period of time.

On the drawer 130, a locking device 180 is arranged, which is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 can be seen. FIG. 5 shows the drawer of FIG. 2 schematically in a side view, wherein parts of the drawer guide are not shown for clarification purposes, and FIG. 7 shows a detailed illustration of the locking device 180.

The locking device 180 has in the illustrated embodiment, for each of the compartments 3 on a separate latch 190, wherein each bolt is controlled by its own drive 200. In the inserted into the drawer 130 position of the loading device 1, the latch 190 are applied to the retaining flap 9 to hold it in a closed position. For this purpose, the retaining flaps 9 each have a projection element 11, on the underside of which the latches 190 rest respectively.

By means of the drives 200, the bolts 190 can be individually guided into an unlocked position, so that the corresponding retaining flap 9 can fold down due to gravity. As a result, the goods received in the compartments 3 can fall out of the compartments. In the unlocked position, the bolts 190 are laterally folded away and dip into a corresponding recess 195 a. When closing the retaining flaps 9, it may be provided that the latches 190 are initially in the unlocked position and, after closing the retaining flaps 9, are pivoted into the closed position in order to rest against the underside of the projection element 11. Alternatively it can be provided that the bolt 190 are already moved in the open position of the retaining flap 9 in its closed position and then the retaining flap 9 is closed. For this purpose, the retaining flap 9 has a recess 9a, through which the bolt 190 can dive when closing the retaining flap 9. The projection element 11 has an inclined surface 11a, which presses against the latch 190 during the closing operation of the retaining flap 9 and moves it to the side. After complete closing of the retaining flap 9, the latch 190 snaps back into its closed position and abuts against the underside of the projection element 11.

In order to prevent the retaining flaps 9 from unintentionally opening during the transport of the loading device 1, the loading device 1 has a securing device 13 which can lock the retaining flaps 9 in the closed position. For this purpose, the securing device 13 for each retaining flap 9, a bolt 15 which rests in the locked position of the safety device 13 on the retaining flap 9. The bolts 15 are connected by means of a push rod 17 and guided in a sliding guide 19. Via the push rod 17, the bolts 15 can be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position. The safety device 13 may, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, also have two push rods 17, each with bolts 15 arranged thereon, so that the safety device 13 bears against the retaining flaps 9 on both sides. As a result, bending of the retaining flaps 9 in the filled state of the compartments 3 can be avoided.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the push rods 17 of the securing device 13 are arranged in a metal frame 8, which protects the securing device 13 from external mechanical influences.

The securing device 13 has an engaging element 21 which serves to actuate the blocking function or unlocking function of the retaining flaps. The engaging element 21 is actuated in the embodiment shown in the figures by means of a triggering device 210. The Triggering device 210 has a pin element 220 which is arranged on the guide of the drawer 130. When closing the drawer 130 pushes the pin member 220 against a first part 22 of the engaging element 21 of the push rod 17 and pushes it to the unlocked position. The securing device 13 may have a spring element 24, which prevents unwanted movement of the push rod 17, wherein the pin member 220 in cooperation with the securing device 13, the spring element 24 can first solve. In this case, the spring element 24 is first pressed upward by an unlocking device 222 of the pin element 220 before the pin element 220 presses against the first part 22 of the engagement element 21 by means of a step 220a. The unlocking device 222 has for this purpose an inclined surface which presses against the spring element 24. In one embodiment, not shown, the pin member 220 may also be disposed on the drawer 130 and is thus carried along with the drawer 130. Only from a certain insertion depth of the drawer 130, a movement of the pin member 220 relative to the drawer 130 whereby the pin member 220 presses against the first part 22 of the engaging element 21 of the push rod 17 and pushes them into the unlocked position. The movement of the pin element 220 relative to the drawer 130 can be triggered, for example, by a stop on the guide of the drawer 130.

The triggering device 210 may further comprise a stop element 230, which cooperates with a second part 23 of the engaging element 21 of the push rod 17. The engaging element 21 can thus be formed in two parts and be arranged on both sides of the push rod 17. When opening the drawer 130, the stop member 230 abuts in a certain position against the second part 23 and pushes the push rod 17 of the securing device 13 in the locked position.

The stop element 230 of the trigger device 210 is movably coupled to the drawer 130. The stop member 230 is when opening the Drawer initially moved with this and fixed by means of a retainer 236 from a predetermined opening width of the drawer relative to the drawer. As a result, the second part 23 of the engaging element 21 abuts against the stop element 230 during a continued opening operation of the drawer 130, so that the push rod 17 is pushed into its blocking position.

This ensures that before removing the loading device 1, the retaining flaps 9 are secured in their closed position.

The metal frame 8 may have first slots 8a through which the triggering device 210 may engage. Furthermore, second slots 8b can be provided, through which the second part 23 of the engaging element 21 can protrude out of the metal frame 8 in the unlocked position of the securing device 13.

The drawer 130 further comprises a frame member 135 which engages around the push rod 17 with the second part 23 of the engaging element 21 in the unlocked position of the securing device 13. Thus, the loading device 1 hooks on the frame member 135 when the safety device 13 is in its unlocked position, so that the loading device 1 can not be taken out of the drawer. This ensures that the loading device 1 can only be removed from the drawer 130 when the safety device 13 is in its locking position.

Furthermore, it can be provided that by means of an actuating device 216, the retaining flaps 9 are moved when pulling the drawer 130 in the closed position. The actuator 216 is as Strip plate with a flexible upper portion, such as a brush strip, formed, which presses the retaining flaps 9 in the closed position.

It is also possible that the retaining flaps are moved by means of the securing device 13 in its closed position by the retaining flaps 9 are pressed by means of the bolt 15 in the closed position when moving the push rod 17 in the locked position.

The loading devices 1 according to the invention may have a different number of compartments. The loading device 1 may, for example, in addition to the illustrated four subjects also have only three or five subjects. A different number of subjects is of course possible.

The goods transfer device can accommodate any number of container devices 1 in a corresponding number of recesses 140. For example, 3, 5 or 6 recesses 140 are possible.

The discharge openings 7 can be operated manually or automatically.

The loading devices 1 according to the invention in their mobile embodiment have the advantage that goods can be loaded into the loading device 1 at a location independent of the transfer device 110 and the loading device 1 can then be transported to the transfer device 110. Characterized in that a loading device 1 has a plurality of compartments 3, which are emptied separately from each other, the transfer device 110 can automatically work with automatic actuation of the retaining flaps 9, without the user must be active. By providing a plurality of loading devices 1, the goods transfer device 110 can take over a relatively long period without the user's intervention goods and transferred to the manipulator 120 of the warehouse 100, so that the user can take over other activities in the meantime or can refill 1 loading devices for replacement.

The goods lift 201 according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 8 in a perspective view. The conveying device 145 of the goods transfer device 110 leads to the goods lift 201 according to the invention. The conveying device 145 can be designed as a conveyor belt. Adjacent to the conveyor belt are inclined walls 146 which form a sort of funnel for the conveyor belt so that goods entered into the goods transfer device 110 can reliably fall onto the conveyor belt.

The goods lift 201 has a car guide 203, which has a lift shaft 205. The elevator shaft 205 is formed by two opposing first walls 207 and a second wall 209 connecting the first walls 207. The car guide 203 also has a rail guide (not shown in FIG. 8) for the car, by means of which the car can be driven.

At a lower region of the elevator shaft 205, an opening 213 is formed like a window in the second wall 209, transported by means of a slider 215 goods that are transported on the conveyor 145 in the elevator shaft 205 and thus in the car, not shown become.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional view through the elevator shaft 205. The car 217 is positioned in a first end position. The car 217 has a car floor 219 for transporting the goods. On the side of the car floor 219 opposite the second wall 209 of the elevator shaft 205, the car 217 has a car Sidewall 221 on. This is necessary because the elevator shaft 205 is open on the opposite side of the second wall 209, so that maintenance work on the elevator shaft 205 can be performed in a simple manner. By means of the side wall 221 of the elevator car 217, it is thus prevented that goods can fall from the elevator car 217 on this open side of the elevator shaft 205.

The transported by the conveyor 145 goods pass through the opening 213 in the second wall 209 on the car floor 219. The slider 215 can go to the closed position shown in FIG. 9, so that the goods by means of the slide 215 on the Car floor 219 are pushed.

The slide 215 has for this purpose a plate 223 which closes the opening 213 in the closed position of the slide 215. In this case, the plate 223 is flush with its main surface with the second wall 209 of the elevator shaft 205.

In the upper side edge 223a, the plate 223 has a fold 225 in the direction of the interior of the elevator shaft 205. At its lower side edge 223b, the plate has a second fold 227, which extends in a direction away from the interior of the elevator shaft 205 direction.

The second wall 209 and the plate 223 of the slider 215 together with the first walls 207 form a guide for the goods transported by the car 217 on the way up. By the first fold 225, the upper opening edge 213a of the opening 213 is shielded, and goods which grind along the plate 223 are pushed toward the inner space of the elevator 5 and steered around the upper opening edge 213a. This prevents the goods from bumping and jamming against the upper opening edge 213a. By the second fold 227 prevents the plate 223 of the slider 215 forms an obstacle on which the goods can tilt. The goods are thus passed through the lower opening edge 213b of the opening 213 at the lower side edge 223b of the plate 223.

As shown in FIG. 9, the car 217 is L-shaped. Since the elevator shaft 205 is closed on three sides, in addition to the side wall 221 further side walls are not necessary, so that the car 217 is inexpensive to produce.

In Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the goods elevator 201 according to the invention is shown schematically. The opening 213 is opened by moving the slider 215 to an open position. The plate 223 of the slider 215 in this position forms a guide wall for goods, which are conveyed by the conveyor 145. The goods lift 201 may further comprise a locking device, not shown, which prevents or limits a conveying movement of the car 217 in the open position of the slide 215. This reduces the risk of injury to the user during maintenance or repair. The locking device may for example be formed by hinges of the slider 215, which protrude in the open position of the slider 215 on the car floor 219.

It may be provided, for example, that a quantity of goods adapted to the size of the elevator car 217 is fed to the conveyor device 145. This conveys the goods in the direction of the goods lift 201. The goods bounce against the obliquely to the conveying direction of the conveyor 145 arranged plate 223 and are moved by the latter through the opening 213 on the car 217. After a predetermined time, it may be provided that the slider 215 is moved to a closed position and possibly pushes goods lying in front of the opening 213 through the opening 213 onto the car 217. The slider 215 further includes a bent plate 229 which adjoins the plate 223. In the closed position of the slider 215, the curved plate 229 extends substantially transverse to the conveying direction of the conveying device 145. The curved plate 229 thus forms a stop for goods conveyed on the conveying device, as can also be seen in FIG. In the region of the slider 215, a second side wall 147 is further arranged on the conveyor device 145, which prevents that against the curved plate 229 abutting goods can fall laterally from the conveyor 145. The side wall 147 may, for example, also have an opening mechanism, so that a goods bypass is formed. The goods can be conducted in the closed position of the slider 215 by means of the curved plate 229 in the goods bypass and can for example be returned to the conveyor 145.

As best seen in Fig. 9, the slider 215 is driven by a drive 231. The drive 231 can be designed as a piston drive. On the piston drive rod, a sensor can be arranged with displacement sensor, which senses the movement of the piston rod. This can be the position of the slider 215 determine.

As can be seen in Fig. 10, various sensors 231a, 231b may be provided which allow automatic control. The sensors 231a, 231b can be designed, for example, as a light barrier, the direction of action of the light barrier being represented by corresponding arrows. By means of the sensor 231a, it can be determined, for example, whether packages are wrong or unfavorable at the opening 213. For example, the sensor 231b may detect if too many packages are being carried against the stop formed by the curved plate 229 so that the conveyor 145 must be stopped or the goods bypass opened. In normal operation can be provided in principle that the Conveyor 145 is running continuously. The input of goods onto the conveyor device 145 can be adapted to the travel time of the car 217 of the goods elevator 201 according to the invention.

If it is determined by the sensor 231a that a product is within the opening 213 and can not be moved by means of the slide plate 223 on the car 217, an automatic control can be provided, which includes an opening of the slider 215 and a backward movement of the Conveying device 145 provides. A detection of a product lying unfavorably can be effected in addition to the sensor 231a via the position determination of the slide 215. If, for example, the slide 215 can not be moved completely into the closed position, the previously described control program can also be carried out.

In Fig. 11, the upper portion of the elevator shaft 205 is shown schematically, wherein the second wall 209 is shown cut away.

The car 217 is in its upper end position. Characterized in that the car 217 is L-shaped, the first walls 207 facing sides are open. In a position adapted to the upper end position of the elevator car 217, the first walls 207 have a first recess 233a and a second recess 233b. In the first recess 233a, a second slider 235 is received. When the car 217 is moved to the upper end position shown in FIG. 11, the slider 235 can be moved over the car floor 219, thus moving the goods conveyed by the car 217 toward and through the second slot 233b out of the elevator shaft 205 become. Subsequently to the second recess 233b, the handling device 301 of the goods transfer device 110 is arranged. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, this forms a slope having a transport channel. The second slider 235 has a movable slide plate 237 which is driven via a slider drive 239. The slider drive 239 may be controlled so that the slide plate 237 is moved over the car floor 219 in a predetermined time. This can be done to a certain extent a separation of the goods. Alternatively it can be provided that the slider drive 239, the sliding plate 237 drives in stages, for example, the distance of the slide plate 237 may be divided into three sections, which are each divided with a break. As a result, a Unterportionierung arranged on the car floor 219 goods.

The design of the second slider can also be realized independently of the slider 215 in a goods lift 201 according to the invention.

The elevator according to the invention may further comprise sensors, not shown, which detect the end positions of the elevator car 217. Over this the drives for the slide 215 and the second slide 235 can be controlled.

The goods lift 201 according to the invention can in principle also be provided in goods transfer devices which can perform a function other than acceptance of the goods and delivery to a warehouse. For example, the goods elevator 201 according to the invention can also be used in goods transfer devices which are arranged on an output side of a goods warehouse. Delivered goods are thus transported in a comparable form in the car 217 and pushed for final output from the warehouse by means of the second slide 235.

The goods separating device 301 according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 12 in a perspective view. The Warenvereinzungsvorrichtung 301 takes goods from the goods lift 201 in disordered form. The goods separating device 301 has a transport channel 303, which contains a goods portioner 305. Of the Goods portioner 305 is disposed immediately above a rotary drum 307 and fills the goods as commodity portions in disordered form in the rotary drum 307 a. At the lower end of the rotary drum 307, the goods can be dispensed onto a curved path in the form of a spiral chute 309. The rotary drum 307 is inclined with respect to the horizontal at an acute angle ß. The angle ß can be for example 10 °. Goods that are filled in the rotary drum 307, slip due to the low inclination of the rotary drum 307 not independently, but only upon a rotational movement of the rotary drum 307th

The transport channel 303 and the spiral chute 309 have a much greater pitch than the rotary drum 307, for example, at least 28 °, so that goods slip on their own gravitational force.

The goods slipping through the transport channel 303 are classified by the product portioner 305 into portions of a predetermined maximum volume and are filled in portions into the rotary drum 307. The Warenportionierer 305 is shown in Fig. 13 in detail. The Warenportionierer 305 has a first bulkhead 311 and a second bulkhead 313, which emerge from below from the transport channel 303. The first bulkhead 311 is shown in the closed position. The second bulkhead 313 is shown in the open position. Via a coupling mechanism 315, the first and the second bulkhead 311, 313 are coupled together, so that by means of a common drive the first and the second bulkhead 311 can be driven and alternately opened or closed. When the second bulkhead 313 is opened, goods arranged between the first and second bulkheads 311, 313 slide from above into the rotary drum 307 arranged below the goods portioner 305. The rotary drum 307 is shown schematically in detail in FIG. The rotary drum 307 has a rotary drive 317 which rotatably drives the rotary drum. The rotary drive 317 can with the Coupling mechanism 315 of the first and second bulkhead 311, 313 be connected and form the common drive for this. Thereby, the operation of the first and second bulkheads 313 is controlled by the rotary drum 307. The Warenportionierer can also be formed in principle by the second slider 235 of the goods lift 201, which advances the goods in stages and transported in the rotary drum 307.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the rotary drum 307 is designed such that it can be driven clockwise in the transport direction by means of the rotary drive. The transport direction is indicated in Fig. 14 by an arrow.

In a first section 319, the rotary drum has a first strip-shaped insert 321 arranged on the inner wall. The first strip-shaped insert 321 extends about 150 ° around the inner circumference and has an inclination arranged opposite to the direction of rotation. As a result, goods that are detected by the first strip-shaped insert, pressed against the transport direction upwards. The first strip-shaped insert has an angle γ of about 95 ° relative to the central axis 307a of the rotary drum 307.

The first strip-shaped insert 321 forms a first passage 323 in the region of the inner circumference of the rotary drum 307, in which the first strip-shaped insert 321 is not arranged. In this case, the first strip-shaped insert 321 is arranged such that when the second block opens 313 of the goods portioner 305 or at a first stage of moving the goods through the second slider 235 of the goods elevator 201, the first strip-shaped insert 321 is in an open position, which is shown in Fig. 14. Goods that slip out of the goods portioner 305 can now slip past the first strip-shaped insert unhindered. Upon further rotation of the rotary drum 307, the goods, the last of the Goods portioner 305 slip and, for example, are located in the area of the first insert 321 by a product jam formed in the rotary drum 307, retained by the latter and pressed upwards against the transport direction due to the inclination.

In a second section 325 of the rotary drum 307, a second strip-shaped insert 327 is arranged. This extends about 240 ° around the inner circumference. The second passage 329 formed by the second strip-shaped insert is partially offset in the circumferential direction from the first passage 323 formed by the first strip-shaped insert, with the first and second passages 323, 329 partially overlapping. When rotating the rotary drum 307 shown in Fig. 14 clockwise by about 90 °, the overlapping portions of the first and second passages 323 and 329 are in the circumferentially lower portion of the drum. Goods which in this position of the rotary drum are guided by the goods portioner 305 into the rotary drum can slip into the first and the second passage 323, 329 almost unhindered. This is done on the one hand by the rotation of the drum 307, as this partially entrains the goods during the rotation, so that they are exposed to a greater slope on the inner wall and slide in the transport direction, and on the other hand due to slipping goods that push the goods down.

The second strip-shaped insert 327 is inclined counter to the rotational direction of the rotary drum 307. To the central axis, the second strip-shaped insert at an angle γ of about 95 °. Goods that are located in the area of the second strip-shaped insert 327 during further rotation of the rotary drum 307 are detected by the latter and pressed upwards against the transport direction.

In a third section 331 of the rotary drum, a third strip-shaped insert 333 is arranged. The third strip-shaped insert extends about 180 ° around the inner circumference. The third passage 335 formed by the third strip-shaped insert 331 is arranged completely offset in the circumferential direction relative to the second passage 329 formed by the second strip-shaped insert 327. Goods that slip freely through the first and second passage 323, 329, therefore, abut against the third strip-shaped insert 333. The third strip-shaped insert 333 is inclined to the direction of rotation and has to the central axis at an angle δ, which is about 85 °. As a result of this inclination, goods which rest against the third strip-shaped insert 333 are accelerated and thus conveyed faster from the third section 331 than goods which do not rest against the third strip-shaped insert 333.

In a fourth section 337 of the rotary drum 307 four fourth strip-shaped inserts 339 are arranged. These are distributed uniformly around the inner circumference of the rotary drum 307. In comparison to the first to third strip-shaped inserts 321, 327, 333, the fourth strip-shaped inserts 339 are arranged more directed in the transport direction. The fourth strip-shaped inserts are inclined with the direction of rotation and have an angle of 30 ° to the axis of rotation. As a result, goods caught by the fourth strip-shaped inserts are accelerated and quickly output from the rotary drum 307.

The first, second and third strip-shaped insert 321, 327, 333 each have a height H of about 4 mm. The fourth strip-shaped inserts each have a first strip section 339a and a second strip section 339b. The first strip-shaped portion 339a has a height H of about 4 mm. The second strip portion 339b, which is approximately the same length as the first strip portion 339a, has a height 2-H and thus about 8 mm. Goods caught by the second section 339b are accelerated and output from the rotary drum 307. Goods lying directly behind in the area of the first Strip portion 339 a are arranged, however, fall over this and are only transported by a subsequent subsequent rotation in the fourth strip-shaped insert 339. In principle, the fourth strip-shaped inserts 339 can each also have a constant height H of about 4 mm.

As shown in FIG. 12, the spiral chute following the rotary drum 307 has a curvature to the right. Due to the clockwise direction of rotation of the rotary drum 307, when the rotary drum is discharged, the goods are discharged in the area of the peripheral wall 309a of the spiral chute 309, so that the goods can be advantageously juxtaposed to the peripheral wall 309a.

By means of the spiral chute 309, the goods are transferred to the conveyor 401.

In Fig. 15, a conveyor 401 according to the invention is shown schematically in a perspective view. The conveyor 401 serves to convey goods 150 from the goods separating device 301 of the goods transfer device to the handling device 501 of the goods transfer device.

The conveying device 401 according to the invention has a conveying surface 403 driven in the conveying direction and a guide wall 405 arranged on the conveying surface and extending in the conveying direction. The conveying direction is indicated in FIG. 15 by an arrow. The conveying surface 403 is inclined at an acute angle α to the horizontal in the direction of the guide wall 405. The angle α can be for example 28 °.

The inclination of the conveyor surface 403 at an angle α of about 28 ° ensures that goods that are transported on the conveyor surface 403 be slid toward the guide wall 405 and brought into abutment with this. As a result, an alignment of goods carried in succession takes place on the guide wall 405.

By means of the conveying surface 403, goods 150 are transported in the conveying direction. Due to the inclination of the conveying surface 403 in the direction of the guide wall 405, the goods 150 rest against the guide wall 405 and are guided by it.

The conveying surface 403 is formed by a first conveying surface 407a of a first conveyor belt 407 and a second surface 409a of a second conveyor belt 409. The second conveyor belt 409 is arranged in the conveying direction behind the first conveyor belt 407. The first and second conveyor belts 407, 409 are independently controllable. Goods 150 conveyed by the first conveyor 407 on the conveying surface 407a are picked up on the second conveyor 409. By different speeds of the first and second conveyor belt 407, 409, a separation of the goods 150 take place. Also, for example, by stopping the first conveyor belt 407, a different distance between the goods 150 can be achieved.

The first conveying surface 407a of the first conveyor belt 407 is arranged in the direction of the surface normal 403a of the conveying surface 403 with an offset from the second conveying surface 409a of the second conveyor belt 409. In other words, a step is formed between the first conveying surface 407a and the second conveying surface 409a. A product 150 which is conveyed on the first conveying surface 407a of the first conveyor belt 407 can therefore only be detected by the second conveying surface 409a when the center of gravity of the product 150 has been moved past the end of the first conveying surface 407a and the goods 150 in FIG Direction of the second conveying surface 409 a tilts. In this way it can be ensured that when stopping the first conveyor belt 407, see FIG that the product is located directly at the end of the first conveying surface 407a, even a short run-on of the conveyor belt 407 does not result in the product 150 reaching the second conveying surface 409a. Thus, the second conveyor belt 409, for example, be operated permanently and a singulation of the product 150 is carried out solely by controlling the first conveyor belt 407th

For example, a first sensor 411a and a second sensor 411b may be provided on the first conveyor belt 407. The first sensor 411a registers a commodity 150, which is transported on the first conveyor belt 407. Via this sensor, a first handling device arranged in the goods transfer device 110 in front of the conveying device 401 according to the invention can be controlled and thus the supply of goods 150 to the conveying device 401.

The second sensor 411b is arranged directly at the end of the first conveying surface 407a of the first conveyor belt 407 and registers a product 150 located at the end of the first conveying surface 407a. The second sensor 411b can be used to control the separation of the goods by reaching second sensor 411b the exact position of a product 150 is known. This makes it possible to control exactly when a product 150 is transferred to the second conveyor belt 409.

The first sensor 411a and the second sensor 411b may be photocells, for example.

The conveying device 401 according to the invention also has a position detection device 413. The position detection device 413 detects the product layers of goods 150 transported on the conveying surface 403. For this purpose, the position detection device 413 has two electronic sensors in the form of ultrasonic rangefinders 415a and 415b, the first one being an ultrasonic distance meter Ultrasonic rangefinder 415a is directed parallel to the guide wall 405 in the direction of the conveying surface 403 and the second ultrasonic rangefinder 415b parallel to the conveying surface 403 and in the direction of the guide wall 405. The emission direction of the ultrasonic signals of the first and second ultrasonic rangefinder 415a, 415b are schematically indicated in FIG , Since the dimensions of the goods 150 are previously known, the distance to a wall of the goods 150 and thus the dimension of the goods 150 in this direction can be determined via the ultrasonic rangefinders 415a, 415b. As a result, the orientation of the goods can be determined. The position detection device 413 may further include a third sensor 411c, which is arranged in the conveying direction immediately before the ultrasonic range finders 415a, 415b. An actuation signal for the ultrasonic sensors 415a, 415b can be generated via the sensor 411c, which can be designed as a light barrier. The sensor 411c can also be used additionally or alternatively to determine the dimension of the product 150 in the conveying direction, so that the position of unknown goods can also be determined. The dimension of the goods in the conveying direction can be determined, for example, in the case of a sensor 411c as a light barrier from its interruption time and the speed of the second conveyor belt 409.

In the conveying direction behind the position detection device, a position correcting device 417 is arranged on the guide wall 405. By means of the position correction device 417, depending on the position of the goods detected by the position detection device 413, a shock can be selectively exerted on a product 150 conveyed on the conveying surface 403 and / or an obstacle for the goods 150 can be formed. The position correcting device 417 is shown in detail in FIGS. 16a and 16b. The position correction device 417 has an extendable pin 419, which can form an obstacle to a product 150. The pin has a rounded tip 419a. The pin is from the guide wall 405 from. A fabric 150, which, as shown in Fig. 16a, transverse to the conveying direction on the conveying surface 403a of the second conveyor belt 409 moves further in the conveying direction, the fabric 150 is rotated about the rounded tip 419a of the extended pin 419, thus overcoming the one formed by the pin 419 Obstacle. The pin 419 preferably extends only a few millimeters, for example between 3mm and 10mm. This prevents the pin 419 from acting as an insurmountable obstacle to the merchandise 150 and quickly turning the goods to the desired position.

In the conveying direction behind the extendable pin 419, the product 150 slips due to the inclination of the conveying surface 403 again in the direction of the guide wall 405 and is brought into contact with this.

Thus, by means of the extendable pin 419, the position of a fabric 150 in one direction can be corrected so that goods 150 being conveyed transversely to the conveying direction are rotated so as to lie with their longitudinal direction in the conveying direction. Although goods 150 are with their longitudinal direction in the conveying direction, but can be placed edgewise and thus located on one of their narrow longitudinal sides, the position correction device may exert a shock on the goods 150, so that rotation of the product 150 about a direction of rotation in the conveying direction he follows. For this purpose, the position correcting device 417 has a pusher device 421 with a plunger 423. For clarification purposes, the plunger 423 is shown in the extended position in Fig. 16a, although no product 150 is disposed at the level of the plunger 423. The plunger 423 is formed as a parallel to the conveying surface 403 arranged plate. Thus, the plunger has a small extent in the direction of the surface normal 403a on the conveying surface 403, whereas it is elongated in the conveying direction. As a result, the impact can be carried out "linearly" on the product 150 and it can be ensured that the product 150 does not exert any rotational movement about an axis of rotation in the direction of the surface normal 403a. In order to improve the desired rotational movement about an axis of rotation in the conveying direction, the pusher 417 has a first holding device 425. The first holding device 425 consists of two first holding bodies 427a and 427b. The holding bodies 427 a and 427 b are made of strands of flexible material and arranged together on a hinge 429. At the hinge 429, an adjustable weight 431 is further arranged, which ensures that the joint is forced to a starting position. The strands 427a, 427b are initially directed in their starting position in the direction of the surface normal 403a on the conveying surface 403 and then have a curved in the direction of the conveying direction. A product 150, which is conveyed by the conveying surface 403, abuts against the first holding bodies 427a and 427b and pivots them about the joint 429. The weight 431 and the dead weight of the first holding bodies 427a, 427b thereby exert pressure on the product 150 so that it is pressed lightly against the conveying surface 403. In the exercise of the shock by means of the plunger 423 thus on the one hand supports the desired rotational movement about a rotation axis in the conveying direction and on the other hand ensures that the product 150 is not pushed by the plunger 423 of the conveying surface 403. For very narrow goods 150, which are arranged lying edgewise on their longitudinal side, it can be provided that the guide wall 405 facing first holding body 427a rests on the product 150, whereas the second holding body 427b rests laterally on the product.

The position correcting device 421 may further comprise a second holding device 433 with two second holding bodies 435a and 435b. The second holding device 433 is constructed the same as the first holding device 425. The strands consisting of a flexible material, which form the two second holding bodies 435a, 435b, are likewise mounted via a joint 429, wherein an adjustable weight 431 is arranged on the joint. The second holding device 433 is in the conveying direction behind the first holding device 429 in a direction transverse to the conveying direction away from the Guide wall 405 offset from the first holding device 425 arranged. The second holding device can thus exert an additional holding function for very large goods 150. In these goods, the impact takes place by means of the plunger 423 only about in the middle of the goods. Due to the large dimension of the product 150 then the second holding device 433 is already on the product 150. For smaller goods 150, the second holding device 433 can perform an additional function by acting as a stop for the commodity 150, so that the commodity 150, which is pushed by the plunger 423, can bounce against the second holding device 433, thereby preventing the product 150 is pushed off the conveying surface 403.

The curved arrangement of the first and second holding bodies 427a, 427b, 435a, 435b ensures that a product 150, which abuts against one of these holding bodies 427a, 427b, 435a, 435b, pivots this and not a bending of the corresponding holding body causes.

Immediately before the impact device 421, a fourth sensor 411d may be provided in the form of a light barrier, which generates a signal for the actuation of the plunger 423.

The pin 419 may be actuated via the third sensor 411c, for example. In this case, over the known speed of the second conveying surface 409a of the second conveyor belt 409, the running time of the goods 150 up to the pin 419 is calculated. Since the timing of extension of the stylus 419 need only occur prior to the arrival of the merchandise 150 on the stylus 419, precise control of the stylus 419 is not required.

The pusher 421, however, must be precisely controlled, since the plunger 423 should meet as possible in the conveying direction to the center of the product 150. In Fig. 16b, the pusher 421 is shown at the back of the guide wall 405. The pin 419 and the plunger 423 are shown in the retracted position.

The pin 419 has a drive 419b for the pin.

The plunger 423 of the pusher 421, as shown in Fig. 16b, is sickle-shaped and pivotally mounted at one end via a hinge 423a. It is driven by a linear drive 423b. The sickle shape makes it possible in a simple manner to realize a linear drive 423b of the ram 423, which is arranged parallel to the conveying direction and of the plunger 423 acting transversely to the conveying direction.

The drive 419b of the pin 419 and the linear drive 423b of the plunger 423 may be designed as pneumatic drives. This has the advantage that these drives respond very quickly, are robust, lightweight and compact and, moreover, for example, when using other pneumatic drives in the goods transfer device can use a common energy source.

In the conveying direction behind the pushing device 421, a goods recognition device 437 is arranged. This consists of a conveying surface 403 covering the housing 439, in which a camera 441 views. Disposed on the housing are a plurality of light sources 443 which illuminate the interior of the housing 439 and thus provide sufficient light for the camera 441. In the entry to the housing 439, a second position detection device 445 is arranged, which is constructed in the same way and functions as the position detection device 413. About this second position detection device 445 can be checked whether the correct position has been made by the position correcting device 417. Further, at the entrance to the housing 439, there is a fifth sensor 411e which serves as the Photoelectric sensor can be formed, arranged. A triggering of the camera 441 can be controlled via the sensor 411e.

In Fig. 17 is a sectional view through the housing 439 is shown schematically. The camera 441 looks at the conveying surface 403, wherein a focal plane 441a of the camera 441 is located above the conveying surface 403. Since the surface of the goods 150 to be conveyed on the conveyance surface 403 is to be picked up, the focus plane 441a of the camera 441 arranged at a distance from the conveyance surface ensures that an at least moderately focused image is formed. Alternatively, the camera 441 may also have a focus function, whereby the focusing time is reduced by the increased focal plane 441a.

At the conveying device 401 according to the invention, a stop device 503 can be arranged at the rear end in the conveying direction, at which the goods 150 strike and are brought to a standstill, the second conveying surface continuing to run. The stop device 503 may be part of a second handling device of the goods transfer device, which is not shown in the figures, and may, for example, have a gripping device which engages and converts the goods 150. The conveying device 401 according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to separate the goods according to the handling time of the gripping device. For example, the conveyor can singulate the goods so that every 2.5 seconds a product 150 abuts the stopper 160. The stopper 160 may be opened, for example, so that the goods 150 are moved beyond the end of the conveyor 401. Subsequent to the conveying surface 403, a goods committee or a goods bypass can be arranged. For example, goods 150, in which it is determined by means of the second position detection device 445 that no correct position correction has taken place, can be transported into the goods bypass and can Thus, the conveyor 401 are supplied via, for example, the conveyor 401 upstream first handling device again.

If, for example, by means of the goods recognition device 437, a product not known in the control of the goods transfer device 110 is detected, it can be transported to the goods committee.

By means of the goods recognition device, a product 150 can be identified so that a sorting of the product can take place via the handling device 501 and conveyor chain 601. Thus, it can be ensured that when the goods are stored in the warehouse by means of the manipulator 120, the identity of the goods is known.

The handling device 501 according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 18 in a perspective view. The goods 150 are transported on a conveying surface 403 of the conveyor 401. The conveying surface 403 is driven in a conveying direction. The conveying direction, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 401, is indicated in Fig. 18 by an arrow. The conveyor 401 further has a guide wall 405 which is arranged on the conveying surface 403. the conveying surface 403 is inclined at an acute angle α to the horizontal toward the guide wall 405. The angle α can be for example 28 °. Goods 150 transported on the conveying surface 403 slip against the guide wall 405 due to the inclination and are in abutment therewith during transport.

The handling device 501 according to the invention has a stop device 503 with a stop body 505 arranged above the conveying surface 403 of the conveyor 401. The stop body 505 forms a stop for the goods 150 conveyed on the conveying surface 403. The stopper body 505, which may be formed, for example, as a pin, is arranged on the guide wall 405. This ensures that goods that are transported in contact with the guide wall 405 on the conveying surface 403, abut against the stopper body 505. The stopper body 505 retains the goods 150, wherein the conveying surface 403 can be operated further.

A sensor 507 arranged on the opposite side of the guide wall 405, which may be designed, for example, as a light barrier, detects the presence of a product 150 in contact with the stop body 505.

The handling device 501 further comprises a gripping device 509 with a gripper 511. The gripping device 509 can grab by means of the gripper against the stop body 505 applied goods 150 and receive from the conveyor surface 403.

The gripping device 509 has a base 513 on which a gripper arm 515 is articulated. The gripper arm 515 is driven by means of a rotary drive 517 relative to the base 513, so that the gripper arm 515 is pivotable relative to the base. The rotary drive 517 drives the gripper arm 515 about an axis of rotation, which is arranged orthogonal to the conveying surface 403.

To drive the gripper 511 in relation to the gripper arm 515, the gripping device 509 also has a linear drive 519.

By means of the rotary drive 517, the gripper arm 515 can be pivoted such that the gripper 511 is located above the goods 150. By means of the linear drive 519, the gripper 511 can now be moved in the direction of the goods 150 in order to receive them.

The stopper body 505 of the stopper 503 is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 401, so that the position of the stopper body is adjustable in this direction. The stopper body 505 can thus be adjusted to a product 150 transported on the conveying surface 403 to or away from it. As a result, the position that occupies a product 150 in the voltage applied to the stop body 505, adjustable. It can thus be adjusted that in a goods receiving position of the gripping device 509 the product 150 is arranged in contact with the stop body 505 in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 401 centered under the gripper 511, so that the gripper 511 can receive the goods 150 in a reliable manner. It can also be provided that the product 150 is arranged such that the center of gravity of the product 150 is arranged centrally under the gripper 511 when it rests against the stop body 505.

Due to the adjustability of the position of the stopper body 505 and thus the voltage applied to the stopper body 505 product 150, the gripping device 509 comes with the two degrees of freedom formed by the pivotable mounting of the gripper arm 515 and the linear adjustment of the gripper 511, so that only the rotary drive 517 and the linear drive 519 are required. As a result, the gripping device 509 can be produced very inexpensively.

By arranging the rotation axis of the rotary actuator 517 orthogonal to the conveying surface 403, the gripper plate 521 of the gripper 511, which comes into contact with the goods 150, can also be arranged parallel to the conveying surface 403, so that no elaborate pivoting movements are necessary to pick up the goods 150. After receiving the goods 150, the gripping device 509 transfers the goods to the conveyor chain 601.

As a result of the above-described arrangement of the gripping device with only two degrees of freedom, the transport floor 608 for the goods 150 on the conveyor chain 601 should as far as possible also have an inclination which is parallel or substantially parallel to the inclination of the conveyor surface 403. This makes it possible to settle the product 150 in an advantageous manner. In an embodiment of the conveyor chain with individual transport compartments, for example, the individual compartments may have a slope corresponding to the inclination of the conveyor surface 403 in their goods receiving position.

In Fig. 19, the stopper 503 is schematically shown in a detailed view.

By means of the conveyor 401, generally cuboidal goods 150, for example in the form of medicament packages, are transported. In this case, the conveying device 401 provides that the goods 150 rest on the conveying surface 403 by means of a positional correction with one of their main sides, the longitudinal direction of the goods 150 extending in the conveying direction of the conveying device 401. The minimum extent of the product 150 is the extent of the product 150 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying surface 403.

In the stopper device 503 according to the invention, it is provided that the stopper body 505 is spaced from the conveying surface 403 by a distance D, the distance D being smaller than the minimum extent of the goods in the direction orthogonal to the conveying surface 403. The distance D is also measured in this direction. This ensures that the product 150 can come into contact with the stopper body 505 and does not slip under it. In the transport of a plurality of different goods 150 on the conveying surface 403 may be provided that the Distance D of the stopper body 505 is smaller than the minimum extent of the smallest product. The smallest product is understood to be the flattest product, which thus has the smallest extension in the direction orthogonal to the conveying surface 403 when resting on its main surface.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the distance D 'from the upper side of the stopper body 505 to the conveying surface 403 is smaller than the minimum extent of the goods 150 described above. This can ensure that the stopper body 505 is in contact with the goods 150 does not extend above the goods 150, whereby a hindrance of the gripper 511 is avoided.

The stopper body 505 further comprises a transversely to the conveyor of the conveying surface 403 extending length L above the conveying surface 403, wherein the length L is greater than half of the second largest extension of the product 150. The second largest extension of the product 150 is at cuboid goods forms the width of the goods. In the position of the product 150 shown in FIG. 19, the width is thus the extent in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. This prevents that after a bumping of the product 150 against the stopper body 505 and a further operation of the conveying surface 403, the product 150 tends to exert a rotational movement and to turn around the stopper body 505. By the minimum length L described above such a tendency to tilt the product 150 is avoided.

[0338] The stopper body 505 is mounted on a guide rail 523. The guide rail is arranged on the side of the guide wall 405 facing away from the conveying surface 403. The stopper body 505 extends through the guide wall 405. For this, the guide wall 405 on a slot, not shown. By means of the mounting by the guide rail 523, the stopper body 505 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 401. For this purpose, the stop device 503 has a first drive device 525, which drives the stopper body 505 in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 401.

On the conveyor 401, a goods recognition device can be arranged, which recognizes the goods. By means of previously stored data about the goods, commodity size data can thus be determined. For example, the length of a product can be determined, which can be used to control the position of the stopper body 505, so that the product 150 is centrally located in the abutment body 505 position under the gripper 511.

[0341] It can further be provided that the stopper body 505 can be folded away or retracted. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the stopper body 505 is retracted or retracted. As a result, the stopper body 505 can be moved out of the conveying area of the conveying surface 403, so that a product 150 can be conveyed beyond the stopper position formed by the stopper body 505. A product 150 which, for example, does not have the correct position for picking up by means of the gripping device 509, can thus be directed, for example, to a goods bypass, in order, for example, to feed it back to the conveyor 401. If the goods recognition device detects, for example, a non-known goods 150, the stopper body 505 can also be retracted and the unknown product 150 can be conveyed into a goods committee.

For retraction and extension, the stopper body 505 has a second drive device 527. The second drive device 527 is carried by the first drive device 525, so that there is a serial kinematics. The first and second drive devices may be pneumatic drives. This is particularly advantageous if the gripper 511 is designed as a vacuum suction gripper. In this case, a pneumatic system is necessary, which can then be used as an energy source for the said drives.

The rotary drive 517 and the linear drive 519 of the gripping device 509 can be designed as servomotors with an integrated transmission.

In FIGS. 20 and 20a, the gripper 511 is shown in a schematic detail view. As can be seen in FIG. 20a, the gripper plate 521 has two first suction cups 529, which are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the conveyor 501. The first two suckers 529 can be actuated together. The gripper plate 521 further includes a second sucker 531, which is arranged offset to the first suckers 529. The first sucker 529 and the second sucker 531 are thus arranged in a triangular order. The second sucker 531 is operable separately from the first suckers 529. When receiving a normal product, therefore, first the two first suction 529 are used. If the product 150 is a very wide product or is a very large product, the second sucker 531 may additionally be used to provide a sufficient suction force for receiving the product 150.

The gripper plate 521 is supported by two guide rods 533 fixed to the gripper plate 521. For this purpose, the gripper sleeves 535, through which the guide rods 533 are guided.

A spring device 537, which acts between the gripper plate 521 and the sleeve 535, is respectively arranged on the guide rods 533. By means of the spring means 537, the gripper plate 521 is thus in the Goods pickup position in the gripping device 509 is pressed in the direction of the goods 150.

When the gripper 511 approaches the goods 150 by means of the linear drive 519, the spring device 537 springs in, so that the gripper plate 521 rests with pressure on the goods 150. As a result, it can be ensured that the goods 150 can be received by means of the suckers 529, 531. At the same time, the spring device 537 prevents the linear drive 519 from exerting excessive pressure on the goods 150, which could lead to damage of the goods 150.

On at least one of the guide rods 533, a sensor 539 is arranged, which detects the linear movement of the guide rod 533. The linear actuator 519 can be controlled by means of this sensor. If the guide rod 533, for example, has traveled a predetermined path relative to the sleeve 535, the linear drive 519 can be switched off, and it is ensured that the gripper plate 521 rests on the product 150. Such a controller has the advantage over a size-based control of being independent of commodity size deviations.

The conveyor chain 601 may be staggered in the goods transfer device 110 according to the invention, for example at the level between the rotary drum 307 of the goods separating device 301 and the conveyor 401 and horizontally in the direction of the goods warehouse 100.

FIG. 21 schematically shows a conveyor chain 601 according to the invention with transfer channels of the goods transfer device arranged thereon in a perspective view. The conveyor chain 601 has a Zugmittelvorrichtung 603 on and arranged between the Zugmittelvorrichtung 603 and the transfer channels 701 guide wall 606 on. In the guide wall 606 a plurality of openings 604 are provided, which are at least partially lockable by means of goods transfer Otts. The goods transfer headers 609 thus regulate the access on the input side 701a of the transfer channels 701.

The transfer channels 701 each have a channel bottom 703, which is suitable for receiving the goods. Each channel 701 has laterally a guide surface 705 which guides the goods laterally during transport through the transfer channel 701. The channel bottoms 703 are inclined with respect to the horizontal in a direction away from the traction device 603 direction and thus in the longitudinal direction, so that in the transfer channels 701 filled goods slide in a direction away from the Zugmittelvorrichtung 603. The channel bottoms 703 are further inclined in a direction toward the guide surfaces 705. Furthermore, the channel bottoms are pivotable from a goods input position into a goods issue position, wherein in the goods input position there is a greater inclination in the direction of the guide surface 705 than in the goods issue position. The transfer ducts 701 further have an output side 701b, on which stoppers 707 are arranged. The output side 701b cooperates with the manipulator 120 and transfers goods to the manipulator 120.

The storage flaps 707 can be pivoted about a horizontal axis, so that they can be folded upwards to release the transfer ducts 701. Goods inserted into the transfer channels 701 slip along the channel bottom 703 and abut against the jam flaps 707. The following goods are arranged in a row. By means of the guide surfaces 705 it is ensured that ordered row arrangements of the goods arise. The transfer channels 701 can thus serve as a goods buffer. In the example shown in FIG. 21, a storage flap 707 closes two transfer channels 701 each. The manipulator 120 can likewise have two transport surfaces, so that the contents of two transfer channels 701 can slide onto the manipulator 120 by opening a storage flap 707 ,

In FIGS. 22a-22d, the traction device 603 is shown in different views.

In Fig. 22a, the transfer channels 701 facing side of the Zugmittelvorrichtung 603 is shown. In Fig. 22b, the transfer channels 701 opposite side of the Zugmittelvorrichtung 603 is shown.

The traction device 603 has drivable, circulating traction means 605, which are best seen in Fig. 22c and 22d. The Zugmittelvorrichtung has in the illustrated embodiment, two parallel traction means in the form of chains.

In FIGS. 22a and 22b, the running direction of the traction means 605 in the goods transfer section 611 is indicated by an arrow.

At the traction means a plurality of transport compartments 607 are mounted and tiltably mounted. The transport compartments 607 each have a transport floor 608 on which the goods can be stored.

By means of a slide guide 610, the transport compartments 607 can be tilted from a goods receiving position into a goods transfer position.

The pulling means device has a goods transfer section 611 which adjoins the transfer channels 701. Furthermore, the traction mechanism 603 has a goods receiving section 613. In the goods transfer section 611, the transport compartments 607 are in the goods transfer position, so that goods individually on the transport compartments 607 can be transferred to the transfer channels 701.

In the goods receiving section 613, the transport compartments 607 are in a goods receiving position where they can take goods from the handling device 501.

In the goods receiving position, each transport tray is inclined to the horizontal in a direction away from the transfer channels 701. The handling device 501 can thus be arranged on the side of the traction mechanism device 603 facing away from the transfer channels 701.

The slotted guide 610 has a first slotted portion 615 which is disposed in the goods receiving portion 613, wherein the first slotted portion 615 moves the transport compartments 607 from a return position to the goods receiving position.

In the return position, the transport bottoms 608 of the transport compartments 607 are in a substantially horizontal position. The return takes place on the underside of the traction device 603. By means of the first link section 615, the transport compartments 607 are now pressed into the inclined position of the goods receiving position.

[0367] A second gate section 617 is then arranged on the first gate section 615. The second gate section 617 holds the transport compartments 607 in the goods receiving section 613 of the traction device 603 in the goods receiving position. When stopping the Zugmittelvorrichtung 603 are the transport compartments 607, which at the abut the second gate section 617, in the correct goods receiving position for the acquisition of goods from the handling device 501st

The slide guide 610 has a third slide section 619 which is arranged between the goods receiving section 613 and the goods transfer section 611 of the traction device 603. In this third gate section 619, the transport compartments 607 are moved from the goods receiving position to the goods transfer position.

In a fourth link section 621 of the link guide 610, the transport compartments 607 are held in the goods transfer position. The fourth link section 621 is located in the goods transfer section 611 of the traction device. This ensures that in the area in which a transfer of goods to the transfer channels 701 is to take place, the transport compartments 607 are always arranged in the correct goods transfer position.

The slotted guide 610 has a plurality of guide surfaces which abut in each case on the underside of the transport trays 608 of the transport compartments 607 and thus press the transport compartments 607 into the corresponding position. The first and the second gate section 615, 617 in this case form a first guide surface 623, which is arranged on the transfer channels 701 facing side of the traction means 605.

The fourth link section forms a second guide surface 625, which is arranged on the side of the traction means 605 facing away from the transfer channels 701.

The third gate section 619 has a third guide surface 627 and a fourth guide surface 629. The third guide surface 627 is arranged on the side facing away from the transfer channels 701 side of the traction means 605 and merges into the second guide surface 625. The fourth guide surface 629 is arranged on the transfer channels 701 facing side of the traction means 605, wherein the first guide surface 623 merges into the fourth guide surface 629.

The third and the fourth guide surface 627, 629 is thus arranged on both sides of the traction means 605, so that transport compartments 607 are guided on both sides in this section. Since goods are deposited on the transport bottoms 608 of the transport compartments 607 in the third gate section 619, the guidance on both sides ensures that no unintentional tilting of the transport compartments 607 takes place.

The link guide 610 further has a fifth link section 631, which moves the transport compartments 607 from the goods transfer position to the return position and holds in a return section 633 of the traction device 603 in the return position.

The fifth slide section 631 forms a fifth guide surface 635 and a sixth guide surface 636, which are arranged on both sides of the traction means 605. The fifth guide surface is arranged on the side of the traction means 605 facing away from the transfer channels 701, wherein the second guide surface 625 merges into the fifth guide surface 635. The sixth guide surface 636 is arranged on the transfer channels 701 facing side of the traction means 605 and merges into the first guide surface 623.

The traction means 605 are guided via a first traction mechanism wheel 639 and a second traction mechanism wheel 641. The first traction mechanism wheel 639 is arranged in front of the return section 633 in the starting region of the fifth link section 631 and is driven by means of a motor drive 643. Thus, the transport compartments 607 located in the goods transfer section 611 and in the goods receiving section 613 are located on the load side of the traction means 605. The transport compartments 603 in the return section 633 of the traction device 603 located transport compartments 607 are located on the slack side of the traction means 605th

In Fig. 22c, the area of the fifth gate section 631 is shown in detail. The transport compartments 607 are each connected to a holder 645 with the two traction means 605. This is best seen in Fig. 22d. The holder 645 engages around the two traction means 605, so that it is attached to the outer sides of the traction means 605 by means of connecting body 647. On the outside of the traction means 605 is understood in each case the side facing away from the other traction means 605 side.

Each connecting body 647 is connected to the traction means 605 via two spaced pins 649 secured to the outside of a traction means 605. A pin 649 engages in a round hole 651 in the connecting body 647, the other pin engages in a slot 653 in the connecting body 647 a.

As shown in FIG. 22c, the deflecting of the traction means 605 on the traction mechanism wheels 639, 641 reduces the distance between the pins 649. The distance change can thus be compensated by means of the elongated hole 653, so that the holders 645 are carried without interference can be.

In Fig. 23, the guide wall 606 is shown schematically. In Fig. 23, the transfer channels 701 facing side of the guide wall 606 is shown. In the guide wall 606 openings 604 are formed, which are each at least partially closed by a goods transfer bulkhead 609. Each goods transfer gate 609 is mounted on the guide wall 606 via two guide rails 655. The guide rail 655 and the indicated counterparts 655a of the guide rails 655 on the goods transfer block 609 are located below the channel bottoms 703. The channel bottoms 703 are indicated in Fig.23 by dashed lines.

The guide wall 606 and the goods transfer block 609 in the closed position shown in FIG. 23 serve to guide the goods that are transported in the transport compartments 607. In the area of the guide wall 606, the transport compartments 607 are located in the goods transfer section 611 of the traction device 603 and thus in their goods transfer position. The transport floors 608 are thus inclined toward the guide wall 606 so that the goods slide against the guide wall 606.

The fact that the guide rails 655 and thus the entire guidance of the goods transfer block 609 is arranged below the channel bottoms 703 of the transfer channels 701, ensures that the guides of the goods transfer block 609 during transport or handover of the goods into the transfer channels 701 no hindrance represent the goods.

The goods transfer headers 609 overlap, so that a front in the direction of the pulling means 605 goods transfer bulkhead covers the underlying. The running direction is shown in Fig. 23 by an arrow. This ensures that between two Warenvergabeschotts 609 for on the guide wall 606 and the goods transfer block 609 along sliding goods no protruding edges are formed, where the goods could get stuck. The Warenvergabeschotts 609 are slightly inclined for this purpose, i. out of the plane of the guide wall 606 out twisted.

The goods transfer scraps are actuated by means of Schottantrieben 657 and retractable to open the openings 604 down. The bulkhead drives 657 may be, for example, pneumatic drives. This has the advantage that the pneumatics already used for the gripper 511 can be used as an energy source for the bulkhead drives 657.

A transport compartment 607 is shown in detail in FIGS. 24a-24c. In Fig. 24a, the transport tray 607 is shown in the goods receiving position. In Fig. 24b a transport compartment 607 is shown in the goods transfer position. The transport compartment 607 has two hinges 659, via which the transport compartment 607 is mounted on the holder 645. The pivot joints 659 form a rotation axis 660. The position of the rotation axis 660 is described in FIG. 24c. The axis of rotation is inclined relative to the horizontal at an acute angle φ. The angle φ may be 15 °, for example. In contrast to a vertical plane X extending in the running direction of the traction means 605, the axis of rotation has an acute angle ω, which can be for example 28 °. The running direction is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 24c. Such an arrangement of the axis of rotation has been found to be particularly advantageous in order to achieve the goods receiving position and goods transfer position shown in Fig. 24a and Fig. 24b.

In the goods receiving position, the transport base 608 of the transport compartment 607, opposite to the running direction of the traction means 605 (shown by arrow), has an inclination to the horizontal with an inclination angle having the angular amount of φ, for example 15 °. In a direction orthogonal to the running direction in the direction of the transfer channel 701, the transport tray 608 has an inclination to the horizontal with an inclination angle of an amount of ω, for example, 28 °.

Such an inclination has the advantage that goods can be taken over by the gripping device 519 from the conveying surface 403 of the conveyor 401 at the same angle and thus no pivoting of the goods during transfer by means of the gripping device 519 must be carried out. The transport tray 608 has fan walls 608a at the ends inclined downwardly in the goods receiving position, at which the goods can be brought into abutment with the forward movement. By the fan walls 608a is prevented that a deposited on the transport floor 608 goods during the propulsion of the traction device rotates.

The goods are received in the longitudinal direction directed by the manipulator and stored in the storage channels of the warehouse 100. Therefore, the goods must be filled by the transport device 607 in the longitudinal direction in the transfer channels 701. The goods must therefore be stored with their long side parallel to the longitudinal side 607a of the transport compartment 607 and thus transversely to the direction of the traction means 605 in the transport compartment 607.

In this case, the previously described gripping device 509 of the handling device 501 has proven to be particularly advantageous, since it is pivoted about an inclined axis of rotation. When picking up the product from the conveying surface 403 of the conveyor 401, this is inclined at an angle α of the conveying surface 403 relative to the horizontal. The angle α may, for example, correspond to the angle ω. The inclination of the product 150 is along its broad side. By receiving by means of the gripping device 509 and pivoting about the inclined axis of rotation of the gripping device by, for example, 90 °, the product 150 now has a slope at an angle α to the horizontal along the longitudinal side. Thus, the goods can be stored in an advantageous manner on the transport tray 608 of the transport compartment 607 in the longitudinal direction, since the transport tray 608 is inclined in the goods receiving position in the direction of the gripping device 509 at the same angle.

In Fig. 24b, the transport tray 607 is shown in the goods transfer position. The transport floor 608 has with respect to the horizontal in one Direction in the direction of the traction means 605 (indicated by arrows) an inclination on with an inclination angle corresponding to the amount of the angle ω, for example 28 °. In a direction transverse to the running direction, the transport floor has an inclination with respect to the horizontal with an inclination angle which also corresponds to the magnitude of the angle ω. By means of such an inclination, the transport base 608 is adapted in an advantageous manner to the inclination of the channel bottoms 703 of the transfer channels 701.

Furthermore, a plate 612 (only shown in a view of FIGS. 24a and 24b for the sake of simplicity) may be arranged on the holder 645 of the transport compartment 607, which protrudes beyond the lateral fan wall 608a in the goods transfer position of the transport compartment 607 at a start of the conveyor chain 601 goods, which is located on the arranged in the goods transfer position transport tray 607, can not fall on the side fan wall 608 a. In the goods receiving position, the plate 612 does not project beyond the side fan wall 608a, so that the plate 612 does not hinder the loading operation of the transport tray 607 by the gripping device 509.

In the present application, surfaces are often tilted at the angle of 28 ° to the horizontal. It has been found that with a variety of surfaces, such a tendency causes goods such as medicine packages to slip automatically due to gravity. For other goods and other surfaces, of course, other angle values may be used if they guarantee that the product will automatically slip.

The goods transfer device 110 according to the invention makes it possible, in a very small space, to handle very quickly unsorted and unordered goods. For example, it can be achieved that every 2.5 seconds a product is introduced into a transfer channel 701, the goods being sorted and aligned in the longitudinal direction of the transfer channel 701.

Claims

claims

Conveyor chain (601) for a goods transfer device (110) of an automatic warehouse (100), for transfer of individual goods (150) from a handling device (501) and transfer to at least one transfer channel (701) with a sloping channel bottom (703) of the goods transfer device (703) 110), with a traction device (603) having at least one drivable, circulating traction means (605), with a plurality of transport compartments (607) each having a transport base (608) for receiving a single product (150), wherein the transport compartments (607) mounted on the traction means (605) and tiltably mounted, and with a on the traction means (603) arranged slotted guide (610) for the transport compartments (607), each transport compartment (607) via the slotted guide (610) from a goods receiving position into a Goods transfer position in which the inclination of the transport floor (608) to the inclination of the channel bottom (703) of the at least one transfer channel (7 01) of the goods transfer device (110) is adapted, tiltable and wherein in a goods transfer section (611) of the Zugmittelvorrichtung (603) a product from a located in the goods transfer position transport compartment (607) in the at least one transfer channel (701) can be transferred.

Conveyor chain according to claim 1, characterized in that each transport compartment (607) in the goods receiving position with respect to Horizontal in a direction away from the transfer channel (701) direction is inclined.

3. Conveyor chain according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slotted guide (610) has a first slotted section (615) which is arranged in a goods receiving section (613) of the traction device (603), wherein the first link section (615) the transport compartments (607) moved from a return position to the goods receiving position.

4. conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the slotted guide (610) has a second link section (617) which holds the transport compartments (607) in the goods receiving portion (613) of the traction device (603) in the goods receiving position.

5. conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the slotted guide (610) has a third link section (619) which is arranged between the goods receiving portion (613) and goods transfer section (611) of the traction device (603) and the Transport compartments (607) moved from the goods receiving position to the goods transfer position.

6. conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the slotted guide (610) has a fourth link section (621) which holds the transport compartments (607) in the goods transfer section (611) of the traction device (607) in the goods transfer position.

7. conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the slotted guide (610) is formed by at least one guide surface, each of which bears against the underside of the transport bottoms (608) of the transport compartments (607).

8. conveyor chain according to claim 7, characterized in that the first link section (615) and the second link section (617) form a first guide surface (623) and on the at least one transfer channel (701) facing side of the at least one traction means (605) are arranged.

9. conveyor chain according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the fourth link section (621) forms a second guide surface (625) and on the at least one transfer channel (701) facing away from the at least one traction means (605) is arranged.

10. conveyor chain according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the third gate section (619) forms a third and a fourth guide surface (627, 629), wherein the third guide surface (627) facing away from the at least one transfer channel (701) Side of the at least one traction means (605) and the fourth guide surface (629) on the at least one transfer channel (701) facing side of the at least one traction means (605) is arranged.

11. conveyor chain according to claim 10, characterized in that the first guide surface (623) in the fourth guide surface (629) and / or the third guide surface (627) merges into the second guide surface (625).

12. Conveyor chain according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the slotted guide (610) has a fifth link section (631) which moves the transport compartments (607) from the goods transfer position to the return position and in a return section (633) of the traction device holds in the return position.

13. A conveyor chain according to claim 12, characterized in that the fifth link section (631) forms a fifth guide surface (635) and a sixth guide surface (636), wherein the fifth guide surface (635) facing away from the at least one transfer channel (701) Side of the at least one traction means (605) and the sixth guide surface (636) on the at least one transfer channel (701) facing side of the at least one traction means (605) is arranged.

14. Conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the Zugmittelvorrichtung (603) has two parallel traction means (605), wherein the transport compartments (607) are each connected via a holder (645) with two traction means (605) ,

15. conveyor chain according to claim 14, characterized in that the holder (645) has two connecting bodies (647), wherein in each case a connecting body (647) on one side of the traction means (605) is fixed.

16. Conveyor chain according to claim 15, characterized in that each connecting body (647) via two spaced, on the side of the traction means (605) fixed pin (649) is connected to the traction means (605), wherein a pin (649) in a Round hole (651) in the connecting body (647) engages and the other pin (649) in a slot (653) in the connecting body (647).

17. Conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that each transport compartment (607) via at least one rotary joint (659) is mounted, wherein the at least one pivot (659) formed axis of rotation (660) at an acute angle cp is arranged to the horizontal and at an acute angle ω to a running in the running direction of the traction means vertical plane (X).

18. Conveyor chain according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that at the goods transfer section (611) of the traction device (603) on the at least one transfer channel (701) side facing at least one Warenübergabeschott (609) is arranged, which is the transfer channel (701) on the Zugmittelvorrichtung (603) facing side closes.

19. Conveyor chain according to claim 18, characterized in that the at least one goods transfer bulkhead (609) can be lowered downwards.

20. conveyor chain according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the at least one goods transfer bulkhead (609) by means of guide rails (655) is guided, wherein the guide rails (655) in the vertical direction below an input side (701 a) of the channel bottom (703) of at least a transfer channel (701) are arranged.

21. A goods transfer device (110) with a conveyor chain (601) according to one of claims 1 to 20 with at least one transfer channel (701) with a sloping channel bottom (703).

22. A goods transfer device (110) according to claim 21, characterized by a loading device (1) which receives goods (150) as a bed and transfers to a conveyor device (145) of the goods transfer device (110), wherein the conveying device (145) the goods (150 ) to a goods lift (201), a goods separating device (301) from which the goods (150) are taken over by the goods lift (201) and which singulates the goods (150), a conveying device (401) which further differentiates the goods Goods (150), makes a positional correction of the goods (150) and / or a Warenerkennung and a Handling device (501), which receives the goods (150) in a predetermined timing and passes to the conveyor chain (601).

Goods warehouse (100) with a goods transfer device (110) according to claim 21 or 22, with a manipulator (120), which takes over goods (150) from the at least one transfer channel (701).