FR2607116A1 - MECHANIZED STORE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES STORAGE CELLS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE STORE INCLUDES A PLURALITY OF STORAGE CELLS 4 OF ITEMS, A TRANSPORT AND LIFTING DEVICE 6 INCLUDING A FIRST SUPPORT STRUCTURE 7, A TRANSFER STATION 41 A TRANSFER DEVICE 24, THE FIRST PUSHING MEANS 53A, SECONDS PUSHING MEANS 53B. THE FIRST PUSHING MEANS 53A ARE AVAILABLE IN TRANSFER STATION 41. APPLICATION TO TRANSPORTATION AND LIFTING.

Description

260 7 116

  MECHANIZED STORE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CELLS OF

STORAGE OF ARTICLES

  The present invention relates to mechanized magazines of the type comprising a plurality of article storage cells, arranged next to one another in horizontal and vertical rows along at least one aisle and open on the side facing said aisle. a transport and lifting device, comprising a first support structure movable horizontally along the aisle and having a series of auxiliary compartments for the simultaneous transport of a plurality of articles; a second support structure movable vertically on the first support structure, and moving means carried by the second support structure and capable of transferring articles from the auxiliary compartments to the storage cells, and vice versa, a transfer station items located outside the aisle that can be reached by the transport and lifting device to allow simultaneous loading into the auxiliary compartments of the latter, a plurality of items to be inserted into the cells corresponding storage, and simultaneous unloading from the auxiliary compartments of the transport and lifting device, of a plurality of articles to be sent to the outlet of the magazine, said transfer station comprising at least one accumulation tower of articles, equipped with a series of superimposed supports, a transfer device, comprising a support structure movable horizontally outside the aisle along a direction perpendicular to the aisle, and able to receive and support the transport and lift device, and

260 7 1 1 6

  transporting it from the exit of the aisle to the front of the transfer station, and vice versa, the first means of thrust, which can occur when the transport and lifting device is arranged next to the station. transfer, for simultaneously pushing a plurality of articles, contained in the auxiliary compartments of the transport and lifting device, on the supports of the accumulation tower of the transfer station, and second pushing means, arranged in the station transfer and that can intervene when the transport and lifting device is disposed next to the transfer station, to simultaneously push a plurality of articles, carried by the support of the accumulation tower, on the auxiliary compartments

  of the transport and lifting device.

  A mechanized store of the type indicated above is described and illustrated in the Italian patent application No. 67504-AI81 filed by the same applicant, and in the

  corresponding US patent 4,466,765.

  In the aforementioned known store, the first thrust means are carried by the transfer device, which consequently has a relatively

complex and cumbersome.

  The object of the invention is to provide a store of the type specified above which has a structure more

simple and more functional.

  In order to achieve this result, the subject of the invention is a mechanized magazine of the type indicated above, characterized in that even the first aforementioned means of thrusting are arranged in the aforesaid transfer station, said first and second means are located on either side of an area in which the transport and lifting device arrives to allow the exchange of articles between the device

  transport and lifting and transfer station.

  The transport and lifting device and the transfer device are respectively guided on rails along the aisle and perpendicular thereto, and the support structure of the transfer device is equipped with an auxiliary rail parallel to the aisle for receiving and supporting the transport and lifting device; the aforesaid receiving area of the transport and lifting device in the transfer station is also equipped with a rail portion parallel to and at said auxiliary rail. Because of the above characteristics, the transport and lifting device from an aisle of the magazine is initially embedded on the transfer device, then is discharged into the aforementioned reception area of the transfer station. In front of this zone, the first and the second thrust means provided in the transfer station, can simultaneously transfer a plurality of articles from an accumulation tower of the transfer station to the transport and lifting device, which They can then be placed in the store cells and transferred another set of items from the transport and lifting device to the transfer station, where they will be transported to the outlet of the store. Naturally, such a result can be obtained, as indicated in the aforementioned US patent, by providing two tower structures in the support structure of the transport and lifting device, each of said structures comprising a series of superposed auxiliary compartments. In this case, it is necessary to provide two accumulation towers in the transfer station, so that the exchange of input and output items between the transfer station and the transport and lifting device can be carried out simultaneously. Other features and advantages of this

  invention will appear at The Reading of The description

  following, with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a portion of the magazine according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the

shop of Figs. 1 and k.

  In the drawings, the reference 1 indicates as a whole a mechanized magazine comprising a series of shelves 2 separated from each other by aisles 3, and each extending in height from the floor to the ceiling of the store. Each rack 2 comprises a series of storage cells 4 arranged next to each other in horizontal and vertical rows, each being open on the side facing the adjacent aisle. In the illustrated example, each rack 2, with the exception of the end racking of the magazine, is arranged between two aisles 3, and comprises

  storage facing the two adjacent aisles 3.

  The floor and the ceiling of the store are equipped, in front of each aisle 3, rails 5 for guiding a transport and lifting device 6. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a single transport and lifting device, the mechanized magazine can be equipped with a series

devices of this kind.

  The structure of the shelves 2 described above, as well as the structure of the transport and Lifting device 6 are identical to the structures described in the previous Italian patent application No. 67504-A / 81 of the same applicant, as well as in the corresponding US patent 4,466,765. The structure of the transport and Lifting device 6 will, however, be described in detail in the rest of the text, for quick reference. The transport and lifting device 6 comprises a first support structure 7 (FIG 1) able to move horizontally on the guide rails 5 of each aisle 3. The first support structure 7 includes two tower structures 8 whose bottom is carried by a carriage 9 including a pair of rollers 10 fitting on the lower rail 5 of an aisle 3. The two tower structures 8 are connected at the top by a crossbar structure 11, including two pairs of axis rollers vertical 12 which fit on the sides of the upper rail 5 of the aisle 3. Each tower structure 8 comprises a series of superimposed stages 13 which define a series of auxiliary compartments 14 one above the other, a number equal to the number of storeys in each rack 2. Consequently, the floor of the room with which Levaye is equipped has a first and a second series of compartments.

  auxiliaries 14 corresponding to the two structures 8.

  Between the latter is mounted, so as to slide vertically, a second support structure 15 constituted by a platform on which are mounted, so as to slide in a horizontal direction parallel to the rails 5, two carriages 16 each having a clamp for handling of the items to be stored. As described in the above-mentioned prior patent application, the body of the clip is horizontally slidably supported on a support member, which is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on the respective carriage. The vertical movement of the platform 15 with respect to the two tower structures 8 is controlled by a motor unit 21 by means of a chain wheel 22 to which a counterweight 22a is connected. The movement of the transport and lifting device along the rails 5 is controlled by a motor unit 23 arranged opposite the lower carriage 9. The movements of the transport and lifting device can be controlled by an operator or by an operator.

computer programmed for this purpose.

  In the drawings, the reference 24 generally indicates a transfer device comprising a support structure 25 that can be moved horizontally outside the aisles 3, along a direction perpendicular to these aisles. The support structure 25 includes a lower platform 26 and an upper platform 27 connected by a frame 28. The lower platform 26 is guided on two rails 30 disposed on a portion 29 of the floor of the store which is lower than the part of the ground on the lower platform 26 and the upper platform 27 are each equipped with a rail 31 in which engage the lower and upper rollers of the transport and lifting device 6. The transfer device 24 can therefore move on the guide rails 30 until it faces the exit of an aisle 3, and it can receive and support a transport and lifting device 6 on the platform 26 as output

from the driveway.

  In the drawings, the reference 41 indicates as a whole a transfer station forming part of the mechanized magazine. The transfer station 41 comprises two frames 40 arranged on either side of an area 39 of the floor of the store where the transport and lifting device 24 arrives to allow the transfer of articles from the transfer station to the storage device. transport and lifting and vice versa. For this purpose, the reception zone 39 is equipped with a rail 38 parallel to the

direction of aisles 3 of the store.

  Each frame 40 includes a pair of towers 42a, 42b. Each of the two towers 42a is equipped, on the side facing the rail 38, with two pairs of closed ring chains 43 mounted on toothed wheels 44 and 45, respectively disposed at the top and at the base of each tower 42. Each chain 43 its vertical portions contained in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of the rail 38. The gear wheels 44 are rotated by a motor unit 46 (Fig. 3) disposed at the top of each tower 42a. Each pair of chains 43 is provided with a series of supports 47 arranged at constant intervals. The supports 47 carried by the adjacent parts of the chains 43 define a series of superimposed supports, the number of which is equal to the number of stages of the shelves 2. The storage cells 4 of the shelves 2 are intended to receive containers, of which each is intended for the deposit of goods of a certain type. The two towers 42a are intended to act as accumulation towers, for the containers to be stored and for the containers to be sent to the outlet of the store, as will be clear from the reading of the

description which follows.

  As provided in the previous patent application of the same applicant, the transfer station 41 may be equipped with two band conveyors, not shown, arranged at the base of the station to bring containers to the accumulation tower 42a. , and two band conveyors (also not shown) arranged at the top of the station to transfer the containers from the towers

  accumulation towards the exit of the store.

  The towers 42a, 42b of the two housings 40 of the transfer station 41 are further provided with thrust means 53a, 53b. Each of the structures 53a, 53b is constituted by a series of horizontal push bars 54 superimposed and connected by vertical uprights 55 (Figure 3). In accordance with the thrust means illustrated in the Applicant's previous patent application, each structure 53a, 53b comprises one or more cremallels meshing with the corresponding sprockets controlled by a driving unit 59, which can thereby cause a translation of the aforesaid structures. in the horizontal direction. In addition, each horizontal push bar 54 is equipped, in this case also with a vertical plate located in front of its

free end.

  The operation of the mechanized magazine described above is as follows: it is assumed that one of the two accumulation towers 42a of the transfer station 41 is full of containers intended to be stored in the corresponding cells 4 of the shelves 2. This means that all the supports 47 of the aforesaid accumulation tower 42a support a container. This condition can be achieved by successively sending the containers to the accumulation tower via the respective lower band conveyor. Naturally, the conveyor belt deposits each time a container in the support 47 which is at the bottom of stack of supports 47 of the accumulation tower 42a. Each time a container is deposited in said support by the ribbon conveyor, the chains 43 start to move said support upwards, and so as to set up a new support for receiving the aforesaid container in the position previously occupied by the medium that has already received a container. By proceeding in this way, the entire accumulation tower 42a and the containers can be filled.

intended to be stored.

  For example, suppose that the transport and hoist device 6 has come out of an aisle 3 and has been received by the transfer device 24. Assuming that the transport and lifting device has come out of an aisle 3 which is not aligned with the receiving zone 39 in the transfer station 41, the transfer device 24 therefore moves on the rails until it brings the transport and lifting device into alignment. of the rail 38. When the transfer device 24 is in this position (illustrated in Fig. 2), the transport and lifting device can be "embarked" on the rail 38, so as to arrange it in the area 39 between the two batis 40. Suppose, still as an example, that the tower structure 8 facing the accumulation tower 42a which is full of containers to be stored is empty, and that the other tower structure 8 of the transport and lifting device is full and that the tower

  accumulation 42a facing it is empty.

  Under these conditions, each support 47 of the accumulation towers 42 is disposed opposite and at the same height as a corresponding radius 13 of the respective structure 8. At this time, the thrust structure 53b associated with the accumulation tower 42a which is solid, and the structure 53a facing the accumulation tower 42a which is empty, are actuated simultaneously. In this way, the containers to be stored pass simultaneously from the accumulation tower 42a to the tower structure 8 of the transport and lifting device. Each container leaves its support in the accumulation tower 42a, under the thrust of the structure 53b, and is received by a corresponding auxiliary compartment 14 of the tower structure 8 of the transport and Lifting device. At the same time, the containers intended to be sent to the outlet of the magazine leave the auxiliary compartments 14 of the other tower structure 8, under the thrust of the structure 53a and are received on the supports 47 of La

  corresponding accumulation tower 42a.

  In conclusion, because of the aforesaid operation, the containers transported by the transport and lifting device, which are intended to be sent out of the store, are transferred to the station 41, while at the same time the station 41 transfers the containers to be stored on the device of

transport and lifting 6.

  When this operation is completed, the accumulation tower 42a which has filled with containers is "emptied" of these containers, through the respective upper band conveyor. Naturally, in this phase, the chains 43 of the tower 42 are actuated intermittently to successively bring the containers opposite the position at the top or each container is deposited on the conveyor 50. In this way, the containers are sent to the exit the store through the

aforesaid ribbon carrier.

  At the same time, once the container exchange is over between the transfer station 41 and the transport and lifting device 6, the latter has one of its two tower structures 8 completely "empty", and the other 8 tower structure, full of containers intended to be

  stored in as many storage cells 4.

  To allow this storage, the transport and lifting device 6 moves on the rail 38 until it "embarks" on the transfer device 24. The latter moves on the rails 30 until it brings the transport and lifting device 6 in front of the desired aisle 3. Once the translation of the transfer device 24 is completed, the transport and lifting device 6 moves in a direction parallel to the aisle, thereby leaving the transfer device 24 and

  engaging on the rails 5 whose driveway is equipped.

  The movement of the carriage 9 in a horizontal direction and the movement of the platform 15 of the transport and lifting device 6 in a vertical direction allow the clamps of the carriages 16 to reach any of the storage cells facing the road. 'driveway. When the platform has brought its central zone in front of the desired cell 4, the carriage 16 associated with the tower structure 8 which is empty is carried in the center of the platform 15. The clamps which this carriage is equipped are thus turned and moved forward until they reach the position in which they can catch a container disposed in the preselected cell, and intended to be sent to the outlet of the store. The body of the clamps is thus slid out of the cell 4, after which it is rotated about a vertical axis so as to direct them towards the corresponding tower structure 8. The carriage 16 is advanced towards this tower structure so that the clamps can deposit the container which has been taken from the storage cell into an auxiliary compartment 14 of the tower structure 8 which is empty. Meanwhile, by its vertical displacement and a possible movement of the carriage 9, the platform 15 is positioned in front of the empty cell for receiving one of the containers to be stored transported by the tower structure 8 which is made of these containers. At this time, with a similar but inverse phase sequence compared to that described above, the carriage 16 associated with this structure in turn takes one of the containers to be stored in the auxiliary compartment 14 corresponding to the tower structure 8 and drop it in the cell of

storage ready to receive it.

  The aforesaid operations are repeated by each clamp a number of times equal to the number of stages of each rack 2. At the end of this sequence of operations, all the containers to be stored, which were initially carried by one of the two structures to tower 8 of the transport and lifting device 6 have been transferred into as many storage cells 4, while the auxiliary compartments 14 of the tower structure 8 which was initially empty are filled with as many containers to be sent to the outlet of the shop. So under these operations, the transport and lifting device 6 is again having a full 8 tower structure.

the other structure in turn 8 empty.

  At this moment, the transport and lifting device 6 leaves again from the aisle 3 and is received by the transfer device 24 which brings it back to the station 41 where a new "exchange" is made.

  containers, similar to that described above.

  Compared to the solution which is the subject of the previous patent application of the same applicant, the mechanized magazine according to the invention is characterized in that the thrust means necessary to transfer the containers between the transfer station and the device Transport and lifting are all provided in the transfer station. The transport and lifting device is not equipped with thrust means and therefore has a simpler structure, more

functional and more economical.

  Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction may vary widely compared to what has been described and illustrated by way of example, without departing from the

field of the present invention.

Claims (2)

  A mechanized magazine comprising a plurality of article storage cells (4) arranged side by side in horizontal and vertical rows along at least one aisle (3) and open on the side facing said aisle (3), a transport and lifting device (6), comprising a first support structure (7) movable horizontally along the aisle (3) and having a series of auxiliary compartments (14) for transporting simultaneous of a plurality of articles; a second support structure (15) displaceable vertically on the first support structure (7), and moving means (16) carried by the second support structure (15) and capable of transferring articles from the auxiliary compartments ( 14) to the storage cells (4), and conversely, a transfer station (41) of the articles located outside the aisle (3) and attainable by the transport and lifting device (6) to allow simultaneous loading into the auxiliary compartments (14) thereof, of a plurality of articles for insertion into the corresponding storage cells (4), and simultaneous unloading from the auxiliary compartments (14) of the device for transporting and lifting (6), a plurality of articles to be sent to the outlet of the magazine, said transfer station (41) comprising at least one accumulation tower (42a) of the articles, equipped a series of superimposed supports (47), a transfer device (24), comprising a support structure movable horizontally outside the aisle (3) along a direction perpendicular to the aisle (3), and capable of receiving and supporting the transport and lifting device (6), as well as transporting it from the exit of the aisle (3) to the transfer station (41) and reciprocally , first pushing means (53a), which can intervene when the transport and lifting device (6) is arranged next to the transfer station (41), to simultaneously push a plurality of articles contained in the auxiliary compartments (14) of the transport and lifting device (6) on the supports (47) of the accumulation tower (42a) of the transfer station (41) and the second pushing means (53b) arranged in the transfer station (41) and can intervene when the transport and lifting device ( 6) is arranged next to the transfer station (41), for simultaneously pushing a plurality of articles, carried by the supports (47) of the accumulation tower, onto the auxiliary compartments (14) of the transport device and lifting device (6), characterized in that the first thrust means (53a) are also arranged in the aforesaid transfer station (41), said first and second thrust means being located on either side of a the area in which the transport and lifting device (6) is received to allow the exchange of articles between the transport and lifting device and the transfer station.   2. Mechanized magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport and lifting device (6) and the transfer device 24 are guided on rails (5, 30) directed respectively along the aisle (3). ) and perpendicular thereto, in that the support structure of the 2607 1 16   transfer 24 is equipped with at least one auxiliary rail (31) parallel to the aisle (3) for receiving and supporting the transport and lifting device (6), and in that the aforesaid zone of the transfer station which receives the transport and lifting device is also equipped with a rail portion (38) parallel to the aforesaid auxiliary rail (31), and at this level.