WO2002083546A1

WO2002083546A1 - Automatic selection system and equipment for block storage of goods

Info

Publication number: WO2002083546A1
Application number: PCT/BR2002/000039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Miranda Celso Dos Santos
Original assignee: Miranda Celso Dos Santos
Priority date: 2001-04-17
Filing date: 2002-03-14
Publication date: 2002-10-24
Also published as: BR0101876A; MXPA03010452A; BR0101876B1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a system and equipment employed for block storage of cargo unity by means of total automatic selection, particularly, this invention refers to improvements in the system and equipment for high density storage process, i.e., for loading operations and individual selection of the cargo unities which are placed over pallets, boxes and other kind of containers; said system and equipment permit a maximum optimization of the inner and/or outer space of the block frame (2) by reducing the number of alleys (R); said block frames (2) are able to store a maximum of unities (C) in pallets (P), or similar, which is automatically selected, transported and stored in block frames (2) or in drawers (3) positioned in at least one equipment called moving plate (4) which serves to transport and provides a launching base (5) for rotation and positioning of the automated vehicle (6) said vehicle is driven by remote control command.

Description

AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS

The present invention refers to improvements related to automatic selection system and equipment employed for block storage of goods which are separated by means of a total automatic selection operation, particularly the present invention refers to improvements performed in a system and equipment of a high density storage process, i.e., this invention is applied in all type of loading operations, selection of load unities which can be stored over pallets, boxes, trucks, and other different kinds of containers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As in the art,- particularly for the stock and storage technicians, the great problem in this area is storing place (storing buildings, cargo areas, ...), the goods are registred in a catalogue as unitary pieces, due to their great volume or considered uniform and small unitary assets which are grouped in a unique place over pallets for easy transportation of this cargo.

It is known in the art that vertical metal frames into storage buildings enhaces the storage ability by means of organization and space optimization techniques. The vertical metal frames can have levels for receveing goods, even over pallets, being raised by mechanical forks, conveyor belts, pallet raisers, etc.

This concept of storage, well known in the World wide, fail when the raising machine has no necessary space between the vertical metal frame for perform the operation, which forces loss of space for create alleys for each two metal frames and permitting said operation. The above concept is comprises an advance in view of traditional storing methods, but lacks efficience due the fact of the alleys make saturation of the occupied metal frames, therefore goods tend to be stored in inner space and in the outter space of building where available.

Presently, in view of the storing space optimization, many solutions are found by the companies for replace storing machines and avoid alleys 5 increasing the storing ability.

The US Patent 5002458, makes mention to an operation system for automatically search and collect any selected goods, particularly pallet supported goods, by means of a conveyor comprising a continous belt for goods sliding over transversally placed guides; two raisers are provided to 0 sinergistically operate over the belt for selection and separation of goods.

The above system, more advanced than the storing machines, permits quick selection and automatic removal of the selected product, keeping the conveyor equipment in a stand by position and orthogonally placed near the frame. This permits a better positioning of the metal frames, a lesser number of 15 alleys between the frames and feeding and collecting goods by means of raisers and conveyors.

All the above mentioned system comprises a high advance in view of the other methods in the art, but the conveyor equipment of said system takes great part of the storing spaces and this conveyor system has a complex operation 2.0 and it is applied only in big scale storing operations.

Other advanced systems permits selection and removal of goods by means of movable equipment having sensor unities and permts the collection operations of the raisers by identifying goods placed near a target produtct, or by means a previous selection operation for goods placed on the ground or in >5 other levels and, after this, the invert procedure is carried out for reorder and feed the storage. The above procedure, during the selection operation, permits the ground contact of the first selected goods when other products are selected. This may cause damage of the selected and waiting content and the organization is compromised. Another disadvantage of this techinque is that the goods are to be placed in the ground, the distance between the frames shall be greater and thus the optimization of the storing place is disturbed.

OBJECTIVE AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is provide improvements in a system and equipment for block storage of goods which are automatically selected, the improvements permit a maximum use of the inner /outter space of the storing buildings by means of a maximum number of the block storing frames around a minimum number of alleys, the frames are able to store a maximum number of goods, defined as unities, over pallets of similar. The unities, when remote means requested, are automatically selected, transported and stored in the block storage frames or in a drawer placed in, at least, one of the equipment of the invention, i.e., the moving plate. The moving plate acts as a raiser for loading, moving and positioning an automated vehicle.

The automated vehicle is remote controlled from a software which is able to organize the loading operation of the block frames by individually selection of the stored unities.

Accordingly, the storing building is completely occupied by the block storing frames and the building has a minimum of alleys in the available horizontal space for permit the better operation of the plate and the automated vehicle.

For better understanding of the present invention, the block frames are made of vertical metal bars having several kinds, pairs of triads, of arms which are longitudinally fixed in supporting members for forming voids to be occupied to the goods unities, describing goods positions and levels.

Each alley separating the frame is provided with inner and upper rails for permit at least one plate sliding. The above mentioned plate moves orthogonally placed in view of the arms in order to permit the automated vehicle be launched over the frame for move goods and take the requested product

The moving plate is a vertical structure, having metallic bars hold in order to define three columns which are placed between the upper and the lower bases, said bases have sliding means fitted to the rails placed in the alleys.

The central column is a raiser for vertical movement of a launch surface of the automated vehicle, the surface is able to twist covering from 0 to 90°.

This permits the automated vehicle be launched in positions any levels of the block frames aligned face-to-face with the launch surface, or lauch the automated vehicle in the drawers of the aligned columns as explained below.

Side columns of the moving plate comprise superposed drawers for temporary storing of the products during the selection operation, the drawers a formed by pairs of arms fixed in the side columns orthogonally placed in relation to the arms of the block frame levels. Referring to the automated vehicle, it is presented as a movable plate and having a shape able to act direct contacting the goods. Further, the plate is able to do slide in roll means or in sychronized conveyor means. The sliding movement of the automated vehicle permits the vehicle to go in line to any direction under an angle ranging from 0 to 90°. The direction of the vehicle is changed at the lauching plate of the raiser.

The loading movement of the of the automated vehicle is as follows: a) for uploading: the vehicle goes to the pallet, having inner conveyors spining in the contrary direction of the vehicle for permitting that the product be drawn from the frame to the upper face of the automated vehicle; and b) for downloading: the conveyor movement is in the same direction of the of the loading wheels of the automated vehicle for permitting that the goods be drawn from the vehicle.

Depending on the kind of goods, the automated vehicle can use another way of movement, i.e., by means of the products lifting process where the automated vehicle be positioned under the pallet unity of goods.

The edges of the automated vehicle are slightly biased, for easy loading and avoiding shocks or another kind impact during the collection operation.

Several advantages of the present invention are seen, e.g, the present system permits the storage of the selected goods in a drawer, this makes possible to the operator select an unity of goods inside the block frame by rotating the external unities. Another advantege is the sychronized transportation of several unities in the moving plate, saving time in repeated collection operations in the block frame.

The movement, having remote stop command, permits to the plate be positioned at the rails, favoring rotation and launching of the square moving plate.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the drawers are occupied only due the rotation ability, from 0 to 90°, of the automated vehicle which is placed over a support plate for moving between the drawers and the block frame and varying the selected level of said frame by adjusting the raiser. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For better understanding of the present invention, features of the preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings as follows: Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of the moving plate equipment and automated vehicle;

Figure 2 illustrates an imaginary area, according to an upper view and illustrating block frames and alley containing the equipment of figure 1 ; 5 Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the previous figure, partial detail;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view;

Figure 5 is a closer view of the moving plate base-side view; Figure 6 is a view exposing detailof the automated vehicle on loading l o operation of an asset;

Figure 7 illustrates the automated vehicle movement in relation to the goods unity placed on pallet; and

Figure 8 illustrates the lifting movement of the automated vehicle containing another kind of goods unity which is placed over anothe model of 15 pallet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drwaings, the present invention titled: IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS, the system (1) is indicated to mechanical 20 movement of high density goods made of a single product of mixture of products which are defined as an unity and placed over the pallet (P), boxes, containers, etc.

According to the present invention, the improvements here depicted aim offer a maximum optimization of the inner space of storin buildings, i.e., the

25 improvements refers to block frames (2) separated by a reduced number of alleys (R); the block frames (2) are able to store a maximum of unities (C) placed on pallets (P), or similar, being automatically selected, collected and stored at specified positions of levels in the frames (2) or drawers (3) by means of remote control command. The drawers (3) are placed in moving plate (4), which serves to move the launching base (5) having an automated vehicle able to be positioned and rotated when operated. 5 Block frames (2) comprise metal structures which are builded for forming blocks defined according to storing needs (C) and in view of quick removal operation needs involving said frames.

The frames (2) are made of a vertical (2a) and horizontal (2b) metal bars forming a lattice and having longitudinal arms (7) which are fixed in holders (7a)

L0 constructing combs to be occupied by the unities (C), said combs define postions (8) for each unity and each row of the frame (2) comprises a level (8a).

Alleys (R) are defined between the block frames (2) and the lenght of said alleys are limited by the moving plate (4) and the automated vehicle (6).

Each alley (R) is equiped with lower and upper rails (9), the rails are able

L5 to permit sliding of at least one moving plate (4) which moves orthogonally in relation to the arms (7) and the block frames (2), thus the automated vehicle (6) is kept ready to be launched onto the frames and move the unities (C) and select the target unity.

The moving plate (4) is a vetical structure made of metal bars (4a) which 20 are kintted for forming, at least , three columns over the lower (10) and upper (10a) bases, these bases have sliding means (11) fitted to the alley rails (9).

The column (12) is defined by a raiser (E) for vertical movement of the vertical surface (5) of the automated vehicle (6). The vertical surface (5) is able to rotation in an angle ranging from 0 to 90° while dividing the lateral columns

_5 (13) into stages. Drawers (3) are provided for storing unities (C) during the selection operation, the drawers (3) a formed by longitudinal arms (14) which are suitable fixed to the vertical and horizontal bars of the column (13) and being orthogonally placed in relation to the arms (7) of the levels (8).

The automated vehicle (6), having a form of a movable plate, actuates directly contacting the unity goods (C), by means of sliding movement over rolls or sychronized conveyors (6b). The sliding movement of the automated vehicle comprise forward and backward aligned movements and rotation in an angle ranging from 0 to 90° when the vehicle is placed over the launching plate of the raiser (E).

Uploading and downloading operations (see figures 6,7, and 8) of the automated vehicle (6) are depicted as follows: (a) for uploading: the vehicle (6) goes to the pallet (P), having inner conveyors (6c) spining in the contrary direction of the wheels (6d) of the vehicle(6) for permitting that the product be drawn from the frame to the upper face (6a) of the automated vehicle; and b) for downloading: the conveyor (6c) movement is in the same direction of the of the loading wheels (6d) of the automated vehicle for permitting that the goods be drawn from upper face (6a) of the vehicle.

Depending on the kind of the goods (C1), (see figure 8) the automated vehicle(6) can also employ another way of movement, i.e., by means of the cargo lifting process where the cargo is directly positioned under the loading unity.

Edges of the automated vehicle are slightly biased (6e), for favoring uploading and downloading operations (C or C1), avoiding damage when the sliding mechanism is driven.

The referred automated vehicle (6) is remote controlled, and the remote control is connected to a software for organization the loading procedure in the block frames(2) during the selection step. An address of cargo unity (C), to be found by the automated vehicle (6) is defined under the following parameters: a)block; b)alley; c)level; d)position.

Loading decks are provided for effect the interface between the system and the cargo unities (C) which are delivered by the external moving equipment, like mechanical forks, pallet transport machines, etc. and being dispensed for put them back in their original position.

Downloading decks are structures for receiving cago unities which are drawn from the storing frames due to an operator command, and said decks are used as a ready to delivery cargo receiver. The present invention, its details and preferred descriptions, intend to be not limited by the present depicted embodiments and the terms here employed does not offer limits to the scope of the invention which can be also performed by means of variations of the present description.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS, the system (1) is indicated to mechanical movement of high density goods made of a single or multiple assets and placed over pallet (P), boxes or another kind of containers, the system and equipment are characterized in that permits optimization of the inner and outter spaces of the storing building by providing a number of block storing frames (2) hich are separated by a minimum of alleys (R); the block frames (2) are able to store a maximum of cargo unities (C) placed over pallets (P) or similars, when requested by remote control, the unities (C) are automatically selected, transported and stored in positions (8) which are defined as levels (8a) of the block frames (2) or in drawers (3) of the moving plate (4), the moving plate (4) serves to the transportation of an automated vehicle (6) which is able to perform rotation, the plate also serves as a launching base (5).

2- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in claim 1, wherein the block frames(2) comprise metal structures positioned for forming blocks and receive cargo (C); said block frames (2) are made of knitted vertical and horizontal metal bars (2a and 2b) composed by two or three longitudinal arms (7) which are fixed to support arms (7a) for define alleys containing cargo unities(C and C1).

3- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in claim 2, wherein each longitudinal alley which is formed by pairs or group of three arms defines a position (8a) to be occupied by the cargo (C and C1). 4- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in claims 2 or 3, wherein each row obtained by the arms (7) forms a level (8) in the block frame

(2). 5- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM

AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims, wherein alleys (R) are provided between the blocks (2), the available space of the alleys (R) is fitted to longitudinal moving plate (4) sliding and the corresponding automated vehicle (6). 6- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM

AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claim, wherein each alley (R) has upper and lower sliding means (9) which are able to permit linear movement for at least one moving plate (4).

7- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claim, wherein the moving plate (4) comprises a vertical structure made of metal bars (4a) which are knitted for obtaining at least three columns in the lower base (10) and in the upper base (10a), both bases have sliding means (11) fitted to the sliding means (9) of the alleys (R). 8- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM

AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims, wherein the plate (4) has a central column (12), which comprises a raiser (E) duct, the raiser (E) is responsible for the vertical movement of the launching plate (5) of the automated vehicle (6). 9- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM

AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in claims 7 and 8 wherein the plate has side columns (13) containing drawers (3), which are vertically placed and the drawers serve to receive the selected cargo (C1 and C) during the selection step.

10- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in preceding claims, wherein the drawers (3) are made of pairs of longitudinal arms (14) and said drawers are suitably fixed in vertical(12) and horizontal(13) columns bars orthogonally placed in relation to the arms (7) of the levels (8).

11- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims wherein the launching surface (5) comprises base supported by the raiser (E) and having rotation movement from 0 to 90°.

12- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims, wherein the plate (4) orthogonally moves in relation to the levels (8) of the block frames (2), keeping the launching plate (5) straight from the arms (14) and drawers (3) and permitting the vehicle be launched in the frame.

13- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims wherein the surface (5) is positioned directly from the arms (14) and the drawers (3) which permits the vehicle (6) be launched.

14- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims, wherein the automated vehicle (6) having a shape of the moving plate is able to act direct and automatically contacting the cargo (C and C1). 15- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims, wherein the loading movement of the vehicle (6) occurs when said vehicle goes to the pallet (P) direction having the inner conveyors (6c) rotating in the contrary sense of the vehicle (6) wheels (6d) for receiving the cargo in the upper surface (6a) of the automated vehicle (6).

16- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims, wherein the download operation of the vehicle (6) takes place when the conveyor (6c) is spining in the same direction of the vehicle wheels (6d) for permitting the cargo be drawn from the vehicle upper face (6a).

17- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims, wherein the edges of the automated vehicle (6) are biased (6e).

18- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims, wherein the automated vehicle (6) can be operated by direct lifting process for cargo (C1) collection. 19- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION

SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claims, wherein the automated vehicle (6) is controlled by a remote control which is connected to a software able to organize the loading operation in the block frame (2) by means of individual selection of the stored unities. 20- IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO AUTOMATIC SELECTION

SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT FOR BLOCK STORAGE OF GOODS as in any preceding claim wherein the cargo (C) address to be found by the automated vehicle(6) is defined as a)block; b)alley; c) level; and d) position.