WO2015118522A1

WO2015118522A1 - Overhead handling device

Info

Publication number: WO2015118522A1
Application number: PCT/IL2015/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dan Yehuda SCHLESINGER
Original assignee: Schlesinger Dan Yehuda
Priority date: 2014-02-06
Filing date: 2015-02-04
Publication date: 2015-08-13
Also published as: AU2015213505A1; EP3102512A4; IL230866A0; EP3102512A1; CN105899446A

Abstract

The Over Head Device is an automatic trolley, dedicated to handling goods. Several trolleys, creates an automatic warehouse. It is suitable for handling light and very heavy (tons) goods. It is self operated based on rails and elevators. Motion is computer controlled. Issue an item requires only it's part number, the system will move the item to the exit location automatically. In case of priorities, as: "the short expire time", the system will recognize it and deliver the best item available in respect to the criteria. FIFO or else. The Over Head Device is brought to officiate storing, processing and delivery of commodities, parts, items, materials, in process/production materials or baggage.

Description

Overhead Handling Device

Introduction

The present invention related to automation of mechanical handling (moving, storing, sorting, controlling, etc.) of cargo as packages or containers or any sort or type of goods and bulks.

Mechanical movements are required to transport, sort and distribute the said cargo in

warehouses, production plants, terminals and other handling facilities. The automation is required, in spite to reduce operational cost, increasing availability and eliminating human mistakes as well as accidental events.

In the industrial world the term "just in time" leads to philosophy of managing large and complex, multi task operation. The basis of this philosophy, approach declares "minimum materials in process". From the other hand, it provides /supplies the specific parts or materials to the specific location at the required time for maintaining process operating with no slack time or loss of resources.

By automating a warehouse, and operating it with one person, instead of a dozen or more, or transporting goods in a factory yard, without the use of a forklift and an operator on it, or many other applications where simple routine activities are taking place, are all cases where the said Overhead Handling Device has the power to efficient processing.

The market today provides many sorts of automation. Mainly consist of robotics and/or very expensive and unique equipment and facilities.

Modern automatic warehouse with a self-driven forklift need a very accurate movement and high stability. That for warehouses are limited in height. The floor has to be leveled within a tough tolerance, the forklift has to be able to handle different weights considering arm extend limitation at different heights. The warehouse required operational access for the forklift movements.

The said overhead handling device is designed to be installed on "green grass" ground, unpaved or leveled, it reaches any height and handle any weight, depending on its basic design limitations and structural strength (which can strengthen at any time).

Example of typical application: in the production process, where finished parts are to be painted, the use of endless overhead conveyor is very common. By handling different sorts of parts on the same endless conveyor cause lack of time results from the different painting program and duration required at the painting chamber and in the curing chamber. Those influence production times, productivity, quality and cost. The overhead Handling device provides a privet schedule for each single part as it is self-driven and not a part of an endless conveyor, it might serve different production demands at the same production line with no additional effort.

The Overhead Handling device is suitable for automobile production lines, or alike, that are handling parts or sub-assemblies to different locations and timing. In the food and drug industry, it provides hands free pickup, closed and clean, transporting means. It suits applications as packing system, palletizing, shrinking and many more.

The Overhead Handling device is simple and can be matched as small as a cigarette package and as large as 20 foot sea containers fully loaded. It is unlimited in goods size and weight.

The description herein under Overhead Handling device (OHHD) is an electromechanical system that provides movement and placing of goods/parts along a path /route.

The said system is suitable for handling small/large and light/heavy goods.

The said device consists of: Stationary carrying path or cables or else (herein under "carrying path" or "Path") that is anchored to a stable and grounded structure. Self-motorized carrying device (here in under "trolley") hanged on the carrying path and moves along, controlled by electronic means.

The trolley consist of structure frame equipped with wheels and/or sliders, having an electric or other type motor and breaks. An electronic wireless communication device with an electronic controller is located on the trolley structure and controllers the motor by means of switching.

The power unit of the said trolley is an electrical chargeable battery or electric fuel motor or else.

Controlling the switches on the trolley is done by a stationary computer that communicates with the trolley unit by means of wireless/optical communication system or else.

Operation of the system is done by the computer that gathers the information of each trolley and commands it to move or stop as required.

The carrying path system is arranged in respect to the application. Flat floor/ground or in several elevations, the vertical movement is done by elevators or spiral path or else.

It is an object of the present invention that provides a method or storing and handling of different types of cargo from one destination to another during controlled its path and location at any moment, during handling, sorting and location identification, no personal involvement is taking place.

One person is inserting data and/or instructions to the central computer at the loading point or elsewhere.

The method is based on use of controlling devices, that transmits information regarding the cargo on the trolley and its location. The information is transmitted to the central computer that returns with instruction for optimal path, and time required for the trolley to reach its final destination. The communication between trolley and the central computer visa versa is electronic or optic or radio or electrical or any combination off.

The device for carrying the method of the invention is characterized in that it comprises: a. A stationary (non-motorized) carrying path suitable for the trolley to move along. b. The said carrying path is made out of materials and shapes suitable for the trolley to move/travel along safely. c. The said carrying path has arranged in horizontal levels, one or more, connected by means of lifting and diverters, forming a multiple level and direction network. d. Lifts and diverters are controlled by the central computer that let it operate when all the relevant sensors and indicators have returned signals respectively. e. The limit switches and the proximity switch as well as the barcode readers, brake motors and others are all controlled and actuated by a central computer. f. The motors get their power supply from a rechargeable battery that is located next to the motor and the controller. g. Position switches and push buttons are all battery free. h. The communication between trolley, switches, readers and the computer visa versa are electronic or optic or radio or electrical or any combination off.

I. Trolley made of any type or sort of material that is suitable for holding the cargo safely. j. The trolley wheels are made of any material that provides safe and non-sliding or slipping and transmitting the power of linear movement to the carrying path and to the trolley respectively. k. A computer and controlling device equipped with software that collects information like identification and position of each trolley, and return signals that operate the overhead handling device as a complete system, by means of starting or stopping motors and controlling trolley movements, changing diverter's position and initiate elevators and other devices.

1. A computer software transfers information regarding inventory and locations as well as statistics and history of the system movements.

The computer control's validity date of each cargo and is able to deliver it respect to FIFO or UFO as required.

The aforesaid, and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-illustrative description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the appended drawing, wherein: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the trolley assembly, on a carrying path with cargo consists of 6 cubic boxes.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the trolley assembly, hanging on the carrying path.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the trolley assembly, hanging on the carrying path.

Fig. 4 is the top view of the trolley or alike assembly, hanging on the carrying path.

Fig. 5 is the back view of a the trolley assembly, hanging on the carrying path.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of a few trolleys or alike assembly, hanging on a shaped carrying path.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a few trolleys or alike assembly, hanging on a shaped carrying path.

Fig. 8 is a top view of a few trolleys or alike assembly, hanging on a shaped carrying path.

Fig. 9 is a front view of a set of 4 elevation storage system each elevation consists of a few trolleys or alike assembly, hanging on a shaped carrying path.^*

Fig. 10 is a side view of a set of 4 elevation storage system each elevation consists of a few trolleys or alike assembly, hanging on a shaped carrying path.

Fig. 11 is the top view of a set of 4 elevation storage system each elevation consists of a few trolleys or alike assembly, hanging on a shaped carrying path.

Fig. 12 is an isometric view of a set of 4 elevation storage system each elevation consists of a few trolleys or alike assembly, hanging on a shaped carrying path.

With reference now to Fig. 1, the number 1 generally indicates the carrying path according to the invention. The number 2 is the wireless communication transmitter receiver. The number 3 is the power unit mainly a chargeable battery. Both items 2 and 3 are fixed to the trolley's body.

Number 4 is the trolley vertical hanger. Number 5 is the trolley's platform and number 6 is the cargo. The number 7 describes the rolling wheels that are in contact with the carrying path.

Number 8 is an electric brake motor that transmits rotational motion to wheel number 7.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A method for handling items, single or many, goods and/or materials and/or products and/or cargo, automatically under external and/or internal control on a changeable path.

2. A method according to claim 1 characterized in that, that it is conducted by external programmable commanding and control system.

3. A method according to claim 1 and 2 characterized in that, that the communication and control system is mainly wireless.

4. A method according to claim 1 and 2 and 3 characterized in that, that the power supply system received its energy during motion and/or stop or parking.

5. A device for carrying out the method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a path: a. the said path is a stationary path having any geometrical shape; b. the said path includes anchoring devices and/or fasteners for holding the path, at a static stable position; c. the said path, is guiding the trolley to move or slide along it; d. the said path includes diverters and elevators that enable the trolley to change directions and/or elevations; e. the said path made of metal and/or non metal/composite materials; f. the said path, is a stationary, static profile, having any cross section; g. the said path is suitable, to receive and hold rolling and/or sliding elements (like the trolley) that move along it; h. the said path has the strength and the shape to handle fully loaded trolleys in a row; i. the said path has a shape suitable for holding the trolley stable and in a required direction that permits it to move safely and easily; j. the said path is suitable to transmit signals along its route, by means of magnetic, electric, voice, light, physical wiring, vibrating or alike; k. the said path includes checkpoints;

1. the said path includes stopping station and accumulating extension; m. the said path includes speed controlling and location system, operate as a part of the entire system and/or separately; n. the said path includes weighing stations, having weighing device with or without a transmitter and/or controller.

6. A device for carrying out the method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises trolley: a. the said trolley is used to handle the goods and move along the said path; b. the said trolley includes a frame suitable in strength and size for handling safely the goods/cargo; c. the said trolley includes a self powered driving system; d. the said trolley includes a self powered driving system; e. the said trolley includes a self powered driving system; f. the said trolley includes a self powered driving system; g. the said trolley includes a controlled receiver and transmitter that communicate with the external programmable commanding and/or local control system; h. the said trolley includes a power unit as defined hereunder; i. the said trolley includes driving and moving, along the path, system; j. the said trolley includes braking and/or stopping device; k. the said trolley includes safety means as well as anchoring and fastening means;

1. the said trolley includes alarm and/or flashlight and/or horn alert; m. the said trolley includes a hanging and/or lean elements that ensure its stability while connecting to the path during all times (moving and/or stopping and/or parking); n. the said trolley includes identification tags readable and/or visible and/or sense of sensors.

7. A device for carrying out the method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises diverters: a. the said diverters are allowing the trolley to run through freely; b. the said diverters are including a position changing actuator controlled by external programmable commanding and control system and/or local; c. the said diverters are including safe locking devices; d. the said diverters are including limit switching; e. the said diverters are including a transmitter; f. the said diverters are including a receiver controller; g. the said diverters are including a moving/sliding path; h. the said diverters are including hanging or supporting to a static element; i. the said diverters are including safety guards; j. the said diverters are including safe locking devices.

8. A device for carrying out the method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises elevator or elevators: a. the said elevators, transfer the trolley between different elevations, while the trolley is parking on the elevator's path; b. the said elevators are included vertical driving systems; c. the said elevators are including limit switches; d. the said elevators are included receiver controller; e. the said elevators are included transmitter; f. the said elevators are including path; g. the said elevators are included stationery guides; h. the said elevators are including alarm; i. the said elevators are included safety guards; j. the said elevators include safe locking devices.

9. A device for carrying out the method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises power unit: a. the said power unit is located on the trolley frame; b. the said power unit consist of electric capacitor and/or electric battery and/or power package based on chemical reaction and/or fuel combustion and/or nuclear reaction; c. the said Power unit/accumulator device, having the capacity for holding power for 1 to 7 days without being recharged; d. the said power unite based on electrical and/or pneumatically and/or hydraulic energy; e the said. Power unit/accumulator recharge by quick rechargeable mean during trolley move along the path and/or slow recharge at stationery stations; f. the said power unit controls, it's power level and transmit a signal as power level reaches the set point: low.

10. A device for carrying out the method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises wheels: a. the said wheels are an intermediate device that release the trolley to roll along the path while transferring the forces to hold the trolley on the path; b. the said wheels made of metals and/or non metal/composite materials; c. the said Wheels gives the trolley degree of freedom to move along the path; d. the said wheels can be as well sliding shoe.

11. A device for carrying out the method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises driving system: a. the said driving system based on electrical energy and/or combustible fuel or gas or nuclear motor with or without electric generator; b. the said driving system propelled by one or more of the following power sources: wind, sunlight, fire, mechanical spring, flywheel, weight; c. the said driving system based on hydraulic and /or pneumatic energy; d. the said driving system based on potential energy; e. the said driving system based on kinetic energy; f. the said driving system based rolling and/or sliding and/or floating on gas and/or fluid; g. the said driving system includes or not mechanical transmission; h. the said driving system includes speed transmission, adjustable or a constant ratio; i. the said driving system includes or not braking and/or stopping device; j. the said driving system force the said trolley to move forward and backward.

12. A device for carrying out the method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: a. a transmitter / receiver device based on commercial standard protocols using Bluetooth and or radio frequency at short wave/medium wave/long wave and/or microwave and/or magnet/ light/ optical means; b. noise reduction to 70 db.A at a distance of 1 meter away from the path; c. device that identifies the trolley and collect the specific data related, during its move along the path and transmit data to the main communication and control system; d. a device that calculates and controls the entire system according to product expire date and/or other value and initiates the communication and control system in respect; e. software for operating and controlling the trolleys and the diverters and the elevators in a manner that the allocated trolley will move from its location to the final destination at the shortest time while those trolleys that are parked along the path will relocate and remain in control; f . initiates the operation and control system from an external location and/or cloud and/or internet and/or local controllers.