System for loading goods and method for receiving and delivering goods using the system

Abstract

A goods loading system and a method for receiving and shipping goods using the same are disclosed. A goods loading system according to one embodiment includes a loading section in which a plurality of unit loading platforms for loading goods are vertically stacked, and a loading platform lift that supports a lower unit loading platform within the loading section and raises the upper unit loading platform by widening the gap between the lower unit loading platform and the upper unit loading platform above it.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a product loading system. Background Technology

[0002] Companies with large-scale product handling operations invest heavily in cost reduction and automation, possessing advanced product handling equipment and processes. Conventional product handling systems are primarily limited to storage or the movement of goods within a warehouse. Consequently, the development of automated product handling systems capable of loading items and automatically picking and transporting stored goods has been relatively slow. The problem to be solved

[0003] According to one embodiment, a material loading system and a method for receiving and releasing materials using the same are proposed, which can load more materials in a small space, efficiently retrieve loaded materials, and make the equipment lighter by minimizing the weight that must be withstood when lifting the loading platform to load or retrieve materials. means of solving the problem

[0004] A product loading system according to one embodiment includes a loading section in which a plurality of unit loading platforms for loading products are vertically stacked, and a loading platform lift that supports a lower unit loading platform within the loading section and raises the upper unit loading platform by widening the gap between the lower unit loading platform and the upper unit loading platform above it.

[0005] The loading platform lift may include an upper movable body having at least one upper hook for hanging and lifting an upper unit loading platform, and a lower movable body having at least one lower hook for hanging and supporting a lower unit loading platform.

[0006] The loading platform lift may further include a body that supports the entire upper and lower moving bodies, a body guide for vertically moving the body up and down, and a moving body guide for vertically moving at least one of the upper and lower moving bodies up and down.

[0007] The upper hook portion and the lower hook portion may each include a protrusion protruding in the direction of the unit loading platform from the upper movable body and the lower movable body, respectively, and each protrusion may be in the form of a latch that goes inside the unit loading platform and hooks the corresponding unit loading platform.

[0008] The upper hanging portion and the lower hanging portion may each be in the form of at least one rotating body that rotates in the upper moving body and the lower moving body, respectively, and each rotating body may rotate horizontally around a rotation axis and, when it enters the corresponding unit loading platform, be able to hang on the corresponding unit loading platform.

[0009] The rotating body is initially separated from the unit loading platform by having a protrusion located opposite the unit loading platform, but when the rotating body rotates around a rotation axis and the protrusion moves to the unit loading platform and rests on it, the loading platform lift can be switched to a state where it can spread the unit loading platform. The rotating body may be in the shape of a semicircle.

[0010] The item loading system may further include unit stacking blocks that are placed over unit stacking racks or fitted with unit stacking racks.

[0011] The item loading system may further include a stacking block guide that supports a plurality of unit stacking blocks and moves at least one unit stacking block vertically up and down, and even if a unit stacking block in the middle is removed, the stacking block guide supports the other plurality of stacking blocks, thereby allowing the other unit stacking blocks to be stably guided by the stacking block guide.

[0012] The item loading system may further include an item picking device that accesses a space opened by a loading platform lift and retrieves or loads items placed in that space.

[0013] The item picking device may include an orthogonal robot that moves up and down and left and right to a space opened by a loading platform lift, and a robot arm mounted on the orthogonal robot that moves horizontally left and right and adjusts its angle to load or retrieve a predetermined item between the opened spaces when the orthogonal robot moves to the opened space.

[0014] The item picking device may include a reference axis that moves up and down to a space opened by a loading platform lift, and a robot arm connected to a rotation axis relative to the reference axis, which moves horizontally left and right while being folded and then unfolded to load or retrieve a predetermined item between the opened spaces.

[0015] The item picking device may include a control unit that determines the location of an item to be picked within a unit loading rack or the location of an item to be loaded into a unit loading rack by using at least one of the item location information within a unit loading rack that is stored in advance, the location information where an item is empty within the unit loading rack, and the item size information, and picks an item at the determined location or loads an item at the determined location.

[0016] The item loading system may further include a management server having location information regarding which items are located at which positions in the loading area, and the item picking device may include a recognition unit that acquires item identification information for items to be newly received or shipped, and a control unit that requests and acquires location information matching the recognized item identification information from the management server.

[0017] The item loading system comprises a first temporary loading section for receiving at least one item to be loaded onto a unit loading platform from an inlet / outlet, temporarily placing it thereon, and then moving it to a unit loading platform, and a section for temporarily placing an item to take out at least one item from a unit loading platform and move it to an inlet / outlet. It may further include at least one of at least one second simple loading section.

[0018] The item loading system may further include an item supply unit that supplies items one by one to an item picking device, and at least one discharge chute that discharges at least one item picked through the item picking device.

[0019] The goods loading system may further include a temperature control device that self-regulates the temperature of the goods loaded in the loading section and the loading space.

[0020] A method for receiving goods using a goods loading system according to another embodiment comprises: a recognition unit acquiring goods identification information for goods to be newly received; a goods picking device picking the recognized goods using the acquired goods identification information; a control unit determining a lower unit loading platform to load the picked goods; a loading platform lift supporting the determined lower unit loading platform and raising the upper unit loading platform by widening the gap between the lower unit loading platform and the upper unit loading platform above it; a goods picking device loading the picked goods onto the lower unit loading platform in the space widened by the loading platform lift; and a storage unit storing the loaded location information.

[0021] A method for releasing goods using a goods loading system according to another embodiment comprises: a recognition unit acquiring goods identification information for goods to be released; a control unit searching for the location of a lower unit loading platform where the goods to be released are loaded using the acquired goods identification information; a loading platform lift supporting the searched lower unit loading platform and raising the upper unit loading platform by widening the gap between the lower unit loading platform and the upper unit loading platform above it; a goods picking device approaching the space widened by the loading platform lift and picking goods loaded on the lower unit loading platform in that space; a goods picking device moving the picked goods to a discharge chute; and a discharge chute discharging the goods. Effects of the invention

[0022] A product loading system and a product receiving and shipping method using the same according to one embodiment can load more products in a small space and efficiently retrieve loaded products. For example, by arranging multiple unit loading racks in multiple layers vertically, space efficiency can be increased because a separate space for retrieving products, which was required in drawer-type systems, is not needed. In addition, products within the loading racks can be picked using a product picking device, thereby improving processing speed and simplifying the structure.

[0023] Furthermore, the equipment can be made lighter by minimizing the weight that must be withstood when lifting the rack to load or unload items.

[0024] For example, if a rack lift has a hook extending from a single mobile body and hooking only onto the unit racks to be lifted, the entire load of the lifted units is placed on that single mobile body, making the body's axle prone to bending. Therefore, the mobile body must be constructed sturdily to prevent the axle from bending; however, this increases the volume of the mobile body and incurs additional costs.

[0025] In contrast, according to one embodiment, a loading platform lift is equipped with an upper movable body and a lower movable body, and the upper movable body and the lower movable body are positioned to cross an upper unit loading platform and a lower unit loading platform, respectively, and then the space between the upper unit loading platform and the lower unit loading platform is widened. Accordingly, since the load of the unit loading platform above only needs to be supported by the small movable body that widens the space between the two unit loading platforms, the equipment can be made lighter. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0026] FIGS. 1 and 2 are drawings illustrating the structure of a loading section of a product loading system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are drawings illustrating a unit loading platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an example of spreading the space between unit stacks using a stacking lift according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an article picking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7 and 8 are drawings illustrating an article picking device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a product loading system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a movable body within the loading platform lift of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating the operation of a hook portion of a movable body inside a loading platform lift of FIG. 10 hanging a unit loading platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 12 to 14 are cross-sectional drawings of a product loading system to explain the operation of the loading platform lift of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a loading platform lift according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a side view of the loading platform lift of FIG. 15 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a drawing illustrating the operation of the loading platform lift of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a drawing illustrating a unit stacked block according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a method for receiving goods using a goods loading system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a method for releasing goods using a goods loading system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0027] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0028] In describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined considering the functions in the embodiments of the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intentions or conventions of the user or operator. Therefore, such definitions should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0029] Additionally, each block or each step may represent a module, segment, or part of code containing one or more executable instructions for executing specific logical functions, and it should be noted that in some alternative embodiments, the functions mentioned in the blocks or steps may occur out of order. For example, two blocks or steps described in succession may actually be performed substantially simultaneously, and the blocks or steps may also be performed in the reverse order of the corresponding functions as needed.

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention exemplified below may be modified in various different forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0031] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are drawings illustrating the structure of a loading section of a product loading system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the item loading system includes a loading section (10) in which a plurality of unit loading platforms (100) are vertically stacked. Each unit loading platform (100) has a loading space in which items can be loaded, and a plurality of items can be loaded in each unit loading platform (100). The unit loading platform (100) of FIG. 1 is in the form of a loading box, and the unit loading platform (100) of FIG. 2 is in the form of a unit loading plate.

[0033] When stacking items vertically on shelves or in drawers and retrieving them, additional space is required. For example, in the case of shelves, sufficient height must be ensured to retrieve items located at the back. In the case of drawers, space is needed at the front, so likewise, more than twice the amount of space occupied by the items is required.

[0034] However, the item loading system according to one embodiment can load and retrieve items without the aforementioned separate space, thereby allowing for efficient use of space. In this case, the item loading system can load many types of items in a small space or retrieve loaded items. For example, the item loading system stacks unit loading racks (100) vertically, but stacks the unit loading racks (100) without a space to retrieve items. To retrieve items, the item loading system lifts at least one unit loading rack stacked vertically above a predetermined unit loading rack to create space, and then retrieves the items in the unit loading rack within the created space.

[0035] FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4 are drawings illustrating a unit loading platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] More specifically, FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a unit loading box, and FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a unit loading plate. The unit loading stand (100) may be in the form of a unit loading box as shown in FIG. 3, or in the form of a unit loading plate as shown in FIG. 4.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an example of spreading the space between unit stacks using a stacking lift according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, each unit stacking platform (100) can be spaced apart using a stacking platform lift (9) provided in the stacking section (10). As shown in FIG. 5, the stacking platform lift (9) includes a guide (51) and can move vertically up and down along the guide (51). The guide (51) is extended to a certain length on one side of the upper surface of the stacking section (10) or on both sides of the side to guide the stacking platform lift (9) to move up and down along the guide (51). The unit stacking platform (100) is provided with a protrusion formed protruding outwardly or a receiving section with a groove formed therein, so that the protrusion or receiving section of the unit stacking platform (100) can be caught by the stacking platform lift (9) and lifted up. As another example, the stacking platform lift (9) can be lifted and lowered vertically while stacked vertically without the guide (51).

[0039] By using the stacking lift (9) to widen the gap between unit stacks and pushing up a predetermined upper unit stack, all unit stacks on top of the upper unit stack can be raised at once. Additionally, if necessary, a fixing member (104) can be provided to secure each lifted unit stack, thereby preventing the lifted unit stacks from falling down. The stacking lift (9) can raise unit stacks sequentially one by one, or it can lift all unit stacks above a specific position at once. The lifted unit stacks can be lowered again via the stacking lift (9).

[0040] The loading platform lift (9) is equipped with a hook portion capable of hanging a unit loading platform (100) on a rack and pinion gear, screw gear, timing belt, etc., and can move the unit loading platform up and down by hanging it using the hook portion. The unit loading platform (100) has a space for loading an item (A).

[0041] A goods loading system may include at least one of a first temporary loading section for receiving at least one item to be loaded onto a unit loading platform from an inlet / outlet, temporarily placing the item thereon, and then moving it to the unit loading platform, and at least one second temporary loading section for temporarily placing the item to take out at least one item from the unit loading platform and move it to the inlet / outlet. The first temporary loading section may be a buffer shelf. The second temporary loading section may be a buffer shelf or a basket. The first temporary loading section and the second temporary loading section may be physically identical or physically separated.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an article picking device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, the item loading system uses a loading platform lift to open the space between unit loading platforms in order to retrieve items from a predetermined unit loading platform, and then uses an item picking device (12a) to allow a robot arm (122) to enter the opened space and retrieve the items. The item picking device (12a) for this purpose may include an x, y, and z axis orthogonal robot that moves left and right and up and down, and a robot arm capable of moving horizontally. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the orthogonal robot includes a first body (120) that moves up and down and a second body (121) that moves left and right, and by adjusting the angle while moving the robot arm (122) mounted on the orthogonal robot horizontally left and right, it can pick up items to be retrieved or load items being held at the corresponding location. When the orthogonal robot moves up and down and left and right to the space opened by the loading platform lift, the robot arm moves horizontally left and right and adjusts the angle to load or retrieve predetermined items between the opened spaces.

[0044] FIGS. 7 and FIGS. 8 are drawings illustrating an article picking device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] More specifically, FIG. 7 shows the top surface of the item picking device (12b), and FIG. 8 shows the side surface of the item picking device (12b).

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the item picking device (12b) includes a reference axis (123), a rotation axis (124), and a robot arm (125). There may be multiple rotation axis (124) and robot arm (125). The reference axis (123) moves up and down to the space opened by the loading platform lift. The robot arm (125) is connected via the rotation axis (124) with respect to the reference axis (123), and moves horizontally left and right while being folded and then unfolded to load or retrieve a predetermined item between the opened spaces.

[0047] The item picking device (12b) can access any position in a two-dimensional plane by attaching a robot arm (125) that bends left and right through a rotation axis (124) that acts as a joint to a reference axis (123) that moves only up and down.

[0048] The robot arm (125) can enter a vertically open space to take out an item at a specific location or place an item at a specific location. The robot arm (125) can access an item by being folded when moving vertically to a specific unit loading position, and then unfolding to the location where the item is located within the unit loading position when it enters that unit loading position.

[0049] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a product loading system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 9, the item loading system (1) includes a loading unit (10), a loading platform lift (9), and an item picking device (12). Additionally, the item loading system (1) may include a processor and a storage unit in software, and the processor may include a recognition unit and a control unit.

[0051] The loading section (10) includes a plurality of unit loading platforms (100) that are vertically stacked and each have a flat loading space for loading multiple items. Each unit loading platform (100) is stacked vertically. Loading efficiency can be increased by making each unit loading platform (100) into multiple layers vertically.

[0052] The loading platform lift (9) supports the lower unit loading platform within the loading section (10) and raises the upper unit loading platform by widening the gap between the lower unit loading platform and the upper unit loading platform above it.

[0053] For example, the loading platform lift (9) includes an upper hook portion capable of hanging an upper unit loading platform and a lower hook portion capable of hanging a lower unit loading platform. In this case, the upper hook portion and the lower hook portion may each be in the form of a protrusion. Each protrusion may be in the form of a latch capable of hanging a predetermined unit loading platform. In this case, the upper unit loading platform and the lower unit loading platform do not need to be directly attached.

[0054] Since the weight lifted by the loading platform lift (9) can be supported by the lower unit loading platform, the weight on the shaft of the loading platform lift (9) does not need to be large. This method is structured so that the loading platform lift (9) supports the lower unit loading platform while lifting the upper unit loading platform, thereby acting as a mechanism to connect both the upper and lower unit loading platforms and spread them apart. By doing this, the load only needs to be supported by the upper moving body that acts as a mechanism to spread the upper and lower unit loading platforms, thus providing the advantage of making the loading platform lift (9) lighter.

[0055] Furthermore, FIG. 9 illustrates a configuration in which each unit stacking block (50) is fitted or placed over the unit stacking block, wherein the upper hanging part (93a) is inserted into the upper unit stacking block and the lower hanging part (93b) is inserted into the hole of the lower unit stacking block.

[0056] An embodiment of the loading platform lift (9) will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14.

[0057] The item picking device (12) accesses the space opened by the loading platform lift (9) and loads items into the space or retrieves items placed therein. The item picking device (12) may include a picking arm, a picking robot, etc. Picking robots may include Cartesian coordinate robots, single-axis robots, etc. When using a single-axis robot, one coordinate may be determined according to the extent to which a unit loading platform (100) is retrieved, and the robot arm of the single-axis robot may be configured to move only left and right (horizontal direction).

[0058] The item picking device (12) may pick items from a predetermined unit loading platform and may place items on the unit loading platform. Vision technology may be used to pick or load desired items, but the desired items may be picked or loaded using location information of items within the unit loading platform, empty location information, and item size information already stored in the system. The item picking device (12) may move in conjunction with the loading platform lift (9).

[0059] The position where the item picking device (12) picks up an item using a robot arm and the position where it places the item can be determined according to the picking and discharging plan. Additionally, the position where the item is to be loaded can be determined using information on empty spaces within a unit loading rack known by the system. When the item picking device (12) picks up an item at a corresponding position, an air suction method can be used. The item picking device (12) can also place the picked item into a discharge chute. To facilitate coordinate designation, the item picking device (12) may have a structure that moves along the x and y axes and a configuration that moves only up and down.

[0060] The item picking device (12) can temporarily place items on the second temporary loading section (14) to take out at least one item from the unit loading section and move it to the inlet / outlet.

[0061] The item picking device (12) can pick items between the spaces opened by the loading platform lift (9) and then discharge items by placing them directly into the discharge chute or by dropping them down.

[0062] The item picking device (12) may include a recognition unit and a control unit.

[0063] The recognition unit can acquire item identification information regarding items to be newly received or shipped. In this case, the item identification information may be a barcode, RFID, etc. The recognition unit may be a scanner, a vision camera, a barcode reader, an RFID reader, etc.

[0064] The control unit requests and obtains location information matching the item identification information recognized through the recognition unit from the management server. The control unit uses at least one of the pre-stored item location information within the unit stacking rack, information on empty locations within the unit stacking rack, and item size information to determine the location of an item to be picked or loaded within the unit stacking rack, and can control the picking of an item at the determined location or the loading of an item at the determined location. Additionally, when receiving (loading) items, the control unit identifies the type (or ID) and size of the item, and then controls the loading of the item at a location selected from among the empty locations within the unit stacking rack based on loading location evaluation criteria (considering distance, movement path, etc.). Since the loading location can be anywhere the system remembers, it can be an arbitrary location, thereby increasing loading efficiency. Loading can be performed to minimize movement paths, and if there are few large orders, there is no need to load identical items together.

[0065] The item loading system (1) may further include an item supply unit that supplies items one by one to an item picking device, and a discharge chute that discharges at least one item picked through the item picking device. The item supply unit may be in the form of a conveyor, etc.

[0066] The item loading system (1) may further include a temperature control device that self-regulates the temperature of the items loaded in the loading section (10) and the loading space. The temperature control device can be used for refrigeration, freezing, constant temperature, etc. In this case, it can also be used as a device for automatically managing the loading and unloading of items.

[0067] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a moving body within the loading platform lift of FIG. 9 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the upper hook portion (93a) of the upper moving body (91a) inside the loading platform lift can move back and forth on the upper unit loading platform, and when it moves forward toward the upper unit loading platform, it can enter the upper unit loading platform and hook the upper unit loading platform.

[0069] The upper movable body (91a) can move vertically up and down along the movable body guide (92), and the belt (95) rotates by the rotation of the hook drive motor (94). Subsequently, when the upper movable body (91a) moves forward toward the upper unit loading platform by the rotation of the belt (95), it enters the upper unit loading platform and can hang the upper unit loading platform. The belt (95) can be replaced with a rack and pinion gear, a screw gear, etc.

[0070] In FIG. 10, for ease of explanation, an upper movable body (91a) is shown with an upper hook portion (93a) that hooks an upper unit loading platform, but the item loading system is further provided with a lower movable body with a lower hook portion that hooks a lower unit loading platform at the bottom. The operation of the lower movable body hooking the lower unit loading platform is similar to the operation of the upper movable body.

[0071] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating the operation of a hook portion of a moving body inside a loading platform lift of FIG. 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention, hooking a unit loading platform.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the item loading system is configured with right-angle plate gears (73a, 73b) and hooks (93a, 93b) in the shapes of 'ㄱ' and 'ㄴ', respectively, and then the hooks (93a, 93b) are engaged with the right-angle plate gears (73a, 73b) to rotate simultaneously. When the hook drive motor is driven, the hooks (93a, 93b) rotate 90 degrees around a rotation axis that rotates in the horizontal direction, and as the hooks (93a, 93b) enter the unit loading platform, the unit loading platform can be occupied.

[0073] As another example, it is also possible to have the rotation axis set vertically and the hook portion (93a, 93b) rotate in a lateral direction to enter each unit loading platform and hook the corresponding unit loading platform.

[0074] FIGS. 12 to 14 are cross-sectional drawings of a product loading system to explain the operation of the loading platform lift of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] First, the configuration of the loading platform lift will be explained with reference to FIGS. 9 and FIGS. 12 to 14.

[0076] A stacking lift (9) that widens the gap between an upper unit stacking platform (101) and a lower unit stacking platform (102) can move vertically up and down in synchronization from both the left and right sides. The stacking lift (9) includes an upper moving body (91a) and a lower moving body (91b).

[0077] The upper movable body (91a) includes at least one upper hook portion (93a) for hanging the upper unit loading platform (101) and lifting the upper unit loading platform (101). Two upper hook portions (93a) are shown in FIGS. 12 to 14.

[0078] The lower movable body (91b) includes at least one lower hanging part (93b) for hanging and supporting the lower unit loading platform (102). Two lower hanging parts (93b) are shown in FIGS. 12 to 14.

[0079] The body (96) supports the entire upper movable body (91a) and lower movable body (91b), and the body guide (98) moves the body (96) vertically up and down. To this end, the body guide (98) is inserted in the form of a rod into a hole of the body (96), so that the body (96) can be provided in a form that allows it to move vertically up and down along the body guide (98).

[0080] The movable guide (92) moves at least one of the upper movable body (91a) and the lower movable body (91b) vertically up and down. To this end, the movable guide (92) is inserted in the form of a rod into the hole of the upper connecting part connected to the upper movable body (91a) and the hole of the lower connecting part connected to the lower movable body (91b), so that at least one of the upper movable body (91a) and the lower movable body (91b) can be provided in a form that allows it to move vertically up and down along the movable guide (92).

[0081] Hereinafter, the operation of the loading platform lift will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 12, the loading platform lift reaches a target point while the body (96) moves up and down along the body guide (98) in a separated state where the upper hook (93a) and lower hook (93b) are separated from the upper unit loading platform (101) and lower unit loading platform (102).

[0083] When the body (96) reaches the target point, as shown in FIG. 13, the loading platform lift has the upper hook portion (93a) and the lower hook portion (93b) enter the upper unit loading platform (101) and the lower unit loading platform (102), respectively. For example, the two hook portions (93a, 93b) may be inserted into the hole portions of the loading platforms (101, 102), and the two hook portions (93a, 93b) may each be placed between the loading platforms (101, 102) or across the lower portions of the loading platforms (101, 102).

[0084] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 14, when the load lift widens the gap between the upper hook (93a) and the lower hook (93b), the lower hook (93b) naturally supports the lower unit load (102), and the upper hook (93a) lifts the upper unit load (101), thereby widening the gap between the upper unit load (101) and the lower unit load (102).

[0085] Next, a product picking device can approach through the gap between the unit stacks to take out a product from the lower unit stack (102) or load a product onto the lower unit stack (102). In this structure, the weight of the entire stack being lifted is not placed on the body guide (98) but only on the body (96) part equipped with the movable guide (92), so the system can be operated stably if the body (96) part is constructed sturdily.

[0086] FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a loading platform lift according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 15, an upper hook portion (93a') and a lower hook portion (93b') in the form of a rotating body can be used as a method to widen the gap between unit stacks. With reference to FIGS. 9 to 14, the upper hook portion (93a) and the lower hook portion (93b) described above are in the form of a latch that can advance forward and backward on the unit stack and be inserted into a hole, etc., whereas the upper hook portion (93a') and the lower hook portion (93b') of FIG. 15 differ in that they are in the form of a rotating body. The rotating body may be in the shape of a semicircle as shown in FIG. 15.

[0088] The semicircular upper hanging part (93a') and lower hanging part (93b') are provided with a hole inside, and the hanging part guide (60) is inserted into the hole. They are capable of rotating horizontally around the axis of the hanging part guide (60) and are also capable of moving vertically up and down around the axis of the hanging part guide (60).

[0089] The operation of the upper hanging part (93a') and the lower hanging part (93b') is described below.

[0090] When the motor (94) is driven and the hanging guide (60) rotates, the upper hanging part (93a') and the lower hanging part (93b') rotate in a horizontal direction with the hanging guide (60) as the axis. Since the upper hanging part (93a') and the lower hanging part (93b') are semicircular in shape, if the protrusion of the semicircle is located in the opposite direction of the unit stacking table, they are separated from the unit stacking table. In contrast, if the protrusion of the upper hanging part (93a') and the lower hanging part (93b') is positioned between the unit stacking tables and overlaps due to rotation, the corresponding unit stacking table is switched to a state where it can be spread open.

[0091] In FIG. 15, the upper hanging portion (93a') and the lower hanging portion (93b') are each shown as being in a group of three horizontally, but the number within the group is not limited to this and can be varied depending on the operating environment of the system.

[0092] In FIG. 15, the upper hook portion (93a') and the lower hook portion (93b') are each shown as one vertical group, but this expression is used to distinguish the positional relationship between the upper hook portion (93a') and the lower hook portion (93b'), and the loading platform lift (9) can be expanded into three or more hook portions having an upper and lower positional relationship vertically.

[0093] When the upper hanging portion (93a') rests on the upper unit loading platform, the upper movable body (91a') located below the upper hanging portion (93a') can lift the upper unit loading platform. Additionally, when the lower hanging portion (93b') rests on the lower unit loading platform, the lower movable body (93b') located below the lower hanging portion (93b') can support the lower unit loading platform. The vertical movement of the upper movable body (91a') and the lower movable body (93b') can be performed with the movable body guide (92) as the axis.

[0094] The rotating body may be in the shape of a semicircle as shown in FIG. 15, but it can be deformed into any shape as long as the structure allows the protrusion to be separated from the unit loading platform and then rotated so that the protrusion can rest on the unit loading platform. The rotating body may be made of POM (polyacetal or polyoxymethylene), but is not limited thereto.

[0095] FIG. 16 is a side view of the loading platform lift of FIG. 15 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper hanging portion (93a') and the lower hanging portion (93b') are in the form of a rotating body, and when the protrusion is positioned on the upper unit loading platform and the lower unit loading platform by rotation, it is possible to support the upper unit loading platform and the lower unit loading platform.

[0097] Furthermore, FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a configuration in which each unit stacking block (50) is fitted or has a unit stacking block placed over it, wherein an upper hanging part (93a') is placed over the upper unit stacking block (50a) and a lower hanging part (93b') is placed over the lower unit stacking block (50b).

[0098] FIG. 17 is a drawing illustrating the operation of the loading platform lift of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), the upper hook portion (93a') and the lower hook portion (93b') are semicircular rotating bodies, so when the semicircular protrusion is located in the opposite direction of the unit loading platform, they are separated from the unit loading platform.

[0100] Next, when the hanging guide (60) rotates when the motor (94) is driven, the upper hanging part (93a') and the lower hanging part (93b') rotate horizontally with the hanging guide (60) as the axis, as shown in (b) of FIG. 17.

[0101] Next, as shown in Fig. 17 (c), when the upper hook portion (93a') and the lower hook portion (93b') are further rotated, the protrusions of the upper hook portion (93a') and the lower hook portion (93b') each rest on the upper unit loading platform (101) and the lower unit loading platform (102), respectively, and the space between the corresponding unit loading platforms (101, 102) is widened.

[0102] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 17 (d) and (e), an upper movable body (91a') located below the upper hanging part (93a') can lift the upper unit loading platform (101). Additionally, when the lower hanging part (93b') rests on the lower unit loading platform (102), a lower movable body (93b') located below the lower hanging part (93b') can support the lower unit loading platform (102). The vertical movement of the upper movable body (91a') and the lower movable body (93b') can be performed around the movable body guide (92) as an axis.

[0103] FIG. 18 is a drawing illustrating a unit stacked block according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 18, the item loading system may further include a unit stacking block (50) and a stacking block guide.

[0105] The unit stacking block (50) is in the form of a block that can be placed over the unit stacking stand (100) or fitted onto the unit stacking stand (100). The item loading portion of the unit stacking stand (100) and the stacking block guides on both sides are made separable so that the unit stacking block (50) is used to secure a gap and lift, and the unit stacking stand (100) is assembled by placing it over the unit stacking block (50) or fitting it onto the unit stacking block (50). By doing this, one unit stacking block in the middle can be easily removed, and assembly and separation are also easy.

[0106] In FIG. 18, the unit stacking platform (100) is configured in the form of a thin stacking plate, but the height of the unit stacking platform (100) can be increased depending on the size of the item, and it is also possible to secure a gap between unit stacking platforms by adding only unit stacking blocks (50) in the middle.

[0107] The unit stacking block (50) is designed to be stacked one by one, and has an open stacking block guide, so that when there is no unit stacking stand, the unit stacking block in the middle can be removed. The stacking block guide supports the unit stacking block and allows the unit stacking block to be moved vertically up and down. The open parts (30) on both sides of the unit stacking block (50) are the positions where the stacking block guide, which is in the form of a rod, rests. When the stacking block guide rests on this spot, the unit stacking block (50) can be stably guided and moved. Therefore, after removing the predetermined unit stacking stand, the unit stacking block in the middle can be removed. For example, even if the unit stacking block in the middle is removed, the stacking block guide supports multiple other stacking blocks, so the other unit stacking blocks can be stably guided by the stacking block guide.

[0108] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a method for receiving goods using a goods loading system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 19, the recognition unit obtains item identification information for a newly received item (1910). At this time, the item identification information can be input and the item identification information can be measured. The item identification information is information that can identify an item, such as a barcode or RFID. Since the management server has location information regarding which item is loaded at which location in the loading unit, the control unit of the item picking device can request the management server with the item identification information to obtain location information that matches the item identification information.

[0110] Next, the item picking device picks the recognized item using the acquired item identification information (1920).

[0111] Next, the control unit determines the lower unit loading platform to load the picked incoming goods (1930).

[0112] Next, the loading platform lift supports the determined lower unit loading platform and raises the upper unit loading platform by widening the gap between the lower unit loading platform and the upper unit loading platform above it (1940). Next, the item picking device loads the picked item onto the lower unit loading platform in the space widened by the loading platform lift (1950).

[0113] Next, the storage unit stores the loaded location information (1960).

[0114] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a method for releasing goods using a goods loading system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 20, a recognition unit obtains product identification information for a product to be shipped (2010). At this time, product identification information can be input and product identification information can be measured. Product identification information is information that can identify a product, such as a barcode, RFID, etc.

[0116] Next, the control unit searches for the location of the unit loading area where the outgoing item is loaded using the acquired item identification information (2020). If the item identification information is known, a request can be made to the management server to search for location information regarding where the item is loaded in the loading area.

[0117] Next, the loading platform lift supports the searched lower unit loading platform and raises the upper unit loading platform by widening the gap between the lower unit loading platform and the upper unit loading platform above it (2030). Then, the item picking device approaches the space widened by the loading platform lift and picks the item loaded on the lower unit loading platform in that space (2040).

[0118] Next, the item picking device moves the picked out item to the discharge chute (2050), and the discharge chute discharges the item (2060).

[0119] The present invention has been described above with reference to its embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, not by the foregoing description, and all variations within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included in the invention.

Claims

Claim 1 A loading unit comprising a lower unit loading platform and an upper unit loading platform stacked on the upper side of the lower unit loading platform; and a loading platform lift capable of moving along the vertical direction of the loading unit and moving up and down to align with a target point, supporting the lower unit loading platform from below and lifting the upper unit loading platform from above to create a gap between the lower unit loading platform and the upper unit loading platform, thereby separating them, wherein the loading platform lift comprises a lower hook portion that hooks and supports the lower unit loading platform from below; and an upper hook portion that hooks and lifts the upper unit loading platform from above, such that a gap is formed between the lower unit loading platform supported by the lower hook portion and the upper unit loading platform lifted by the upper hook portion, thereby separating the two unit loading platforms. Claim 2 A loading system according to claim 1, wherein the loading platform lift comprises: an upper movable body having at least one upper hook portion for hanging an upper unit loading platform to lift an upper unit loading platform; and a lower movable body having at least one lower hook portion for hanging a lower unit loading platform to support a lower unit loading platform. Claim 3 A loading system according to claim 2, further comprising: a body that supports the entire upper and lower movable bodies; a body guide for vertically moving the body up and down; and a movable body guide for vertically moving at least one of the upper and lower movable bodies up and down. Claim 4 A product loading system according to claim 2, wherein the upper hook portion and the lower hook portion each include a protrusion protruding in the direction of the unit loading platform from the upper movable body and the lower movable body, respectively, and each protrusion is in the form of a latch that goes into the unit loading platform and hooks the corresponding unit loading platform. Claim 5 A product loading system according to claim 2, wherein the upper hanging part and the lower hanging part are each in the form of at least one rotating body that rotates in the upper moving body and the lower moving body, respectively, and each rotating body rotates horizontally around a rotation axis and, when it enters the corresponding unit loading platform, hangs on the corresponding unit loading platform. Claim 6 A product loading system according to claim 5, characterized in that the rotating body is separated from the unit loading platform by having a protrusion of the rotating body located in the opposite direction of the unit loading platform, and when the rotating body rotates around a rotation axis and the protrusion of the rotating body moves to the unit loading platform and rests on the unit loading platform, the loading platform lift is converted to a state in which the unit loading platform can be opened. Claim 7 A product loading system according to claim 5, characterized in that the rotating body is in the shape of a semicircle. Claim 8 A product loading system according to claim 1, further comprising a unit stacking block that spans over a unit loading platform or into which a unit loading platform is fitted. Claim 9 In claim 8, the article loading system further comprises a stacking block guide that supports a plurality of unit stacking blocks and moves at least one unit stacking block vertically up and down; and is characterized in that even if an intermediate unit stacking block is removed, the stacking block guide supports another plurality of stacking blocks, thereby stably guiding another unit stacking block by the stacking block guide. Claim 10 A product loading system according to claim 1, further comprising a product picking device that accesses a space opened by a loading platform lift and retrieves or loads a product placed in the space. Claim 11 In claim 10, the item picking device comprises: an orthogonal robot that moves up and down and left and right to a space opened by a loading platform lift; and a robot arm mounted on the orthogonal robot that moves horizontally left and right and adjusts its angle to load or unload a predetermined item between the opened spaces when the orthogonal robot moves to the opened space. Claim 12 In claim 10, the item picking device comprises: a reference axis that moves up and down to a space opened by a loading platform lift; and a robot arm connected to a rotation axis relative to the reference axis, which moves horizontally left and right while being folded and then unfolded to load or retrieve a predetermined item between the opened spaces. Claim 13 In claim 10, the item picking device comprises a control unit that determines the location of an item to be picked within a unit loading rack or the location of an item to be loaded into a unit loading rack by using at least one of the item location information within a unit loading rack that is stored in advance, the location information where an item is empty in the unit loading rack, and the size information of an item, and picks an item at the determined location or loads an item at the determined location; the item loading system is characterized by including a control unit. Claim 14 In claim 10, the item loading system further comprises a management server having location information regarding which item is located at which position in the loading section; and the item picking device comprises a recognition unit that acquires item identification information for items to be newly received or shipped out; and a control unit that requests and acquires location information matching the recognized item identification information from the management server. Claim 15 In claim 1, the item loading system comprises: a first temporary loading section for receiving at least one item to be loaded onto a unit loading platform from an inlet / outlet, temporarily placing it thereon, and then moving it to the unit loading platform; and a section for temporarily placing an item to take out at least one item from the unit loading platform and move it to the inlet / outlet. A goods loading system characterized by further including at least one of at least one second simple loading section. Claim 16 A material loading system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of: a material supply unit that supplies materials one by one to a material picking device; and a discharge chute that discharges at least one material picked through the material picking device. Claim 17 A goods loading system according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature control device that self-regulates the temperature of goods loaded in the loading section and the loading space. Claim 18 A method for receiving goods using a goods loading system, comprising: a recognition unit acquiring goods identification information for goods to be newly received; a goods picking device picking the recognized goods using the acquired goods identification information; a control unit determining a lower unit loading platform to load the picked goods; a loading platform lift capable of moving along the vertical direction of a loading platform including a lower unit loading platform and an upper unit loading platform stacked on the upper side of the lower unit loading platform, and moving up and down in accordance with the determined position of the lower unit loading platform, then using a lower hook to hook and support the lower unit loading platform from below and using an upper hook to hook and lift the upper unit loading platform from above to create a gap between the two unit loading platforms; a goods picking device loading the picked goods onto the lower unit loading platform in the space created by the loading platform lift; and a storage unit storing the loaded location information. Claim 19 A method for discharging goods using a goods loading system, comprising: a recognition unit acquiring goods identification information for goods to be discharged; a control unit searching for the location of a lower unit loading platform where goods to be discharged are loaded using the acquired goods identification information; a loading platform lift capable of moving along the vertical direction of a loading unit including a lower unit loading platform and an upper unit loading platform stacked on the upper side of the lower unit loading platform, and moving up and down in accordance with the location of the searched lower unit loading platform, then using a lower hook to hang and support the lower unit loading platform from below and using an upper hook to hang and lift the upper unit loading platform from above to create a gap between the two unit loading platforms; a goods picking device approaching the space created by the loading platform lift and picking goods loaded on the lower unit loading platform in that space; a goods picking device moving the picked goods to be discharged to a discharge chute; and a discharge chute discharging goods; characterized by comprising the steps of:

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