Stacking storage components

Abstract

A stack storage assembly is described, which has a plurality of container stacking spaces, a transport space arranged below the container stacking spaces in the direction of gravity, and a transport vehicle movable in the transport space, the transport vehicle having a lifting device with which containers can be transferred into or out of the container stacking spaces, wherein each container stacking space has a holding device at its lower end in the direction of gravity with at least one holding element, which holding element can be moved by means of an actuating device arranged on the transport vehicle between a holding position in which it holds the container arranged in the container stacking space against gravity and a release position in which the container can be transferred through the holding element. For this purpose, it is provided that the transport vehicle has at least one fixing element which can be moved into a fixing position, in which the fixing position cooperates with the fixing element in the release position and holds the fixing element in the release position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stacking storage assembly with a large number of container stacking spaces, a transport space arranged below the container stacking space in the direction of gravity, and a transport vehicle movable in the transport space, the transport vehicle having a lifting device with which containers can be transferred into or out of the container stacking space, wherein each container stacking space has a holding device with at least one holding element at its lower end in the direction of gravity, the holding element being movable between a holding position in which the container arranged in the container stacking space is held against gravity and a release position in which the container can be transferred through the holding element by means of an operating device arranged on the transport vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In such a stacking storage assembly, containers can be stacked in a container stacking space. Here, the container stacking space is preferably arranged in a matrix form with rows and columns. When a container should be stored in a container stacking space, it is arranged on a lifting device of a transport vehicle. The transport vehicle then travels through the transport space until it is below a predetermined or desired container stacking space. The lifting device then lifts the container until it passes through a retaining device. In the case of lifting the container, the retaining element is moved to a release position. Once the container or the part of the container responsible for the container that is held in the retaining device passes through the retaining device, the retaining element can be transferred to the retaining position again. When the lifting device lowers the container, the retaining element is in engagement with the container and holds the container against the effect of gravity. The transport vehicle can then be removed below the corresponding container stacking space. When one or more containers already exist in the container stacking space in advance, the entire stack is lifted in the case of the lifting device lifting, once the lifted container is in contact with the bottom container of the stack. In other cases, the depositing process is the same.

[0003] In the case of removing a container from the container stacking space, the transport vehicle is used again. The transport vehicle is driven under the container stacking space and the lifting device is lifted until it is in contact with the lowermost container of the container stack in the container stacking space. The lifting device then lifts the container, if applicable together with the stack of further containers located thereon. As soon as the lifting device is unloaded, the holding element can be moved into the release position. The container stack is then lowered.

[0004] However, the holding element must be held in the release position while the lower container passes the holding device. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention is based on the object of making it possible to remove containers from a container stacking space in a simple manner.

[0006] This object is achieved in the case of a stacking storage assembly of the type mentioned above in that the transport vehicle has at least one fixing element which can be transferred into a fixing position and in which it interacts with a retaining element in a release position and retains the retaining element in the release position.

[0007] In addition to the actuating device that moves the holding element into the release position, a fixing element arranged on the transport vehicle is then used. Once the holding element is in the release position, the holding element can be fixed there by the fixing element so that the container to be removed can pass through the holding device. As soon as it is no longer necessary to hold the holding element in the release position, the fixing element can be removed so that the holding element can be moved back into the holding position.

[0008] Preferably, the transport vehicle has a control device for actuating the fixing element when the holding element is in the release position. The control device then ensures a certain sequence of operations when a container is to be removed from the container stacking space. First, the holding element must be moved from the holding position to the release position by the actuating device. Only then can the fixing element be actuated in order to hold the holding element in the release position.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the holding element is configured as a double-arm lever with a first arm and a second arm having a support surface for the container, and the fixing element acts on the second arm. The fixing element is then not located below the support surface for the container and thus can not interfere with the movement of the container.

[0010] More preferably, the holding element is arranged in a support arranged between the container stacking space and the transport space and the fixing element can be moved into the gap between the holding element and the support in the release position. The holding element can then be supported on the support via the fixing element. The support can be configured, for example, as a frame, which surrounds one or more openings at the lower end of one or more container stacking spaces.

[0011] Preferably, the fixing element has a tapering tip. This makes it easier to move the fixing element. Even when the transport vehicle is not exactly in the theoretical position below the container stacking space, it is possible to move the fixing element in such a way that it can interact with the holding element in the release position.

[0012] Preferably, the support has a guide for the fixing element. The tapering tip can then enter the guide. In the case of further movement, the fixing element is automatically guided into the desired position, in which the fixing element can hold or fix the holding element in the release position.

[0013] Here, it is preferred that the guide device has a channel arranged below the holding element and outside the container movement path. This channel can be configured, for example, as a bore in another part of the plate or the support.

[0014] Preferably, the fixing element projects further beyond the transport vehicle in the non-actuated position perpendicularly to the direction of gravity than in the actuated position. The fixing element is then moved, as it were, into the transport vehicle when it is not required for fixing the retaining element in the release position. In the ideal case, the outer contour of the transport vehicle, i.e. the contour of the transport vehicle transversely to the direction of gravity, is not enlarged by the fixing element in the non-actuated position.

[0015] It is preferred that the fixing element is guided in a curve guide formed on the transport vehicle. This is a simple possibility for moving the fixing element out of the contour of the transport vehicle against the direction of gravity in the case of lifting and reintroducing it into the space within the contour of the transport vehicle in the case of lowering in the direction of gravity. The transport vehicle itself can then be designed relatively precisely for the requirements in the transport space, for example for the container stacking space to be laterally delimited by struts which reach to the bottom on which the transport vehicle can move in the transport space.

[0016] Preferably, the lifting device has a lifting frame with a container support surface, wherein the lifting frame forms at least a part of the handling device. For example, one no longer needs an additional movable element in order to move the holding element from the holding position to the release position. When the container is deposited in the container stacking space, the holding element is then opened by the container itself, when the container is lifted. When the container is to be removed from the transport space, the holding element is then opened by the lifting frame and is held in the opened position, that is to say in the release position, by the fixing element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention is described below with reference to a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a stacked storage assembly,

[0019] Figure 2 A perspective illustration showing a frame assembly at the lower end of a container stacking space,

[0020] Figure 3 A transport vehicle belonging to a stack storage assembly is shown,

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic illustration of a fixing device with fixing elements is shown,

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram for explaining the movement of the fixing element,

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a diagram for explaining the deposit of a container into a container stacking space.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram for explaining the removal of a container from a container stacking space, and

[0025] FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration for explaining the operating principle of the fixing element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 A stack storage assembly 1 is shown with a plurality of container stacking spaces 2. A transport space 3 is arranged at the lower end of the container stacking space 2 in the direction of gravity. A frame assembly 4 is provided between the transport space 3 and the container stacking space 2.

[0027] The stacked storage assembly 1 has a plurality of vertically arranged supports 5 which are connected to one another via horizontal transverse supports 6 , 7 .

[0028] At the lower end of each container stacking space 2, an opening 8 is formed, which is arranged in the frame assembly 4. For this purpose, the frame assembly 4 has a plurality of brackets 9 in the form of frame elements, which can be screwed to each other, for example. A retaining element 10 is arranged in each corner of the frame element. The four retaining elements of the frame element then form a retaining device. The retaining element 10 and its function are further explained in detail below.

[0029] For reasons of clarity, Figure 1 The transport vehicle 11 belonging to the stack storage assembly 1 is not shown. Figure 3 is shown in .

[0030] The transport vehicle 11 has a lifting frame 12 which can be raised and lowered via a lifting drive (not shown in detail). The lifting frame 12 has a container support surface 13 on which a container 14 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be placed.

[0031] In addition to the lifting platform 12 and its lifting drive, the transport vehicle 11 has a plurality of fastening elements 15 which can be raised and lowered via a fastening element drive 16. Furthermore, the transport vehicle 11 has a plurality of wheels 17, 18 with which the transport vehicle 11 can be driven in the transport space 3.

[0032] Each fixing element 15 is guided in a curve guide 16. Here, the fixing element 15 is arranged on a carrier 19, which is guided in the curve guide 16 via two rollers 20, 21. When the fixing element 15 is lifted by the fixing element drive 16, it moves from the carrier 19 to the curve guide 16. Figure 5aThe unmanipulated position in Figure 5c . Here, it is moved out of the transport vehicle 11 transversely to the direction of gravity. When the fixing element 15 is lowered again, it is moved into the transport vehicle 11 perpendicularly to the direction of gravity again. It can be achieved that the fixing element 15 does not extend perpendicularly to the direction of gravity beyond the outer contour of the transport vehicle 11 when the transport vehicle 11 is driven in the transport space 3. The fixing element drive 16 acts on the two fixing elements 15 at the same time. For this purpose, the two fixing elements 15 are connected to each other via a crossbeam 22. The crossbeam 22 is guided in turn in a linear guide 23. In a manner not shown in detail, the fixing element drive 16 can also have a cover.

[0033] The fixing element 15 has a tapering tip 24, the functioning of which is explained further below. It can also have a cylindrical shape or a polygonal shape in cross section.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows how containers 14 are stored in the container stacking space 2 .

[0035] It is shown that a further container 25 is already located in the container stacking space 2. The further container 25 is supported on holding elements 10 located in the corners of the support 9. Only a single holding element 10 is shown.

[0036] The holding element 10 is designed as a two-arm lever with a first arm 26 having a container contact surface 27 and a second arm 28 . The holding element is supported so that it can pivot about an axis 29 .

[0037] The support 9 has a guide 30 below the second arm 28 , into which the fixing element 15 can enter when it is raised. The guide 30 is arranged outside the movement path for the container 14 .

[0038] Figure 6a The starting position is shown, in which the container 14 to be stored in the container stacking space 2 is moved from below close to the container 25 already in the container stacking space 2. Figure 6b In the stacking process, a new container 14 contacts a container 25 which is already in the container stacking space.

[0039] exist Figure 6c 2 shows how the two containers 14, 25 are lifted together. Here, the new container 14 to be deposited is in contact with the holding element 10, more precisely with the first arm 26 of the holding element 10 and the holding element 10 is lifted from the Figures 6a to 6c The holding position shown in FIG. is pivoted to Figure 6dIn the release position shown in FIG. 1 , the container 14 can be moved past the holding element 10 in the release position of the holding element 10 . Here, the container 14 together with the lifting frame 12 which lifts the container 14 forms a handling device.

[0040] The new container 14 to be deposited is further lifted by the lifting platform 12 of the transport vehicle 11 until the holding geometry 31 of the container 14 passes the holding element 10. The holding element 10 then returns to the holding position ( Figure 7a ), so that the container 14 can be supported on the holding element 10. If possible, the holding element 10 is moved from the release position ( Figure 6d ) to the holding position ( Figure 7a ) can be supported by a spring not shown in detail.

[0041] FIG. 7 shows how a container 14 is removed from the container stacking space.

[0042] The lifting platform 12 is raised until it contacts the container 14 . The container 14 then lies on the container support surface 13 . The holding element 10 projects into a recess 32 at the lower end of the container 14 , which is arranged in the region of the holding geometry 31 .

[0043] When the lifting frame 12 is lifted further, first the load of the holding element 10 by the container 14 is relieved. The holding element 10 is then free of load. When the lifting frame 12 is lifted further, it can swing the holding element 10 into the release position. In this case, the lifting frame 12 alone constitutes the handling device.

[0044] In order to prevent the return movement of the holding element 10 into the holding position when the lifting frame 12 is lowered, Figure 7d In the position shown in FIG. , the fastening element 15 is actuated.

[0045] This effect is illustrated in FIG. 8 . Figure 8a The holding element 10 is shown in a holding position, in which the container 14 can be placed on the support surface 27 of the first arm 26 . Figure 8b The release position is shown, in which the holding element 10 is held by the fixing element 15. In this case, the fixing element 15 is moved through the guide 30. The guide 30 can be rounded or conically designed at its lower end in order to facilitate the insertion of the tip 24 of the fixing element 15. The guide 30 ensures that the fixing element 15 is moved between the support 9 and the second arm 28 of the holding element 10 in the case of lifting. In this case, the fixing element 15 acts on the second arm 28 and prevents the second arm 28 from being able to be pivoted again in the direction of the support 9.

[0046] As an alternative to the holder 9 , other possibilities for holding the holding element 10 can also be used.

[0047] The lifting drive (not shown in detail) and the fixing element drive 16 of the lifting frame 12 are connected to a control device (not shown in detail). The control device ensures that the fixing element 15 can only be moved to the position in which it is in the release position when the holding element 10 is in the release position. Figure 8b This can be ensured, for example, by using sensors which determine the position of the holding element 10 or by monitoring the lifting travel of a lifting device for the lifting frame 12, wherein the holding element 15 can only be lifted when the lifting frame 12 is lifted to such an extent that it pivots the holding element 10 into the release position, that is to say the opened position.

[0048] As can be seen in FIG. 8 , the holding element 10 with its second arm 28 rests from below on the support 9 in the holding position in the direction of gravity. The support 9 is then used not only to form a movement limit for the holding element 10 in the holding position, but also to form a support for the fixing element 15 when the holding element 10 is in the release position. Since the fixing element 15 is supported by the support 9, it can be relatively weakly dimensioned. It only needs to be able to fill the gap between the support 9 and the second arm 28 of the holding element 10 when the holding element 10 is in the release position. Figure 8b When in the release position shown in .

Claims

1. A stacking storage assembly having a plurality of container stacking spaces (2), a transport space (3) arranged below the container stacking spaces (2) in the direction of gravity, and a transport vehicle (11) movable in the transport space (3), the transport vehicle having a lifting device, by means of which containers (14) can be transferred into or out of the container stacking spaces (2), wherein: Each container stacking space (2) has a holding device with at least one holding element (10) at its lower end in the direction of gravity, and the holding element is movable by means of an operating device arranged on the transport vehicle (11) between a holding position in which it holds the container (14) arranged in the container stacking space (2) against gravity and a release position in which the container (14) can be transferred through the holding element (10), characterized in that the transport vehicle (11) has at least one fixing element (15) that can be transferred to a fixed position, which in the fixed position cooperates with the holding element (10) in the release position and holds the holding element (10) in the release position, wherein the holding element (10) is arranged in a bracket (9) arranged between the container stacking space (2) and the transport space (3) and the fixing element (15) is movable in a gap between the holding element (10) in the release position and the bracket (9).

2. The stacked storage assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transport vehicle (11) has a control device which actuates the fixing element (15) when the holding element (10) is in the release position.

3. The stacking storage assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The holding element (10) is designed as a double-arm lever with a first arm (26) having a contact surface (27) for the container and a second arm (28), and the fixing element (15) acts on the second arm.

4. The stacking storage assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The fixing element (15) has a tapering tip (24).

5. The stacked storage assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support (9) has a guide device (30) for the fastening element (15).

6. The stacked storage assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The guide device (30) has a channel which is arranged below the holding element (10) and outside the container movement path.

7. The stacked storage assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the unactuated position, the fastening element (15) protrudes perpendicularly to the direction of gravity to a lesser extent beyond the transport vehicle (11) than in the actuated position.

8. The stacked storage assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fastening element (15) is guided in a curve guide (16) provided on the transport vehicle (11).

9. The stacked storage assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The lifting device has a lifting frame (12) with a container support surface (13), wherein the lifting frame (12) forms at least a part of the handling device.

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