Loading system for loading and unloading trucks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a loading system for loading and unloading truck cargo compartments, the loading system being equipped with chain conveyors (13) arranged in parallel to each other and configured such that standard pallets can move back and forth on the chain conveyors in a conveying direction (F), characterized in that an automated guided vehicle (1) is provided as a component of the loading system, and the chain conveyors (13) are arranged at a height above the floor (20) such that the vehicle (1) having vertically movable pallet fork units (8) can be positioned below the chain conveyors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a loading system for loading and unloading truck cargo compartments, having features of a pre-loading portion. Background Technology

[0002] In logistics, the goal is to move goods from the warehouse to the truck's cargo hold as quickly as possible using pallets, minimizing downtime during loading and unloading. In this context, "truck" can be understood as referring to the truck's cargo hold, which can be designed as, for example, a semi-trailer of an articulated truck, a dump truck, or a container. For loading and unloading, the truck typically travels rearwards, with the rear opening of the cargo hold facing a ramp, where pallets are placed and transported into the hold.

[0003] One method of loading is to use pallet trucks or forklifts to transfer pallets individually onto trucks. Rectangular pallets of uniform size are placed side-by-side with each other longitudinally or laterally. For so-called European pallets, three pallets can be placed longitudinally side-by-side (narrower side facing the truck's direction of travel), or two pallets can be placed laterally side-by-side (longer side facing the truck's direction of travel).

[0004] German patent DE 3709835 C2 describes a loading station for trucks and containers, in which pallets are placed in rows of three adjacent pallets on a chain conveyor corresponding to the dimensions of the cargo hold floor, until the entire load of the truck is placed on the chain conveyor. The chain conveyor is then moved into the cargo hold and onto the truck floor. The chain conveyor then begins to move the load forward in the direction of truck travel, placing the front row of pallets one at a time. Simultaneously, the chain conveyor moves backward out of the cargo area at the same speed as the pallets move forward on the chain conveyor. Therefore, the pallets essentially do not move relative to the cargo hold, but are placed one row at a time until the chain conveyor has completely left the cargo hold, with the last row of pallets placed on the cargo hold floor. In this system, the entire load of the truck is placed on the chain conveyor before the loading process begins. Therefore, this system requires relatively large space on the logistics warehouse ramp, and loading the chain conveyor into the truck cargo hold before the loading process begins is very time-consuming because the chain conveyor loading must be completed before the pallets move into the cargo hold.

[0005] European patent application, publication number EP 1946963 A1, discloses a semi-trailer truck with a chain conveyor arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the semi-trailer at the bottom of its cargo compartment. In this case, the chain conveyor is arranged such that a total of three pallets can be placed adjacent to each other on the conveyor. During loading, the three pallets are placed side by side on the floor of the rear cargo compartment and then conveyed forward by the chain conveyor mounted in the semi-trailer until the entire cargo compartment is filled. During unloading, the pallets can be conveyed back to the opening of the cargo compartment using the chain conveyor and removed using a forklift. This system requires each semi-trailer to be equipped with its own chain conveyor that extends throughout the cargo compartment and has its own drive. The system is also correspondingly complex. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to create a system for loading and unloading truck cargo compartments that is more flexible in operation, can be implemented without modifying the cargo compartment, and requires less space in the ramp areas of logistics warehouses.

[0007] This task is solved by a system with specific characteristics.

[0008] Because the loading system used for loading and unloading truck cargo holds is equipped with chain conveyors arranged in parallel to each other and configured to allow standard pallets to move back and forth on the chain conveyors in the conveying direction, and also includes an automated self-propelled transport vehicle (ASV) serving as a component of the loading system, the ASV having at least one steerable wheel, and the chain conveyors being positioned above the floor so that the transport vehicle with vertically movable pallet fork units can be positioned below the chain conveyors, and pallets located on the chain conveyors can be lifted by the pallet fork units and driven into the cargo hold of the waiting truck.

[0009] If the transport vehicle has three pallet fork units, each with two parallel and spaced pallet forks, it can pick up and transport three pallets in a row side by side.

[0010] Preferably, the loading system has three pairs of six parallel chain conveyors, with the spacing between each pair of adjacent chain conveyors being 0.5m to 0.7m.

[0011] If a roller conveyor with rollers whose axis of rotation is arranged transversely to the conveying direction is provided upstream of the chain conveyor along the conveying direction, multiple pallets can be placed on the roller conveyor and aligned, if necessary, before being transferred to the chain conveyor. For this purpose, it is advantageous if at least some of the rollers can be braked and driven. It is also advantageous to provide alignment aids parallel to the rollers.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the roller conveyor is equipped with a chain conveyor that runs transversely to the conveying direction and is configured to move pallets on the roller conveyor. In this way, the pallets can be moved more closely and precisely aligned laterally with the downstream chain conveyor.

[0013] Advantageously, a sensor-equipped measuring column is provided for measuring cargo hold openings that are not part of the loading system, so that data on the relative position of the cargo hold openings with respect to the loading system can be determined.

[0014] The transport vehicle preferably has at least one drive unit, at least one lifting unit, and a control system capable of automatically driving the transport vehicle and picking up, transporting, and unloading loads.

[0015] Therefore, the transport vehicle itself is preferably equipped with sensors for navigation within the cargo compartment.

[0016] For most automated driving operations, it is advantageous if the transport vehicle has a battery for powering the drive unit, lifting unit, and control system, which can be charged via electrical coupling or inductive charging within the loading system. Preferably, charging can be performed from a stationary position below the chain conveyor.

[0017] If the pallet fork unit is lowered and the transport vehicle does not protrude upwards above the chain conveyor when stationary or in a standby position, a particularly high level of operational safety can be achieved, reducing the risk of collision between the pallet and the transport vehicle.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the loading system is mounted on a base plate that ensures precise alignment of components with each other, but can also be mounted on a roller or track system to allow for lateral movement in the conveying direction. This enables the loading system within the logistics warehouse to be moved parallel to the ramp to each adjacent gate. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They illustrate:

[0020] Figure 1 Side view of a self-propelled transport vehicle used for a loading system, showing the lowered pallet fork unit;

[0021] Figure 2 : Figure 1 The pallet fork unit of the transport vehicle in the middle is raised;

[0022] Figure 3 : A three-dimensional view of the loading system in a static state;

[0023] Figure 4 : Figure 3The loading system in the vehicle has three pallets in a row that are positioned in place, and the semi-trailer approaches the loading system with its cargo compartment opening;

[0024] Figure 5 : Figure 4 The loading system in the middle, where rows of pallets have been moved to trailers;

[0025] Figure 6 : Figure 4 and Figure 5 The loading system, in which pallets have been lifted from the transport vehicle, removed from the chain conveyor, and moved toward the cargo hold opening; and

[0026] Figure 7 : Figures 4 to 6 The loading system shown in the diagram involves a transport vehicle carrying three pallets driving into the cargo hold of a trailer and storing the pallets there. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1 A side view of a self-propelled transport vehicle 1, which will be described herein as part of a loading system, is shown. The transport vehicle 1 has a chassis 2 with support rollers 3 and steering drive wheels 4. The support rollers 3 are mounted on extended supports 5 facing away from a drive block 6. The drive block 6 includes elements for control and actuation (not shown here), as well as a battery for energy storage for the operation of the transport vehicle 1. Furthermore, the drive block 6 carries multiple lifting units 7 connected to pallet fork units 8, and these lifting units 7 are configured to raise and lower the pallet fork units 8 and any load on them in response to control. The pallet fork units 8... Figure 1 The display shows it as being in a lowered state. The upper height of the pallet fork unit 8 above the contact surface corresponds to the clearance height under a standard pallet used for logistics.

[0028] The transport vehicle 1 is also equipped with sensor 10 and additional safety sensor 11, which provide necessary information for the autonomous driving navigation of the transport vehicle 1. In addition, a coupler is provided on the rear side in the direction of travel for charging the energy storage device when the transport vehicle 1 is in a stationary position and docked with the loading system.

[0029] exist Figure 2 In the middle, transport vehicle 1 and Figure 1 The corresponding view is displayed. In Figure 2 In the middle, the lifting unit 7 and the pallet fork unit 8 connected to it are raised together.

[0030] Figure 3A perspective view shows an example of a loading system in a stationary state. The loading system includes a transport vehicle 1, a roller conveyor (generally indicated by reference numeral 12), and a chain conveyor assembly 13, which has multiple chain conveyors 13a to 13f. The conveying direction F is... Figure 3 The arrows in the diagram indicate that for loading trucks, the load is conveyed in the conveying direction F, and for unloading trucks, the load is conveyed in the opposite direction to the conveying direction F.

[0031] The roller conveyor 12 has a plurality of rollers 14, the axes of rotation of which are arranged transversely to the conveying direction F. The rollers 14 are at least partially brakeable and driveable to allow palletized workpieces to be safely placed on them. A drive unit 15 is provided for driving the rollers 14. Furthermore, a rear alignment aid 16 is provided parallel to the rollers 14; preferably, this rear alignment aid 16 can be raised and lowered during operation. At least two, but preferably three, vertically movable chain conveyors are integrated into the roller conveyor 12 to allow adjustment of the distance between pallets and to achieve a second conveying direction transverse to the conveying direction F.

[0032] A chain conveyor 13 is arranged downstream of the roller conveyor 12 along the conveying direction F. The direction of the chain conveyor 13 is chosen so that it can be driven in two directions parallel to the conveying direction F. Specifically, there are a total of six separate conveyor chains 13a to 13f, where the spacing between conveyor chains 13a and 13b is 0.5m to 0.7m, so the total width of the two chain conveyors corresponds to the width of a standard pallet. Conveyor chain 13c is arranged immediately adjacent to conveyor chain 13b. The distance between conveyor chains 13c and 13d again corresponds to the width of a standard pallet. Conveyor chain 13e is arranged directly next to conveyor chain 13d. Finally, the distance between conveyor chains 13e and 13f again corresponds to the width of a standard pallet. Therefore, a total of three pallets can be placed longitudinally on the chain conveyor 13 and transported parallel to each other at the same time.

[0033] The transport vehicle 1 is shown in a stationary position below the chain conveyor 13. In this perspective view, it can be seen that the transport vehicle 1 has three modules, each with its own chassis 2 and its own pallet fork unit 8, as well as two lifting units 7 assigned to the pallet fork unit 8.

[0034] The loading system is mounted on the floor, in this case in the form of a floor 20, which supports measuring columns 21 on the right and left sides (viewed from the transport direction F). The measuring columns 21 are equipped with multiple sensors (not shown in more detail) and are configured to measure the precise position of the cargo hold opening as the truck approaches the ramp. Furthermore, the floor 20 carries a flap 22 that can be folded downwards in the transport direction F during operation once the cargo hold opening is ready. The flap 22 bridges the distance between the cargo hold opening and the floor 20, and, if necessary, bridges the height difference between the cargo hold opening and the floor 20.

[0035] Figure 4 The scenario described above is shown, where the semi-trailer 25 is driven by a truck, and the cargo compartment opening 26 faces the warehouse ramp (not shown). The flap 22 folds down and rests on the cargo compartment floor 27 of the semi-trailer 25. Compared to Figure 3 The loading process has begun. For this purpose, three parallel pallets 28 are placed on the roller conveyor 12. To align them in the conveying direction F, the pallets 28 can be moved backward against the alignment aid 16. The three pallets 28 form a row and will be transported to the cargo hold of the semi-trailer 25.

[0036] Next step Figure 5 As shown. Here, by driving roller 14, pallet 28 is first transferred from roller conveyor 12 to chain conveyor 13, one pallet 28 at a time on two spaced chain conveyors as described above. Chain conveyor 13 sequentially conveys pallet 28 along the conveying direction F to a position above the pallet fork unit 8 of transport vehicle 1.

[0037] The current position of the pallet 28 on the chain conveyor 13 allows the pallet fork unit 8 of the transport vehicle 1 to be lifted via the lifting unit 7. Similar to a forklift or forklift lift, the width of the pallet fork unit 8 is just sufficient to accommodate the corresponding free space under the pallet 28, and therefore can also be accommodated between the corresponding chain conveyors where the pallet 28 is located.

[0038] Therefore, the transport vehicle 1 can lift the pallet 28 from the chain conveyors 13a to 13f via the pallet fork unit 8. It then carries the load of three parallel pallets 28, which, for clarity, are not shown here with goods being transported on them.

[0039] Before the transport vehicle 1 and the pallet 28 carried by the pallet fork unit 8 automatically move along the conveying direction F, the sensors on the measuring column 21 measure the cargo compartment opening 26 and determine its accurate position in the lateral and vertical directions. This information is transmitted to the control system (not shown) of the transport vehicle 1, after which the transport vehicle 1 can approach the cargo compartment opening 26 in a targeted manner. For this purpose, a system is provided... Figure 1The steerable drive wheel 4 shown can precisely steer the transport vehicle 1 toward the cargo hold opening 26.

[0040] Figure 6 This shows how the transport vehicle 1 moves along the direction of the cargo compartment opening 26 while the pallet 28 is removed from the chain conveyor 13. The pallet fork unit 8 remains raised at this point.

[0041] Before they move into the cargo hold opening 26, the pallet fork unit 8 is lowered so that even pallets loaded to their intended maximum height can be safely moved into the loading area opening 26 without hitting the upper edge. During this process, the pallet fork unit 8 is lowered to a point where the pallet has not yet contacted the floor 20, the flap 22, or the cargo hold floor 27. For positioning and navigation within the cargo hold, the control system can read from the sensor 10. Typically, the transport vehicle 1 will be navigated to be centered on the cargo hold floor 27 between the side walls of the semi-trailer 25.

[0042] With the pallet fork unit 8 lowered, the transport vehicle 1 can now drive into the trailer 25 together with the pallet 28, reaching its destination. Figure 7 The pallet 28 is then lowered by fully lowering the pallet fork unit 8 to the end position shown, allowing for further transport. The pallet 28 is then placed on the cargo hold floor 27. Without the pallet 28, the transport vehicle 1 can automatically reverse back to the starting position in the opposite transport direction F.

[0043] Once pallet 28 is transferred from roller conveyor 12 to chain conveyor 13, i.e. from... Figure 5 Starting at the position shown, more pallets can be placed on roller conveyor 12 until a new row of three pallets is formed. For this new row of pallets, Figures 4 to 7 The loading operation described herein will continue, with transport vehicle 1 placing new rows of pallets on the cargo hold floor 27 of trailer 25, close to the rows of pallets 28 already there along the transport direction F. This continues until all pallets have been processed or the cargo hold of semi-trailer 25 is completely filled.

[0044] The unloading of the loaded semi-trailer 25 is carried out in a similar reverse order. For this purpose, the transport vehicle 1 drives into the fully loaded cargo hold of the semi-trailer 25, lifts a row of pallets one at a time, and places them on the chain conveyor 13. The pallets are then moved from the chain conveyor 13 to the roller conveyor 12 in the opposite direction to the conveying direction F, where they can be removed by a forklift.

[0045] Between each journey, and especially during the waiting time between two loading operations, the transport vehicle 1 can be charged via a corresponding electric coupling or inductive charging device. Figure 3 Charge at the stationary position shown.

[0046] It can be seen that the new loading system does not require any new installations in the trailers of the trucks or the corresponding detachable bodies or containers, but can be used with standard vehicles. It can also be seen that the warehouse ramp requires significantly less space compared to systems where entire loads, typically 11×3 pallets, must be placed on the conveyor system and then transported together to the cargo hold.

Claims

1. A loading system for loading and unloading truck cargo compartments, the loading system being equipped with chain conveyors (13) arranged in parallel to each other, and the chain conveyors (13) being arranged such that standard pallets can move back and forth on the chain conveyors in a conveying direction (F), characterized in that, An automated driving transport vehicle (1) is provided as a component of the loading system. The automated driving transport vehicle has at least one steerable wheel, and the chain conveyor (13) is arranged at a height above the floor, so that the transport vehicle (1) with a vertically movable pallet fork unit (8) can be positioned below the chain conveyor. The transport vehicle (1) does not protrude from the chain conveyor (13) when it is stationary below the chain conveyor (13), and the chain conveyor (13) transports the pallet (28) to be transported over the lifting unit (7) of the transport vehicle (1) to the area above the vertically movable pallet fork unit (8) of the transport vehicle (1). A roller conveyor (12) is provided upstream of the chain conveyor (13) along the conveying direction (F). The roller conveyor (12) has rollers (14) with their rotation axes arranged transversely to the conveying direction (F). An alignment auxiliary device (16) is arranged parallel to the rollers (14).

2. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transport vehicle has three pallet fork units (8), each of which has two parallel and spaced pallet forks.

3. The loading system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, There are a total of six parallel chain conveyors (13), wherein in each case, the distance between two adjacent chain conveyors (13) is 0.5m to 0.7m.

4. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The roller conveyor (12) is equipped with a chain conveyor that runs transversely to the conveying direction (F) and is arranged to transfer the pallets on the roller conveyor (12).

5. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least part of the roller (14) is brakeable and driveable.

6. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A measuring column (21) is provided, which has a sensor for measuring cargo hold openings that are not part of the loading system.

7. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transport vehicle (1) includes at least one drive, at least one lifting unit, and a control system.

8. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transport vehicle (1) is equipped with sensors (10) for navigation within the cargo hold.

9. The loading system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transport vehicle (1) has a battery for supplying power to the drive unit, the lifting unit and the control system, the battery being able to be charged in the loading system by electrical coupling or inductive charging.

10. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floor is composed of a base plate (20), on which at least the roller conveyor (12) and the chain conveyor (13) are mounted.

11. The loading system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The base plate (20) is mounted on a roller or track system so that it can move laterally in the conveying direction (F).

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