Loading system for loading and unloading trucks with transverse pallets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a loading system for loading and unloading a truck cargo hold, the loading system being equipped with conveyors (13) which are arranged parallel to one another and arranged so that standard pallets can be moved back and forth on the conveyors in a conveying direction (F), wherein an autonomous transport vehicle (1) is provided as a component of the loading system, and the conveyors (13) are 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 conveyors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a loading system according to the invention for loading and unloading a truck cargo hold. Background Art

[0002] In logistics, pallets are used to transport goods from warehouses to truck cargo holds as quickly as possible, minimizing downtime during loading and unloading. In this context, pallet loading refers to the truck's cargo hold, which can be an articulated semitrailer, a dump truck, or a container. For loading and unloading, the truck typically drives backward, with the rear opening of the cargo hold facing a ramp. Pallets are then loaded onto the ramp and transported into the cargo hold.

[0003] One way to load the truck is to transfer the pallets individually to the truck using a pallet truck or forklift. Rectangular pallets of uniform dimensions, for example, approximately 0.8 m long on the narrow side and 1.2 m long on the long side, are placed next to each other either longitudinally or transversely. For so-called Euro pallets, three pallets can be placed side by side longitudinally, with the narrow side facing the direction of travel, or two pallets can be placed side by side transversely, with the long side facing the direction of travel.

[0004] German Patent DE 3709835 C2 describes a loading and unloading station for trucks and containers. 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 truck load is placed on the chain conveyor. The chain conveyor is then moved into the cargo hold and placed on the truck floor. The chain conveyor then begins moving the load forward in the direction of the truck's travel, placing the first row of pallets 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 do not move substantially relative to the cargo hold. Instead, they are placed one row at a time until the chain conveyor is completely clear of the cargo hold, with the last row of pallets placed on the cargo hold floor. In this system, the entire truck load is placed on the chain conveyor before the loading process begins. Consequently, this system requires relatively large space on the ramp of the logistics warehouse, and loading the chain conveyor into the truck cargo hold before the loading process begins is very time-consuming, as the chain conveyor must be loaded before the pallets can be moved into the cargo hold.

[0005] European Patent Application Publication No. EP 1946963 A1 discloses a truck semi-trailer with a cargo hold equipped with a chain conveyor running parallel to the semi-trailer's longitudinal axis. The chain conveyor is arranged so that 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 hold and then transported forward by the chain conveyor installed in the semi-trailer until the entire cargo hold is filled. During unloading, the pallets are transported back to the cargo hold opening using the chain conveyor and removed using a forklift. This system requires each trailer to be equipped with its own chain conveyor, which extends across the entire cargo hold and has its own drive. This makes the system correspondingly complex. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The task of the present invention is therefore to create a system for loading and unloading a truck hold which is more flexible in operation, can be implemented without modifying the hold and requires less space in the ramp area of ​​a logistics warehouse.

[0007] This object is achieved by the system according to the invention.

[0008] Because in the loading system for loading and unloading the cargo hold of a truck, the loading system is equipped with conveyors, which are arranged parallel to each other and are arranged so that standard pallets can move back and forth on the conveyors in the conveying direction. In addition, an automatic self-driving self-propelled transporter is provided as a component of the loading system, which has at least one steerable wheel, and the conveyor is arranged at a height above the floor so that a transporter with a vertically movable pallet fork unit can be positioned under the conveyor, and the pallet located on the conveyor can be lifted by the pallet fork unit and driven into the cargo hold of the waiting truck.

[0009] The base of a standard pallet is designed with nine rectangular blocks arranged below the load-bearing platform: three blocks on each side and three in the middle. These three blocks are each connected at the bottom to three ledges running in the longitudinal direction of the pallet. This creates an open space in the longitudinal direction at the bottom, into which pallet forks can engage from below. Viewed from the side of the pallet, the ledges limit the downward openings formed between the blocks, making it impossible for pallet forks to be inserted into these openings from below, only from the side. Therefore, when the transport vehicle is in its stationary position below the conveyor, the conveyor length preferably extends beyond the free ends of the pallet fork units in the conveying direction by at least one pallet width, i.e., at least 0.8 m. This makes it possible to pick up a pallet even in locations where the pallet forks have to be inserted from the side into a closed opening on all sides, so that the pallet can be placed on a level floor.

[0010] If the transport vehicle has at least two pallet fork units, each with two parallel and spaced apart pallet forks, two adjacent transversely arranged pallets in a row can be picked up and transported simultaneously.

[0011] Preferably, the loading system has a total of six parallel conveyors in the form of three pairs of chain conveyors, with the spacing between adjacent pairs of conveyors being 0.5m to 0.7m. This arrangement of conveyors can carry and transport both two pallets arranged horizontally and three pallets arranged vertically.

[0012] In a simplified embodiment capable of handling only transverse pallets, the loading system has a total of four parallel conveyors in the form of two pairs of chain conveyors, with the spacing between adjacent conveyors in each pair being 0.8 m to 1.2 m.

[0013] If a feed area is provided upstream of the conveyor in the conveying direction, multiple pallets can be placed there and, if necessary, aligned before being transferred to the chain conveyor. The feed area preferably has a roller conveyor with rollers whose axes of rotation are aligned transversely to the conveying direction. 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.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the roller conveyor is equipped with a chain conveyor that runs transversely to the conveying direction and is arranged to move the pallets on the roller conveyor. The chain conveyor can also be raised and lowered vertically. In this way, the pallets can be moved closer together and aligned precisely in the transverse direction with the downstream chain conveyor.

[0015] Advantageously, a measuring column with a sensor is provided for measuring a cargo hold opening that is not part of the loading system, so that data on the relative position of the cargo hold opening with respect to the loading system can be determined.

[0016] Furthermore, the transport vehicle carries a drive, at least one steerable wheel, and preferably also a counterweight on the side facing away from the pallet fork unit. This allows the weight of the pallet to be balanced during operation, so that no supporting wheels are required under the pallet forks, which can be lowered freely to the ground.

[0017] It is also advantageous if at least the inner pallet forks are arranged to be movable in a horizontal direction transverse to the conveying direction. The spacing of the pallet forks can then be adapted to the spacing of the openings, in particular the spacing of the openings in the long sides of the pallet.

[0018] The transporter preferably has at least one drive, at least one lifting unit and a control system that can automatically drive the transporter and pick up, transport and put down the load.For this reason, the transporter itself is preferably equipped with sensors for navigating in the cargo hold.

[0019] For mostly autonomous operation, it is advantageous if the transport vehicle has batteries for powering the drive, lifting unit and control system, which can be charged in the loading system via electrical coupling or induction. Preferably, charging can take place in a stationary position below the chain conveyor.

[0020] A particularly high level of operational safety is achieved if, with the pallet fork unit lowered, the transport vehicle does not protrude upwards above the chain conveyor in the stationary or standby position, reducing the risk of collision between the pallet and the conveyor vehicle.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the loading system is mounted on a base plate which, on the one hand, ensures that the components are precisely aligned with one another, but on the other hand, the base plate itself can be mounted on a system of rollers or rails, allowing it to be moved transversely to the direction of transport. This makes it possible to move the loading system within the logistics warehouse parallel to the ramp to the respective adjacent doorway. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0023] Figure 1 : Side view of a self-propelled transporter used for the loading system, with the pallet fork unit lowered;

[0024] Figure 2 : Figure 1 The transport vehicle in the middle, the pallet fork unit is raised;

[0025] Figure 3 : A three-dimensional view of the loading system when the transport vehicle is in a stationary position;

[0026] Figure 4 : Figure 3 A loading system having two pallets in a row placed in place and a semi-trailer approaching the loading system with a cargo hold opening;

[0027] Figure 5 : Figure 4 loading system in which rows of pallets have been moved towards the trailer;

[0028] Figure 6 : Figure 4 and Figure 5 A loading system where the pallet is lifted from the transport vehicle, removed from the chain conveyor and moved towards the cargo hold opening; and

[0029] Figure 7 : Figures 4 to 6 In the loading system shown in FIG, a transport vehicle with pallets is driven straight into the cargo hold of a trailer and the pallets are stored there. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 A side view of a self-propelled transporter 1 as part of a loading system to be described herein is shown. The transporter 1 has a chassis 2 with support rollers 3 and steerable drive wheels 4 arranged on a drive block 6. The drive block 6 comprises elements (not shown here) for control, drive, as well as batteries for energy storage for the operation of the transporter 1 and, if necessary, a stabilizing counterweight. In addition, the drive block 6 carries a plurality of lifting units 7 which are connected to pallet fork units 8 and which are configured to raise and lower the pallet fork units 8 and any load thereon in response to control. The pallet fork arrangement 8 is arranged in a manner which is similar to the embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 The pallet fork unit 8 is shown in the lowered position. The upper side height of the pallet fork unit 8 above the contact surface corresponds at most to the clearance height under a standard pallet used in logistics. The support wheels 3 are arranged below the lifting unit 7 as close as possible to the direction of the pallet fork unit 8.

[0031] The transport vehicle 1 is also equipped with sensors 10 and additional safety sensors 11, which provide the necessary information for the autonomous 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 docked with the loading system in a stationary position.

[0032] exist Figure 2 In the transport vehicle 1, Figure 1 The corresponding view is displayed. Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the lifting unit 7 is raised together with the pallet fork unit 8 connected thereto.

[0033] Figure 3 A perspective view of an example of a loading system in a stationary state is shown. The loading system comprises a transport vehicle 1 and a chain conveyor arrangement 13 having a plurality of chain conveyors 13a to 13f. The conveying direction F is determined by Figure 3 Indicated by the arrows in . For a loaded truck, the load is transported in the conveying direction F, and for an unloaded truck, the load is transported in the direction opposite to the conveying direction F.

[0034] The chain transporter 13 has an infeed area 14 in which a rear alignment aid 16 is provided transversely to the conveying direction F. This alignment aid can preferably be raised and lowered during operation. Furthermore, at least two, but preferably three, vertically movable chain conveyors 15 are integrated into the infeed area 14 in order to adjust the distance between the pallets and to realize a second conveying direction transversely to the conveying direction F.

[0035] Chain conveyors 13a through 13f are arranged downstream of the feed area 14 along conveying direction F. The orientation of chain conveyors 13a through 13f is selected so that they can be driven in two directions parallel to conveying direction F. Specifically, there are six separate conveyor chains 13a through 13f, with the spacing between conveyor chains 13a and 13b being 0.5 to 0.7 meters, so that the combined width of the two chain conveyors corresponds to the width of a standard pallet. Conveyor chain 13c is positioned 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 positioned directly adjacent to conveyor chain 13d. Finally, the distance between conveyor chains 13e and 13f again corresponds to the width of a standard pallet. Thus, a total of three pallets can be placed longitudinally on chain conveyor 13 and transported simultaneously there in parallel. However, this arrangement of conveyor chains also allows for the transport of two pallets loaded transversely.

[0036] The transport vehicle 1 is shown in its rest position beneath the chain conveyor 13. In this perspective view, it can be seen that the transport vehicle 1 comprises three modules, each with its own pallet fork unit 8 and two lifting units 7 assigned to the pallet fork units 8. Not all pallet forks are shown here.

[0037] The loading system is arranged on the floor, in this case in the form of a base plate 20, which supports measuring columns 21 on the right and left sides (as viewed in the conveying direction F). The measuring columns 21 are equipped with a number of sensors (not shown in greater detail) and are configured to measure the exact position of the cargo hold opening as the truck approaches the ramp. Furthermore, the base plate 20 carries a flap 22 that can be folded downward in the conveying direction F during operation once the cargo hold opening is ready. The flap 22 bridges the distance between the cargo hold opening and the base plate 20 and, if necessary, bridges the height difference between the cargo hold opening and the base plate 20.

[0038] Figure 4 The above-mentioned situation is shown, in which the semi-trailer 25 is driven by a truck, with the cargo hold opening 26 facing the ramp (not shown) of the warehouse. The flap 22 is folded down and rests on the cargo hold floor 27 of the semi-trailer 25. Figure 3 The loading process has already begun. To this end, two pallets 28 are placed parallel to each other on the feed area 14. To align them in the conveying direction F, the pallets 28 can be moved backwards against the alignment aid 16. The two pallets 28 form a row and are then transported to the cargo hold of the semitrailer 25.

[0039] The next step is Figure 5Here, pallets 28 are first conveyed forward from the feed area 14 on the chain conveyor 13 in the conveying direction F, with one pallet placed on the chain conveyor 13 at a time, as described above, transversely on a total of three pairs of spaced chain conveyors. The chain conveyor 13 sequentially conveys the pallets 28 in the conveying direction F until the pallets 28 have moved beyond the pallet fork unit 8 of the transport vehicle 1.

[0040] The position of the pallet 28 on the chain conveyor 13 now allows the pallet fork unit 8 of the transport vehicle 1 to be lifted by the lifting unit 7. The pallet fork unit 8 is adjustable transversely to the conveying direction F and is arranged such that it can be accommodated in an opening on the lower longitudinal side of the pallet 28 and thus also between the corresponding spaced-apart chain conveyors in which the pallet 28 is located.

[0041] The transport vehicle 1 can thus insert the pallet forks 8 into the side openings of the pallets 28 and lift the two pallets 28 from the chain conveyors 13a to 13f by means of the pallet fork units 8. It then carries the load of the two pallets 28 adjacent to each other, which are shown here for clarity without goods being transported thereon.

[0042] Before the transport vehicle 1 is automatically moved along the conveying direction F together with the pallet 28 carried by the pallet fork unit 8, the sensors of the measuring column 21 measure the cargo hold opening 26 and determine the exact position in the lateral and vertical directions. This information is transmitted to the control system (not shown) of the transport vehicle 1, which can then be directed to approach the cargo hold opening 26. For this purpose, there is a Figure 1 The steerable drive wheels 4 shown make it possible to precisely steer the transport vehicle 1 towards the cargo hold opening 26 .

[0043] Figure 6 The transport vehicle 1 is shown moving in the direction of the cargo hold opening 26 with a pallet 28 removed from the chain conveyor 13. The pallet fork unit 8 is still raised here. It can be seen that a total of six pallet forks 8 have been adjusted in the transverse direction, so that two pallet forks 8 are each inserted into the two outer openings of the pallet 28, while only one pallet fork 8 is engaged in each of the two inner openings.

[0044] Before they move to the cargo hold opening 26, the pallet fork units 8 are lowered, allowing even a pallet loaded to the desired maximum height to be safely moved into the cargo hold opening 26 without hitting the upper edge. During this process, the pallet fork units 8 are lowered to a point where the pallet does not yet come into contact with the base plate 20, flap 22, or the cargo hold floor 27. For positioning and navigation within the cargo hold, the control system can read the sensors 10. Typically, the transport vehicle 1 will navigate to the center of the cargo hold floor 27 between the side walls of the semi-trailer 25.

[0045] With the pallet fork device 8 lowered, the transport vehicle 1 can now be driven into the trailer 25 together with the pallet 28, i.e. Figure 7 In the end position shown, the pallet 28 is then parked for further transport by lowering the pallet fork unit 8 so that the pallet 28 rests on the cargo hold floor 27 and withdrawing the pallet forks 8 from the opening during the reverse movement of the transport vehicle 1. Without the pallet 28, the transport vehicle 1 can automatically move back to the starting position against the conveying direction F.

[0046] Once the pallet 28 is transferred from the feed area 14 to the chain conveyor 13, i.e. Figure 5 Starting from the position shown, more trays can be placed on the feed area 14 until a new row of two trays is formed. For this new row of trays, Figures 4 to 7 The loading operation described in the above will continue, with the transport vehicle 1 placing new rows of pallets on the cargo hold floor 27 of the trailer 25, immediately behind the rows of pallets 28 already located there in the conveying direction F. This continues until all pallets have been processed or the cargo hold of the semi-trailer 25 is completely filled.

[0047] 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 one row of pallets at a time, and places them on the chain conveyor 13. The pallets are then moved from the chain conveyor 13 in a direction opposite to the conveying direction F to the loading area 14, where they can be removed using a forklift.

[0048] Between the individual trips, and in particular during the waiting time between two loading operations, the transport vehicle 1 can be charged by means of corresponding electrical coupling or inductive charging. Figure 3 Charge in the resting position shown.

[0049] In the new loading system, rows of two horizontal pallets or three vertical pallets can be moved in the same manner as described above, so when the orientation of the pallet changes, only the position of the second and fifth pallet forks need to be adjusted to accommodate, if necessary, depending on the pallet design.

[0050] It can be seen that the new loading system does not require any new equipment to be installed in the truck trailer or the corresponding demountable body or container, but can also be used with standard vehicles. It can also be seen that the space required for the warehouse ramp is significantly reduced compared to a system in which the entire load of a conventional 16×2 horizontal pallet or 11×3 vertical pallet must be placed on the conveyor system and then transported together to the cargo hold.

Claims

1. A loading system for loading and unloading a truck cargo hold, said loading system being equipped with chain conveyors (13), said chain conveyors (13) being arranged parallel to one another and arranged so that standard pallets can be moved back and forth on said chain conveyors (13) in a conveying direction (F), characterized in that An autonomous transport vehicle (1) serving as a component of the loading system is provided, the autonomous transport vehicle having at least one steerable wheel, and the chain conveyor (13) is arranged at a height above the floor so that the transport vehicle (1) having a vertically movable pallet fork unit (8) can be positioned below the chain conveyor (13); The transport vehicle (1) does not protrude from the chain conveyor (13) in its stationary position 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 an area above the vertically movable pallet fork unit (8) of the transport vehicle (1).

2. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that The transport vehicle comprises at least two pallet fork units (8), each of the pallet fork units (8) having two parallel and spaced apart pallet forks.

3. The loading system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The chain conveyor (13) is designed such that when the transport vehicle is in a stationary position below the chain conveyor (13), the chain conveyor (13) extends beyond the free end of the pallet fork unit by at least 0.8 m in the conveying direction.

4. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that A total of six chain conveyors (13) are arranged in parallel, and the distance between two adjacent chain conveyors (13) is 0.5m to 0.7m.

5. The loading system according to claim 1, characterized in that A feed area (14) is provided upstream of the chain conveyor (13) in the conveying direction (F), the feed area (14) comprising a roller conveyor having rollers whose rotation axes are arranged transversely to the conveying direction (F).

6. The loading system according to claim 5, characterized in that A chain conveyor is provided in the feed area (14), which runs transversely to the conveying direction (F) and is designed to transfer the pallets on the roller conveyor.

7. Loading system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that At least some of the rollers are brakeable and drivable.

8. The loading system according to claim 5, characterized in that An alignment aid (16) is arranged upstream of the feed region (14) transversely to the conveying direction (F).

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

10. The loading system according to claim 1, wherein: The transport vehicle (1) comprises at least one drive, at least one lifting unit and a control system.

11. The loading system according to claim 1, wherein: The transport vehicle (1) is equipped with sensors (10) for navigating within the cargo hold.

12. The loading system according to claim 10, characterized in that The transport vehicle (1) has a battery for supplying power to the drive, the lifting unit and the control system, which battery can be charged in the loading system by electrical coupling or induction.

13. The loading system according to claim 5, characterized in that The floor is formed by a base plate (20) on which at least the feed area (14) and the chain conveyor (13) are mounted.

14. The loading system according to claim 13, characterized in that The base plate (20) is mounted on a roller or rail system so as to be movable transversely to the conveying direction (F).

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