Storage systems for use in factories for manufacturing boards, in particular OSB boards, MDF boards or particle boards

Abstract

A storage system for storing stacks (1) of boards used in a plant for manufacturing boards, in particular OSB boards, MDF boards or particle boards, comprising at least one main trolley (2) moving in a transverse direction and at least one pair of satellite trolleys moving in a longitudinal direction, the satellite trolleys (10) of the pair being arranged to move side by side and to carry stacks (1) of boards in storage rows (8) from below, the storage rows (8) comprising three longitudinal supports, from which the stacks (1) are transferred. The invention is implemented so that the main trolley (2) and the satellite trolleys (10) have separate energy supply systems for moving the main trolley (2) and the pair of satellite trolleys (10) and for performing the lifting movement of the pair of satellite trolleys (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The object of the present invention is a storage system for storing stacks of boards used in factories for manufacturing boards, in particular particle boards, OSB boards and MDF boards, the storage system comprising at least one main trolley moving in a transverse direction and at least one pair of satellite trolleys moving in a longitudinal direction, the satellite trolleys of the pair being arranged to move side by side and carrying from below storage rows of stacks of boards, the storage rows comprising three longitudinal supports, the stacks of boards being transferred away from or onto these storage rows.

[0002] Generally speaking, wood-based panels produced on continuous action press lines are stored for a certain time in an intermediate storage before downstream work stages such as sanding and sawing. Background Art

[0003] In plants for manufacturing boards, such as particle boards, OSB boards and MDF boards, large stacks typically have a mass of 40-80 tonnes. A typical stack height is 3-5 metres, a width of 1.8-3.6 metres and a length of 5-9 metres. The stacks in the storage system that is the object of the invention are transported on two carts (topless carriages) that run on rails in the longitudinal direction of the storage section under the stacks and transfer the stacks resting on three longitudinal supports to the storage rows. These carts that move in the longitudinal direction are hereinafter referred to as "satellite carts" and they always operate in pairs. The stacks are transferred to the storage rows and removed from the storage rows as follows: a pair of satellite carts lift the stack from the bottom surface (lower surface) of the stack so that the stack is detached from its longitudinal supports, transport the stack to the storage row and lower the stack onto the longitudinal supports in the storage section or, when removed from the storage section, onto the supports on the main cart. The movement of the satellite trolley pairs in the transverse direction, i.e., from one longitudinal row to another, is carried out by driving the satellite trolley pairs to the main trolley, which then transports the satellite trolley pairs to the next work location, i.e., to the other longitudinal rows.

[0004] The power supply to the satellite trolley pair is arranged using a cable reel. In other words, the satellite trolleys carry cable reels, and when the satellite trolley pair moves away from the main trolley, the cable is unwound from the cable reel. Correspondingly, when the satellite trolley pair approaches the main trolley, the cable is rewound back onto the cable reel. However, this arrangement requires the main trolley to be at the same point in the longitudinal row of the satellite trolley pair during their operating phases in order to unwind the cable from the reel. Since the main trolley must be at the same point in the row of the satellite trolley pair, it cannot perform another operating phase of its own during the satellite trolley pair's operating phase and must instead wait for the satellite trolley pair to return. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a new type of storage system for large stacks, in which one or several pairs of satellite trolleys for transporting the stacks can act independently on each longitudinal row of the storage section so that they are not in physical contact with the main trolley moving transversely, and in which the main trolley can perform another task while the satellite trolley pairs are in the storage area for the stack.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel storage system for large stacks, wherein, in the event of a possible failure, one satellite trolley can be quickly replaced by another satellite trolley without the need for time-consuming installation and connection procedures; and / or wherein one or more satellite trolleys can be overhauled during production time without the need for time-consuming installation and connection procedures.

[0007] The storage system according to the invention for a factory for manufacturing boards, in particular particle boards, OSB boards or MDF boards, is characterized in that the main board trolley and the satellite trolley pair have energy supply systems separated from each other, which are used to move the above-mentioned main board trolley and satellite trolley pair and to perform the lifting movement of the satellite trolley pair.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the storage system according to the invention is characterized in that the energy of the main trolley is arranged to be supplied via cable reels or via busbars, and the energy of the satellite trolley pairs is supplied via busbars on the storage rows.

[0009] Another preferred embodiment of the storage system according to the present invention is characterized in that the satellite trolley pair is arranged to obtain the energy required for its own movement and lifting tasks from the main board car when it is on the main board car for the purpose of traversing movement; and when the satellite trolley pair is on a certain storage row, it is arranged to obtain the energy required for its own movement and lifting tasks from the energy supply system of the storage row.

[0010] A further preferred embodiment of the storage system according to the invention is characterized in that the energy supply system comprises busbars and current collectors fastened to the pairs of satellite carts, the busbars being fastened to the supports of the storage rows.

[0011] Another preferred embodiment of the storage system according to the invention is characterized in that the main trolley is arranged to bring the satellite trolley pair to a certain storage row, and then move while the satellite trolley pair performs a storage task on the storage row to perform another storage task by moving in a transverse direction.

[0012] A further preferred embodiment of the storage system according to the invention is characterized in that the main carrier is arranged to serve more than one satellite carrier pair.

[0013] A further preferred embodiment of the storage system according to the invention is characterized in that a conveyor for conveying the plate stacks in longitudinal direction is mounted on the main carriage, which conveyor is arranged to receive and unload the plate stacks in longitudinal direction without pairs of satellite carriages.

[0014] Another preferred embodiment of the storage system according to the invention is characterized in that there are two main trolleys, for example one at each transverse end, in which case the satellite trolley pairs are arranged to move to move any one of the main trolleys.

[0015] A further preferred embodiment of the storage system according to the invention is characterized in that the storage system comprises at least one additional satellite trolley which is arranged to be used in case of failure or repair of a regular (usual) satellite trolley without substantial installation and connection procedures.

[0016] One advantage of the invention that may be mentioned is that the capacity of the storage system is increased, since more than one storage task can be performed at least partially simultaneously. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be described below with the help of some preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 Shown is an overview of the storage system of a plant for manufacturing particle boards and MDF boards.

[0019] Figure 2 Shows a side view of the mainboard cart and its power supply.

[0020] Figure 3 Satellite carts are shown on a storage row.

[0021] Figure 4 The current supply section of the satellite vehicle is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] therefore, Figure 1 An overview of a storage system of a plant for manufacturing plates is shown. Plate stacks are denoted by reference numeral 1, three of which are shown here. Of course, there may be more plate stacks, but for the sake of clarity, not all of them are shown. Figure 1 The stack of plates at the bottom edge is located on a plate trolley (i.e. main plate trolley 2) which moves in a transverse direction. The main plate trolley moves along a track 3. Therefore, this direction of movement is called the transverse direction.

[0023] To the right of the main board trolley 2, the figure shows a conveyor 4 along which the board stacks enter and leave the storage unit. The main board trolley is supplied with current via a cable 6 from a current supply unit 7. When the trolley moves toward the current supply unit 7, the cable 6 is wound onto a cable reel 5. Conversely, when the main board trolley moves away from the current supply unit 7, the cable 6 is unwound from the cable reel 5.

[0024] Figure 1 Three longitudinal storage rows 8 are shown, each formed by three longitudinal supports 9. Of course, there can be many more than three such storage rows 8. Furthermore, they can be located on both sides of the mainboard trolley 2. When looking at the figure, they are now shown here only on the left side of the mainboard trolley 2.

[0025] Figure 1 Also shown is a pair of trolleys, which comprise two trolleys 10 that move side by side in the longitudinal direction. They are hereinafter referred to as satellite trolleys, and they lift and move the plate stack from below. Figure 1 The upper part of the diagram shows a pair of satellite carts, which are moving under or away from a stack 1. The pair of satellite carts 10 can lift a stack into the air and transfer it from the main cart 2 to the storage row 8 or vice versa. The pair of satellite carts 10 is thus arranged so that one satellite cart is positioned between the centermost support 9 and one of the outermost supports 9. Correspondingly, the second satellite cart is positioned between the centermost support 9 and the other outermost support 9. Thus, there are always two satellite carts side by side, which are referred to as a pair of satellite carts 10.

[0026] Figure 1 A second satellite trolley pair is also shown and can be seen slightly below the stack 1 on the left. Thus, the main trolley 2 can be arranged to serve more than one satellite trolley pair 10. A second satellite trolley pair is not necessarily required, but it increases capacity, especially in very large storage sections. Figure 1 A pair of satellite carts 10' can also be seen at the bottom edge of the storage system, serving as spares. In other words, if the regular satellite cart 10 malfunctions or requires repair, one or both of the satellite carts 10' can be put into use. In the storage system according to the present invention, replacing a satellite cart 10' is easy, requiring no installation or connection work.

[0027] The current supply of the satellite vehicle pair 10 is arranged such that the current supply unit 11 supplies current to the busbar 12 and, via these, to the storage row 8 .

[0028] Thus, in practice, the storage system operates such that, for example, when a new plate stack is brought into the storage section, it travels along the conveyor 4 to the main carriage 2, which then transfers the plate stack to the correct location in the storage row 8. A satellite carriage pair 10, already located beneath the main carriage 2 or driven there from the storage row 8, lifts the plate stack slightly upward, transfers the plate stack to the storage row, and lowers the plate stack to the correct location on the supports 9. The satellite carriage pair 10 can then be driven back to the main carriage 2, which can then perform another task. Previously, in the prior art, since the power supply of the satellite carriage pair 10 was physically in contact with the main carriage 2 via an electrical cable, it was not possible for the main carriage 2 to perform another task while the satellite carriage pair 10 was bringing the plate stack 1 to the storage row.

[0029] Figure 2 A side view of a mainboard trolley 2, i.e., a trolley moving in a transverse direction, is shown. Atop the mainboard trolley is a stack of panels 1. As described above, the current supply is via a cable 6. The cable 6 is wound onto a cable reel 5 and unwound accordingly.

[0030] Figure 3 A situation is shown in which the plate stack 1 is in a storage row, resting on supports 9. A satellite trolley 10, whose busbars are designated by 13, is ready to lift the stack upwards from the supports 9 and then move it in the desired direction.

[0031] Figure 4 A satellite cart 10 and its power supply arrangement are shown in greater detail. Reference numeral 13 designates a busbar, and reference numeral 14 designates a current collector. Both satellite carts are supplied with power in the same manner, even though only one is shown here. Thus, when the satellite cart moves, the current collector 14 connects to the busbar 13, which in turn receives its power from the previously shown busbar 12 via a current supply 15. The energy supply system comprises the busbar 13 and the current collector 14 fastened to the satellite cart, which in turn is fastened to the support 9 of the storage row.

[0032] Therefore, it is important in the present invention that the main trolley 2 and the satellite trolley pair 10 have separate energy supply systems for moving the trolleys and for performing the lifting movement of the satellite trolley pair 10 .

[0033] The energy of the main trolley 2 is arranged to be supplied, for example, via a cable reel 5 or via a busbar, and the energy of the satellite trolley pair 10 is preferably supplied via a busbar 13 on the storage row 8. The satellite trolley pair 10 is arranged to obtain the energy required for its own movement and lifting tasks from the main trolley 2 when it is preferably on the main trolley 2 for traversing purposes; and when the satellite trolley pair 10 is on a certain storage row 8, it is arranged to obtain the energy required for its own movement and lifting tasks, for example, from the energy supply system 13, 14 of said storage row 8.

[0034] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may be varied within the scope of the claims set forth below. Thus, for example, a conveyor for conveying the plate stacks 1 in the longitudinal direction may be mounted on the main carriage 2, the conveyor being arranged to receive and unload the plate stacks 1 in the longitudinal direction, without requiring a pair of satellite carriages. It is also possible to have two main carriages 2, for example one at each end in the transverse direction, in which case the pair of satellite carriages 10 is arranged to move to displace either main carriage 2.

Claims

1. A storage system for storing plate stacks (1), the storage system being for use in a plant for manufacturing plates, the storage system comprising at least one main plate trolley (2) moving in a transverse direction and at least one pair of satellite plate trolleys moving in a longitudinal direction, the satellite plate trolleys (10) in the pair of satellite plate trolleys being arranged to move side by side and to carry plate stacks of a storage row (8) from below, the storage row (8) comprising three longitudinal supports (9), the plate stacks (1) being transferred away from the storage row or onto the storage row, the main plate trolley (2) and the satellite plate trolleys (10) having separate energy supply systems for moving the main plate trolley (2) and the pair of satellite plate trolleys (10), characterized in that The satellite trolley pair (10) is arranged to obtain the energy required for its own movement and the energy required for the lifting task from the main trolley (2) when it is on the main trolley (2) for the purpose of traversing movement, and the satellite trolley pair (10) is arranged to obtain the energy required for its own movement and the energy required for the lifting task from the energy supply system (13, 14) of the storage row (8) when it is on a certain storage row (8).

2. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The plant manufactures OSB boards, MDF boards or particle boards.

3. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The energy for the main trolley (2) is arranged to be supplied via a cable reel (5) or via a busbar, and the energy for the satellite trolley pair (10) is supplied via a busbar (13) on the storage row.

4. The storage system according to claim 3, wherein: The energy supply system comprises a busbar (13) fastened to the supports (9) of the storage rows and a current collector (14) fastened to the pair of satellite carts.

5. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The main trolley (2) is arranged to bring the satellite trolley pair (10) to a certain storage row (8), and then move while the satellite trolley pair (10) performs a storage task on the storage row (8) to perform another storage task by moving in a transverse direction.

6. The storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The mainboard vehicle (2) is arranged to serve more than one satellite vehicle pair (10).

7. The storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A conveyor for conveying plate stacks (1) in a longitudinal direction is mounted on the main carriage (2), the conveyor being arranged to receive and unload plate stacks (1) in a longitudinal direction without requiring a pair of satellite carriages.

8. The storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: There are two main carriages (2), in which case the satellite carriage pair (10) is arranged to move to move either main carriage (2).

9. The storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: There are two main trolleys (2), one at each transverse end, in which case the satellite trolley pair (10) is arranged to move to move either main trolley (2).

10. The storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The storage system comprises at least one additional satellite trolley (10') arranged to be used in case of failure or repair of the conventional satellite trolley (10) without requiring substantial installation and connection procedures.

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