A high-density inclined rail storage equipment

Abstract

This invention discloses a high-density inclined rail storage equipment, relating to the field of automated loading and unloading devices. The main structure includes shelves, a storage machine, a picking machine, and pallet trolleys. The shelves include uprights, horizontal supports, and guide rails. Multiple horizontal supports are arranged from top to bottom between the uprights, and guide rails are positioned above the horizontal supports, inclined downwards from the storage end to the picking end of the shelf. Pallet trolleys are mounted on the shelves, storage machines, and picking machines. Inclined guide rails replace the rollers of gravity-flow shelves. The wheels of the pallet trolley cooperate with the guide rails, and under the action of gravity, the pallet trolley moves downhill along the guide rails, sliding from the storage end to the picking end. A storage machine is installed at the storage end, and a picking machine is installed at the picking end to store or retrieve goods. This achieves high-density cold storage and the first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle, reducing the cost of automated cold storage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated loading and unloading equipment technology, and in particular to a high-density inclined rail storage equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional cold storage facilities rely on manual handling and stacking. On the one hand, low temperatures are harmful to human health; on the other hand, manual handling leads to significant loss of cold air. Furthermore, stacks cannot be stacked too high, otherwise they are prone to collapse during retrieval, causing danger. Moreover, food that is brought in earlier cannot be used promptly, resulting in spoilage and waste. In short, these storage and transportation methods are inefficient, wasteful, dangerous, and costly. This has prompted cold storage warehousing to shift from manual to automated stacking systems like multi-level warehouses.

[0003] Currently, automated warehousing is widely used in various industries. Cell-type racks are commonly used, and a stacker crane is required between every two racks. The warehouse management system automatically plans the storage units for storing and retrieving goods based on the recorded goods data, and continuously updates information in real time according to the inbound and outbound situation to ensure the automated operation of the system. When a storage unit receives an inbound or outbound instruction, the stacker crane will transport the goods to the corresponding location.

[0004] Patent CN113734680A discloses a big data-based intelligent material storage and management system, relating to the field of intelligent warehousing technology. The system includes a warehouse, a control center, shelves with conveyor chains and drive mechanisms, AGV intelligent vehicles, a lifting transmission mechanism installed on one side of the shelves, and a conveying platform installed on the AGV intelligent vehicles. This invention revolutionizes traditional goods storage and retrieval methods. Based on big data technology, AGV intelligent vehicles are used as transportation tools to directly deliver goods located on the conveying platform to the corresponding shelves. Then, the conveying platform, in conjunction with the lifting transmission mechanism installed on the side of the shelves, directly transports the goods to the corresponding shelf level. In this way, each AGV intelligent vehicle is a small stacker crane, allowing for more flexible shelf layouts that only require symmetrical arrangement, greatly improving the efficiency of goods storage and retrieval.

[0005] Existing warehouse stacker cranes mainly use AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), forklifts, or other specialized equipment. AGVs have good transport capacity and flexible movement routes, but their lifting capacity is poor when picking up and placing goods, making them unsuitable for tall shelves and heavy goods. Otherwise, they become top-heavy and prone to tipping over. They also require a smooth road surface and cannot travel at high speeds, otherwise they become unstable and wobble. Automated forklifts have good lifting capacity, but their storage density is low, and they require a large aisle area for maneuvering, wasting storage space, which is very precious for cold storage and similar applications.

[0006] Patent CN103274154A discloses a storage method and equipment for a high-density warehouse for pallet storage and warehousing. It includes parallel multi-layered through-type storage channels supported by beams and columns. Each through-type storage channel has an inlet and an outlet at both ends. Inside, there are unpowered roller conveyors and tracks forming a certain angle α with the horizontal plane. Flatbed shuttles are mounted on the tracks, and a deceleration and separation device is installed at the end of the roller conveyor near the outlet. Pallets are transported by flatbed shuttles to achieve pallet entry; a gravity conveying high-density storage method is used for storage and warehousing. This invention ensures the stability and efficiency of pallet entry, high-density storage, and warehousing, reduces costs, facilitates later maintenance, and is conducive to market promotion.

[0007] This method employs gravity roller conveyor storage, where rows of rollers act as conveyor belts. Pallets slide down the inclined rollers to the lower outlet, where they are received. A buffer device is also included to prevent excessive impact between pallets. While this method has clear advantages, its disadvantages include high manufacturing and installation costs due to the densely packed rollers, as well as their significant weight. This includes numerous bearing housings and bolt holes at both ends of the rollers. Maintenance is also inconvenient, hindering the development of automated cold storage. Furthermore, goods require lateral positioning on the rollers to prevent slippage. Adding anti-deviation mechanisms further increases manufacturing and installation costs. Most importantly, because the acceleration during descent cannot be controlled, heavy objects can collide at the bottom of the slope. The buffer device can only transmit the impact force, not eliminate it, accelerating vibration and damage to the equipment system.

[0008] Traditional separation devices are unpowered. When the forks pick up goods, the goods in the first position gradually move outward with the forks. The goods press against the pedal at one end of the separation device, causing the separation device to rise at the other end of the second position, preventing the goods in the second position from sliding down, thus completing the separation. When the goods in the first position are removed, the pedal loses pressure, and the weight of the goods in the second position presses down on the separation mechanism, stopping the sliding. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the above technical issues, this invention provides a high-density inclined rail storage device, suitable for storing heavy loads, ensuring first-in-first-out (FIFO) of goods, and achieving high storage density per unit space. This realizes high-density cold storage and the FIFO principle, reducing the cost of automated cold storage.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0011] This invention provides a high-density inclined rail storage system, including shelves, vending machines, picking machines, and pallet trucks. The shelves include uprights, horizontal supports, and guide rails. Multiple horizontal supports are arranged from top to bottom between the uprights. Guide rails are arranged above the horizontal supports and are inclined downwards from the storage end to the picking end of the shelf. The vending machine is located at the storage end of the shelf, and the picking machine is located at the picking end of the shelf. The pallet truck is used to carry goods and is movably mounted on the shelves, the vending machines, and the picking machines.

[0012] Optionally, the guide rail includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail. The first guide rail is disposed at the storage end of the shelf, and the second guide rail is disposed at the picking end of the shelf. The first guide rail and the second guide rail are connected. The tilt angle of the first guide rail is 4-5 degrees, and the tilt angle of the second guide rail is 2-3 degrees.

[0013] Optionally, the pallet truck includes a pallet, wheels, axles, and bearing seats; the bottom of the pallet is provided with a bearing seat, a bearing is provided inside the bearing seat, the axle passes through the inner ring of the bearing, and the wheels are located at both ends of the axle.

[0014] Optionally, the pallet truck may be provided with a buffer at the front and / or rear.

[0015] Optionally, the buffer may include a helical spring.

[0016] Optionally, an adaptive damper is provided in the middle of the axle. The adaptive damper includes a fixed shell and a rotating body. The fixed shell is disposed below the tray, and the rotating body is disposed inside the fixed shell and connected to the axle.

[0017] Optionally, the rotating body includes partitions, friction belts, and centrifugal blocks; multiple partitions are provided on the axle, centrifugal blocks are provided between adjacent partitions, and friction belts are provided at the outer ends of the centrifugal blocks.

[0018] Optionally, both the storage machine and the pickup machine are elevators.

[0019] Optionally, the storage end of the shelf is provided with a storage track, the retrieval end of the shelf is provided with a retrieval track, the storage machine is slidably mounted on the storage track, and the retrieval machine is slidably mounted on the retrieval track.

[0020] Optionally, a blocking mechanism is provided at one end of the guide rail near the pickup machine, as well as on the storage machine and the pickup machine. The blocking mechanism includes a blocking block, a compression spring, and an electric push rod. One end of the electric push rod is connected to the guide rail, the storage machine, or the pickup machine. The blocking block is located at the other end of the electric push rod, and the compression spring is located between the electric push rod and the blocking block.

[0021] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0022] This invention relates to a high-density inclined rail storage system. Two inclined guide rails are installed in each storage aisle, replacing the rollers of traditional gravity flow racks. Pallet trucks carrying goods are equipped with multiple wheels that work in conjunction with the guide rails. Under gravity, the pallet trucks move downhill along the guide rails, sliding from the storage end to the retrieval end. An adaptive damping mechanism is installed on the rear axle to ensure uniform movement of the pallet trucks and prevent jamming. To prevent goods from escaping the aisles, a blocking mechanism is installed at the retrieval end of the rack, releasing only one pallet truck at a time according to system instructions. A storage machine is installed at the storage end, and a retrieval machine is installed at the retrieval end. These machines can move horizontally and vertically to a specific aisle on a specific layer of the rack to store goods in the aisle or retrieve goods from the aisle to the retrieval machine. This technology is suitable for heavy-duty storage, ensuring first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory management, and achieving high storage density per unit space. It realizes high-density cold storage and the FIFO principle, reducing the cost of automated cold storage. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the high-density inclined rail storage equipment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lateral structure of the rack in the high-density inclined rail storage equipment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the storage machine in the high-density inclined rail storage equipment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the pallet truck structure in the high-density inclined rail storage equipment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the pallet truck in the high-density inclined rail storage equipment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a front view schematic diagram of the pallet truck structure in the high-density inclined rail storage equipment of the present invention.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Shelf; 2. Guide rail; 3. Pallet trolley; 4. Goods; 5. Adaptive damper; 6. Storage machine; 7. Picking machine; 8. Buffer; 9. Block;

[0031] 11. First guide rail; 12. Second guide rail; 13. Horizontal support; 14. Vertical support;

[0032] 31. Wheel; 32. Axle; 33. Bearing housing;

[0033] 51. Fixed shell; 52. Rotating body;

[0034] 521. Partition plate; 522. Friction belt; 523. Centrifugal block;

[0035] 61. Inventory Track;

[0036] 71. Pick-up track. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this embodiment provides a high-density inclined rail storage equipment, including a rack 1, a storage machine 6, a picking machine 7, and a pallet trolley 3; the rack 1 includes uprights 14, horizontal supports 13, and guide rails 2. Multiple horizontal supports 13 are arranged from top to bottom between the uprights 14, and guide rails 2 are arranged above the horizontal supports 13. The guide rails 2 are inclined downward from the storage end to the picking end of the rack 1; the storage end of the rack 1 is equipped with a storage machine 6, and the picking end of the rack 1 is equipped with a picking machine 7; the pallet trolley 3 is used to support goods 4, and the pallet trolley 3 is movably mounted on the rack 1, the storage machine 6, and the picking machine 7.

[0039] Multiple sets of horizontal supports 13 are set from top to bottom between the uprights 14 to form storage channels. Each set of horizontal supports 13 is equipped with two inclined guide rails 2, which replace the rollers of the traditional gravity flow rack 1. The pallet cart 3 carrying the goods 4 is equipped with multiple wheels 31, which cooperate with the guide rails 2. Under the action of gravity, the pallet cart 3 moves downhill along the guide rails 2, that is, slides from the storage end to the retrieval end.

[0040] In this specific embodiment, the guide rail 2 includes a first guide rail 11 and a second guide rail 12. The first guide rail 11 is disposed at the storage end of the shelf 1, and the second guide rail 12 is disposed at the picking end of the shelf 1. The first guide rail 11 and the second guide rail 12 are connected. The tilt angle of the first guide rail 11 is 5 degrees, and the tilt angle of the second guide rail 12 is 2 degrees.

[0041] The pallet trolley 3 includes a pallet, wheels 31, axles 32, and bearing seats 33. The bearing seats 33 are located at the bottom of the pallet, and bearings are housed within the bearing seats 33. The axles 32 pass through the inner ring of the bearings, and the wheels 31 are located at both ends of the axles 32. A rim is provided on the side of the wheel 31 closest to the pallet, and the rim is located inside the guide rail 2, ensuring that the pallet trolley 3 can move on the guide rail 2 without derailing. A coil spring is provided at the rear end of the pallet trolley 3.

[0042] An adaptive damper 5 is installed in the middle of the axle 32. The adaptive damper 5 includes a fixed shell 51 and a rotating body 52. ​​The fixed shell 51 is located below the tray, and the rotating body 52 is located inside the fixed shell 51 and connected to the axle 32. The rotating body 52 includes a partition 521, a friction belt 522, and a centrifugal block 523. Four partitions 521 are installed on the axle 32, and centrifugal blocks 523 are installed between adjacent partitions 521. The outer end of the centrifugal block 523 is provided with a friction belt 522. When the wheel 31 rotates, the axle 32 drives the four partitions 521 to rotate synchronously, and the four centrifugal blocks 523 move outward centrifugally. The friction belt 522 contacts and rubs against the inner wall of the fixed shell 51. The friction force acts as a brake, slowing down the rotation of the four partitions 521 and the axle 32. At this time, the centrifugal force decreases, the friction force decreases, and the speed of the wheel 31 increases. In this way, a dynamic balance is generated, that is, a uniform vehicle speed is obtained. Regardless of changes in the load on pallet truck 3, the vehicle speed remains constant and nearly uniform. The adaptive damper 5, with its simple and practical structure and low cost, achieves the effect of adaptive uniform motion. The centrifugal block 523 can be made by machining a round steel disc and milling out four equal steel blocks. Because these are four free weight blocks, they will not jam, preventing the goods 4 from falling off the pallet due to sudden changes in pallet speed. As the sliding speed increases, the frictional damping also increases. When the frictional damping increases to a certain level, it balances with the component of gravity, making the acceleration zero, thus maintaining the speed within a constant range.

[0043] Both the storage lift 6 and the picking lift 7 are four-column lifting structures. The storage end of the shelf 1 is equipped with a storage track 61, and the picking end of the shelf 1 is equipped with a picking track 71. The storage lift 6 is slidably mounted on the storage track 61, and the picking lift 7 is slidably mounted on the picking track 71. Both the storage lift 6 and the picking lift 7 can move along horizontal tracks on the ground, and their loading platforms can move vertically to correspond to different shelf layers 1. The loading platform is also equipped with two parallel and inclined guide rails 2. During storage, the loading platform of the storage lift moves, causing the guide rails 2 of the loading platform to connect seamlessly with the guide rails 2 at the receiving end. The blocking block 9 of the loading platform descends under the action of an electric push rod, and the pallet trolley 3 slides along the guide rails 2 onto the guide rails 2 of the shelf 1 by gravity.

[0044] A blocking mechanism is installed at the end of guide rail 2 near the picking machine 7, as well as on the storage machine 6 and the picking machine 7. The blocking mechanism includes a blocking block 9, a compression spring, and an electric push rod. One end of the electric push rod is connected to guide rail 2, storage machine 6, or picking machine 7. The blocking block 9 is located at the other end of the electric push rod, and the compression spring is located between the electric push rod and the blocking block 9. When in storage mode, the spring pushes the blocking block 9 upward, preventing the goods 4 from sliding off the shelf 1 along guide rail 2. When the electric push rod is pulled downward, it compresses the compression spring, and the pallet trolley 3 moves downhill to the guide rail 2 of the picking vehicle, retrieving only one pallet at a time. The pallet in the second position slides to the first position. In the event of a sudden power loss, the state of the blocking block 9 remains unchanged, ensuring that the goods 4 do not slip off.

[0045] Move the loading platform of the pickup machine 7 to the pickup end to complete the seamless connection of the track. The blocking block 9 of the pickup machine 7 is in the blocking state. After the pallet truck 3 slides from the shelf 1 to the pickup machine 7, the goods 4 in the second position on the shelf 1 slide to the first position, and the blocking block 9 rises and blocks the pallet truck 3.

[0046] It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention, and no reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0047] This specification uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-density, slanted-rail warehousing apparatus, characterized by, The system includes shelves, vending machines, picking machines, and pallet trolleys. The shelves include uprights, horizontal supports, and guide rails. Multiple horizontal supports are arranged from top to bottom between the uprights. Guide rails are positioned above the horizontal supports, sloping downwards from the storage end to the picking end of the shelf. The vending machine is located at the storage end of the shelf, and the picking machine is located at the picking end of the shelf. The pallet trolley is used to carry goods and is movably mounted on the shelves, vending machines, and picking machines. The guide rails include a first guide rail and a second guide rail; the first guide rail is located at the storage end of the shelf, and the second guide rail is located at the picking end of the shelf. At the picking end, the first guide rail is connected to the second guide rail; the inclination angle of the first guide rail is 4-5 degrees, and the inclination angle of the second guide rail is 2-3 degrees. The pallet truck includes a pallet, wheels, axles, and bearing seats. An adaptive damper is provided in the middle of the axle. The adaptive damper includes a fixed shell and a rotating body. The fixed shell is located below the pallet, and the rotating body is located inside the fixed shell and connected to the axle. The rotating body includes partitions, friction belts, and centrifugal blocks. Multiple partitions are provided on the axle, and centrifugal blocks are provided between adjacent partitions. The friction belt is provided at the outer end of the centrifugal blocks.

2. The high-density slanted-rail storage system of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the tray is provided with a bearing seat, and a bearing is provided inside the bearing seat. The axle passes through the inner ring of the bearing, and the wheels are provided at both ends of the axle.

3. The high-density slanted-rail warehousing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pallet truck is equipped with cushioning components at the front and / or rear.

4. The high-density slanted-rail storage system of claim 3, wherein, The buffer element includes a helical spring.

5. The high-density slanted-rail storage system of claim 1, wherein, Both the storage machine and the pickup machine are elevators.

6. The high-density inclined rail storage equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shelf has a storage track at the storage end and a retrieval track at the retrieval end. The storage machine is slidably mounted on the storage track and the retrieval machine is slidably mounted on the retrieval track.

7. The high-density inclined rail storage equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail near the pickup machine, as well as the storage machine and the pickup machine, are equipped with blocking mechanisms. The blocking mechanism includes a blocking block, a compression spring, and an electric push rod. One end of the electric push rod is connected to the guide rail, the storage machine, or the pickup machine. The blocking block is located at the other end of the electric push rod, and the compression spring is located between the electric push rod and the blocking block.

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