A platform for testing and maintenance of automated warehouse shuttle cars.

Abstract

This invention belongs to the technical field of intelligent warehousing systems, and particularly relates to a platform for testing and maintaining shuttle vehicles in automated storage and retrieval systems (AS / RS). The platform comprises several cross-plates, two connecting plates, screw holes on the connecting plates, openings on the cross-plates, and bolts on the screw holes and openings, with rods for engaging the inner surfaces of the tracks. This results in: 1. A relatively small platform with a simple structure, allowing operators to carry it into the AS / RS and install it on the two tracks, ensuring sufficient safety and convenience for shuttle vehicle testing and maintenance; 2. A platform suitable for various types of malfunctioning shuttle vehicles that are unable to move while parked inside the AS / RS, thus having a relatively wide range of applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of intelligent warehousing system technology, and in particular relates to a platform for testing and maintenance of shuttle vehicles in automated warehouses. Background Technology

[0002] An automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS) is one of the most important hardware facilities in an intelligent warehousing system. Its structure typically includes racks, cranes, and shuttle vehicles.

[0003] The racks are used to record and store goods in sequence, the cranes are used to transport goods and / or shuttles between different levels of the racks, and the shuttles are used to precisely pick up and place goods. In addition, shuttles can be further divided into four-way shuttles and letter-type shuttles. The former can move horizontally and vertically on its own, while the latter is generally moved along the main track by a mother car and along the secondary track by a daughter car.

[0004] On the other hand, regardless of the type of shuttle, malfunctions can occur during use, requiring operators to test and repair them. This necessitates a safe and convenient platform to ensure the smooth completion of these tests and repairs.

[0005] For example, Chinese utility model patent with patent publication number CN218560002U and publication date of March 3, 2023 discloses a convenient four-way shuttle maintenance platform. Its structure includes a support frame, a top plate fixed to the top of the support frame, a guide rail for docking with the track of the automated warehouse, a stopping area and a maintenance area on the top plate, the guide rail extending from the stopping area to the maintenance area, a safety cage in the stopping area, the guide rail passing through the safety cage, an opening for the four-way shuttle to enter on the side of the safety cage near the automated warehouse, and an openable cage door on the side of the safety cage near the maintenance area.

[0006] The maintenance platform in this utility model patent can facilitate maintenance personnel's work and improve safety.

[0007] However, in actual use, this maintenance platform still has at least two shortcomings, which are the technical problems that this invention aims to solve:

[0008] First, the maintenance platform can only be built on the side of the automated warehouse, that is, one end of the track. This requires the shuttle car to move to the end of the track by itself, or the operator to use other equipment to pull the malfunctioning and immobile shuttle car to the end of the track. This makes the scope of application relatively small and the practicality poor.

[0009] Secondly, the maintenance platform is relatively large and cannot be brought into the automated warehouse, nor can it be set up in the relatively small space inside the automated warehouse. Therefore, when the shuttle vehicle not only malfunctions but is also unable to move and is paralyzed inside the automated warehouse, the maintenance platform cannot be used.

[0010] Therefore, in summary, there is an urgent need for a testing and maintenance platform that can be brought into the automated warehouse, is relatively small in size, and has a relatively simple structure, so as to ensure that faulty shuttle cars that cannot be moved inside the automated warehouse can be repaired. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This invention provides a platform for testing and maintaining shuttle cars in automated storage and retrieval systems (AS / RS). Its structure includes several cross plates, two connecting plates, screw holes on the connecting plates, openings on the cross plates, and bolts on the screw holes and openings, with rods for engaging the inner surfaces of the tracks. This results in: 1. The platform being relatively small in size and simple in structure, allowing operators to carry it into the AS / RS and install it on the two tracks, ensuring sufficient safety and convenience for shuttle car testing and maintenance operations; 2. The platform is suitable for various types of malfunctioning shuttle cars that are unable to move while parked inside the AS / RS, thus having a relatively wide range of applications.

[0012] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is: a platform for testing and maintenance of a shuttle car in an automated warehouse, the structure of which includes a cross plate for being set on two tracks, two connecting plates respectively set on both sides of all the cross plates, screw holes set on the connecting plates, openings set on the cross plates, and bolts set on the screw holes and openings, the rods of which are used to engage the opposite inner sides of the tracks.

[0013] A further preferred technical solution is that: the cross plate is also provided with auxiliary holes located on the outer sides of the two tracks, rods are provided on the auxiliary holes and used to engage the opposite outer sides of the tracks, and a limiting block is provided on the upper end face of the rods.

[0014] A further preferred technical solution is that: the connecting plate is also provided with an inner vertical baffle for blocking and protecting the operator's feet, an outward extension plate provided on the inner vertical baffle, and a vertical anti-fall plate provided on the outward extension plate for vertically blocking the limiting block.

[0015] A further preferred technical solution is that the outwardly extending plate is also provided with bolt through holes.

[0016] A further preferred technical solution is that: after the platform is disassembled, the cross plate is inserted and stored inside the frame composed of the connecting plate, the inner vertical baffle, the outward extension plate and the vertical anti-fall plate.

[0017] A further preferred technical solution is that the bolt is screwed into the frame to clamp the already housed cross plate at its head.

[0018] A further preferred technical solution is that the connecting plate is also provided with a hole for inserting and receiving the rod after it has been removed.

[0019] A further preferred technical solution is that: after the platform is removed, the cross plate blocks the limiting block, allowing the rod to be inserted into the hole for use after removal.

[0020] A further preferred technical solution is that: the two cross plates on the sides are also provided with baffles in the direction of track length.

[0021] A further preferred technical solution is that: after the platform is removed, the track length direction baffle is used to clamp the already stored cross plate between the inner vertical baffle and the vertical anti-fall plate. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation and usage of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a top-down view illustrating the installation and usage status of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the position and shape of the inner vertical baffle, the outward extension plate, and the vertical anti-fall plate in this invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the shape and location of the hole after disassembly in this invention.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembly and storage method of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the position and shape of the baffle along the track length direction in this invention.

[0028] The meanings of the markings in the diagram are as follows:

[0029] Track a, operator's feet b;

[0030] 1. Cross plate, 2. Connecting plate, 3. Screw hole, 4. Opening, 5. Bolt, 6. Auxiliary hole, 7. Rod body, 8. Limiting block, 9. Inner vertical baffle, 10. Outward extension plate, 11. Vertical anti-fall plate, 12. Bolt through hole, 13. Use hole after removal, 14. Track length direction baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0032] As attached Figure 1-6 As shown, a platform for testing and maintenance of a shuttle car in an automated warehouse includes a cross plate 1 for mounting on two tracks a, two connecting plates 2 respectively mounted on both sides of all the cross plates 1, screw holes 3 mounted on the connecting plates 2, openings 4 mounted on the cross plates 1, and bolts 5 mounted on the screw holes 3 and openings 4, with rods for engaging the opposite inner surfaces of the tracks a.

[0033] In this embodiment, the platform is less than 1m in both length and width. It is built next to the malfunctioning and immobile shuttle and erected on two tracks a, which facilitates subsequent shuttle testing and maintenance operations. This is very convenient, practical and efficient.

[0034] The platform has only two states: "installation and use" and "disassembly and storage". In the "installation and use" state, the bolt 5 is screwed onto the connecting plate 2 and inserted into the cross plate 1, while simultaneously abutting against the inner side of the track a. At this point, the platform is, in principle, fixed laterally along the track length, while the front-to-back fixation relies on the high coefficient of friction of the cross plate 1 itself.

[0035] The cross plate 1 is made of wood to ensure sufficient anti-slip performance, while the connecting plate 2 is made of metal to ensure sufficient structural strength. Correspondingly, the opening 4 is a simple circular hole, requiring no threads, and even if threads were added, they wouldn't hold for long. Therefore, the bolt 5's shank can be properly inserted and tightened into the opening 4; in other words, even if these two parts become slightly loose, it won't significantly affect the platform's structural and positional stability.

[0036] Finally, the number of the cross plates 1 is 6-10, and their thickness is greater than that of the connecting plates 2. Therefore, correspondingly, 6-10 screw holes 3 are also opened on a single connecting plate 2. At both ends of the cross plates 1, the openings 4 are opened, and the number of openings 4 is 12-20.

[0037] The cross plate 1 is also provided with auxiliary holes 6 located outside the two tracks a, rods 7 set on the auxiliary holes 6 and used to engage the opposite outer sides of the tracks a, and limiting blocks 8 set on the upper end surface of the rods 7.

[0038] In this embodiment, the rod 7 and the limiting block 8 are integrally formed, and the structure is similar to the bolt 5. It can even be directly replaced with an existing bolt to ensure that the whole can be inserted into the cross plate 1 and abut against the outer side of the track a.

[0039] Therefore, auxiliary holes 6 are provided at both ends of the transverse plate 1, and like the opening 4, they are unthreaded. Furthermore, the auxiliary holes 6 are located closer to the side than the opening 4.

[0040] Therefore, the structure of the rod 7 and the limiting block 8 is only used to assist the bolt 5 and ensure that the platform is less likely to deviate left or right in the direction of track length.

[0041] The connecting plate 2 is also provided with an inner vertical baffle 9 for blocking and protecting the operator's feet b, an outward extension plate 10 provided on the inner vertical baffle 9, and a vertical anti-fall plate 11 provided on the outward extension plate 10 for vertically blocking the limiting block 8.

[0042] In this embodiment, the connecting plate 2, the inner vertical baffle 9, the outward extension plate 10, and the vertical anti-fall plate 11 are integrally formed into a rectangular cylinder with an overall side opening in the length direction.

[0043] If the operator's foot b accidentally slips in the left-right direction of the connecting plate 2, the inner vertical baffle 9 can block and protect the operator's foot b, preventing the operator's entire leg from slipping off the track.

[0044] Furthermore, the vertical anti-fall plate 11 serves to prevent the structure consisting of the simply inserted rod 7 and the limiting block 8 from falling upwards. In other words, the vertical anti-fall plate 11 only needs to block and limit the movement at least above the limiting block 8. Even if the rod 7 and the limiting block 8 move slightly up and down, it will not affect the lateral limiting effect, which is very convenient.

[0045] The outwardly extending plate 10 is also provided with bolt through holes 12.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the distance between the connecting plate 2 and the outward extending plate 10 is greater than the length of the bolt 5, the bolt through hole 12 and the screw hole 3 do not need to be vertically aligned. However, when the inner vertical baffle 9 is narrow and the above distance does not allow the bolt 5 to move laterally, the bolt through hole 12 and the screw hole 3 need to be properly vertically aligned.

[0047] Of course, the opening size of the bolt through hole 12 is larger than the head size of bolt 5, so that bolt 5 can be inserted downwards for installation.

[0048] After the platform is removed, the cross plate 1 is inserted and stored inside the frame composed of the connecting plate 2, the inner vertical baffle 9, the outward extension plate 10, and the vertical anti-fall plate 11.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the platform is in the "removed and stored" state, the number of the cross plate 1 is divided into two, and they are respectively inserted into the two frames composed of the connecting plate 2, the inner vertical baffle 9, the outward extension plate 10 and the vertical anti-fall plate 11, that is, the above-mentioned "rectangular cylinder with an overall side opening in the length direction".

[0050] This ensures that the platform can be "disassembled and stored" in a compact and orderly manner, and that the cross panel 1 is not easily dropped or lost.

[0051] The bolt 5 is screwed inwards into the frame to clamp the already housed cross plate 1 at its head.

[0052] In this embodiment, after half of the cross plates 1 are stacked, they can all be inserted into the "frame and rectangular cylinder" and the stacking thickness is less than the distance between the connecting plate 2 and the outward extending plate 10. Finally, by screwing the bolt 5 inward, its head clamps the stacked cross plates 1, further ensuring that the cross plates 1 are not easy to slip out and fall out inside the "frame and rectangular cylinder".

[0053] At this point, the platform's "removed and stored" state is sufficiently stable, the overall structure is not easily disassembled, and the cross plate 1 is not easily slipped off and fallen.

[0054] The connecting plate 2 is also provided with a hole 13 for inserting and receiving the rod 7 after it is removed.

[0055] In this embodiment, the rod 7 and the limiting block 8 are small components that also need a fixed position when the platform is "removed and stored". This is the function of the hole 13 after removal.

[0056] The structure of rod 7 and limiting block 8 is first inserted into the disassembled and used hole 13, and the limiting block 8 is inside the "frame and rectangular cylinder". Then, half of the cross plates 1 are inserted to ensure that the structure of rod 7 and limiting block 8, together with the cross plates 1, can be fixed on the "frame and rectangular cylinder" and is not easy to disassemble or fall off.

[0057] After the platform is removed, the cross plate 1 blocks the limiting block 8, allowing the rod 7 to be inserted into the disassembled use hole 13.

[0058] In this embodiment, when the platform is in the "removed and stored" state, the cross plate 1 is completely fixed inside the "frame and rectangular cylinder". The structure of the rod 7 and the limiting block 8 is inserted into the "frame and rectangular cylinder" and cannot be completely fixed, but it only shakes. The limiting block 8 cannot move back in large distances until the rod 7 leaves the removal hole 13.

[0059] Therefore, the structure consisting of rod 7 and limiting block 8 will not fall off. Correspondingly, the number of holes 13 used after removal must be equal to half the number of rod 7.

[0060] Similarly, the hole 13 mentioned for use after disassembly is simply a circular opening and does not require threads.

[0061] The two cross plates 1 on the sides are also provided with track length direction baffles 14.

[0062] In this embodiment, the track length direction baffle 14 functions similarly to the inner vertical baffle 9, ensuring that even if the operator's foot b slips, it is not easy to slide to the outside of the platform.

[0063] After the platform is removed, the track length direction baffle 14 is used to clamp the already stored cross plate 1 between the inner vertical baffle 9 and the vertical anti-fall plate 11.

[0064] In this embodiment, the second function of the track length direction baffle 14 is that when the platform is in the "disassembled and stored" state, it can supplement the width of the transverse plate 1 within the aforementioned "frame and rectangular cylinder," so that the narrower transverse plate 1 can at least reduce the lateral swaying amplitude within the "frame and rectangular cylinder." See the attached diagram for details. Figure 5 .

[0065] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These are non-inventive modifications and are protected by patent law as long as they fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A platform for testing and maintaining shuttle cars in automated warehouses, characterized in that: The structure includes a cross plate (1) for mounting on two rails (a), two connecting plates (2) respectively mounted on both sides of all the cross plates (1), screw holes (3) mounted on the connecting plates (2), openings (4) mounted on the cross plates (1), and bolts (5) mounted on the screw holes (3) and openings (4) and whose rods are used to engage the opposite inner surfaces of the rails (a). The cross plate (1) is also provided with auxiliary holes (6) located outside the two rails (a), rods (7) set on the auxiliary holes (6) and used to engage the opposite outer sides of the rails (a), and limiting blocks (8) set on the upper end face of the rods (7). The connecting plate (2) is also provided with an inner vertical baffle (9) for blocking and protecting the operator's feet (b), an outward extension plate (10) provided on the inner vertical baffle (9), and a vertical anti-fall plate (11) provided on the outward extension plate (10) for vertically blocking the limiting block (8). After the platform is removed, the cross plate (1) is inserted and stored inside the frame consisting of the connecting plate (2), the inner vertical baffle (9), the outward extension plate (10), and the vertical anti-fall plate (11).

2. The platform for testing and maintaining a shuttle car in an automated warehouse according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outward extension plate (10) is also provided with bolt through holes (12).

3. The platform for testing and maintenance of automated warehouse shuttle cars according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bolt (5) is screwed into the frame to clamp the already housed cross plate (1) at its head.

4. The platform for testing and maintenance of automated warehouse shuttle cars according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting plate (2) is also provided with a hole (13) for inserting and receiving the rod (7) after it is removed.

5. The platform for testing and maintenance of automated warehouse shuttle cars according to claim 4, characterized in that: After the platform is removed, the cross plate (1) blocks the limiting block (8), allowing the rod (7) to be inserted into the hole (13) after removal.

6. The platform for testing and maintenance of automated warehouse shuttle cars according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two cross plates (1) on the sides are also provided with track length direction baffles (14).

7. The platform for testing and maintenance of automated warehouse shuttle cars according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the platform is removed, the track length direction baffle (14) is used to clamp the already stored cross plate (1) between the inner vertical baffle (9) and the vertical anti-fall plate (11).

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